Abstract: A high speed optical analog/digital conversion process with a simple configuration, in which an optical-pulse branching delay multiplexer generates as many duplicates of each optical pulse as the predetermined number of bits by branching each optical pulse string obtained by sampling an input optical analog signal, and generates a temporally consecutive optical pulse string by multiplexing the duplicated optical pulses with a predetermined intensity difference and time difference. An optical encoder and an optical-threshold processing unit perform an encoding and a quantization of an optical pulse string, and output an optical digital signal corresponding to the optical analog signal.

Abstract: An integrated overlay card, an optical line terminal with an integrated overlay card, and a method for operating an optical network. The integrated overlay card may fit at least partially within the optical line terminal. The integrated overlay card includes a wavelength dimension multiplexer/demultiplexer that overlays first signals at a first wavelength onto second signals at a second wavelength, so as to combine signals. The combined signals may be routed to an optical network. In example embodiments, the invention may be used to provide an IP television service.

Abstract: This invention relates to a pattern recognition correlator in which a serial input data signal is converted into a parallel data signal for correlation with one or more reference data signals. The invention relates to use of a demultiplexer in such a correlation apparatus to reduce the data update rate for the subsequent components. The invention also relates to the use of a series of latch circuits to provide serial to parallel conversion of the input data signal in the electrical domain.

Abstract: An optical device for splitting/combining a first and a second continuous optical wavelength bands, each wider than 10 nm, has a first, a second, a third, a fourth and a fifth optical splitting devices optically coupled in cascade and a first, a second, a third and a fourth optical differential delay devices optically coupled to, and interleaved between, the optical splitting devices. A suitable choice of the coupling angles of the splitting devices and of the differential delays of the optical differential delay devices gives to the structure flattened passbands and stopbands and makes the optical device tolerant to fluctuations of the structural parameters. An apparatus includes the optical device for use in fiber-to-the-premises networks.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) to implement a parallel differential quadrature phase shift keying (DQPSK) precoder and a DQPSK optical transmitter with an automatic realignment process. The present invention can perform DQPSK preceding, modulation, and data stream realignment at any lower rate, and its upper rate is determined by capability in speed and logic resources and external connections of available integrated circuit technology.

Abstract: An optical signal connection apparatus for connecting first and second optical signal transmission lines to first and second routers, respectively, is disclosed. The first and second routers are configured to handle both optical signals and electrical signals. The optical signal connection apparatus comprises a first node and a second node.

Abstract: A system is provided to reduce data burst overhead in an Ethernet passive optical network. During operation, the OLT transmits grant messages to a number of ONUs, wherein a grant message assigns a start time and a duration of a transmission timeslot in which an GNU may transmit an upstream data burst. In response to the grant messages, the OLT receives a number of upstream data bursts, wherein the time gap between two consecutive upstream data bursts is less than the summation of a default laser turn-on time, a default laser turn-off time, an AGC period, and a CDR period.

Abstract: A node device in an optical transmission network where a manually set path and an ADP (autonomous decentralized protocol) set path coexist, wherein the manually set path is set by centralized control and the ADP set path is set by autonomous decentralized processing, the node device including: a label memory for storing at least first labels used for manually set paths and second labels used for ADP set paths, wherein the first and second labels previously defined before path setting; and a resource manager for setting a manually set path and an ADP set path by referring to contents stored in the label memory.

Abstract: An optical pulse time spreading device includes S optical pulse time spreading elements that spread input optical pulses into trains of (N×j) chip pulses, where j is an integer greater than zero, S is an integer greater than one, and N is an integer equal to or greater than S. In the chip pulse trains output by the n-th optical pulse time spreading element (n=1, 2, . . . , S), the light in successive chip pulses is shifted in phase by successive integer multiples of the quantity 2?{a+(n?1)/N}, where a is an arbitrary constant (0?a<1). In an optical code-division multiplexing system, this optical pulse time spreading device produces an autocorrelation wave with a high energy and a high signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of an optical wavelength division demultiplexer or multiplexer sub-assembly configured to receive or transmit optical signals conveyed thereto or therefrom by a fiber optic cable. Selected portions of external surfaces of the sub-assembly are coated with an electrically conductive paint, polymer or adhesive to provide an EMI, EMP or ESD shield. Typically, the sub-assembly comprises an integrally molded plastic optical block and a separate integrally molded coupling module with a ferrule and fiber optic cable receptacle. In one embodiment, selected external surfaces of the optical block and coupling module are coated with a coating having a predetermined electrical conductivity to provide a desired degree of EMI, EMP or ESD shielding.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a wavelength allocation method of signal light, which is capable of consecutively allocating signal lights efficiently on wavelength grids, while suppressing degradation in transmission characteristic due to the generation of four-wave mixed light in an optical transmission path. To this end, according to the wavelength allocation method of signal light, the consecutive allocation wavelength number of signal lights to be allocated consecutively on the wavelength grids, is set to different values according to wavelength bands, based on wavelength dependence of a generation amount of four-wave mixed light on the optical transmission path, and the signal lights are allocated consecutively on the wavelength grids in accordance with this consecutive allocation wavelength number, but the signal light is not allocated on at bas one wavelength grid adjacent to the wavelength grids on which a group or signal light are allocated consecutively.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a base station system, including an indoor part and a remote RF subsystem (RRS). The indoor part includes a RIU, a CCU, a BBU, a GPSU and a local interface unit. The RRS includes a remote interface unit, a RF transceiver unit (TRU) and an antenna. The local interface unit and the remote interface unit are for signal intercommunicating between the indoor part of the base station and the RSS. The TRU is a RF transceiver module of the conventional RFU, for amplifying an analog RF signal from the remote interface unit and transmitting the signal to the antenna. By flexibly selecting between an optical cable and an If cable, the interface unit of the present invention provides a digital baseband remote manner and an IF remote manner.

Abstract: A network interface apparatus comprises a bidirectional optical signal port, an optical diplexer connected to the bidirectional optical signal port, a first RF signal port (bidirectional), a second RF signal port, a first RF diplexer, and an RF splitter. The RF diplexer transmits a first received RF input signal from the first RF signal port to the optical diplexer to modulate an optical output signal transmitted by the optical diplexer to the optical signal port. The RF splitter receives from the optical diplexer an RF signal derived from an RF-modulated optical input signal received from the bidirectional optical signal port, transmits a first portion of the derived RF signal as a first RF output signal to the first RF signal port through the first RF diplexer, and transmits a second portion of the derived RF signal as a second RF output signal to the second RF signal port.

Abstract: The optical transmission equipment includes: a demultiplexer for demultiplexing a transmitted wavelength-multiplexed optical signal to first and second optical signals; a first variable dispersion compensation unit; a second variable dispersion compensation unit; a first error detector; a second error detector; and a dispersion compensation control unit for controlling dispersion compensation amounts of the first and second variable dispersion compensation units based on the detection result of the first or second error detector. Upon detection of a signal error in the first optical signal, the first variable dispersion compensation unit is controlled to change from a first compensation amount to a third compensation amount, and the second variable dispersion compensation unit is controlled to change from a second compensation amount to a fourth compensation amount.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a gain medium for an external cavity diode laser (ECDL) includes a gain section to provide a gain operation on optical energy in the ECDL that is controlled by a first electrical signal, a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) section disposed adjacent to the gain section to amplify the gained optical energy responsive to a second electrical signal, and a trench disposed between the gain section and the SOA section to act as an integrated mirror. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A system and method relating to a point-to-multipoint Passive Optical Network (PON) that protects the system against fiber breaks or damage which can disrupt the path between the OLT and a plurality of Dual Transceiver ONUs.

Abstract: A method and system for identifying optimal mapping of logical links to the physical topology of a network is provided. Upon obtaining one or more mapping options for mapping multiple logical links between two or more pairs of network nodes onto physical paths that are as at least relatively disjoint and a priority order of the network node pairs, the mapping options are correlated with the priority order of the network nodes to identify optimal mapping of logical links to the physical topology of a network.

Abstract: The invention includes a method and apparatus for transporting a client signal over a transport network using enhanced virtual concatenation (VCAT) and enhanced link capacity adjustment scheme (LCAS) techniques. A method includes provisioning, for a client signal, a virtual concatenation group (VCG) signal having a VCG signal bandwidth, converting the VCG signal into a set of VCG member signals including a plurality of working VCG member signals and at least one protection VCG member signal where the set of VCG member signals has an aggregate bandwidth greater than the VCG signal bandwidth, and propagating the client signal toward the transport network using the set of VCG member signals. The client signal is initially conveyed by the working VCG member signals, and the at least one protection VCG member signal is available to protect the working VCG member signals. The client signal may be a constant bit rate (CBR) client signal.

