US5452124A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Unidirectional amplification for bi-directional transmission using wavelength-division multiplexing
Assignee: OL Security LLC
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Filing: 1994-03-04
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Granted: 1995-09-19
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Expires: 2014-03-04
Abstract
Abstract A device in accordance with the invention uses a novel four-port wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) filter and a single erbium-doped optical amplifier (EDFA) to implement a dual wavelength bi-directional (single fiber) optical amplifier module. A system using an amplifier module in accordance with the invention, advantageously allows communication network managers to simultaneously reduce the cost of signal amplification hardware across a fiber optic network, increase fiber utilization, simplify field installation and maintenance operations, and maintain adherence to conventional protection philosophies such as "one system per fiber.
Inventors
- 👤 Phillip E. Baker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 08:39
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/293; G02B6/29379; G02B6/2938; G02B6/29346; G02B6/29361; G02B6/2937; H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/05; H01S3/06; H01S3/063; H01S3/067; H01S3/06754; H04; H04B; H04B10/00; H04B10/29; H04B10/291; H04B10/297; H04B10/2971; H01S3/06787
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
An optical line amplifier module comprising a single dichroic filter having four ports wherein: (a) a specified first port is connected to a first optical transmission fiber; (b) a specified second port is connected to a second optical transmission fiber; (c) a specified third port is connected to the input port of at least one optical amplifier; and (d) a specified fourth port is connected to the output port of said at least one optical amplifier.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
An optical line amplifier module comprising a single dichroic filter having four ports wherein: (a) a specified first port is connected to a first optical transmission fiber; (b) a specified second port is connected to a second optical transmission fiber; (c) a specified third port is connected to the input port of at least one optical amplifier; and (d) a specified fourth port is connected to the output port of said at least one optical amplifier.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optical line amplifier module of claim 1 wherein the optical amplifier is an erbium-doped fiber optic amplifier.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
An optical amplifier module comprising one dichroic filter having four ports and at least one uni-directional amplifier, said amplifier module configured to amplify both an east light path and a west light path uni-directionally through the at least one unidirectional optical amplifier.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
An optical amplifier module comprising one dichroic filter having four ports and at least one uni-directional amplifier, said amplifier module configured to amplify both an east light path and a west light path uni-directionally through the at least one unidirectional optical amplifier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The optical amplifier module of claim 3, wherein said at least one uni-directional optical amplifier is an erbium-doped fiber amplifier.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of transmitting a first optical signal, having a first wavelength, that is propagating in a first direction in a optical fiber in which a second optical signal, having a second wavelength, is propagating in a second direction, comprising the steps of: (a) routing said first and second optical signals to the input port of an optical amplifier through a router; (b) amplifying said first and second optical signals; (c) rerouting said first optical signal in said first direction through said router; and (d) rerouting said second optical signal in said second direction through said router.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of transmitting a first optical signal, having a first wavelength, that is propagating in a first direction in a optical fiber in which a second optical signal, having a second wavelength, is propagating in a second direction, comprising the steps of: (a) routing said first and second optical signals to the input port of an optical amplifier through a router; (b) amplifying said first and second optical signals; (c) rerouting said first optical signal in said first direction through said router; and (d) rerouting said second optical signal in said second direction through said router.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said router is a single dichroic filter having four ports.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said optical amplifier is an erbium-doped optical amplifier.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-09-18 | 1999-03-20 | 1999-09-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-09-18 | 2003-03-20 | 2003-09-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-09-18 | 2007-03-20 | 2007-09-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |