Patent Grant
11973580
This disclosure relates generally to optical wavelength multiplexing, and more particularly to redundant wavelength multiplexing devices and to methods for processing light according to wavelength multiplexing.
Optical fibers are useful in a wide variety of applications, including the telecommunications industry for voice, video, and data transmissions. Benefits of optical fibers include wide bandwidth and low noise operation. However, the need to connect network nodes with fiber-optic cables often drives the cost of fiber-optic networks, especially for fiber-optic networks having a large geographic footprint.
One way to increase the bandwidth of existing fiber-optic networks while avoiding the need to lay additional fiber-optic cables is through Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM). WDM involves transmitting data with multiple optical signals in a single optical fiber. Each optical signal has a different wavelength from the other optical signals. The different optical signals provide different channels for data in the single optical fiber and may be referred to as “signal components” or “optical carriers” of a combined optical signal or “optical beam” carried by the optical fiber. The single optical fiber transmits the different optical signals simultaneously in the same direction. Because of their cost-effectiveness relative to laying additional fiber-optic cables to increase bandwidth, WDM applications are increasingly being deployed to address an increasing demand for bandwidth.
WDM systems require hardware to combine and separate the different optical signals at different locations in an optical network. Typically, this hardware includes a WDM device (referred to as a multiplexer) that combines the individual optical signals into the optical beam at one network location, and another WDM device (referred to as a demultiplexer) that splits the optical beam into the individual optical signals at another network location. WDM devices are often deployed in tightly confined spaces. Thus, it is desirable for the WDM devices to be as compact as possible.
Exemplary schematics of WDM devices are shown in
To that end, the WDM device 10 further includes a common port 18, a plurality of channel ports 19-26, an optional upgrade port (UPG) 27, and a plurality of collimators 38. An optical fiber 40 associated with the common port 18 carries the optical beam 44 into or from the WDM device 10. The optical fiber 40 may be referred to as a “common optical fiber.” Optical fibers 41 associated with the channel ports 19-26 each carry one of the optical signals 14, that is, at least one of wavelengths λ1 through λ8 and may be referred to as a “channel optical fiber.” And, an optical fiber 42 associated with the UPG 27 carries one or more optical signals 14 not associated with any of the channel ports 19-26. The exemplary WDM device 10 shown may be referred to as an 8-channel device.
Each of the eight filters 12 has a passband that passes a range of wavelengths that includes the wavelength λn of a respective one of the optical signals 14 and excludes the wavelengths λn of the other optical signals 14. In this way, each filter 12 transmits the optical signal 14 having the wavelength λn that falls within its passband and reflects the optical signals 14 having wavelengths λn that fall outside its passband. By arranging the filters 12 sequentially in the optical path, as shown, each filter 12 can: (a) separate one of the optical signals 14 from the optical beam 44 and provide it to a respective collimator 38 (demultiplexing application); and/or (b) add one of the optical signals 14 from the respective collimator 38 to the optical beam 44. The WDM device 10 is bi-directional. In other words, the device 10 can split optical signals 14 received from the optical beam 44 for distribution at a network location, and the device 10 can combine optical signals 14 to the optical beam 44 for transmission into the optical fiber 40 at a network location. Thus, the WDM device 10 can be used as a multiplexer, demultiplexer, or both a multiplexer and demultiplexer.
The external size of a WDM device depends on internal spacing as well as the physical size of the filters 12 and ports 18-27. Internal spacing of the filters 12 and ports 18-27 is largely determined by (i) a lateral distance d1 between centerlines of adjacent ports 19-27 (e.g., the distance between the centerline of port 19 and port 21, as shown) or between adjacent filters 12 and (ii) the angle of incidence θi of the optical beam 44 on the filters 12. The angle of incidence θi is determined by the nature of the filter 12, for example, a coating on the filer 12. The angle of incidence θi may be chosen to match certain values of the spacing between adjacent filters 12, which may be related to the lateral distance d1. Typical angles of incidence θi are 1.8° and 4° for Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) applications and 13.5° for Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing (CWDM).