Abstract: A directly modulated optical transmitter for use with a fiber optical communications system operating in the 1550 nm wavelength band exhibits very low chirp. The chirp inherently present in a directly modulated laser is cancelled by a phase modulator which optically modulates the directly modulated laser light beam by applying a 180° phase delay to a split-off portion of the input radio frequency signal. This provides a low cost transmitter capable of operating in the 1550 nm band and with laser chirp effectively cancelled or substantially reduced, thereby avoiding distortions due to laser chirp interactions with the downstream optical fiber.

Abstract: A communication apparatus using a chaotic signal and a method thereof are provided. The communication apparatus includes a correlator which multiplies source data by one of an optical orthogonal code (OOC) and a prime sequence code (PSC), and outputs transmission data, a transmission signal generating unit which generates a chaotic transmission signal by masking the transmission data with respect to a chaotic signal, and an antenna which transmits the chaotic transmission signal. As a result, multiple accesses are enabled, and a wireless communication system for short-distance operation, which is economic and low power-consuming, is provided.

Abstract: A fiber to the home (FTTH) system based on a passive optical network (PON) includes an optical line terminal (OLT) block, an optical network terminal (ONT) block, and an optical distribution network (ODN). The ONT block includes a video-optical line terminal (V-OLT) and an OLT to output optical signals of the V-OLT and the OLT by multiplexing the optical signals. The V-OLT receives cable TV (CATV), master antenna (MATV), and satellite broadcasting (SB) optical signals inputted from a broadcasting service network to output received signals as a first optical signal having a predetermined wavelength band. The ONT block includes a video-optical network terminal (V-ONT) and an (ONT) to split multiplexed data communications signals, and CATV broadcasting, MATV broadcasting, and (SB) optical signals. The V-ONT processes the split CATV broadcasting, MATV, and (SB) optical signals to provide subscribers with the split cable CATV, MATV and SB optical signals.

Abstract: An intelligent photonic burst switched (PBS) network includes edge nodes and switching nodes. The PBS edge node includes a flow classifier, flow manager, and ingress/egress PBS MAC layer components. The flow classifier classifies information received from outside the PBS network into forward-equivalent classes. The flow manager determines whether the information is to be sent over the PBS network or elsewhere. Information to be sent over the PBS network is processed by the ingress PBS MAC layer component, which assembles the information into data bursts, schedules the transmission of the data burst, builds a control burst, and frames the data and control bursts, which are to be optically transmitted over the PBS network. The egress PBS MAC layer component receives control bursts and the corresponding data bursts, de-frames the data bursts, and appropriately assembles the data. The data is then classified and transmitted to the intended destination.

Abstract: Methods and systems for analyzing optical parameters of a selected optical fiber member are disclosed. A signal input from an optical fiber member may be selected by instructing a corresponding optical separation device. The output from the corresponding optical separation device may be combined with the outputs of other optical separation devices using an optical coupler. A measurement circuit may measure the optical parameter from the output. Proper operation of an optical separation device may be validated by a monitoring circuit. The monitoring circuit may provide an indication to a user or may be processed by a diagnostic processor. A processing circuit may select one of the optical separation devices in order to measure the optical parameter for a corresponding optical fiber member and consequently may instruct an adjustment circuit to cause the selected optical fiber member to conform to a desired value of the optical parameter.

Abstract: The invention relates to wavelength-selective optical filters for allowing light of a narrow optical spectral band, centered around a wavelength (?c) to pass through them, while reflecting the wavelengths lying outside this band. According to the invention, the transfer function (T1,2(?)) of the component is defined by multiplying two transfer functions of spectrally offset Fabry-Perot filters.

Abstract: A method or system including implementing one or more indicators to specify traffic ordering associated with an optical networking protocol and ordering traffic according to the one or more indicators.

Abstract: Roughly described, an AWG has a waveguide array and a region of vertical-only confinement that is shared for both input and output beams of the waveguide array. The AWG layout is such that the input and output beams to and from the waveguide array cross each other within the region of vertical-only confinement.

