JP2000023208A - Optical add/drop device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize the optical add/drop device that optionally selects a wavelength of a separated/inserted optical signal. SOLUTION: The optical add/drop device is constituted of an optical circuit 1 that is set in a optional combination of a reflected wavelength and a transmitted wavelength under control from the outside and two optical circulators 3, 4 whose second ports are connected to both sides of the circuit 1. A 1st port of the one optical circulator to be connected to one optical transmission line is used as an input port of a wavelength multiplex optical signal and a 3rd port to be connected to a local network 20 is used as an output port through which a prescribed optical signal is separated. Furthermore, a 1st port of the other optical circulator to be connected to the local network 20 is used as an input port through which a prescribed optical signal is inserted and a 3rd port to be connected to the other optical transmission line is used as an output port of the wavelength multiplex optical signal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an optical add / drop device for separating and inserting an optical signal of a specific wavelength from a wavelength-multiplexed optical signal to be transmitted in a node of a wavelength-division multiplex transmission system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a device for inserting and separating (adding / dropping) an optical signal of a predetermined wavelength from a wavelength multiplexed optical signal, a device in which a fiber grating for reflecting an optical signal of a predetermined wavelength is sandwiched between optical circulators is known. Are known. An example of this configuration is shown in Fig. 7 (Reference: SUBOPTICS '97, pp.
530-535).

Here, wavelength multiplexed optical signals obtained by multiplexing optical signals of wavelengths λ1, λ2, λ3, λ4 are converted into wavelengths λ1, λ4.
It is assumed that the optical signal No. 4 is separated and inserted. The wavelength-division multiplexed optical signal transmitted through the optical transmission line 2 passes from the first port to the second port of the optical circulator 3 and is input to the cascade-connected fiber gratings 9-1 and 9-4.
The fiber grating 9-1 has a characteristic of reflecting an optical signal of wavelength λ1, and the fiber grating 9-4 has a characteristic of reflecting an optical signal of wavelength λ4. Therefore, the wavelengths λ1, λ4
Is reflected by the fiber gratings 9-1 and 9-4, passes from the second port to the third port of the optical circulator 3, and is separated into the local network 20. On the other hand, optical signals of wavelengths λ2 and λ3 are
The light passes through the optical circulator 4 from the second port to the third port, and is transmitted to the optical transmission line 5.

The wavelengths λ 1 output from the local network 20,
The optical signal of λ4 passes from the first port of the optical circulator 4 to the second port, and the fiber grating 9-4,
It is input to 9-1 and reflected. Reflected wavelengths λ1, λ4
Is transmitted from the second port to the third port of the optical circulator 4 together with the transmitted optical signals of the wavelengths λ2 and λ3, and sent out to the optical transmission line 5.

With such a configuration, an optical signal having a wavelength reflected by the fiber gratings 9-1 and 9-4 is separated into the local network 20, and an optical signal inserted from the local network 20 is wavelength-multiplexed into an optical transmission line. be able to.

[0006]

In the conventional optical add / drop device shown in FIG. 7, the wavelength of the optical signal to be separated / inserted is fixed by the reflection characteristics of the fiber grating disposed between the optical circulators. I have. For this reason, when it is necessary to change the wavelength of the optical signal to be separated / inserted due to a change in demand or a failure, it is necessary to replace the fiber grating itself, and there has been a problem that it is not possible to easily and flexibly respond. .

An object of the present invention is to provide an optical add / drop device which can arbitrarily select a wavelength of an optical signal to be separated / inserted.

[0008]

FIGS. 1 and 2 show the basic structure of an optical add / drop device according to the present invention (claims 1 and 2).

An optical add / drop device according to the present invention comprises an optical circuit 1 capable of setting a wavelength to be reflected and a wavelength to be transmitted by an arbitrary combination under external control, and two optical circuits having second ports connected to both sides thereof. It is composed of circulators 3 and 4. Here, the wavelength λ 1,
Description will be made assuming that wavelength multiplexed optical signals of λ2, λ3, λ4 are input / output, and optical signals of wavelengths λ1, λ4 are separated and inserted between the local network 20.

In FIG. 1, it is assumed that the wavelengths of light reflected by the optical circuit 1 are λ1 and λ4, and that light of other wavelengths λ2 and λ3 is transmitted. At this time, the first port of the optical circulator 3 connected to the optical transmission line 2 is set as the input port of the wavelength multiplexed optical signal, and the third port connected to the local network 20 is set to the wavelength λ.
An output port for separating optical signals of 1, λ4. Also,
First of the optical circulators 4 connected to the local network 20
The port is an input port for inserting optical signals of wavelengths λ1 and λ4, and the third port connected to the optical transmission line 5 is an output port of a wavelength multiplexed optical signal.

As a result, the wavelength multiplexed optical signal input from the optical transmission line 2 passes from the first port to the second port of the optical circulator 3 and is input to the optical circuit 1, where the wavelength λ 1,
The optical signal of λ4 is reflected by the optical circuit 1 and the optical circulator 3
And the local port 20 is separated from the third port. The wavelength λ2 of the wavelength multiplexed optical signal,
The optical signal of λ3 passes through the optical circuit 1 and the optical circulator 4
Is transmitted from the second port to the third port to the optical transmission line 5. Also, the wavelength λ transmitted from the local network 20
The optical signals 1 and .lambda.4 pass from the first port of the optical circulator 4 to the second port and are input to the optical circuit 1, where they are reflected by the optical circuit 1 and return to the second port of the optical circulator 4, where The light is transmitted from the third port to the optical transmission line 5 together with the optical signals of the wavelengths λ2 and λ3 that have passed through 1.

In FIG. 2, it is assumed that the wavelengths of light reflected by the optical circuit 1 are λ2 and λ3, and that light of other wavelengths λ1 and λ4 is transmitted. At this time, the first port of the optical circulator 3 connected to the optical transmission line 2 is set as the input port of the wavelength multiplexed optical signal, and the third port connected to the optical transmission line 5 is set as the output port of the wavelength multiplexed optical signal. The first and third ports of the optical circulator 4 are connected to the local network 20, the first port is used as an input port for inserting optical signals of wavelengths .lambda.1, .lambda.4, and the third port is used as the optical ports of wavelengths .lambda.1, .lambda.4. An output port that separates signals.

Thus, the wavelength division multiplexed optical signal input from the optical transmission line 2 passes from the first port to the second port of the optical circulator 3 and is input to the optical circuit 1, where the wavelength λ 1,
The optical signal of λ4 passes through the optical circuit 1 and the optical circulator 4
From the second port to the third port of the local network 20
Is separated into The wavelength λ2 of the wavelength multiplexed optical signal
, .Lambda.3 are reflected by the optical circuit 1, return to the second port of the optical circulator 3, and are transmitted to the optical transmission line 5 from the third port. The optical signals of the wavelengths .lambda.1 and .lambda.4 transmitted from the local network 20 pass from the first port to the second port of the optical circulator 4 and are input to the optical circuit 1, and further pass through the optical circuit 1 and pass through the optical circulator. 3 The wavelength λ 2, which passes from the second port to the third port and is reflected by the optical circuit 1,
The light is transmitted from the third port to the optical transmission line 5 together with the optical signal of λ3.

The optical circuit used in the optical add / drop device of the present invention is composed of a plurality of (for example, the number of wavelength multiplexed optical signals + 1) 2 × 2 optical switches connected in cascade via an optical waveguide. A light reflecting means for reflecting light of different wavelengths for each of the optical waveguides and transmitting light of other wavelengths to one of the two optical waveguides connecting the respective 2 × 2 optical switches. (Claim 3). In such an optical circuit, by independently controlling the state (bar state or cross state) of each 2 × 2 optical switch, it is possible to arbitrarily select the light reflection means inserted into the input / output path of the optical circuit. The wavelength to be reflected and the wavelength to be transmitted can be set in any combination.

