Patent ID: 6348984
Filing Date: 2002-02-19
Classification: H04J

Abstract:
An optical device for use in a wavelength division multiplexed optical communication system comprising:an optical bandsplitter having a first, second and third ports, said first port configured to receive said wavelength division multiplexed optical signal having a plurality of optical channels each at a respective wavelength, said bandsplitter configured to separate said plurality of optical channels into a first group of one or more of said channels and a second group of one or more of said channels, said bandsplitter outputting said first group of channels at said second port and said second group of channels at said third port; a first transmission path optically communicating with said second port of said bandsplitter, said first transmission path carrying said first group of optical channels, said first transmission path having positioned therein one or more filtering elements configured to filter a first set of one or more channels within said first group of channels, said first set of channels corresponding to one or more optical channels to be added to said multiplexed optical signal, said filtering elements configured to transmit through channels corresponding to channels within said first group of channels outside of said first set of optical channels; a second transmission path optically communicating with said bandsplitter, said second transmission path carrying said optical channels associated with said second group of channels; and an optical combiner having a first, second and third ports, said first port optically communicating with said first transmission path, said second port optically communicating with said second transmission path, said combiner configured to supply said through channels and said second group of channels to said third port.