| 摘要 |
<p>A wavelength division multiplex optical crossconnect system and add/drop multiplexer including a dense wavelength division multiplexed (DWDM) source (20) which preferably includes a multiwavelength mode-locked (MWML) external cavity laser as a fundamental sub-circuit for optically crossconnecting several multi-wavelength data channels onto similar data channels having an interchanged set of optical wavelengths. The optical crossconnect architecture allows the rearrangement of multiple logical channels in a timely manner to support protection switching, traffic grooming, and other telecommunications network functions. The crossconnect architecture further supports multiple physical fibers into and out of the crossconnect, where each fiber carries multiple logical channels on multiple wavelengths of light which are assigned particular wavelength carriers, crossconnected onto any other physical fiber, and assigned another wavelength carrier. The add/drop multiplexer provides a completely optical passthrough for received optical signals.</p> |
