Patent ID: 8055130

Claim:
An optical transceiver amplifier for receiving, transmitting, and amplifying optical signals in both transmitting and receiving optical paths, the transceiver amplifier comprising: a first optical signal circulator having a first bidirectional optical connection for carrying two optical signals being propagated in opposite directions, said first circulator being for receiving a first internal input signal to be transmitted through said first bidirectional connection, said first circulator also being for transmitting a first internal output signal received from said first bidirectional optical connection a single pump laser for providing power to two optical signals being propagated in opposite directions a WDM coupler for coupling said pump laser to said first bidirectional optical coupler such that optical power from said pump laser boosts a power of any optical signals in said first bidirectional optical connection a second optical signal circulator having a second bidirectional optical connection for carrying two optical signals being propagated in opposite directions, said second circulator being for receiving a second internal input signal to be transmitted through said second bidirectional connection, said second circulator also being for transmitting a second internal output signal received from said second bidirectional optical connection a single amplifying medium for amplifying optical signals, said amplifying medium being coupled between said WDM coupler and said second optical circulator, said amplifying medium coupled to said second circulator by way of said second bidirectional connection; whereby both a booster amplifier and pre-amplifier are combined in said transceiver amplifier and wherein said transceiver amplifier is removably pluggable into existing optical networking equipment.