These internal values d1, d2, and θi effect the outer dimensions of the device 10. For example, a width W1 of the device 10 is dependent on the lateral distance d1 and the number of ports 18-27. A length L1 of the WDM device 10 is dependent on the transverse distance d2, which is itself dependent on the angle of incidence θi and transverse distance d1. Outer dimensions are also dependent on physical dimensions of the ports 18-27.
In
For example, another WDM device 50 is shown in
In that regard, when
While these devices have successfully increased the bandwidth of existing fiber-optic networks, there is concurrent demand for improving the quality of service. From a hardware standpoint, this includes limiting service interruptions. What is needed in the fiber optics industry then is redundancy in existing networks including providing redundancy at multiplexing/demultiplexing locations.
A redundant wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) device includes a first common port having a collimator configured to transmit a first optical beam. The first optical beam includes a first plurality of optical signals each having a different wavelength. The redundant WDM device includes a second common port having a collimator configured to transmit a second optical beam. The second optical beam includes a second plurality of optical signals each having a different wavelength. The second common port is spaced apart from the first common port. The redundant WDM device includes a plurality of filters that define an optical path for each of the first optical beam and the second optical beam. Each filter is oriented to interact with each of the first optical beam and the second optical beam. In this way, the same plurality of filters may be configured to be used by both optical beams.
In one embodiment, the redundant WDM device further includes a plurality of first channel ports and a plurality of second channel ports. Each channel port includes a respective channel collimator. In the redundant WDM device, a sum of a number of the first channel ports and a number of the second channel ports is equal to twice a number of the filters.
In one embodiment, the redundant WDM device further includes a prism between at least one of the first common port and one of the filters and the second common port and one of the filters.
In one embodiment, the first common port and the second common port are adjacent one another in a column and together define a plane. Each of the filters of the plurality of filters has a longitudinal axis and the longitudinal axes reside in the plane.
In one embodiment, the first common port and the second common port define a first plane and a second plane, respectively, the first plane being spaced apart from the second plane. Each of the filters has a longitudinal axis and the longitudinal axes are perpendicular to each of the first plane and the second plane. In this embodiment, the first common port and the second common port are side-by-side and each channel port is associated with a respective filter of the plurality of filters.
In one embodiment, one-half of the first channel ports and one-half of the second channel ports form a first column in which the first channel ports are interleaved with the second channel ports. A prism is positioned optically between each of the filters and the first column and is configured to refract the first plurality of optical signals and the second plurality of optical signals. The first column defines a first layer and one-half of the first channel ports, and one-half of the second channel ports form a second column in which the first channel ports are interleaved with the second channel ports, and the second column defines a second layer spaced apart from the first layer. A second prism is positioned optically between each of the filters and the second column and is configured to refract the first plurality of optical signals and the second plurality of optical signals. The plurality of filters defines a third layer and the third layer is spaced apart and between the first layer and the second layer.
In one embodiment, one-half of the first channel ports forms a first column and one-half of the second channel ports forms a second column, the first column defining a first plane and the second column defining a second plane spaced apart from the first plane. One-half of the first channel ports forms a third column and one-half of the second channel ports forms a fourth column. The third column defines a third plane, and the fourth column defines a fourth plane. The third plane is spaced apart from the fourth plane.
In one embodiment, one-half of the first channel ports forms a third column and one-half of the second channel ports forms a fourth column, the first column and the third column residing in the first plane, and the second column and the fourth column residing in the second plane. A prism is positioned optically between the plurality of filters and the second column.
A method of processing light in a wavelength division multiplexing device includes transmitting, by a collimator of a first common port, a first optical beam including a first plurality of optical signals. Each optical signal of the first plurality of optical signals includes a different wavelength. The method further includes transmitting, by a collimator of a second common port, a second optical beam including a second plurality of optical signals. Each optical signal of the second plurality of optical signals includes a different wavelength. The different wavelengths of the first plurality of optical signal are the same as the different wavelengths of the second plurality of optical signals. The method further includes receiving the first optical beam and the second optical beam at a first filter of a plurality of filters, wherein the plurality of filters defines an optical path for the first optical beam and for the second optical beam, and transmitting one of the first optical signals of a first wavelength through the first filter and transmitting one of the second optical signals of the first wavelength through the first filter. In accordance with the method, transmitting one of the first optical signals and transmitting one of the second optical signals is simultaneous.
The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiment(s), and together with the description serve to explain principles and operation of the various embodiments. Features and attributes associated with any of the embodiments shown or described may be applied to other embodiments shown, described, or appreciated based on this disclosure.
With reference to
With continued reference to
As shown in
In that regard, the first optical beam 104 includes a plurality of different optical signals 110. The optical beam 104 include n optical signals at different wavelengths, λn. In the WDM device 100 of
While having a two-to-one ratio of optical beams 104 and 106 to filters 102, the WDM device 100 duplicates channel ports and optical fibers. In the embodiments shown, there are twice as many ports and optical fibers as there are filters 102. In that regard, the redundant WDM device 100 includes a common port 114, a plurality of channel ports 115-122 (i.e., channels 1-8), an optional upgrade port (UPG) 123, and a plurality of collimators 124. An optional tap port (TAP) (not shown) for monitoring one or more of the optical signals 110, 112 may also be included. An optical fiber 126 is associated with the common port 114 and carries the first optical beam 104. Optical fibers 130 associated with the channel ports 115-122 each carry one of the optical signals 110, that is, at least one of wavelengths λi through λ8. And, an optical fiber 132 associated with the UPG 123 carries one or more optical signals not associated with any of the channel ports 115-122.
The redundant WDM device 100 includes a second set of ports for processing the second optical beam 106. As shown, the WDM device 100 includes a second common port 134, a second plurality of channel ports 135-142 (i.e., redundant channels 1′-8′), a second optional upgrade port (UPG′) 143, and a second plurality of collimators 124. The optical fiber 126 associated with the common port 134 carries the second optical beam 106 and so carries all optical signals 112. Additional optical fibers 130 associated with the channel ports 135-142 each carry one of the optical signals 112, that is, at least one of wavelengths λ1 through λ8 as determined by the filters 102. And, the optical fiber 132 associated with the UPG′ 143 carries one or more optical signals not associated with any of the channel ports 135-142. With this design, the exemplary WDM device 100 is a redundant 8-channel device.
In the redundant 8-channel WDM device 100, at least one set of ports 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 134, 136, 138, 140, 142 (i.e., COM, COM′, ch 2, ch 2′, ch 4, ch 4′, ch 6, ch 6′, ch 8, ch 8′) (shown on the left of
The filters 102 are oriented with a longitudinal axis in the plane of the single layer 158. Further in that regard, each of the filters 102 has a passband that passes a range of wavelengths that includes the wavelength λn of a respective one of the optical signals 110 and excludes the wavelengths λn of the other optical signals 110 of the first optical beam 104. The filter 102 operates in the same manner with respect to the second optical beam 106. That is, each of the filters 102 has a passband that passes a range of wavelengths that includes the wavelength λn of a respective one of the optical signals 112 of the second optical beam 106 and excludes the wavelengths λn of the other optical signals 112 of the second optical beam 106.
By arranging the filters 102 sequentially in the optical path, as shown, each filter 102 can: (a) separate one of the optical signals 110 and 112 from each of a respective optical beam 104 and 106 and provide it to the respective collimator 124 (demultiplexing application); and/or (b) add each of the optical signals 110 and 112 from the respective collimator 124 to a corresponding optical beam 104 and 106. The WDM device 100 is bi-directional, meaning that the device 100 can both split optical signals 110, 112 received from the respective optical beam 104, 106 for distribution at a network location, and combine optical signals 110, 112 to the respective optical beam 104, 106 for transmission into the optical fiber 126 at a network location. Thus, the redundant WDM device 100 can be used as a multiplexer, demultiplexer, or both a multiplexer and demultiplexer.
