An optical arbitration system (100,1100) comprising: a waveguide (102,1102) having a first end and a second end; a source (104,1104) optically coupled to the first end of the waveguide and configured to input at least one wavelength of light into the waveguide; a number of wavelength selective elements (106-109,1106-1109) optically coupled to the waveguide, wherein each wavelength selective element is coupled to a node and is capable of extracting and detecting a wavelength of light carried by the waveguide; and an arbiter (1 10,116,120,1112,1116,1120) optically coupled to the second end of the waveguide and optically coupled to the waveguide between the source and a wavelength selective element located closest to the source along the waveguide, characterized in that the arbiter further comprises: a detection element (110,1112) disposed near the second end of the waveguide and configured to detect at least one wavelength of the light reaching the second end of the waveguide; a filter (116,1 116) disposed between the source and the wavelength selective element located closest to the source along the waveguide; and an electronic circuit (120,1120) electronically coupled to the detection element and the filter, wherein the electronic circuit receives electronic signals from the detection element and in response to the electronic signals accordingly activates the filters to selectively remove at least one wavelength from the at least one wavelengths output from the source. a waveguide (102,1102) having a first end and a second end; a source (104,1104) optically coupled to the first end of the waveguide and configured to input at least one wavelength of light into the waveguide; a number of wavelength selective elements (106-109,1106-1109) optically coupled to the waveguide, wherein each wavelength selective element is coupled to a node and is capable of extracting and detecting a wavelength of light carried by the waveguide; and an arbiter (1 10,116,120,1112,1116,1120) optically coupled to the second end of the waveguide and optically coupled to the waveguide between the source and a wavelength selective element located closest to the source along the waveguide, characterized in that the arbiter further comprises: a detection element (110,1112) disposed near the second end of the waveguide and configured to detect at least one wavelength of the light reaching the second end of the waveguide; a filter (116,1 116) disposed between the source and the wavelength selective element located closest to the source along the waveguide; and an electronic circuit (120,1120) electronically coupled to the detection element and the filter, wherein the electronic circuit receives electronic signals from the detection element and in response to the electronic signals accordingly activates the filters to selectively remove at least one wavelength from the at least one wavelengths output from the source. a detection element (110,1112) disposed near the second end of the waveguide and configured to detect at least one wavelength of the light reaching the second end of the waveguide; a filter (116,1 116) disposed between the source and the wavelength selective element located closest to the source along the waveguide; and an electronic circuit (120,1120) electronically coupled to the detection element and the filter, wherein the electronic circuit receives electronic signals from the detection element and in response to the electronic signals accordingly activates the filters to selectively remove at least one wavelength from the at least one wavelengths output from the source.