Compact optical multiplexer-demultiplexer system
By using specific bandpass filters and reflective elements in optical multiplexer and demultiplexer systems, the problem of separation difficulties caused by narrow wavelength spans is solved, enabling miniaturized and highly isolated optical signal transmission, and adapting to the coupling of TO-tank photodiodes.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202380096682.8
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-06-29
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-18
AI Technical Summary
In existing passive optical networks (PONs), the wavelength range of the input and output signals is narrow, making it difficult to effectively divide them using common filters. This leads to difficulties in manufacturing demultiplexer filters and results in large system sizes, making them unsuitable for coupling with TO-tank photodiodes.
By employing bandpass filters BF1, BF2, BF3, BF4, BF5, BF6, and BF7, combined with reflective elements and anti-reflective coatings, an optical multiplexer and demultiplexer system is designed to achieve effective separation and transmission of signals of different wavelengths, adapting to the photodiode coupling of TO-tanks.
It achieves efficient separation and transmission of signals of different wavelengths, reduces system size, meets the coupling requirements of TO-tank photodiodes, and improves the system's isolation performance.
Smart Images
Figure CN120981749A_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure describes an optical multiplexer - demultiplexer system, and more specifically, an optical multiplexer - demultiplexer system with small size and high performance. BACKGROUND
[0002] Existing passive optical networks (PONs) include three parts, namely, a multiplexer, a demultiplexer, and a beam combiner located in the optical path between the multiplexer and the demultiplexer.
[0003] In an example, three input optical or laser signals T1, T2, and T3 of different wavelengths can be input to a multiplexer, which multiplexes the three input optical or laser signals T1, T2, and T3 into a single output optical or laser signal O1 that exits the multiplexer to the combiner. The combiner outputs the single optical or laser signal O1 that exits the multiplexer to the COM port of the combiner via a bandpass filter.
[0004] The COM port can also receive a single input optical or laser signal R as input, which in an example includes three optical or laser signals R1, R2, and R3 of different wavelengths. A bandpass filter tuned to pass the wavelengths of the input optical or laser signals T1, T2, and T3 and reflect the wavelengths of the optical or laser signals R1, R2, and R3 of different wavelengths of the single input optical or laser signal R reflects the single input optical or laser signal R to one or more mirrors that reflect the single input optical or laser signal R to the demultiplexer. The demultiplexer divides the single input optical or laser signal R into the optical or laser signals R1, R2, and R3 of different wavelengths and outputs the optical or laser signals R1, R2, and R3 of different wavelengths separately to, for example, three separate photodiodes.
[0005] In an example, the COM port can be connected to an external optical fiber that can simultaneously or separately transport or carry the single output optical or laser signal O1 (including the multiplexed input optical or laser signals T1, T2, and T3 of different wavelengths) out of the combiner and / or the single input optical or laser signal R (including the three optical or laser signals R1, R2, and R3 of different wavelengths) to the combiner.
[0006] In existing PONs, the wavelength span of the input and output signals can be only 10 nm, which cannot be divided or separated by common 45-degree filters and can only be divided by small angle filters (AOI: < 15°) + mirrors. In multiplexers, the wavelength span of at least some of the input optical or laser signals can be 4 nm and 2 nm. Such narrow wavelength spans can make it difficult for the filters of the demultiplexer to be manufactured for 1270 nm and 1310 nm channels. In particular, such narrow wavelength spans can make it difficult to achieve the 30 dB isolation required for many applications. In these applications, additional filters are needed to improve the isolation of the 1310 nm channel.
[0007] Moreover, existing PONs have a relatively large size and are designed for coupling with photodiode (PD) chips and can not be suitable for coupling with TO-can PDs. SUMMARY
[0008] Disclosed herein is an optical multiplexer-demultiplexer system comprising an optical multiplexer system comprising bandpass filters BF1, BF2 and BF3 and an optical multiplexer operable or configured for combining input optical or laser signals T1, T2 and T3 of different wavelengths into a single output optical or laser signal O1 after passing the input optical or laser signals T1, T2 and T3 through the bandpass filters BF1, BF2 and BF3, the bandpass filters BF1, BF2 and BF3 being operable or configured for bandpass filtering the input optical or laser signals T1, T2 and T3 before entering the optical multiplexer. The optical multiplexer-demultiplexer system further comprises an optical demultiplexer system comprising bandpass filters BF4, BF5, BF6 and BF7, a first reflective element and a second reflective element, an anti-reflection (AR) coating and an optical demultiplexer. The optical demultiplexer is operable or configured for receiving the single output optical or laser signal O1 after passing the single output optical or laser signal O1 through the bandpass filter BF4 and passing the single output optical or laser signal O1 to a COM port of the optical demultiplexer system via the AR coating.
