Patent ID: 6204946
Filing Date: 2001-03-20
Classification: G02B,H04J,H04Q

Abstract:
A WDM transmit/reflect unit for selectively transmitting a select wavelength of a multiple-wavelength optical signal from at least one first optic fiber to at least one second optic fiber and reflecting the select wavelength from the at least one first optic fiber back to the at least one first optic fiber, said unit comprising:a first port for receiving the multiple-wavelength optical signal from the at least one first optic fiber;a first lens for collimating the received multiple-wavelength optical signal;means for angularly displacing from each other individual ones of the multiple wavelengths in the collimated multiple-wavelength optical signal when the multiple-wavelength optical signal is travelling in a first direction, and for angularly combining the individual wavelengths of the multiple-wavelength optical signal when the multiple-wavelength optical signal is travelling in a second direction;a second lens for focusing the angularly displaced wavelengths when the multiple-wavelength signal is travelling in the first direction and for collimating the multiple-wavelength signal when the multiple-wavelength signal is travelling in the second direction;a micromirror array for receiving the multiple-wavelength signal from the second lens and selectively switchable between a transmission mode for transmitting the select wavelength to the at least one second optic fiber and a reflection mode for reflecting the select wavelength to the at least one first optic fiber;a second port connected to the second fiber for receiving the deflected angularly combined optical signal from said angularly displacing means when the array is in the transmit mode; anda third lens positioned between said grating and said second port for focusing the angularly combined multiple-wavelength signal onto said second port for receipt by the second fiber.