The compactness of the WDM device 100 depends on internal spacing as well as the physical size of the filters 102 and ports 114-123 and 134-143. Internal spacing of the WDM device 100 is determined by a lateral distance d1 between centerlines of adjacent ports receiving optical signals from the same optical beam. For example, with reference to
In one embodiment, the filters 102 are larger in at least one dimension than the filters 12 shown in
The internal values d1, d2, and θi with respect to the WDM device 100 of
With each of d1, d2, θi, and P1, for the redundant 8-channel WDM device 100 shown in
The dimensions of length L3, W3, and H3 are summarized in one of the lines in Table 1, at the end of this section of the disclosure, and do not include a strain relief for the optical fibers 126, 130, and 132 or a housing for the redundant WDM device 100, which will add a few millimeters in all directions. While exemplary dimensions are provided for a redundant 8-channel WDM device 100, the dimensions L3 and H3 remain substantially the same for devices having more or fewer channels than 8 channels. The width dimension W3 will increase or decrease with an increase or decrease, respectively, in the number of channel ports of the device. Exemplary 12 channel and 24 channel device dimensions for a 1-layer alternating stacked arrangement (similar to the WDM device 100) are listed in Table 2 at the end of this section of the disclosure. Thus, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited by the number of channel ports alone.
With reference to
In that regard, the first optical beam 104 includes a plurality of different optical signals 110. In the WDM device 200 of
As shown, the redundant WDM device 200 is a two-layer design with a first layer 152 being situated adjacent a second layer 154. This is shown best in
In the 8-channel redundant WDM device 200, with the two layers 152 and 154, at least one set of ports 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 134, 136, 138, 140, 142 (i.e., COM, COM′, ch 2, ch 2′, ch 4, ch 4′, ch 6, ch 6′, ch 8, ch 8′ on the left side of
The ports 114, 116, 118, 120, 122 for the first optical beam 104 alternate in an interleaved, stacked configuration in layer 152 with a second set of channel ports 134, 136, 138, 140, 142 for the second optical beam 106. In that regard, the COM port 114 and the even channel ports 116, 118, 120, 122 for optical signals 110 in the first optical beam 104 are stacked in an alternating manner in a column 160 with the COM′ port 134 and redundant even channel ports 136, 138, 140, 142 for optical signals 112 in the second optical beam 106. As shown in
Similarly, in the second layer 154, the ports 115, 117, 119, 121, and 123 for the first optical beam 104 alternate in an interleaved, stacked configuration with a second set of channel ports 135, 137, 139, 141, and 143 for the second optical beam 106 in a column 162. Specifically, the odd ports 115, 117, 119, 121, and 123 for optical signals 110 in the first optical beam 104 are stacked in an alternating manner in the column 162 with the UPG port 123 and odd redundant ports 135, 137, 139, 141, and 143 for optical signals 112 in the second optical beam 106. In the embodiment shown, the filters 102 are oriented with a longitudinal axis in the plane of the first layer 152. As shown, the number of channel ports is 16 (one channel port for each optical signal 110 and 112) and number of filters is 8.
In addition, the two-layer design, with first and second layers 152, 154, is enabled by a prism 156 that spans nearly a width W4 of the WDM device 200 and refracts all the optical signals 110 and 112 by 180° between the first layer 152 and the second layer 154. While the prism 156 is shown between the filters 102 and the ports 115, 117, 119, 121, 123, 135, 137, 139, 141, and 143, the prism 156 may be in an optical path between filters 102 in the optical beams 104 and 106, or in an optical path between the ports 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 134, 136, 138, 140, 142 and the filters 102. While a prism 156 is shown and described, other devices, such as a mirror, may be utilized to fold the beams/signals. Thus, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited to use of prisms.
The compactness of the WDM device 200 depends on internal spacing as well as the physical size of the filters 102 and ports 114-123 and 134-143. Internal spacing of the WDM device 200 is determined by a lateral distance d1 between centerlines of adjacent ports receiving optical signals from the same optical beam. For example, with reference to
The internal values d1, d2, and θi with respect to the WDM device 200 of
In
With reference specifically to
While exemplary dimensions are provided for a redundant 8-channel device, the dimensions L4 and H4 remain substantially the same for devices having more or fewer channels than 8 channels. However, the width dimension W4 will increase or decrease with an increase or decrease, respectively, in the number of channel ports of the device 200. Exemplary 12 channel and 24 channel device dimensions 2-layer alternative stacked arrangement (similar to the WDM device 200) are listed in Table 2 at the end of this section of the disclosure. Thus, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited by the number of channel ports.