[0009] The optical demultiplexer is further operable or configured to receive an input optical or laser signal R comprising optical or laser signals Rl, R2 and R3 of different wavelengths on a COM port to pass the input optical or laser signal R to a bandpass filter BF4 after passing through the AR coating. The bandpass filter BF4 is operable or configured to reflect the input optical or laser signal R to a bandpass filter BF5, which is operable or configured to reflect optical or laser signals Rl and R3 to a bandpass filter BF6 via the first and second reflective elements and to pass optical or laser signal R2. The bandpass filter BF6 is operable or configured to reflect optical or laser signal R3 to a bandpass filter BF7 and to pass optical or laser signal Rl. The bandpass filter BF7 is operable or configured to pass optical or laser signal R3.
[0010] An optical multiplexer-demultiplexer system is also disclosed herein, comprising an optical multiplexer and bandpass filters BF1, BF2 and BF3 operable or configured to bandpass filter input optical or laser signals Tl, T2 and T3 having different wavelengths before entering the optical multiplexer. The optical multiplexer is operable or configured to combine bandpass filtered input optical or laser signals Tl and T2 after reflection of the bandpass filtered optical or laser signal Tl, combine bandpass filtered input optical or laser signal T3 with the combined bandpass filtered input optical or laser signals Tl and T2 after reflection of the combined bandpass filtered input optical or laser signals Tl and T2, and output the combined bandpass filtered input optical or laser signals Tl, T2 and T3 as a single output optical or laser signal Ol. The optical multiplexer-demultiplexer system further comprises an optical demultiplexer system comprising bandpass filters BF4, BF5, BF6 and BF7, an anti-reflective (AR) coating, and an optical demultiplexer operable or configured to receive the single output optical or laser signal Ol after passing through the bandpass filter BF4. The optical demultiplexer is operable or configured to pass the single output optical or laser signal Ol to a COM port of the optical demultiplexer via the AR coating.
[0011] The optical demultiplexer is further operable or configured to receive an input optical or laser signal R comprising optical or laser signals R1, R2 and R3 of different wavelengths on the COM port, pass the input optical or laser signal R to a bandpass filter BF4 after passing of the input optical or laser signal R through the AR coating. The bandpass filter BF4 is operable or configured to reflect the input optical or laser signal R to a bandpass filter BF5, which is operable or configured to reflect the optical or laser signals R1 and R3 to a bandpass filter BF6 and to pass the optical or laser signal R2 via the first and second reflecting elements of the optical demultiplexer. The bandpass filter BF6 is operable or configured to reflect the optical or laser signal R3 to a bandpass filter BF7 and to pass the optical or laser signal R1. The bandpass filter BF7 is operable or configured to pass the optical or laser signal R3.
[0012] An optical multiplexer-demultiplexer system is also disclosed herein, comprising an optical multiplexer (Tx) having a Tx body comprising a Tx1 surface and a Tx2 surface, and bandpass filters BF1, BF2 and BF3 disposed on the Tx1 surface for receiving input optical or laser signals T1, T2 and T3, respectively. The input optical or laser signals T1, T2 and T3 enter the Tx1 surface after passing through the bandpass filters BF1, BF2 and BF3 and pass through the Tx body, wherein the input optical or laser signal T1 combines with the input optical or laser signal T2 entering the Tx1 surface after being reflected back to the Tx1 surface via the Tx body at the Tx2 surface. The combined input optical or laser signals T1 and T2 combine with the input optical or laser signal T3 entering the Tx1 surface after being reflected back to the Tx1 surface via the Tx body at the Tx2 surface. The combined input optical or laser signals T1, T2 and T3 exit the Tx2 surface as an output optical or laser signal O1 via the Tx body.
[0013] The optical multiplexer-demultiplexer system further comprises an optical demultiplexer (Rx) having a Rx body comprising a Rx1 surface and a Rx2 surface, bandpass filters BF4 and BF6 disposed on the Rx1 surface, and bandpass filters BF5 and BF7 disposed on the Rx2 surface, and an anti-reflective (AR) coating. The optical demultiplexer is operable or configured to receive the single output optical or laser signal O1 after passing of the single output optical or laser signal O1 through the bandpass filter BF4 and pass the single output optical or laser signal O1 to a COM port of the optical demultiplexer system via the Rx body and the AR coating.