[0015]

(First Embodiment) FIG. 3 shows a first embodiment of an optical add / drop device according to the present invention. This embodiment corresponds to claims 1 (basic configuration in FIG. 1) and claim 3. Also in this case, wavelength multiplexed optical signals of wavelengths λ1, λ2, λ3, λ4 are input / output between the optical transmission lines 2 and 5, and optical signals of wavelengths λ1, λ4 are separated from a local network (not shown). Description will be made assuming that it is inserted.

In the optical circuit 1 of the present embodiment, five 2.times.2 optical switches 6-1 to 6-5 include optical waveguides 7-j and 8-j.
(J = 1, 2, 3, 4) and are connected in cascade, and a fiber grating 9-j is connected to the optical waveguide 7-j as means for reflecting light of different wavelengths. The fiber grating 9-j has a wavelength λj
And has a characteristic of transmitting light of another wavelength.
The 2 × 2 optical switches 6-1 to 6-5 are each in a bar state or a fourth port for connecting the light of the first port and the second port to the third port and the fourth port, respectively, under the control of the outside. And a cross state connected to the third port. As such an optical switch, for example, a mechanical optical switch, a Mach-Zehnder interferometer type optical switch utilizing an electro-optical effect, or the like can be used.

FIG. 3A shows a connection between the second port of the optical circulator 3 and the first port of the 2 × 2 optical switch 6-1.
Second port of optical circulator 4 and 2 × 2 optical switch 6
-5 third port, and a 2 × 2 optical switch 6-1,
6-3, 6-5 in a bar state, 2 × 2 optical switch 6-2,
6-4 is set to the cross state. Fig. 3 (b)
Connects the second port of the optical circulator 3 to the second port of the 2 × 2 optical switch 6-1, connects the second port of the optical circulator 4 to the fourth port of the 2 × 2 optical switch 6-5, The 2 × 2 optical switch 6-3 is set to a bar state, and the 2 × 2 optical switches 6-1 to 6-2, 6-4 and 6-5 are set to a cross state.

In any case, the fiber gratings 9-1 and 9-4 are inserted into the input and output paths of the optical circuit 1 to bypass the fiber gratings 9-2 and 9-3, and the wavelengths of the wavelengths λ1 and λ4 are changed. It is set so that light is reflected and light of wavelengths λ2 and λ3 is transmitted. That is, the optical transmission line 2
Of the wavelength-division multiplexed optical signals input to the optical circuit 1 via the optical circulator 3, the optical signals of the wavelengths .lambda.1 and .lambda.4 are reflected by the optical circuit 1, return to the second port of the optical circulator 3, and from the third port. Separated into local networks, wavelengths λ2,
The optical signal of λ3 passes through the optical circuit 1. The optical signals of wavelengths λ1 and λ4 input from the local network to the optical circuit 1 via the optical circulator 4 are reflected by the optical circuit 1, return to the second port of the optical circulator 4, and pass through the optical circuit 1. The light is transmitted from the third port to the optical transmission line 5 together with the optical signals of the wavelengths λ2 and λ3.

In addition, in addition to FIGS. 3A and 3B, each second port of the optical circulators 3 and 4 is connected to a 2 × 2 optical switch 6-1.
And the second port of the 2 × 2 optical switch 6-1 and the third port of the 2 × 2 optical switch 6-5. Similar settings can be made for the configuration. By controlling each 2 × 2 optical switch according to each configuration, the combination of the reflected wavelength and the transmitted wavelength can be arbitrarily set.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the optical add / drop device of the present invention. In this embodiment, claims 2 (basic configuration of FIG. 2) and claim 3
It corresponds to. Also in this case, wavelength multiplexed optical signals of wavelengths λ1, λ2, λ3, λ4 are input / output between the optical transmission lines 2 and 5, and the wavelengths λ1, λ
The explanation is made assuming that the optical signal of No. 4 is separated and inserted. Further, the configuration of the optical circuit 1 in the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 4A shows a connection between the second port of the optical circulator 3 and the first port of the 2 × 2 optical switch 6-1.
Second port of optical circulator 4 and 2 × 2 optical switch 6
-3, and the 2 × 2 optical switch 6-3 is in a bar state, and the 2 × 2 optical switches 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 are connected.
6-5 is set to the cross state. Fig. 4 (b)
Connects the second port of the optical circulator 3 to the second port of the 2 × 2 optical switch 6-1, connects the second port of the optical circulator 4 to the fourth port of the 2 × 2 optical switch 6-5, The 2 × 2 optical switches 6-1, 6-3 and 6-5 are set to a bar state, and the 2 × 2 optical switches 6-1 and 6-4 are set to a cross state.