With reference to
In that regard, the first optical beam 104 includes a plurality of different optical signals 110. In the WDM device 300 of
As shown, the redundant WDM device 300 is a two-layer design with the first layer 152 being situated adjacent the second layer 154. This is shown best in
In the exemplary 8-channel redundant WDM device 300, there are two columns of stacked channel ports spaced apart by filters 102. Specifically, with the two layers 152 and 154, one set of ports 114-123 (i.e., COM, ch 2, ch 4, ch 6, ch 8 on the left side of
Specifically, the ports 114, 116, 118, 120, 122 for the first optical beam 104 are stacked in a single column 166, without interleaving of any other ports, in the first layer 152. The ports 115, 117, 119, 121, and 123 are stacked in a single column 172, without interleaving of any other ports, in the first layer 152. Although not shown, an optional tap port (TAP) for monitoring one or more of the optical signals 110, 112 may also be included.
Similarly, in the second layer 154, there are two columns of stacked channel ports spaced apart by filters 102. In that regard, ports 134, 136, 138, 140, 142 for the second optical beam 106 are stacked in a column 170, without interleaving of any other ports, in the second layer 154. And, ports 135, 137, 139, 141, and 143 for optical signals 112 in the second optical beam 106 are stacked in a column 174, without interleaving of any other ports, in the second layer 154. The columns 166 and 170 are side-by-side, and the columns 172 and 174 are side-by-side. The filters 102 are oriented with a longitudinal axis spanning the first layer 152 and the second layer 154 between column pairs 166, 170 and 172, 174. From a different perspective, the longitudinal axis of the filters 102 is perpendicular to planes defined by each of the layers 152 and 154. As shown, the number of channel ports is 16 and number of filters is 8.
The compactness of the WDM device 300 depends on internal spacing as well as the physical size of the filters 102 and ports 114-123 and 134-143. Internal spacing of the WDM device 300 is determined by a lateral distance d1 between centerlines of adjacent ports receiving optical signals from the same optical beam. For example, with reference to
The internal values d1, d2, and θi and physical dimensions of the ports 114-123 and ports 134-143 with respect to the WDM device 300 of
While exemplary dimensions are provided for a redundant 8-channel device, the dimensions L5 and H5 remain substantially the same for devices having more or fewer channels than 8 channels. However, the width dimension W5 will increase or decrease with an increase or decrease, respectively, in the number of channel ports of the device 300. Exemplary 12 channel and 24 channel device dimensions for a 2-layer side-by-side arrangement (similar to the WDM device 300) are listed in Table 2 at the end of this section of the disclosure. Thus, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited by the number of channel ports.
With reference to
In that regard, the first optical beam 104 includes a plurality of different optical signals 110. In the WDM device 400 of
As shown, the redundant WDM device 400 is a two-layer design with the first layer 152 being situated adjacent the second layer 154. This is shown best in
In the exemplary 8-channel redundant WDM device 400, with the two layers 152 and 154, one set of ports 114-123 (i.e., COM, ch 2, ch 4, ch 6, ch 8 on the left side of
The ports 114-143 are stacked in single columns in each layer. Specifically, the channel ports 114, 116, 118, 120, 122 for the first optical beam 104 are stacked in a single column 166, without interleaving of any other ports, in the first layer 152. The channel ports 115, 117, 119, 121, and 123, also for the first optical beam 104, are stacked in a single column 172, without interleaving of any other ports, in the first layer 152.
Similarly, in the second layer 154, there are two columns of stacked channel ports. In that regard, redundant ports 136, 138, 140, 142, 143 for the second optical beam 106 are stacked in the single column 170, without interleaving of any other ports, in the second layer 154. And, ports 134, 135, 137, 139, and 141 for optical signals 112 in the second optical beam 106 are stacked in a single column 174, without interleaving of any other ports, in the second layer 154. The columns 166 and 170 are side-by-side, and the columns 172 and 174 are side-by-side. The column 166 is angled relative to the column 170. The angulation is facilitated by a prism 146 proximate COM port 114. The angulation of the column 166 may be equal to the angle of incidence θi. The angulation may improve the stability of the stacks of ports. A similar angulation is achieved in the second layer 154 by a prism 146. The longitudinal axis of the filters 102 is perpendicular to planes defined by each of the layers 152 and 154. The filters 102 are therefore oriented with a longitudinal axis spanning the first layer 152 and the second layer 154 to simultaneously interact with the first and second optical beams 104 and 106. The optical beams 104 and 106 propagate in parallel but opposing directions. As shown, the number of channel ports is 16 and number of filters is 8.
The compactness of the WDM device 400 depends on internal spacing as well as the physical size of the filters 102 and ports 114-123 and 134-143. Internal spacing of the WDM device 400 is determined by a lateral distance d1 between centerlines of adjacent ports receiving optical signals from the same optical beam. For example, with reference to
The internal values d1, d2, and θi and the physical dimensions of the ports 114-123 and ports 134-143 with respect to the WDM device 400 of
While exemplary dimensions are provided for a redundant 8-channel device, the dimensions L6 and H6 remain substantially the same for devices having more or fewer channels than 8 channels. However, the width dimension W6 will increase or decrease with an increase or decrease, respectively, in the number of channel ports of the device 400. Exemplary 12 channel and 24 channel device dimensions for a 2-layer side-by-side counterpropagating arrangement (similar to the WDM device 400) are listed in Table 2 at the end of this section of the disclosure. Thus, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited by the number of channel ports.
With reference to
In that regard, the first optical beam 104 includes a plurality of different optical signals 110. In the WDM device 500 of
As shown, the redundant WDM device 500 is a double stacked two-layer design. Essentially, the WDM device 500 has four layers formed from refracting two side-by-side layers. In that regard, the first layer 152 is situated adjacent the second layer 154. A third layer 176 and a fourth layer 178 are formed by refracting the optical signals 110 and 112 from the second layer 154 and the first layer 152, respectively. This is shown best in
In the exemplary 8-channel redundant WDM device 500, with the four layers 152, 154, 176, and 178, a set of ports 114, 116, 118, 120, 122 (i.e., COM, ch 2, ch 4, ch 6, ch 8) resides in the first layer 152 and are stacked in the column 166, without interleaving of any other ports. The matching, redundant set of ports 134, 136, 138, 140, 142 (i.e., COM′, ch 2′, ch 4′, ch 6′, ch 8′) resides in the second layer 154 and are stacked in column 170, without interleaving of any other ports. In the third layer 176, a set of ports 135, 137, 139, 141, 143 (i.e., ch 1′, ch 3′, ch 5′, ch 7′, and UPG′) is stacked in the column 174, without interleaving of any other ports. And, in the fourth layer 178, a set of ports 115, 117, 119, 121, 123 (i.e., ch 1, ch 3, ch 5, ch 7, and UPG) is stacked in the column 172, without interleaving of any other ports. The columns 166 and 170 are side-by-side, and the columns 172 and 174 are side-by-side. Although not shown, an optional tap port (TAP) for monitoring one or more of the optical signals 110, 112 may also be included.
With reference to
As shown in
The compactness of the WDM device 500 depends on internal spacing as well as the physical size of the filters 102 and ports 114-123 and 134-143. Internal spacing of the WDM device 500 is determined by a lateral distance d1 between centerlines of adjacent ports receiving optical signals from the same optical beam. For example, with reference to
The internal values d1, d2, d3, and θi and physical dimensions of the ports 114-123 and ports 134-143 with respect to the WDM device 500 of
While exemplary dimensions are provided for a redundant 8-channel device, the dimensions L7 and H7 remain the same for devices having more or fewer channels than 8 channels. However, the width dimension W7 will increase or decrease with an increase or decrease, respectively, in the number of channel ports of the device 500. Exemplary 12 channel and 24 channel device dimensions for a 4-layer side-by-side arrangement (similar to the WDM device 500) are listed in Table 2 at the end of this section of the disclosure. Thus, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited by the number of channel ports.