[0014] The optical demultiplexer is further operable or configured to receive an input optical or laser signal R comprising optical or laser signals R1, R2 and R3 of different wavelengths on the COM port and to pass the input optical or laser signal R via the AR coating and the Rx body to the bandpass filter BF4. The bandpass filter BF4 is operable or configured to reflect the input optical or laser signal R via the Rx body to the bandpass filter BF5. The bandpass filter BF5 is operable or configured to reflect the optical or laser signals R1 and R3 via the first and second reflecting elements to the bandpass filter BF6 and to pass the optical or laser signal R2. The bandpass filter BF6 is operable or configured to reflect the optical or laser signal R3 to the bandpass filter BF7 and to pass the optical or laser signal R1. Finally, the bandpass filter BF7 is operable or configured to pass the optical or laser signal R3.
[0015] Also disclosed herein is a method of optical multiplexing and demultiplexing optical or laser signals with an optical multiplexer (Tx) and an optical demultiplexer (Rx), wherein the optical multiplexer (Tx) has a Tx body comprising a Tx1 surface, a Tx2 surface and bandpass filters BF1 and BF3 disposed on the Tx1 surface and the optical demultiplexer (Rx) has a Rx body comprising a Rx1 surface and a Rx2 surface, bandpass filters BF4 and BF6 disposed on the Rx1 surface and a bandpass filter BF5 disposed on the Rx2 surface. The method comprises: a) inputting optical or laser signals T1 and T3 of different wavelengths into the Tx body via the Tx1 surface via the respective bandpass filters BF1 and BF3; b) combining at or adjacent to the Tx1 surface: a reflection of the optical or laser signal T1 by or adjacent to the Tx2 surface and the bandpass filter BF3 and the optical or laser signal T3 entering the Tx1 surface; c) outputting the optical or laser signals T1 and T3 of step b) via the optical demultiplexer Rx after passing through the Tx2 surface, the bandpass filter BF4, the Rx1 surface and the Rx2 surface; d) inputting an optical or laser signal R comprising optical or laser signals R1 and R2 of different wavelengths via the Rx2 surface; e) reflecting the optical or laser signal R of step d) by the bandpass filter BF4 via the Rx body to the bandpass filter BF5; f) passing the optical or laser signal R2 by the bandpass filter BF5 and reflecting the optical or laser signal R1 via the Rx body to the bandpass filter BF6 after step e); and g) passing the optical or laser signal R1 by the bandpass filter BF6 after step f). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0016] Figure 1is one non-limiting embodiment or example of an optical multiplexer-demultiplexer system according to the principles of the present disclosure;
[0017] Figure 2 is another non-limiting embodiment or example of an optical multiplexer-demultiplexer system according to the principles of the present disclosure; and
[0018] Figure 3 is a method according to the principles of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] Various non-limiting examples will now be described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals correspond to like or functionally equivalent elements throughout.
[0020] For purposes of the description hereinafter, terms such as "end," "upper," "lower," "right," "left," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "lateral," "longitudinal," and derivatives thereof shall relate to the example(s) as they are oriented in the drawing figure(s) under discussion. However, it is to be understood that the example(s) can be oriented in various alternative
[0021] Additionally, as used in the specification and claims, all expressions, terms and phrases, including technical terms, should be interpreted as having the same meaning as they would be attributed by one of ordinary skill in the art in the field of the disclosure to which the disclosure pertains. Accordingly, the disclosure should not be construed as limited to the examples or aspects described in this detailed description. Rather, the detailed description is intended to provide a basis of understanding for the examples or aspects of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure is not limited to the aspects or examples described in this detailed description.
[0022] As used herein, “coupled,” “coupling,” and like terms mean that two or more elements are linked together, linked to one another, fastened, connected, in communication with, or otherwise associated with one another, whether directly or indirectly via one or more other elements. In various examples, elements can be associated in a manner that is directly or indirectly linked. As an example, element A can be directly associated with element B. As another example, element A can be indirectly associated with element B (e.g., via another element C). It will be understood that not all associations between elements necessarily need to be represented. Accordingly, there can also be couplings that are different from those depicted in the Figures.
[0023] As used herein, the phrase “at least one of” when used with a list of items means that a different combination of one or more of the listed items can be utilized and that only one of each item in the list can be needed. For example, “at least one of items A, item B, and item C” can include, but is not limited to, only A or A and B. This example also can include A, B, and C or B and C. In other examples, “at least one of” can be, for example, but not limited to, two of item A, one of item B, and ten of item C; four of item B, and seven of item C; and other suitable combinations.
[0024] Reference Figure 1 In accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, an optical multiplexer-demultiplexer system includes an optical multiplexer 2 and an optical demultiplexer 4 positioned in an operative relationship with one another on a substrate 6, in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.