Abstract: An optical transmitter for converting and coupling an information-containing electrical signal with an optical fiber having an electrical input for coupling with an external electrical cable or information system device having a plurality of parallel data lines, a modulator for converting between an information-containing electrical signal on each data line and a multi-level digital pulse amplitude modulated signal corresponding to the binary electrical signal; and a signal timing circuit coupled to said modulator for aligning the data signal to a predetermined clock signal. The transmitter is preferably wavelength division multiplexed, using an electro-optical subassembly coupled to each respective timer circuit for converting between the information-containing electrical signal and a modulated optical signal corresponding to the electrical signal at a predetermined wavelength. The transceiver is preferably implemented in a pluggable standardized form factor.

Abstract: Described is a SDH or SONET telecommunication network element provided with a plurality of interfaces for managing first SDH or SONET flows, comprising: a) a plurality of first layer ports for managing second SDH or SONET flows, wherein the ports are individually programmable as concerns the hierarchical structure of the managed flows, and b) a switching system coupled to the interfaces and to the ports, in order to implement the switching of virtual containers between the SDH or SONET flows, wherein the switching system is programmable as far as the switching to be implemented is concerned.

Abstract: Spatially-efficient optical multiplexers and optical demultiplexers include elements interrelating along orthogonal axes. A transmission block of extreme thinness has highly reflective coatings on opposed parallel surfaces. Lasers of multiplexer are on one side of transmission block with transmission axes perpendicular to transmission block surface. An associated multiplexed signal transmitting port on opposite side of transmission block has receiving axis parallel to transmission block surface on that side. Detectors of demultiplexer are on one side of transmission block with reception axes perpendicular to transmission block surface. An associated multiplexed signal receiving port on opposite side of transmission block has receiving axis parallel to transmission block surface on that side. A unitary structure performs both optical multiplexer functions and optical demultiplexer function with a single thin transmission block. Related optical signal processing methods are included.

Abstract: A LADAR apparatus and a method for use in receiving a LADAR signal are disclosed. The apparatus includes an optical pickup capable of picking up a plurality of optical signals; a timing synchronization reference; a time domain multiplexer capable of multiplexing the optical signals into a multiplexed optical signal relative to the timing synchronization reference; and an optical detector capable of detecting the multiplexed optical signal. The method include time domain multiplexing a plurality of LADAR signals into multiplexed LADAR signal; detecting the multiplexed LADAR signal; and demultiplexing the detected LADAR signal.

Abstract: To optimize the resources of an optical transmission network using wavelength division multiplexing, assigning carrier frequencies to signals to be transmitted consists in associating N sets of optical frequencies of the comb with N respective ranges of consecutive error rate values, each of the sets comprising frequencies generating a mean error rate in the associated range, defining a measured signal transmission constraint level that is a function of the transmission constraint parameter(s) and may take N distinct values referred to as constraint values, associating the N constraint values in increasing order respectively with the N sets of frequencies in decreasing order of the error rate values of the associated N ranges, assigning any signal to be transmitted a constraint value obtained by applying the measurement, and assigning the signal to be transmitted a carrier frequency belonging to one of the sets of frequencies that is associated with a constraint value at least equal to the constraint value as

Abstract: An OC3 to three DS3 SONET multiplexer is provided employing a field programmable gate array and other components in a single Type 400 mechanics card to achieve a form factor that is substantially reduced when compared to existing SONET multiplexers. The OC3 to three DS3 SONET multiplexer has integral optical redundancy and automated provisioning. Manual switches are provided to select continue/drop and line build out for each DS3. Switches are also provided for loopback options. The face plate for the multiplexer provides front access to all of the OC3 and DS3 connectors. The multiplexer is interchangeable with DS3 to DS1 multiplexer cards and WDM cards in a compact M13 SONET enclosure that is particularly useful at wireless cell sites.

Abstract: An optical transponder includes a mapping unit mapping, out of multiple types of signals including a first client signal and a second client signal that transmission rates are different from each other, the first client signal having a lower transmission rate to a Generic Framing Procedure (GFP) frame defined in ITU-T Recommendations; a coding unit applying 64B/66B coding to the first client signal mapped to the GFP frame; and a multiplexing unit multiplexing the first client signal to which the 64B/66B coding has been applied and the second client signal in a frame conforming to an Optical Transport Network (OTN) defined in ITU-T Recommendations; in which the first client signal and the second client signal are accommodated in an identical frame in a mixed manner and transmitted as an optical signal having one wavelength.

