Distributed terminal optical transmission system

Abstract

The invention facilitates optical signals generated from customer premise equipment (CPE) at the edges of the metro domain networks. The CPEs are connected to extension terminals that transform the optical signal originating at the CPE into a suitable format for long haul transmission. The optical signal then propagates to a primary terminal where the signal is multiplexed with other optical signals from other extension terminals. The multiplexed signals are then transmitted over LH or ULH network to a second primary terminal where the signal is then demultiplexed from other optical signals and transmited to the proper extension terminal. At the extension terminal, the demultiplexed optical signal is transformed from its LH format back into a format suitable for interconnection to a CPE. Using this architecture, the signal under goes optical-to-electrical conversion only at the extension terminals or end points. These end points can be located in lessee's facility. The only equipment located in lessor's facility is the primary terminal containing line amplifiers and add/drop nodes.

1. An interdomain optical transport system comprising:
 a first transponder photonically connected to a first end user device, wherein the first transponder is configured to receive a first photonic signal from the first end user device and to convert the first photonic signal to a long range photonic signal for transmission over a long haul network; 
 a first course coarse optical filter connected to the first transponder; 
 a first fine optical filter connected to the first coarse optical filter; 
 a second transponder photonically connected to the first transponder via the long haul network and a metro network, wherein the second transponder is further connected to a second end user device, 
 wherein the second transponder is configured to receive the long range photonic signal, to convert the long range photonic signal to a second photonic signal, and to transmit the second photonic signal to the second end user device, and 
 wherein communication between the first and second end user devices is accomplished without translation between a short range signal format and a long range signal format. 
 
     
     
       2. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first transponder is part of a first primary terminal; and 
 the second transponder is part of a second primary terminal. 
 
     
     
       3. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first transponder is part of a primary terminal; and 
 the second transponder is part of an extension terminal. 
 
     
     
       4. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 3 , wherein the second transponder is a bidirectional transponder, and
 wherein the interdomain optical transport system further comprises an optical filter that is connected to the second transponder. 
 
     
     
       5. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 4 , wherein the optical filter includes a banded DWDM filter. 
     
     
       6. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 4 , wherein the optical filter is interleaver based. 
     
     
       7. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 4 , wherein the optical filter includes a tunable filter. 
     
     
       8. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 7 , wherein the tunable filter includes a distributed tunable optical multiplexer and a distributed tunable optical demultiplexer. 
     
     
       9. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 8 , wherein the tunable filter includes a splitter. 
     
     
       10. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first coarse optical filter or the first fine optical filter includes an interleaver and a tunable filter. 
     
     
       11. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first coarse optical filter or the first fine optical filter includes a band filter and a DWDM filter. 
     
     
       12. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first coarse optical filter or the first fine optical filter includes a band filter and a tunable filter. 
     
     
       13. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first coarse optical filter or the first fine optical filter includes a tunable filter. 
     
     
       14. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 13 , wherein the tunable filter includes a distributed tunable optical multiplexer and a distributed tunable optical demultiplexer. 
     
     
       15. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 13 , wherein the tunable filter includes a splitter. 
     
     
       16. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 1 , wherein the first transponder is a bidirectional transponder, and
 wherein the interdomain optical transport system further comprises an optical amplifier that is connected to the first fine optical filter. 
 
     
     
       17. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first coarse optical filter or the first fine optical filter includes a banded DWDM filter. 
     
     
       18. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first coarse optical filter or the first fine optical filter includes an interleaver. 
     
     
       19. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first coarse optical filter or the first fine optical filter includes a splitter and a DWDM filter. 
     
     
       20. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first coarse optical filter or the first fine optical filter includes a splitter and a tunable filter. 
     
     
       21. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first coarse optical filter or the first fine optical filter includes an interleaver and a DWDM filter. 
     
     
       22. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 1 , wherein the interdomain optical transport system further comprises:
 a second coarse optical filter that is connected to the second transponder; 
 a second fine optical filter that is connected to the second coarse optical filter; and 
 an optical amplifier that is connected to the second fine optical filter. 
 
     
     
       23. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 22 , wherein at least one of the second coarse optical filter or the second fine optical filter is a banded DWDM filter. 
     
     
       24. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 22 , wherein at least one of the second coarse optical filter or the second fine optical filter is interleaver based. 
     
     
       25. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 22 , wherein at least one of the second coarse optical filter or the second fine optical filter includes a tunable filter. 
     
     
       26. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 25 , wherein the tunable filter includes a distributed tunable optical multiplexer and a distributed tunable optical demultiplexer. 
     