[0025] The optical multiplexer 2 includes a body Tx formed of any suitable and / or desired optical material (e.g., glass) that facilitates propagation of optical or laser signals T1, T2, and T3 with no more than a desired level of loss or scattering of the optical or laser signals. The body Tx includes surfaces Tx1 and Tx2 deployed or positioned in a spaced apart relationship, preferably in a spaced apart parallel relationship. The optical multiplexer 2 further includes bandpass filters BF1, BF2, and BF3 deployed on the Tx1 surface for receiving the input optical or laser signals T1, T2, and T3, respectively. The Tx2 surface includes reflective portions 8-1 and 8-2 for reflecting the optical or laser signal T1, and a combination of the optical or laser signals T1-T2, after passing through the body Tx in a manner described hereinbelow.
[0026] Each reflective portion 8-1 and 8-2 can be formed by an optically reflective film formed or disposed on the Tx2 surface in the appropriate location. The Tx2 surface can also include a portion 10 operable or configured to pass the output optical or laser signal Ol, which includes the input optical or laser signals Tl, T2, and T3 multiplexed thereon. In an example, this portion 10 can include an anti-reflective (AR) coating that facilitates the passage of the output optical or laser signal Ol to the optical demultiplexer 4.
[0027] In one non-limiting example, the wavelengths of the input optical or laser signals Tl, T2, and T3 can be 1342 ± 2 nm, 1490 ± 10 nm, and 1577 ± 2.5 nm. However, this should not be construed as limiting in nature, as it is contemplated that one or more of the input optical or laser signals Tl, T2, and T3 can have different wavelengths. The bandpass filters BF1, BF2, and BF3 can be configured to pass the respective wavelengths of the input optical or laser signals Tl, T2, and T3 and reflect optical or laser signals of different wavelengths.
[0028] The optical demultiplexer 4 includes a body Rx formed of any suitable and / or desired optical material (e.g., glass) that facilitates the propagation of the input optical or laser signal R, which includes the different wavelength optical or laser signals Rl, R2, and R3 modulated thereon, without more than a desired level of loss or scattering of the optical or laser signals. The body Rx includes surfaces Rxl and Rx2 disposed or positioned in a spaced apart relationship, preferably in a spaced apart parallel relationship.
[0029] In an example, the optical demultiplexer 4 can include bandpass filters BF4 and BF6, and a mirror Ml disposed or positioned on the Rxl surface. The optical demultiplexer 4 can also include bandpass filters BF5 and BF7, a mirror M2, and an AR coating disposed or positioned on the Rx2 surface. The optical demultiplexer 4 can also include mirrors M3, M4, and M5 positioned in operative relationship with the bandpass filters BF7, BF5, and BF6. The optical demultiplexer 4 can also include a COM port to facilitate the output of the optical or laser signal Ol to the optical demultiplexer 4, e.g., to an external optical fiber (not shown) coupled to the COM port, and to facilitate the receipt of the input optical or laser signal R to the optical demultiplexer 4, e.g., from the external optical fiber.
[0030] In one non-limiting example, the wavelengths of the optical or laser signals R1, R2, and R3 can be 1270 ± 10 nm, 1286 ± 2 nm, and 1310 ± 20 nm. However, this should not be construed as limiting in that it is contemplated that one or more of the optical or laser signals T1, T2, and T3 can have different wavelengths. The bandpass filter BF4 can be configured to pass the wavelengths of the optical or laser signals T1, T2, and T3 modulated on the output optical or laser signal O1 and can be configured to reflect all other wavelengths of optical or laser signals, including the wavelengths of the optical or laser signals R1, R2, and R3 modulated on the input optical or laser signal R. The bandpass filters BF5, BF6, and BF7 can be configured to pass the wavelengths of the respective optical or laser signals R2, R1, and R3 and reflect optical or laser signals of different wavelengths.
[0031] The optical demultiplexer 4 can include a substrate 12 to support the body Rx, including the bandpass filters BF4-BF7, the mirrors M1-M2, and the AR coating on the surfaces Rx1 and Rx2 as described above, along with the support COM port and the mirrors M3-M5 spaced apart from the surfaces Rx1 and Rx2.
[0032] Having thus described the optical multiplexer 2 and the optical demultiplexer 4, the operation of the optical multiplexer 2 and the optical demultiplexer 4 will now be described.
[0033] Referring to the optical multiplexer 2, the input optical or laser signals T1, T2, and T3 enter the Tx1 surface and pass through the Tx body to the Tx2 surface after passing through the bandpass filters BF1, BF2, and BF3. In the example, the input optical or laser signal T1 is reflected at the Tx2 surface via the Tx body back to the bandpass filter BF2, where the input optical or laser signal T1 is reflected by the bandpass filter BF2 and combined (multiplexed) with the input optical or laser signal T2 that enters the Tx1 surface via the bandpass filter BF2.
