Patent ID: 6038045
Filing Date: 2000-03-14
Classification: G02B,H04J,H04Q

Abstract:
Apparatus for selectively dropping at least one of the channels of at least one wavelength multiplex from said multiplex, said apparatus including optical switching means and, for each multiplex, at least one add-and-drop module comprising:at least one stop filter provided with first and second opposite ports and tuned to at least one of the wavelengths of the channels of the multiplex;inlet coupling means coupled to said first port and provided with an inlet port suitable for receiving said multiplex and with a drop port, said inlet coupling means being organized to inject into the filter at least a portion of the waves received via their inlet port, and to transmit via their drop port at least a portion of the waves received from said first port; andoutlet coupling means coupled to said second port and provided with an outlet port and with an add port, said outlet coupling means being organized to inject into the filter at least a portion of the waves received via their add port, and to transmit via their outlet port at least a portion of the waves received from said second port;and wherein said switching means are provided with at least one drop outlet and, for each module, with drop inlet coupled to said drop port, with an add outlet coupled to said add port, and wherein, for each module, said switching means are suitable for selectively coupling said drop inlet to at least one of said add outlet and to said drop outlet.