Patent ID: 6130775
Filing Date: 2000-10-10
Classification: H01S,H04B

Abstract:
A bidirectional optical amplifier for amplifying signals in two directions, comprising:first and second transmitters for generating first and second signal lights, respectively;first and second receivers for receiving the first and the second signal lights, respectively;a fiber amplifier for amplifying the first and the second signal lights;a first optical circulator for transmitting the first signal light from the first transmitter to the fiber amplifier and for transmitting the second signal light from the fiber amplifier to the second receiver;a second optical circulator for transmitting the first signal light from the fiber amplifier to the first receiver and for transmitting the second signal light from the second transmitter to the fiber amplifier; andmeans for pumping the fiber amplifier,wherein each of the optical circulators includes a first port, a second port, and a third port,wherein the first port of the first optical circulator is commonly coupled to the first transmitter and the first receiver, and the first port of the second optical circulator is commonly coupled to the second transmitter and the second receiver, andwherein the bidirectional optical amplifier further includes:a first wavelength divisional multiplexing coupler coupled to the third port of the first optical circulator for transmitting the second signal light to the third port of the first optical circulator and a second wavelength divisional multiplexing coupler coupled to the third port of the second optical circulator for transmitting the first signal light to the third port of the second optical circulator.