In any case, the fiber gratings 9-2 and 9-3 are inserted into the input and output paths of the optical circuit 1 to bypass the fiber gratings 9-1 and 9-4, and the wavelengths of the wavelengths λ2 and λ3 are changed. Light is reflected, and light of wavelengths λ1 and λ4 is transmitted. That is, of the wavelength-division multiplexed optical signals input from the optical transmission line 2 to the optical circuit 1 via the optical circulator 3, the optical signals of the wavelengths λ1 and λ4 are transmitted through the optical circuit 1 to the second port of the optical circulator 4. Entered,
The wavelengths λ2 and λ3 are separated from the third port to the local network.
Is reflected by the optical circuit 1. Optical signals of wavelengths λ1 and λ4 input from the local network to the optical circuit 1 via the optical circulator 4 pass through the optical circuit 1 and are input to the second port of the optical circulator 3 and reflected by the optical circuit 1. The optical signals having the wavelengths λ2 and λ3 are transmitted from the third port to the optical transmission line 5.

In addition, in addition to FIGS. 4A and 4B, each second port of the optical circulators 3 and 4 is connected to a 2 × 2 optical switch 6-1.
And the second port of the 2 × 2 optical switch 6-1 and the third port of the 2 × 2 optical switch 6-5. Similar settings can be made for the configuration. By controlling each 2 × 2 optical switch according to each configuration, the combination of the reflected wavelength and the transmitted wavelength can be arbitrarily set.

By the way, the configurations shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are such that the optical signals to be separated and inserted from the optical signals of wavelengths λ1 to λ4 are 2 × 2
The number of wavelengths to be separated / inserted can be easily expanded in accordance with the number of 2 × 2 optical switches and fiber gratings. However, assuming that the number of wavelength multiplexes of the wavelength multiplexed optical signal is N and the number of wavelengths to be separated / inserted is n among them, FIG.
Is realized by a combination of n fiber gratings and (n + 1) 2 × 2 optical switches. For example, when four fiber gratings are used as shown in FIG. 3, optical signals of four wavelengths determined by the reflection wavelength of the fiber grating among the N wavelengths can be separated and inserted in an arbitrary combination. That is, even if the wavelength multiplexing number N increases, if the wavelengths to be separated / inserted are limited to specific wavelengths, it is not necessary to change the fiber grating and the 2 × 2 optical switch constituting the optical circuit 1.

On the other hand, in the case of the optical circuit 1 in the configuration of FIG. 4, regardless of the number n of wavelengths to be separated / inserted, N fiber gratings and (N + 1) 2
A × 2 optical switch is required. For example, as shown in FIG.
When multiple fiber gratings are used, optical signals with up to four wavelength multiplexes can be separated and
Can be inserted. In other words, even if the wavelength to be separated / inserted is not changed, if the number of multiplexed wavelengths N increases, it is necessary to increase the number of fiber gratings and 2 × 2 optical switches constituting the optical circuit 1 according to the number of multiplexed wavelengths N. There is.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the optical add / drop device of the present invention. This embodiment corresponds to claims 3 and 4.

The setting state of the 2 × 2 optical switch of the optical circuit 1 shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 4 (b) or FIGS. 3 (b) and 4 (a) is the same. Therefore, an optical add / drop device that separates and inserts optical signals of the same wavelength into both optical transmission lines by accommodating two optical transmission lines in one optical circuit by combining them can be configured. it can. Here, the two optical transmission lines are, for example, a downstream optical transmission line and an upstream optical transmission line. The configuration of the third embodiment shown in FIG.
(a) and the configuration of FIG. 4 (b) are combined, and “d” is added to components constituting the downlink transmission system, and “u” is appended to components constituting the uplink transmission system. Distinguish.