With reference to
In that regard, the first optical beam 104 includes a plurality of different optical signals 110. In the WDM device 600 of
As shown, the redundant WDM device 600 is a double stacked two-layer design. Essentially, the WDM device 600 has four layers formed from refracting two side-by-side layers 152, 154 to produce the third layer 176 and the fourth layer 178. This is shown best in
In the exemplary 8-channel redundant WDM device 600, with the four layers 152, 154, 176, and 178, a set of ports 114, 116, 118, 120, 122 (i.e., COM, ch 2, ch 4, ch 6, ch 8) resides in the first layer 152 and are stacked in the column 166, without interleaving of any other ports. In the second layer 154, a set of ports 136, 138, 140, 142, 143 (i.e., ch 2′, ch 4′, ch 6′, ch 8′, UPG′) are stacked in column 170, without interleaving of any other ports. In the third layer 176, a set of ports 134, 135, 137, 139, 141, (i.e., COM′, ch 1′, ch 3′, ch 5′, and ch 7′) is stacked in the column 174, without interleaving of any other ports. And, in the fourth layer 178, a set of channel ports 115, 117, 119, 121, 123 (i.e., ch 1, ch 3, ch 5, ch 7, and UPG) is stacked in the column 172, without interleaving of any other ports. The columns 166 and 170 are side-by-side and the columns 172 and 174 are side-by-side. Although not shown, an optional tap port (TAP) for monitoring one or more of the optical signals 110, 112 may also be included.
With reference to
As shown in
The compactness of the WDM device 600 depends on internal spacing as well as the physical size of the filters 102 and ports 114-123 and 134-143. Internal spacing of the WDM device 600 is determined by a lateral distance d1 between centerlines of adjacent ports receiving optical signals from the same optical beam. For example, with reference to
The internal values d1, d2, d3, and θi with respect to the WDM device 600 of
In
While exemplary dimensions are provided for a redundant 8-channel device, the dimensions L8 and H8 remain the same for devices having more or fewer channels than 8 channels. However, the width dimension W8 will increase or decrease with an increase or decrease, respectively, in the number of channel ports of the device 600. Exemplary 12 channel and 24 channel device dimensions for a 4-layer side-by-side counterpropagating arrangement (similar to the WDM device 600) are listed in Table 2 at the end of this section of the disclosure. Thus, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited by the number of channel ports.
With reference to
In that regard, the first optical beam 104 includes a plurality of different optical signals 110. In the WDM device 700 of
As shown, the redundant WDM device 700 is a three-layer design. As is shown best in
The exemplary 8-channel redundant WDM device 700 includes three layers 152, 154, and 176. In the first layer 152, a set of ports 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 134, 136, 138, 140, 142 (i.e., COM, ch 2, ch 4, ch 6, ch 8, COM′, ch 2′, ch 4′, ch 6′, and ch 8′) are stacked in an interleaving arrangement in the column 166. In the second layer 154, there are 8 filters 102 and a prism 146 proximate the COM ports 114 and 134. In the third layer 176, a set of ports 115, 117, 119, 121, 123, 135, 137, 139, 141, 143 (i.e., ch 1, ch 3, ch 5, ch 7, UPG, ch 1′, ch 3′, ch 5′, ch 7′, and UPG′) are stacked in an interleaving arrangement in column 170. Although not shown, an optional tap port (TAP) for monitoring one or more of the optical signals 110, 112 may also be included.
With reference to
As shown in
The compactness of the WDM device 700 depends on internal spacing as well as the physical size of the filters 102 and ports 114-123 and 134-143. Internal spacing of the WDM device 700 is determined by a lateral distance d1 between centerlines of adjacent ports receiving optical signals from the same optical beam. For example, with reference to
The internal values d1, d2, and θi and physical dimensions of the ports 114-123 and ports 134-143 with respect to the WDM device 700 of
While exemplary dimensions are provided for a redundant 8-channel device, the dimensions L9 and H9 remain substantially the same for devices having more or fewer channels than 8 channels. However, the width dimension W9 will increase or decrease with an increase or decrease, respectively, in the number of channel ports of the device 700. Exemplary 12 and 24 channel device dimensions for a 3-layer alternative stacked arrangement (similar to the WDM device 700) are listed in Table 2 below. Thus, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited by the number of channel ports.
While the present disclosure has been illustrated by the description of specific embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not intended to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. The various features discussed herein may be used alone or in any combination within and between the various embodiments. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The present disclosure in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/250,305, filed on Sep. 30, 2021, the content of which is relied upon and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
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