Patent ID: 6519060
Filing Date: 2003-02-11
Classification: H04J,H04Q

Abstract:
In an optical communication system comprising a plurality of optical paths, a node coupled to at least one of the optical paths, the node comprising:a demultiplexer operable to receive an input wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) signal and to separate the input WDM signal into at least a first subset of wavelength signals comprising a first plurality of wavelengths and a second subset of wavelength signals comprising a second plurality of wavelengths different from and interdigitally spaced among the first plurality of wavelengths, wherein the first and second pluralities of wavelength signals are processed differently depending on the wavelengths in each plurality of wavelength signals; an express path operable to receive from the demultiplexer the first subset of wavelength signals, and to pass those wavelength signals from the node without further processing; and a processing path operable to receive from the demultiplexer the second subset of wavelength signals such that those wavelength signals are processed within the node, wherein the processing path comprises an optical router operable to route at least some of the second subset of wavelength signals for receipt by another node in the communication system without converting the at least some of the second subset of wavelength signals to an electrical format.