[0034] The combined input optical or laser signals T1 and T2 are reflected at the Tx2 surface via the Tx body back to the bandpass filter BF3, where the combined input optical or laser signals T1 and T2 are reflected by the bandpass filter BF3 and combined with the input optical or laser signal T3 that enters the Tx1 surface via the bandpass filter BF3. The combined input optical or laser signals T1, T2, and T3 exit the Tx2 surface via the Tx body as a single output optical or laser signal O1 having the input optical or laser signals T1, T2, and T3 modulated thereon.
[0035] Referring to the optical demultiplexer 4, the output optical or laser signal O1 from the optical multiplexer 2 passes through the bandpass filter BF4 and exits the optical demultiplexer 4 via the COM port.
[0036] The optical demultiplexer is further operable or configured to receive an input optical or laser signal R on the COM port, the input optical or laser signal R comprising optical or laser signals R1, R2 and R3 of different wavelengths, and to pass the input optical or laser signal R via the AR coating and the Rx body to the bandpass filter BF4. As the bandpass filter BF4 is configured to pass only the wavelengths of the input optical or laser signals T1, T2 and T3 modulated on the output optical or laser signal O1, the bandpass filter BF4 reflects the input optical or laser signal R via the Rx body to the bandpass filter BF5, reflecting the wavelengths of the optical or laser signals R1, R2 and R3 modulated on the input optical or laser signal R.
[0037] The bandpass filter BF5 is operable or configured to reflect the wavelengths of the optical or laser signals R1 and R3 via the Rx body and the mirrors M1 and M2 to the bandpass filter BF6 and to pass the wavelength of the optical or laser signal R2 to the mirror M4. After being reflected by the mirror M4, the optical or laser signal R2 exits the optical demultiplexer for further reception and / or processing, e.g. by the first photodiode.
[0038] The bandpass filter BF6 is operable or configured to reflect the wavelength of the optical or laser signal R3 to the bandpass filter BF7 and to pass the wavelength of the optical or laser signal R1 to the mirror M5. After being reflected by the mirror M5, the optical or laser signal R1 exits the optical demultiplexer for further reception and / or processing, e.g. by the second photodiode.
[0039] Finally, the bandpass filter BF7 is operable or configured to pass the wavelength of the optical or laser signal R3 to the mirror M3. After being reflected by the mirror M3, the optical or laser signal R3 exits the optical demultiplexer for further reception and / or processing, e.g. by the third photodiode.
[0040] Reference is made to Figure 2 and continues to refer to Figure 1 , except as otherwise described below, another non-limiting embodiment or example optical multiplexer-demultiplexer system according to the principles of the present disclosure is similar in most respects to the example optical multiplexer-demultiplexer system shown in Figure 1 .
[0041] However, in the optical demultiplexer 4 of Figure 2 , the bandpass filters BF8 and BF9 replace the Figure 1mirrors M1 and M2 in the optical demultiplexer 4. In the example, the bandpass filters BF8 and BF9 are each configured to reflect at least the wavelengths of the optical or laser signals R1 and R3 and to pass other wavelengths of optical or laser signals that can be present together with the optical or laser signals R1 and R3.
[0042] In Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the mirrors M1 and M2 and the bandpass filters BF8 and BF9 are alternative forms of the respective first and second reflective elements, i.e. the mirror M1 and the bandpass filter BF8 are alternative forms of the first reflective element, and the mirror M2 and the bandpass filter BF9 are alternative forms of the second reflective element. In addition to replacing the mirrors M1 and M2 with the bandpass filters BF8 and BF9, Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the optical multiplexer-demultiplexer system is the same.
[0043] A method according to the principles of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to Figure 3 and with continued reference to Figure 1 and Figure 3 . The method starts by proceeding from a “start” step to a step S1 comprising inputting optical or laser signals T1 and T3 of different wavelengths into a Tx body via a Tx1 surface via respective bandpass filters BF1 and BF3.
[0044] The method then proceeds to a step S2 comprising combining at the Tx1 surface, adjacent to the Tx1 surface, a reflection of the optical or laser signal T1 by a Tx2 surface and the bandpass filter BF3 or adjacent to the Tx2 surface and the bandpass filter BF3, with the optical or laser signal T3 entering the Tx1 surface.
[0045] The method then proceeds to a step S3 comprising outputting the optical or laser signals T1 and T3 of step S2 via an optical demultiplexer Rx after passing through the Tx2 surface, a bandpass filter BF4, an Rx1 surface and an Rx2 surface.
