WILLIAM BENTLEY GARDNER
Pilots at Calumet Cir, Duluth, GA

5050954, Sep 24, 1991

Jan 12, 1990

7/463730

William B. Gardner - Duluth GA
Jane F. Kuhl - Atlanta GA
Calvin M. Miller - Atlanta GA
Linn F. Mollenauer - Colts Neck NJ

AT&T Bell Laboratories - Murray Hill NJ

G02B 632, G02B 626

385 16

A multi-port optical device for transferring optical signals, or portion of optical signals, from one transmission element to another is disclosed. The inventive optical device comprises a pair of graded index lenses having an interposed Fabry Perot etalon. Moreover, the functionality of the device may be modified by varying the transmission characteristics of the etalon, which may be effected by varying the optical path length of the etalon. In operation, the optical device utilizes the graded index lenses as image transfer lenses between transmission elements wherein wavelength selectivity therebetween is afforded by the filtering mechanism associated with the etalon. The optical device may be used as a wavelength multiplexer or as an optical splitter. Moreover, by utilizing a piezoelectric transducer, the optical device may be converted to operate as an optical switch.

4901306, Feb 13, 1990

Dec 5, 1988

7/281864

William B. Gardner - Duluth GA

American Telephone and Telegraph Company, AT&T Bell Laboratories - Murray Hill NJ

H04B 900

370 3

Disclosed is a dense channel packing wavelength division multiplexed optical fiber communication system that is parsimonious in its cable length requirements and that does not require the presence of widely tunable lasers at the remote terminals. The system comprises a central station and N remote stations (N frequently greater than about 50) connected to the central station by optical fiber means that comprise a "backbone" and l (1<l<N) fiber "laterals". Associated with each remote station RS. sub. i is a predetermined wavelength. lambda. sub. i, typically in the spectral region 1. 25-1. 6. mu. m. The central station comprises means adapted for generating electromagnetic radiation of a multiplicity of distinct wavelengths including all. lambda. sub. i. The radiation from the central station is coupled into the backbone fiber and transmitted to the laterals and the remote stations. Each remote station RS. sub.