Patent ID: 6614956
Filing Date: 2003-09-02
Classification: H04B,H04J

Abstract:
A bidirectional wavelength division multiplexed optical communication system having bidirectional optical service channels, the bidirectional wavelength division multiplexed optical communication system comprising:a bidirectional optical waveguide configured to carry a bidirectional optical communication signal comprising a first wavelength division multiplexed optical communication signal comprised of a plurality of first optical channels and a first optical service channel propagating in a first direction and further comprising a second wavelength division multiplexed optical communication signal comprised of a plurality of second optical channels and a second optical service channel propagating in a second direction; a first optical service channel selector optically communicating with the bidirectional optical waveguide, the first optical service channel selector configured to separate the first optical service channel from the first wavelength division multiplexed optical communication signal such that the first optical service channel is routed to a service channel module; a second optical service channel selector optically communicating with the bidirectional optical waveguide, the second optical service channel selector configured to separate the second optical service channel from the second wavelength division multiplexed optical communication signal such that the second optical service channel is routed to the service channel module; wherein the service channel module includes an optical service channel generator coupled to an optical coupler, the optical coupler having at least first and second outputs, the first output optically communicating with the first optical service channel selector and the second output optically communicating with the second optical service channel selector such that the optical service channel generator launches the optical service channel in each direction on the bidirectional optical waveguide.