[0046] The method then proceeds to a step S4 comprising inputting an optical or laser signal R comprising optical or laser signals R1 and R2 of different wavelengths via an Rx2 surface.
[0047] The method then proceeds to a step S5 comprising reflecting the optical or laser signal R of step S4 via an Rx body by a bandpass filter BF4 to a bandpass filter BF5.
[0048] The method then proceeds to step S6, which comprises, after step S5, passing the optical or laser signal R2 through the bandpass filter BF5 and reflecting the optical or laser signal Rl to the bandpass filter BF6 via the Rx body.
[0049] The method then proceeds to step S6, which comprises, after step S6, passing the optical or laser signal Rl through the bandpass filter BF6.
[0050] The method then proceeds to a "stop" step.
[0051] The foregoing method is described in connection with a multiplexer-de multiplexer system comprising optical or laser signals Tl and T3; an optical multiplexer Tx having a Tx body comprising a Txl surface, a Tx2 surface, and bandpass filters BFl and BF3 disposed on the Txl surface; and an optical de-multiplexer Rx comprising optical or laser signals R, Rl and R2, an Rx body comprising an Rxl surface and an Rx2 surface, bandpass filters BF4 and BF6 disposed on the Rxl surface, and bandpass filter BF5 disposed on the Rx2 surface. However, this should not be construed as limiting in nature, as it is contemplated that the method can comprise additional steps described above in connection with the description of Figure 1 and Figure 2 one or more of optical or laser signals T2 and / or bandpass filter BF2; and the optical de-multiplexer Rx further comprising one or more of optical or laser signals R3, bandpass filter BF7, reflective elements (e.g., mirror Ml, mirror M2, bandpass filter BF8, and / or bandpass filter BF9), mirrors M3, M4, and M5, AR coating, and / or COM port, as can be appropriate and / or desired.
[0052] While the disclosure has been described in detail in terms of the embodiments presently considered to be the most practical and preferred, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but intends to cover modifications and equivalents within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the disclosure contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment can be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment.
Claims
1. An optical multiplexer-demultiplexer system comprising: an optical multiplexer system comprising bandpass filters BF1, BF2 and BF3 and an optical multiplexer operable or configured to combine input optical or laser signals T1, T2 and T3 of different wavelengths into a single output optical or laser signal O1 after passing the input optical or laser signals T1, T2 and T3 through the bandpass filters BF1, BF2 and BF3, the bandpass filters BF1, BF2 and BF3 being operable or configured to bandpass filter the input optical or laser signals T1, T2 and T3 before entering the optical multiplexer; and an optical demultiplexer system comprising bandpass filters BF4, BF5, BF6 and BF7, a first reflective element and a second reflective element, an anti-reflective (AR) coating and an optical demultiplexer, wherein the optical demultiplexer is operable or configured to receive the single output optical or laser signal O1 after passing the single output optical or laser signal O1 through the bandpass filter BF4 and to pass the single output optical or laser signal O1 to a COM port of the optical demultiplexer system via the AR coating, wherein: the optical demultiplexer is further operable or configured to receive an input optical or laser signal R comprising optical or laser signals R1, R2 and R3 of different wavelengths on the COM port to pass the input optical or laser signal R to the bandpass filter BF4 after passing the input optical or laser signal R via the AR coating; the bandpass filter BF4 is operable or configured to reflect the input optical or laser signal R to the bandpass filter BF5, the bandpass filter BF5 being operable or configured to reflect the optical or laser signals R1 and R3 to the bandpass filter BF6 via the first reflective element and the second reflective element and to pass the optical or laser signal R2; the bandpass filter BF6 is operable or configured to reflect the optical or laser signal R3 to the bandpass filter BF7 and to pass the optical or laser signal R1; and the bandpass filter BF7 is operable or configured to pass the optical or laser signal R3.
2. The optical multiplexer-demultiplexer system of claim 1, further comprising a mirror M3 operable or configured to reflect the optical or laser signal R3 before exiting the optical demultiplexer.
3. The optical multiplexer-demultiplexer system of claim 1, further comprising a mirror M4 operable or configured to reflect the optical or laser signal R2 before exiting the optical demultiplexer.
4. The optical multiplexer-demultiplexer system of claim 1, further comprising a mirror M5 operable or configured to reflect the optical or laser signal R1 before exiting the optical demultiplexer. 5. The optical multiplexer-demultiplexer system of claim 1, wherein the first and second reflective elements are mirrors Ml and M2.
6. The optical multiplexer-demultiplexer system of claim 1, wherein the first and second reflective elements are bandpass filters BF8 and BF9.