     
       27. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 1 , wherein the first transponder is in a first physical configuration adapted to fit in a first equipment rack, and
 wherein the second transponder is in a second physical configuration adapted to fit in a second equipment rack. 
 
     
     
       28. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 27 , wherein the first and second physical configurations each include at least one master shelf, at least one slave shelf and at least one dual slave shelf. 
     
     
       29. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 27 , wherein the first and second physical configurations each include at least two master shelves, at least two slave shelves, and at least two dual slave shelves. 
     
     
       30. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 27 , wherein the first and second physical configurations each include least two master shelves and at least three dual slave shelves. 
     
     
       31. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 1 , wherein the first transponder Is connected to a third end user device. 
     
     
       32. An interdomain optical transport system comprising:
 a first extension terminal connected to a first end user device, wherein the first extension terminal is configured to receive a first photonic signal from the first end user device and to translate the first photonic signal into a long range photonic signal; 
 a first primary terminal connected to the first extension terminal via a metro network, wherein the first primary terminal is configured to receive and retransmit the long range photonic signal; 
 an optical transmission path connected to the first primary terminal, wherein the optical transmission path includes at least one optical add drop multiplexer, and wherein the optical transmission path is configured to receive and communicate the long range photonic signal; 
 a second primary terminal connected to the optical transmission path, wherein the second primary terminal is configured to receive and retransmit the long range photonic signal; 
 a second extension terminal connected to the second primary terminal and to a second end user device, wherein the second extension terminal is configured to receive and translate the long range photonic signal into a second photonic signal and to transmit the second photonic signal to the second end user device, and wherein communication between the first and second end user devices is accomplished without translation between a short range signal format and a long range signal format; 
 a third primary extension terminal connected to the at least one optical add drop multiplexer; and 
 a third extension terminal connected to the third primary terminal. 
 
     
     
       33. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 32 , wherein the second extension terminal is connected to a third end user device. 
     
     
       34. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 32 , wherein the first extension terminal is connected to a third end user device. 
     
     
       35. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 32 , further comprising a fourth extension terminal connected to the first primary terminal. 
     
     
       36. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 35 , wherein the first and fourth extension terminals are each connected to the first end user device. 
     
     
       37. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 32 , wherein the first primary terminal is further configured to receive a second long range photonic signal from a fourth extension terminal and to multiplex the second long range photonic signal onto the optical transmission path. 
     
     
       38. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 37 , wherein the second primary terminal is further configured to demultiplex the second long range photonic signal from the optical transmission path and to transmit the second long range photonic signal to a fourth primary terminal. 
     
     
       39. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 32 , further comprising a fourth extension terminal and a fifth extension terminal, each connected to the first primary terminal. 
     
     
       40. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 39 , wherein the fourth and fifth extension terminals are each connected to a third end user device. 
     
     
       41. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 32 , wherein the optical transmission path includes at least one optical amplifier. 
     
     
       42. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 32 , wherein the optical transmission path includes a broadcast and select architecture. 
     
     
       43. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 32 , wherein the third extension terminal is connected to a third end user device. 
     
     
       44. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 32 , wherein the first primary terminal includes;:
 a bidirectional transponder; 
 an optical filter connected to the bidirectional transponder; and 
 an optical amplifier connected to the optical filter. 
 
     
     
       45. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 44 , wherein the optical filter is a banded DWDM filter. 
     
     
       46. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 44 , wherein the optical filter is interleaver based. 
     
     
       47. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 44 , wherein the optical filter includes a tunable filter. 
     
     
       48. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 47 , wherein the tunable filter includes a distributed tunable optical multiplexer and a distributed tunable optical demultiplexer. 
     
     
       49. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 32 , wherein the second primary terminal includes:
 a bidirectional transponder; and 
 an optical filter connected to the bidirectional transponder. 
 
     
     
       50. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 49 , wherein the optical filter includes a banded DWDM filter. 
     
     
       51. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 49 , wherein the optical filter includes a splitter and a DWDM filter. 
     
     
       52. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 49 , wherein the optical filter includes a splitter and a tunable filter. 
     
     
       53. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 49 , wherein the optical filter includes an interleaver and a DWDM filter. 
     
     
       54. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 49 , wherein the optical filter includes an interleave and a tuner. 
     
     
       55. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 49 , wherein the optical filter includes a band filter and a DWDM filter. 
     
     
       56. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 49 , wherein the optical filter includes a band filter and a tunable filter. 
     
     
       57. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 49 , wherein the optical filter is interleaver based. 
     
