Patent ID: 8233798

Claim:
A data communications network, comprising: N nodes, where N is an integer greater than one, wherein each node comprises a transmitter and a receiver; and a star coupler coupled to each of the N nodes and configured to receive, in parallel, data streams transmitted from a plurality of the N nodes, and to passively retransmit, in parallel, each of the received data streams to each node of the N nodes; wherein: each receiver is configured to receive multiple data streams in parallel on respective wavelengths of a set of wavelengths and each receiver includes: an arrayed waveguide to receive transmissions from the star coupler and to separate the received transmissions into parallel channels corresponding to distinct transmission wavelengths; a plurality of parallel photodetectors, wherein each photodetector converts an optical signal on a respective channel into an electrical signal; data recovery circuitry coupled to the parallel photodetectors to extract data from the electrical signals; packetizing circuitry to assemble extracted data into packets; memory to store the assembled data packets; and logic circuitry to prioritize processing of assembled data packets; and each transmitter is configured to transmit data streams at a distinct transmission wavelength of the set of wavelengths.