In this configuration, the optical circulators 3d, 5d
Fiber gratings 9-1 and 9-4 are inserted between the optical circulators 3u and 5u, and fiber gratings 9-2 and 9-3 are inserted between the optical circulators 3u and 5u, so that they are complementary to each other.

That is, of the wavelength-division multiplexed optical signals input from the downstream optical transmission line 2d to the optical circuit 1 via the optical circulator 3d, the optical signals of wavelengths λ1 and λ4 are reflected by the optical circuit 1 and are reflected by the optical circulator 3d. Return to the second port of
The optical signals of wavelengths λ2 and λ3 are separated from the port to the local network and pass through the optical circuit 1. The wavelength λ input to the optical circuit 1 from the local network via the optical circulator 4d
The optical signals 1 and .lambda.4 are reflected by the optical circuit 1 and return to the second port of the optical circulator 4d. The optical signals of wavelengths .lambda.2 and .lambda.3 transmitted through the optical circuit 1 are transmitted to the optical transmission line 5d downstream from the third port. Sent out.

On the other hand, of the wavelength multiplexed optical signals input from the upstream optical transmission line 2u to the optical circuit 1 via the optical circulator 3u, the optical signals of the wavelengths λ1 and λ4 pass through the optical circuit 1 and pass through the optical circulator 4u. Input to the second port of the
The optical signals of wavelengths λ2 and λ3 are separated from the port to the local network and reflected by the optical circuit 1. The wavelength λ input to the optical circuit 1 from the local network via the optical circulator 4u
The optical signals 1 and .lambda.4 are transmitted through the optical circuit 1 and input to the second port of the optical circulator 3u. The optical signals of wavelengths .lambda.2 and .lambda.3 reflected by the optical circuit 1 together with the optical signals of wavelengths .lambda. Sent to

In the configuration of FIG. 5, the second port of the optical circulator 4d is connected to the fourth port of the 2 × 2 optical switch 6-5.
The second port of the optical circulator 4u may be connected to the third port of the 2 × 2 optical switch 6-5. However, in that case, the 2 × 2 optical switch 6-5 is set to the cross state.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 6 shows a fourth embodiment of the optical add / drop device of the present invention. This embodiment corresponds to claims 3 and 5.

In the configuration of the third embodiment, the upstream optical transmission lines 2u and 5u are connected to the optical circuit 1 via the optical circulator 3u.
The optical signals of wavelengths .lambda.1 and .lambda.4 to be separated and inserted are connected to the 2.times.2 optical switch 6-5 of the optical circuit 1 via the optical circulator 4u.
In the fourth embodiment, this is a reverse connection. That is, the upstream optical transmission lines 2u and 5u are connected to the optical circulator 3u.
To the 2 × 2 optical switch 6-5 of the optical circuit 1 via
The optical signals of wavelengths λ1 and λ4 to be separated / inserted are connected to the 2 × 2 optical switch 6-1 of the optical circuit 1 via the optical circulator 4u. Operation as an optical add / drop device is the third
The fourth embodiment is exactly the same as the fourth embodiment.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 6, the second port of the optical circulator 4d is connected to the fourth port of the 2 × 2 optical switch 6-5.
And the second port of the optical circulator 3u may be connected to the third port of the 2 × 2 optical switch 6-5. However, in that case, the 2 × 2 optical switch 6-5 is set to the cross state.

[0035]

As described above, according to the present invention, the optical add
The drop device can arbitrarily select the wavelength of the optical signal to be separated / inserted by using an optical circuit that can set the wavelength to be reflected and the wavelength to be transmitted by an external control in any combination. As a result, in the wavelength division multiplexing transmission system, it is possible to easily and flexibly cope with a change in the wavelength of the demultiplexed / inserted optical signal due to a change in demand or a failure.