     
       58. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 49 , wherein the optical filter includes a tunable filter. 
     
     
       59. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 58 , wherein the tunable filter includes at least one splitter. 
     
     
       60. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 58 , wherein the tunable filter includes a distributed tunable optical multiplexer and a distributed tunable optical demultiplexer. 
     
     
       61. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 32 , wherein the first primary terminal includes:
 a bidirectional transponder; 
 a coarse optical filter connected to the bidirectional transponder; 
 a fine optical filter connected to the coarse optical filter; and 
 an optical amplifier connected to the fine optical filter. 
 
     
     
       62. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 61 , wherein at least one of the coarse optical filter or the fine optical filter includes a banded DWDM filter. 
     
     
       63. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 61 , wherein at least one of the coarse optical filter or the fine optical filter is interleaver based. 
     
     
       64. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 61 , wherein at least one of the coarse optical filter or the fine optical filter includes a tunable filter. 
     
     
       65. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 64 , wherein the tunable filter includes a distributed tunable optical multiplexer and a distributed tunable optical demultiplexer. 
     
     
       66. A method for transporting optical signals over an interdomain optical transport system, the method comprising:
 receiving a first optical signal from a first end user device at a first extension terminal, the first extension terminal including a first coarse multiplexer and a first coarse demultiplexer; 
 converting the first optical signal to a first long range optical signal for transmission over a long haul network; 
 transmitting the first long range optical signal to a second extension terminal via the long haul network and a metro network, the second extension terminal including a second coarse multiplexer and a second coarse demultiplexer; 
 converting the first long range optical signal to a second optical signal; and 
 transmitting the second optical signal to a second end user device, 
 wherein communication between the first and second end user devices is accomplished without translation between a short range signal format and a long range signal format. 
 
     
     
       67. The method of  claim 66 , wherein the short range signal format accommodates propagation distances equal to or less than about 80 kilometers, and wherein the long range signal format accommodates propagation distances greater than about 80 kilometers. 
     
     
       68. The method of  claim 66 , further comprising reducing an operational cost associated with the interdomain optical transport system by communicating between the first and second end user devices without translation between the short range and long range signal formats. 
     
     
       69. The method of  claim 68 , further comprising increasing a profit from the communication between the first and second end user devices by reducing the operational cost. 
     
     
       70. The method of  claim 66 , wherein the first and second extension terminals include a first transponder and a second transponder, respectively. 
     
     
       71. The method of  claim 66  further comprising:
 receiving a third optical signal from a third end user device at the first extension terminal; 
 converting the third optical signal to a second long range optical signal; 
 multiplexing the first and second long range optical signals; and 
 transmitting the multiplexed first and second long range optical signals to the second extension terminal via the metro network. 
 
     
     
       72. The method of  claim 71  further comprising:
 demultiplexing the multiplexed first and second long range optical signals; 
 converting the second long range optical signal to a fourth optical signal; and 
 transmitting the fourth optical signal to a fourth end user device. 
 
     
     
       73. The method of  claim 66 , wherein the first and second optical signals are suitable for use by the first and second end user devices, respectively. 
     
     
       74. An interdomain optical transport system comprising:
 a first extension terminal connected to a first end user device, wherein the first extension terminal is configured to receive a first photonic signal from the first end user device and to translate the first photonic signal into a long range photonic signal; 
 a second extension terminal connected to a second end user device; 
 a third extension terminal connected to the second end user device; 
 a first primary terminal connected to the first, second and third extension terminals via at least one metro network, wherein the first primary terminal is configured to receive and retransmit the long range photonic signal; 
 an optical transmission path connected to the first primary terminal, wherein the optical transmission path is configured to receive and communicate the long range photonic signal; 
 a second primary terminal connected to the optical transmission path, wherein the second primary terminal is configured to receive and retransmit the long range photonic signal; and 
 a fourth extension terminal connected to the second primary terminal and to a third end user device, wherein the fourth extension terminal is configured to receive and translate the long range photonic signal into a second photonic signal and to transmit the second photonic signal to the third end user device, and wherein communication between the first and third end user devices is accomplished without translation between a short range signal format and a long range signal format. 
 
     
     
       75. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 74 , wherein the first primary terminal includes:
 a bidirectional transponder; 
 an optical filter connected to the bidirectional transponder; and 
 an optical amplifier connected to the optical filter. 
 
     
     
       76. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 75 , wherein the optical filter is a banded DWDM filter. 
     
     
       77. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 75 , wherein the optical filter is interleaver based. 
     
     
       78. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 75 , wherein the optical filter includes a tunable filter. 
     
