Patent ID: 6792182
Filing Date: 2004-09-14
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An optical wavelength division multiplexer/demultiplexer device, comprising:a. an input port for coupling a first multiplexed optical signal supporting a first plurality of wavelength channels; b. a plurality of output ports, each for providing a channelized signal of said first plurality of wavelength channels; c. a first plurality of input ports, each for coupling a channelized wavelength signal of a second plurality of wavelength channels; d. a first output port for providing a second multiplexed optical signal corresponding to said second plurality of wavelength channels; e. a second plurality of input ports, each for coupling a channelized wavelength signal of a third plurality of wavelength channels; f. a second output port for coupling a second multiplexed optical signal containing said third plurality of wavelength channels; and, g. an echelle grating disposed for separating the first multiplexed optical signal received from the input port into signals within individual wavelength channels and for directing each into a corresponding output port of the plurality of output ports, for combining a second plurality of signals within corresponding wavelength channels received from the first plurality of input waveguides into a second multiplexed optical signal and for providing the second multiplexed optical signal to first output port, and for combining a third plurality of optical signals within corresponding wavelength channels received from the second plurality of input ports into a third multiplexed optical signal and for providing the third multiplexed optical signal to the second output port.