Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present invention provides an expansion subsystem for dense wavelength division multiplexing systems allowing for the time division multiplexed transmission of lower speed information-bearing signals without regard to data rate or transmission format. The subsystem includes a transmitting station having data buffers, encoders for encoding a unique identification code from a channel identification generator, data scramblers, a multiplexing clock and a time division multiplexing unit, and a receiving station generally the mirror image of the transmitting station.