Patent ID: 6025944
Filing Date: 2000-02-15
Classification: H04J

Abstract:
A hybrid wavelength division multiplexing (WDM)/code division multiple access (CDMA) communications device for a use with a network having a single optical fiber per port comprising:a. a coder means for:i. impressing digital data from an incoming, electronic, digital data stream as simultaneous short pulses onto N optical channels having wavelengths .lambda.1 to .lambda.N; said channels being spatially ordered in a base sequence;ii. interchanging the order of said optical channels from said base sequence;iii. splitting and time delay encoding each of said optical channels so that multiwavelength pulse groups uniquely define a communication channel; andiv. combining said optical channels onto said single optical fiber; andb. a decoder means for:i. separating an incoming optical signal from said single optical fiber into said N optical channels;ii. re-ordering the order of said optical channels back to said base sequence;iii. splitting and time delay encoding, with a time delay complementary to the time delay introduced by said coder means, each of said optical channels, using a scaling factor derived from the maximum pulse replication ratio of any of said optical channels; andiv. combining said optical channels and outputting an outgoing, electronic, digital, data stream.