Wavelength router for a passive optical network

摘要

A passive arrayed-waveguide-grating (AWG) router that can be used to implement the dual functionality of a wavelength router and a 3-dB power splitter for one of its wavelength channels while functioning as a conventional wavelength router for the other wavelength channels. The passive AWG router can advantageously be used, e.g., in a WDM-PON system to reduce the insertion-loss disparity between the various wavelength channels that are being used to broadcast optical signals from an optical line terminal located at the service provider's central office, through the passive AWG router, to a plurality of optical network units located near the end users.

主权项

1. An apparatus, comprising a passive arrayed-waveguide-grating (AWG) router that comprises:
a first optical star coupler having a first optical waveguide coupled to a first edge thereof and a first lateral array of optical waveguides coupled to an opposite second edge thereof; and a second optical star coupler having the first lateral array of optical waveguides coupled to a first edge thereof and a second lateral array of optical waveguides coupled to an opposite second edge thereof; wherein the passive AWG router is configured to route a first carrier wavelength applied to the first optical waveguide to both a first optical waveguide of the second lateral array and a second optical waveguide of the second lateral array, said first and second optical waveguides of the second lateral array being separated from one another by at least one other optical waveguide positioned between them in said second lateral array; and wherein the passive AWG router is configured to transfer approximately equal portions of optical power of said first carrier wavelength to the first optical waveguide of the second lateral array and to the second optical waveguide of the second lateral array.