Patent ID: 7587137
Filing Date: 2009-09-08
Classification: H04J

Abstract:
1. An optical network comprising: a course wavelength division multiplexing (CWDM) multiplexer having a plurality of CWDM signal inputs configured to receive a plurality of CWDM signals and a signal output, wherein the CWDM multiplexer is configured to multiplex the plurality of CWDM signals into a multiplexed CWDM signal supplied to the signal output; an amplifier configured to receive a plurality of dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) signals, wherein wavelengths of the plurality of DWDM signals are between adjacent CWDM channels of the plurality of CWDM signals that are currently being used for transmission, wherein the amplifier is configured to amplify the plurality of DWDM signals and output amplified DWDM signals; and a DWDM multiplexer having a plurality of DWDM signal inputs configured to receive the amplified DWDM signals, an a CWDM input coupled to the signal output of the CWDM multiplexer, and CWDM output, wherein the DWDM multiplexer is configured to multiplex the amplified DWDM signals with the multiplexed CWDM signal to produce a CWDM/DWDM multiplexed signal supplied to CWDM output.