Patent ID: 7672595
Filing Date: 2010-03-02
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
1. An optical communications system for conveying traffic through an optical link between transmitting and receiving nodes, the system comprising, for each node, respective legacy and bypass paths coupled in parallel between the optical link and the node, wherein the legacy path is coupled to a legacy optical transmitter that is not capable of electrical domain compensation of dispersion of the link, and includes at least one optical dispersion compensation block for compensating at least a portion of the dispersion, the legacy path having no electrical domain compensation; and wherein the bypass path is coupled to a successor optical transmitter capable of electrical domain dispersion compensation, the bypass path having electrical domain compensation, the optical communications system further comprising a broadband signal combiner for coupling respective legacy and bypass paths to the optical link, the signal combiner being operative to divide optical energy traversing the link between the legacy and bypass paths and a wavelength blocker coupled in the legacy path for selectively blocking one or more wavelength channels traversing the legacy path.