Patent ID: 7450858

Claim:
An optical signal transmitting apparatus comprising: a housing; a coupling lens connected to the housing; a primary TO-can packaged laser source generating a first optical signal having a first wavelength, wherein the first TO-can packaged laser source is positioned to transmit the first optical signal along a direct line to the coupling lens; a plurality of TO-can packaged laser sources separate from the primary laser source and located on the housing, wherein each of the plurality of TO-can packaged laser sources generates one of a plurality of optical signals separate from the first optical signal, each of the plurality of optical signals having a different wavelength; a plurality of wavelength selective filters located within the housing and disposed between the primary laser source and the coupling lens along the direct line, wherein the plurality of wavelength selective filters directs one of the plurality of optical signals from one of the plurality of TO-can packaged laser sources towards the coupling lens, wherein each of the plurality of wavelength selective filters is adapted to pass the first optical signal while deflecting toward the coupling lens another optical signal generated by a one of the plurality of TO-can packaged laser sources.