초록 ▼

The present invention provides an expandable and cost-effective high capacity optical communication system using wavelength-division-multiplexing, optical direction guide means and bidirectional transmission of data over an optical waveguide. The use of interleaved bidirectional data channels reduce

The present invention provides an expandable and cost-effective high capacity optical communication system using wavelength-division-multiplexing, optical direction guide means and bidirectional transmission of data over an optical waveguide. The use of interleaved bidirectional data channels reduces the minimum spacing between data channels, permitting a greater number of channels over a single optical waveguide.

대표청구항 ▼

said respective first predetermined group of wavelength ranges, a respective second auxiliary demultiplexer port directly coupled to said first auxiliary demultiplexer port and capable of outputting a respective said second intermediate combined optical signal to said respective first auxiliary port

said respective first predetermined group of wavelength ranges, a respective second auxiliary demultiplexer port directly coupled to said first auxiliary demultiplexer port and capable of outputting a respective said second intermediate combined optical signal to said respective first auxiliary port, and a respective primary demultiplexer port capable of receiving the respective said combined modulated optical signal including both the respective said first intermediate combined optical signal and all of said individual modulated optical signals within the respective said second predetermined group of wavelength ranges; and a respective plurality of optical receivers, each responsive to a different one of said received individual modulated optical signals and converting that received optical signal back into its original form as a respective information-bearing signal; and a first directional guide means for optically coupling the first transmitter and the second receiver to the first end of the waveguide, and a second directional guide means for optically coupling the second transmitter and the first receiver to the second end of the waveguide, each of the optical directional guide means comprising an input port for receiving the respective said combined signal from the respective wavelength multiplexer before said respective combined signal has been transmitted over said waveguide, an output port for transmitting the other said combined signal to the other wavelength demultiplexer after said other combined signal has been transmitted over said waveguide, and a respective bidirectional port for transmitting the respective combined signal to the optical wave guide and for receiving the other combined signal from the optical waveguide; whereinsaid first plurality of information-bearing signals are modulated, combined and transmitted from the first transmitter to the first receiver in a first direction and the second plurality of unidirectional signals are modulated, combined and transmitted from the second transmitter to the second receiver in a second direction, concurrently and bidirectionally over the same said optical waveguide, adjacent optical wavelengths of either of said combined signals are transmitted at a predetermined first channel spacing providing a predetermined minimal amount of cross talk between two adjacent channels regardless of the direction of transmission of the individual optical signals, whereby each said combined optical signal is compatible with wavelength multiplexers and wavelength demultiplexers that are designed for said predetermined first channel spacing between adjacent channels; adjacent optical wavelengths transmitted over the optical waveguide-have a predetermined second channel spacing equal to half of said first predetermined channel spacing, whereby the maximum transmission capacity of said system with only one said waveguide is twice that possible with a waveguide having said predetermined first channel spacing between adjacent channels; adjacent channels of said optical waveguide are not used for transmission in a same said direction; when being transmitted over said waveguide, at least some of the first individual wavelengths of said first combined signal. are interleaved with the second individual wavelengths of said second combined signal; and said first and second plurality of individual modulated signals are modulated, combined and transmitted, without regard to data rate or format.