7. The optical multiplexer-demultiplexer system of claim 1, wherein at least one of: the optical or laser signals Rl, R2 and R3 have wavelengths of 1270 ± 10 nm, 1286 ± 2 nm and 1310 ± 20 nm; and the optical or laser signals Tl, T2 and T3 have wavelengths of 1342 ± 2 nm, 1490 ± 10 nm and 1577 ± 2.5 nm.
8. The optical multiplexer-demultiplexer system of claim 1, wherein the optical multiplexer is operable or configured to: reflect the optical or laser signal Tl to a bandpass filter BF2 after the optical or laser signal Tl passes through a bandpass filter BFl, the bandpass filter BF2 reflecting and combining the optical or laser signal Tl with the optical or laser signal T2 after the optical or laser signal T2 passes through the bandpass filter BF2, and reflect the combined optical or laser signals Tl and T2 to a bandpass filter BF3, the bandpass filter BF3 reflecting and combining the optical or laser signal T3 with the combined optical or laser signals Tl and T2 after the optical or laser signal T3 passes through the bandpass filter BF3 to form a single output optical or laser signal Ol.
9. The optical multiplexer-demultiplexer system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the optical multiplexer and the optical demultiplexer is a glass substrate.
10. An optical multiplexer-demultiplexer system, comprising: an optical multiplexer system including an optical multiplexer and bandpass filters BFl, BF2 and BF3 operable or configured for bandpass filtering input optical or laser signals Tl, T2 and T3 having different wavelengths before entering the optical multiplexer, wherein the optical multiplexer is operable or configured for combining the bandpass filtered input optical or laser signals Tl and T2 after reflecting the bandpass filtered optical or laser signal Tl, for combining the bandpass filtered input optical or laser signal T3 with the combined bandpass filtered input optical or laser signals Tl and T2 after reflecting the combined bandpass filtered input optical or laser signals Tl and T2, and for outputting the combined bandpass filtered input optical or laser signals Tl, T2 and T3 as a single output optical or laser signal Ol; and an optical demultiplexer system including an optical demultiplexer and bandpass filters BFl, BF2 and BF3 operable or configured for bandpass filtering a single input optical or laser signal Ol having different wavelengths before entering the optical demultiplexer, wherein the optical demultiplexer is operable or configured for separating the bandpass filtered input optical or laser signal Ol into the bandpass filtered input optical or laser signals Tl, T2 and T3 having different wavelengths. An optical demultiplexer system, comprising bandpass filters BF4, BF5, BF6, and BF7, an anti-reflective (AR) coating, and an optical demultiplexer, the optical demultiplexer being operable or configured to receive a single output optical or laser signal O1 after it has passed through bandpass filter BF4, wherein the optical demultiplexer is operable or configured to transmit the single output optical or laser signal O1 via the AR coating to the COM port of the optical demultiplexer, wherein: The optical demultiplexer can also be operated or configured to receive input optical or laser signals R1, R2 and R3 of different wavelengths at the COM port, and pass the input optical or laser signals R to the bandpass filter BF4 after the input optical or laser signals R pass through the AR coating. The bandpass filter BF4 is operable or configured to reflect the input optical or laser signal R to the bandpass filter BF5. The bandpass filter BF5 is operable or configured to reflect the optical or laser signals R1 and R3 via the first and second reflecting elements of the optical demultiplexer to the bandpass filter BF6 and to allow the optical or laser signal R2 to pass through. Bandpass filter BF6 is operable or configured to reflect optical or laser signal R3 to bandpass filter BF7 and to allow optical or laser signal R1 to pass through; and The bandpass filter BF7 can be operated or configured to allow optical or laser signals R3 to pass through.
11. The optical multiplexer-demultiplexer system of claim 10, wherein the optical demultiplexer system includes a mirror M3 for reflecting optical or laser signals R3.
12. The optical multiplexer-demultiplexer system of claim 10, wherein the optical demultiplexer system includes a mirror M4 for reflecting the optical or laser signal R2.
13. The optical multiplexer-demultiplexer system of claim 10, wherein the optical demultiplexer system includes a mirror M5 for reflecting optical or laser signals R1.
14. The optical multiplexer-demultiplexer system of claim 10, wherein the first reflecting element and the second reflecting element are mirror M1 and mirror M2.
15. The optical multiplexer-demultiplexer system of claim 10, wherein the first reflecting element and the second reflecting element are bandpass filters BF8 and BF9.
