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Abstract

The present invention provides an optical communication system capable of placing incoming information-bearing optical signals onto plural optical signal channels for transmission over an optical waveguide. The optical system includes plural optical transmission elements, each transmission element emitting an information-bearing optical signal at a first transmission wavelength. Plural optical receiving systems are provided, each receiving system configured to receive an information-bearing optical signal at a particular reception wavelength. Each receiving system includes an optical filtering member comprising at least one Bragg grating member for selecting the particular reception wavelength. An optical waveguide optically communicates with each of the receiving systems for transmitting a plurality of optical signals. A plurality of optical amplifiers are positioned along the optical waveguide for amplifying plural optical signals simultaneously. A plurality of optical remodulators optically communicates with the optical transmission elements and the optical waveguide. Each optical remodulator is configured to receive an information-bearing optical signal at a transmission wavelength and output an information-bearing optical signal at a reception wavelength corresponding to a channel wavelength of the optical communication system. Each optical remodulator includes an optoelectronic element for receiving an information-bearing optical signal at a transmission wavelength and outputting a corresponding electrical signal which includes the information from the transmission information-bearing optical signal. The remodulator further includes an optical carrier emitting element comprising a light source for transmitting a non-information-bearing carrier optical signal at a reception wavelength. The remodulator additionally comprises an external modulator for imparting information directly onto the carrier optical signal from the electrical Signal. In this manner, incoming transmission signals are placed on the particular optical signal channels employed in the WDM system.

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First Claim