Patent ID: 6388783
Filing Date: 2002-05-14
Classification: G02B,H04J

Abstract:
A wavelength division multiplexer combining a plurality of received optical signals, said multiplexer comprising:a channel combining component receiving optical signals transmitted through a plurality of optical channels associated with said channel combining component, said channels being defined by successively different light wavelength bands at intervals ranging between a first channel having the lowest wavelength band to a last channel having the highest wavelength band, wherein said channel combining component combines at least one channel having a wavelength band intermediate said lowest wavelength band and said highest wavelength band with channels having said lowest and said highest wavelength bands; said channel combining component including an input port for said intermediate wavelength band and an edge filter, said edge filter (i) combining optical signals in said highest and said lowest wavelength bands, but not in said intermediate wavelength band, said highest and said lowest wavelength bands being situated respectively above and below said intermediate wavelength band; and (ii) providing said combined optical signals to said channel combining component.