16. The optical multiplexer-demultiplexer system of claim 10, wherein at least one of the following is true: Optical or laser signals R1, R2, and R3 have wavelengths of 1270±10nm, 1286±2nm, and 1310±20nm, respectively; and Optical or laser signals T1, T2, and T3 have wavelengths of 1342±2nm, 1490±10nm, and 1577±2.5nm, respectively.
17. An optical multiplexer-demultiplexer system, comprising: An optical multiplexer (Tx) has a Tx body comprising a Tx1 surface and a Tx2 surface, and bandpass filters BF1, BF2, and BF3 deployed on the Tx1 surface for receiving input optical or laser signals T1, T2, and T3, respectively, wherein: Input optical or laser signals T1, T2, and T3 enter the surface of Tx1 and pass through the Tx body after passing through bandpass filters BF1, BF2, and BF3. Input optical or laser signal T1 is reflected back to the surface of Tx1 at the surface of Tx2 via the Tx body and then combined with input optical or laser signal T2 entering the surface of Tx1. The combined input optical or laser signals T1 and T2 are reflected back to the surface of Tx1 at the surface of Tx2 via the Tx body and then combined with input optical or laser signal T3 entering the surface of Tx1. The combined input optical or laser signals T1, T2, and T3 exit the surface of Tx2 as output optical or laser signal O1 via the Tx body. as well as An optical demultiplexer (Rx) has an Rx body comprising an Rx1 surface and an Rx2 surface, bandpass filters BF4 and BF6 deployed on the Rx1 surface and bandpass filters BF5 and BF7 deployed on the Rx2 surface, and an anti-reflective (AR) coating. The optical demultiplexer is operable or configured to receive a single output optical or laser signal O1 after it has passed through the bandpass filter BF4 and to transmit the single output optical or laser signal O1 to the COM port of the optical demultiplexer system via the Rx body and the AR coating, wherein: The optical demultiplexer can also be operated or configured to receive an input optical or laser signal R, including optical or laser signals R1, R2 and R3 of different wavelengths, at the COM port, so as to pass the input optical or laser signal R to the bandpass filter BF4 via the AR coating and the Rx body. The bandpass filter BF4 is operable or configured to reflect the input optical or laser signal R via the Rx body to the bandpass filter BF5; The bandpass filter BF5 is operable or configured to reflect optical or laser signals R1 and R3 via a first and a second reflective element to the bandpass filter BF6 and to allow optical or laser signal R2 to pass through. Bandpass filter BF6 is operable or configured to reflect optical or laser signal R3 to bandpass filter BF7 and to allow optical or laser signal R1 to pass through; and The bandpass filter BF7 can be operated or configured to allow optical or laser signals R3 to pass through.
18. The optical multiplexer-demultiplexer system of claim 18, wherein: Surfaces Tx1 and Tx2 are deployed or positioned in a spaced-apart or spaced-parallel relationship; as well as Surfaces Rx1 and Rx2 are deployed or positioned in a spaced-apart or spaced-parallel relationship.
19. A method for optically multiplexing and demultiplexing optical or laser signals using an optical multiplexer (Tx) and an optical demultiplexer (Rx), wherein the optical multiplexer (Tx) has a Tx body, the Tx body including a Tx1 surface, a Tx2 surface, and bandpass filters BF1 and BF3 deployed on the Tx1 surface, and the optical demultiplexer (Rx) has an Rx body, the Rx body including an Rx1 surface and an Rx2 surface, bandpass filters BF4 and BF6 deployed on the Rx1 surface, and a bandpass filter BF5 deployed on the Rx2 surface, the method comprising: a) Optical or laser signals T1 and T3 of different wavelengths are input into the Tx body via the corresponding bandpass filters BF1 and BF3 through the surface of Tx1; b) Combining the following at or adjacent to the surface of Tx1: reflection of optical or laser signal T1 by or adjacent to the surface of Tx2 and bandpass filter BF3, and optical or laser signal T3 entering the surface of Tx1. c) After passing through the Tx2 surface, bandpass filter BF4, Rx1 surface and Rx2 surface, the combined optical or laser signals T1 and T3 from step b) are output via the optical demultiplexer Rx; d) Optical or laser signals R, including optical or laser signals R1 and R2 of different wavelengths, are input via the Rx2 surface; e) The optical or laser signal R from step d) is reflected by the Rx body to the bandpass filter BF5 by the bandpass filter BF4; f) After step e), the optical or laser signal R2 is passed through by the bandpass filter BF5 and the optical or laser signal R1 is reflected to the bandpass filter BF6 via the Rx body; g) After step f), the optical or laser signal R1 is allowed to pass through by the bandpass filter BF6.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the method includes, between steps f) and g), reflecting the optical or laser signal R1 by one or more reflective elements.