A 2 × 2 optical switch and light reflecting means for reflecting light of a predetermined wavelength and transmitting light of another wavelength are connected in cascade, and the state of each 2 × 2 optical switch (bar state) is externally connected. Or, by independently controlling the cross state, the light reflecting means inserted into the input / output path can be arbitrarily selected. This makes it possible to configure an optical circuit in which the wavelength to be reflected and the wavelength to be transmitted can be set in any combination.

Further, by utilizing the complementarity of the reflection wavelength and the transmission wavelength of two paths formed in an optical circuit using a 2 × 2 optical switch, two optical transmission paths are accommodated in one optical circuit. An optical add / drop device that separates and inserts optical signals of the same wavelength into two optical transmission lines can be configured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of an optical add / drop device according to the present invention (claim 1).

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of an optical add / drop device according to the present invention (claim 2).

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment (claims 1 and 3) of an optical add / drop device according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment (claims 2 and 3) of an optical add / drop device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment (claims 3 and 4) of an optical add / drop device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a fourth embodiment (claims 3 and 5) of an optical add / drop device according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a conventional optical add / drop device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Optical circuit 2,5 Optical transmission line 3,4 Optical circulator 6 2x2 optical switch 7,8 Optical waveguide 9 Fiber grating 20 Local network

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hideki Maeda 3-19-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Japan Telegraph and Telephone Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 5K002 BA02 BA05 BA06 BA21 DA02 DA09 5K069 AA13 BA09 CB10 DA05 DB33 EA24 EA25

Claims (5)

[Claims] A first optical circulator and a second optical circulator for outputting light input from a first port to a second port and outputting light input from the second port to a third port; It is connected between the second port of the first optical circulator and the second port of the second optical circulator, and reflects light of a predetermined wavelength and transmits light of another wavelength in accordance with external control. The first optical circulator, wherein the first port and the third port of the first optical circulator are an input port for a wavelength-division multiplexed optical signal and an output port for separating the optical signal of the predetermined wavelength. Wherein the first port and the third port are an input port for inserting the optical signal of the predetermined wavelength and an output port of the wavelength multiplexed optical signal.
Drop device. 2. A first optical circulator and a second optical circulator for outputting light input from a first port to a second port, and outputting light input from the second port to a third port, It is connected between the second port of the first optical circulator and the second port of the second optical circulator, and reflects light of a predetermined wavelength and transmits light of another wavelength in accordance with external control. An optical circuit, wherein a first port and a third port of the first optical circulator are an input port and an output port of a wavelength multiplexed optical signal, and the first port and the third port of the second optical circulator are the An optical add / drop device comprising an input port for inserting an optical signal of another wavelength and an output port for separating the optical signal of the other wavelength. 3. The optical add / drop device according to claim 1, wherein the optical circuit transmits the light of the first port and the light of the second port to the third port and the second port according to an external control. N + 1 2 × 2 optical switches set to either a bar state connected to four ports or a cross state connected to the fourth and third ports, and a j-th (j = 1, 2,..., N) An optical waveguide for sequentially connecting the third and fourth ports of the 2 × 2 optical switch to the first and second ports of the (j + 1) th 2 × 2 optical switch, and two optical waveguides for connecting the respective 2 × 2 optical switches A light reflecting means for reflecting light of a different wavelength for each of the optical waveguides and transmitting light of another wavelength on each one of the optical waveguides. Drop device. 4. The first 2 × of the optical circuit according to claim 3.
The first optical circulator according to claim 1 and the second port of the first optical circulator according to claim 2 are connected to the first port and the second port of the two-optical switch, respectively. A configuration in which the second port of the second optical circulator according to claim 1 and the second port of the second optical circulator according to claim 2 are respectively connected to the third port and the fourth port of the × 2 optical switch. An optical add / drop device. 5. The first 2 × of the optical circuit according to claim 3.
The first port and the second port of the two-optical switch are connected to the first port of the first optical circulator according to claim 1 and the second port of the second optical circulator according to claim 2, respectively. A configuration in which the second port of the second optical circulator according to claim 1 and the second port of the first optical circulator according to claim 2 are respectively connected to the third port and the fourth port of the × 2 optical switch. An optical add / drop device.