Abstract: An optical transmitter for converting and coupling an information-containing electrical signal with an optical fiber having an electrical input for coupling with an external electrical cable or information system device having a plurality of parallel data lines, a modulator for converting between an information-containing electrical signal on each data line and a multi-level digital pulse amplitude modulated signal corresponding to the binary electrical signal; and a signal timing circuit coupled to said modulator for aligning the data signal to a predetermined clock signal. The transmitter is preferably wavelength division multiplexed, using an electro-optical subassembly coupled to each respective timer circuit for converting between the information-containing electrical signal and a modulated optical signal corresponding to the electrical signal at a predetermined wavelength. The transceiver is preferably implemented in a pluggable standardized form factor.

Abstract: A network system and method include a wireless base station integrated at a central office of a service provider. The wireless base station is configured to provide portable and fixed services to customers. A passive optical network is coupled to the wireless base station at the central office to provide a link to extend an antenna for wireless operations of the wireless base station to a remote site such that a wireless signal from the wireless base station is transmitted in parallel with a passive fiber network signal through the link.

Abstract: A WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplexing) optical transmitter using a Fabry-Perot laser is disclosed.

Abstract: While continuously providing a service in an existing optical communication system, a service at another communication speed is realized at low cost. For this reason, a station-side optical network terminal apparatus is configured so that to one light-emitting unit connected are a first processing unit that performs a process to output an optical signal at one communication speed by the light-emitting unit and a second processing unit that performs a process to output an optical signal at another communication speed by the light-emitting unit.

Abstract: An optoelectronic device that has a network address (e.g., IF address) and participates in in-band traffic for purposes of performing functions (e.g., network diagnostics, network control, network provisioning, fault isolation, etc.) that are traditionally performed by host equipment. An embodiment of the invention may have a protocol engine and a status monitoring module. The protocol engine identifies data packets that are addressed to the optoelectronic device, and allows the optoelectronic device to insert packets of information generated by the device into in-band data. Logic of the optoelectronic device may modify the operating parameters of the device according to the control information included in the data packets. The status monitoring module detects the device's physical conditions and the conditions of its links.

Abstract: A wavelength selective optical switch of the present invention separates a WDM light emitted from an input port of an input and output optical system, according to wavelengths, by a diffraction grating, and thereafter, condenses the lights of respective wavelengths on MEMS mirrors respectively corresponding to the respective wavelengths, in a mirror array, to reflect them by a condenser optical system, to thereby switch optical paths for the respective lights. The condenser optical system is configured by combining a plurality of lenses whose focal distances are different from each other, and positions in an optical axis direction of the lenses are adjustable by a slide mechanism. Thus, despite an error in the focal distances of the condenser lenses, in a mounting angle of a spectral element or the like, a beam pitch at the condensing positions of the lights of respective wavelengths can be coincident with a mirror pitch in the mirror array.

Abstract: Present herein is a multirate transceiver wherein data can be received at a first data rate and transmitted at a second data rate. The transceiver device comprises a first interface for receiving data at one data rate a mapper that can map data from a first rate to the second rate, and a second interface for transmitting the data at the second data rate.

Abstract: Infrared control signals are repeated and communicated in a system including a source device and a sink device that are communicatively coupled by a serial communication link that includes a forward channel and a backward channel. Modulated infrared remote control data is detected by an infrared detector without de-modulation, and sampled in modulated form. Sampled data corresponding to the modulated remote control signal is transmitted from the sink device to the source device over the serial communication link, which in one example is a single optical fiber. The source device receives the sampled data and regenerates the infrared control data, which is then used to control the operation of the source device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of monitoring the transmission of optical signals including a step of inserting a monitoring signal (S) more particularly suited to monitoring the quality of service. During the transmission of optical signals each carried by a predefined wavelength defining a transmission channel (Ci), said signals are grouped onto the same fiber in a band (B) of channels. The method then includes a step of simultaneously modulating said signals grouped in the band of channels using the monitoring signal to be transmitted, so that each of the signals constitutes a carrier of the monitoring signal.

Abstract: A wavelength division-multiplexing system is provided that uses wavelength grids in conformity with the ITU-T Recommendation G.692 and that is realizable at lower costs. In the system, the wavelengths of signal light beams transmitted from plural optical transmitters are respectively spaced apart in such a manner that multiplexed wavelengths are set at regular intervals within the band range of the optical amplifier 5. The wavelength range of each laser beam covers at least two grids including neighboring grids. The wavelength demultiplexer 3 on the receiving side has the passband passing the wavelengths in a laser wavelength range corresponding to each channel.

Abstract: System and method for dynamically assigning wavelengths wavelength division multiplex (“WDM”) ring networks is described. In one embodiment, the invention comprises a method for dynamic wavelength assignment on a ring in a WDM network comprising, for each new requested traffic flow from a source node to a destination node on the ring, for each segment on a path around the ring between the source and destination nodes, classifying the new requested traffic flow into one of a set of spatial relationship types for each existing wavelength; determining a corresponding number of optical-to-electrical and electrical-to-optical (“OEO”) interfaces needed for each spatial relationship type selected for each segment; determining the total number of OEO interfaces needed for the entire path between the source and destination nodes along the ring; and selecting the existing wavelengths that minimize the OEO interfaces.

Abstract: An optical add/drop multiplexer (OADM) adapted to route optical signals having at least two different bit rates. The OADM has at least two sets of DWDM channels, e.g., with channels in a first set having a first bandwidth value suitable for the transmission of 10-Gb/s signals and channels in a second set having a second bandwidth value suitable for the transmission of 40-Gb/s signals. The first and second sets occupy two different spectral bands and the first set has two subsets of interleaved channels. In one embodiment, the OADM has first and second optical branches adapted to process optical signals corresponding to first and second groups of channels, respectively. The first group includes a first subset from the first set while the second group includes the second set and a second subset from the first set. Advantageously, OADMs of the invention may be used to create independent processing paths for different groups of channels. As a result, a communication system having those OADMs can be upgraded, e.g.

Abstract: Multiple working paths are established on each working rings and multiple protection paths are established on each of multiple protection rings. A working path on a first working ring spans across first and second nodes for signal transmission in a first direction of the ring, and a working path on a second working ring spans across the first and second nodes for signal transmission in a second, opposite direction of the ring. A protection path on a first protection ring spans across the first and second nodes for signal transmission in said second direction, and a protection path on a second protection ring spans across the first and second nodes for signal transmission in said first direction. The first and second nodes normally use the working paths, respectively. When one of the working paths fails, the first and second nodes use a corresponding protection path.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical circuit structure for realizing a higher-order node in an optical transmission network with a number N of bidirectional remote ports, wherein an optical receive wavelength division multiplexed signal with a set of optical receive channels can be fed to each remote port and wherein an optical transmit wavelength division multiplexed signal with a set of optical transmit channels can be output from each remote port, wherein an optical center wavelength is allocated to each receive channel or transmit channel, and wherein the number N is greater than or equal to three, with a number M of bidirectional local ports, wherein M is greater than or equal to one and less than or equal to N, wherein exactly one defined remote port is associated with each local port and wherein one or more optical add channels can be fed to each local port and one or more optical drop channels can be output from each local port, with optical drop channel means for feeding all or selected optical channe

Abstract: Associated with an optical transport system, a packet oriented supervisory network provides differentiated classes of service (CoS) for a plurality of WDM layer applications on diverse nodes such that as soon as a higher priority application or packet arrives, the lower priority application is affected in favor of the higher one. One or more optical control channels (OSC) are used as the physical medium for implementing the packet oriented supervisory network of the invention. This new functionality of the optical control channel (OSC) enables multiple services by allowing each application to use up to 100% of the OSC bandwidth, if no other application is using it.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a high performance optical architecture for multiplexing and demultiplexing channels for use in high spectral efficiency optical systems. In general, the MUX and DeMUX architectures of the present invention will fall into two key sections or stages: a wavelength group section and a channel section. The group section makes use of characteristic associated with groups of multiplexed channels for separating said groups from an optical signal having a plurality of multiplexed groups. Advantageously, in preferred embodiments, the channel section is colorless (non-wavelength specific between groups) in order to reduce cost and complexity. With respect to the colorless channel section, components with free spectral ranges (FSRs) have been strategically added to provide repetitive optical filtering functions on group of channels (i.e., subsets of channels within each band of wavelengths) so that the colorless channel section can operate in any respective group identically.

Abstract: A system and method for discovering lightpath information in an optical network is disclosed. A selected node is requested to provide lightpath information. The node, in turn, requests the other node of the optical network to provide channel attribute data. The node processes the channel attribute data of a plurality of nodes to determine the lightpath information.