Course wavelength division multiplexed optical network

摘要

A course wavelength division multiplexed optical network for transmitting time division multiplexed optical signals is disclosed. For downstream transmission, an optical line terminal generates a plurality of single wavelength optical signals having embedded time division multiplexed data streams. The single wavelength optical signals have channel spacing of at least approximately 20 nm. The single wavelength optical signals are multiplexed onto a multi-wavelength optical signal for transmission via an optical fiber. The multi-wavelength optical signal is demultiplexed into its component single wavelength signals using a course wavelength division demultiplexer. Each of the single wavelength signals is then split into multiple identical single wavelength signals for transmission to end users. Each of the users extracts its associated data stream from its assigned time slot. For upstream transmission, the end users generate data using a media access algorithm appropriate for time division multiplexed signals and transmits the data upstream on a single wavelength. The single wavelength signals from end users for a particular wavelength are combined in the network to form a plurality of single wavelength time division multiplexed signals. These plurality of single wavelength time division multiplexed signals are them multiplexed onto a multi-wavelength optical signal for transmission back to the optical line terminal.