Optical fiber network having increased channel capacity

Abstract

Optical communication system apparatus and methods of operating an optical communications system is described. The system advantageously may utilize existing optical fiber networks and provide significantly increased channel capacity. In accordance with one aspect of the invention the system apparatus provides for a plurality of communications channels and a processor unit receives requests for allocation of one or more channels from a node coupled to the optical communications system. The system apparatus dynamically allocates one or more channels selected from unused channels.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of operating an optical network coupling a plurality of nodes, comprising: 
 providing a laser source as a network reference; distributing optical reference signals to said network nodes from said multiple wavelength laser source;    providing a plurality of channels each synchronized to said reference signals; and    utilizing one or more of said channels for communications from one of said nodes to at least one other one of said nodes.    
     
     
         2 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , comprising: 
 selecting each channel by selecting one wavelength of a plurality of predetermined optical wavelengths of said reference signals.    
     
     
         3 . A method in accordance with  claim 2 , comprising: 
 further selecting each channel by selecting one modulation frequency of a plurality of predetermined modulation frequencies.    
     
     
         4 . A method in accordance with  claim 3 , comprising: 
 further selecting each channel by selecting one phase of a plurality of predetermined phases.    
     
     
         5 . A method in accordance with  claim 2 , comprising: 
 further selecting each channel by selecting by one phase of a plurality of predetermined phases.    
     
     
         6 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , comprising: 
 utilizing one or more multiple wavelength lasers as said laser source.    
     
     
         7 . A method in accordance with  claim 6 , comprising: 
 selecting each channel by selecting one wavelength of a plurality of predetermined optical wavelengths of said reference signals.    
     
     
         8 . A method in accordance with  claim 7 , comprising: 
 further selecting each channel by selecting one modulation frequency of a plurality of predetermined modulation frequencies.    
     
     
         9 . A method in accordance with  claim 8 , comprising: 
 further selecting each channel by selecting one phase of a plurality of predetermined phases.    
     
     
         10 . A method in accordance with  claim 7 , comprising: 
 further selecting each channel by selecting one phase of a plurality of predetermined phases.    
     
     
         11 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , comprising: 
 combining the outputs of a plurality of lasers to provide said laser source.    
     
     
         12 . A method in accordance with  claim 11 , comprising: 
 utilizing a plurality of multiple wavelength lasers as said plurality of lasers.    
     
     
         13 . A method of operating an optical communications system comprising a plurality of nodes, said method comprising: 
 providing a plurality of channels;    selecting each channel by selecting one wavelength from a predetermined plurality of wavelengths and by selecting one modulation frequency from a plurality of modulation frequencies;    assigning selected ones of said channels for communications from one node of said plurality of nodes to at least another node of said plurality of nodes;    synchronizing said channels to optical reference signals; and    providing a said optical reference signals from a source common to all of said plurality of nodes.    
     
     
         14 . A method in accordance with  claim 13 , comprising: 
 providing a laser source as said common source.    
     
     
         15 . A method in accordance with  claim 14 , comprising: 
 utilizing a plurality of lasers as said laser source.    
     
     
         16 . A method in accordance with  claim 13 , comprising: 
 further selecting each channel by selecting one phase from a plurality of predetermined phases.    
     
     
         17 . An optical communications system comprising: 
 an optical network;    a plurality of nodes, each node of said plurality of nodes being coupleable to said network for exchanging information with other nodes of said plurality of nodes, said information being transmitted over communication channels, each channel having a wavelength selected from a predetermined plurality of wavelengths;    apparatus at each said node for synchronizing said channels to optical reference signals; and    a source of said optical reference signals, said source being common to all of said plurality of nodes.    
     
     
         18 . An optical communication system in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein: 
 said source comprises a laser source.    
     
     
         19 . An optical communication system in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein: 
 said laser source comprises a multiple wavelength laser source.    
     
     
         20 . An optical communication system in accordance with  19 , wherein: 
 said laser source comprises a plurality of multiple wavelength lasers.