     
       79. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 74 , wherein the first primary terminal includes:
 a bidirectional transponder; 
 a coarse optical filter connected to the bidirectional transponder; 
 a fine optical filter connected to the coarse optical filter; and 
 an optical amplifier connected to the fine optical filter. 
 
     
     
       80. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 74 , wherein the second primary terminal includes:
 a bidirectional transponder; 
 an optical filter connected to the bidirectional transponder; and 
 an optical amplifier connected to the optical filter. 
 
     
     
       81. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 80 , wherein the optical filter is a banded DWDM filter. 
     
     
       82. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 80 , wherein the optical filter is interleaver based. 
     
     
       83. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 80 , wherein the optical filter includes a tunable filter. 
     
     
       84. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 74 , wherein the second primary terminal includes:
 a bidirectional transponder; 
 a coarse optical filter connected to the bidirectional transponder; 
 a fine optical filter connected to the coarse optical filter; and 
 an optical amplifier connected to the fine optical filter. 
 
     
     
       85. An interdomain optical transport system comprising:
 a first extension terminal connected to a first end user device, wherein the first extension terminal is configured to receive a first photonic signal from the first end user device and to translate the first photonic signal into a long range photonic signal; 
 a second extension terminal connected to the first end user device; 
 a first primary terminal connected to the first and second extension terminals via at least one metro network, wherein the first primary terminal is configured to receive and retransmit the long range photonic signal; 
 an optical transmission path connected to the first primary terminal, wherein the optical transmission path is configured to receive and communicate the long range photonic signal; 
 a second primary terminal connected to the optical transmission path, wherein the second primary terminal is configured to receive and retransmit the long range photonic signal; and 
 a third extension terminal connected to the second primary terminal and to a second end user device, wherein the third extension terminal is configured to receive and translate the long range photonic signal into a second photonic signal and to transmit the second photonic signal to the second end user device, and wherein communication between the first and second end user devices is accomplished without translation between a short range signal format and a long range signal format. 
 
     
     
       86. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 85 , wherein the first primary terminal includes:
 a bidirectional transponder; 
 an optical filter connected to the bidirectional transponder; and 
 an optical amplifier connected to the optical filter. 
 
     
     
       87. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 86 , wherein the optical filter is a banded DWDM filter. 
     
     
       88. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 86 , wherein the optical filter is interleaver based. 
     
     
       89. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 86 , wherein the optical filter includes a tunable filter. 
     
     
       90. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 85 , wherein the first primary terminal includes:
 a bidirectional transponder; 
 a coarse optical filter connected to the bidirectional transponder; 
 a fine optical filter connected to the coarse optical filter; and 
 an optical amplifier connected to the fine optical filter. 
 
     
     
       91. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 85 , wherein the second primary terminal includes:
 a bidirectional transponder; 
 an optical filter connected to the bidirectional transponder; and 
 an optical amplifier connected to the optical filter. 
 
     
     
       92. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 91 , wherein the optical filter is a banded DWDM filter. 
     
     
       93. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 91 , wherein the optical filter is interleaver based. 
     
     
       94. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 91 , wherein the optical filter includes a tunable filter. 
     
     
       95. The interdomain optical transport system of  claim 85 , wherein the second primary terminal includes:
 a bidirectional transponder; 
 a coarse optical filter connected to the bidirectional transponder; 
 a fine optical filter connected to the coarse optical filter; and 
 an optical amplifier connected to the fine optical filter. 
 
     
     
       96. A method for transporting optical signals from a first terminal to a second terminal, the method comprising:
 receiving a first optical signal at the first terminal, wherein the first terminal includes a coarse multiplexer and a coarse demultiplexer, wherein the first optical signal is suitable for use by a first end user device;   deriving a second optical signal suitable for long haul transmission from the first optical signal; and   transmitting the second optical signal from the first terminal to the second terminal, wherein the second terminal includes a coarse multiplexer and a coarse demultiplexer, wherein the second terminal is configured to transmit a third optical signal suitable for use by a second end user device, wherein the third optical signal is derived from the second optical signal;   wherein the first optical signal is received, the second optical signal is derived, and the second optical signal is transmitted without translation of the first and second optical signals between a short range signal format and a long range signal format.   
     
     
       97. The method of claim 96, wherein the short range signal format accommodates propagation distances equal to or less than about 80 kilometers, and wherein the long range signal format accommodates propagation distances greater than about 80 kilometers. 
     
     
       98. The method of claim 96, wherein the deriving comprises deriving the second optical signal by a transponder. 
     
     
       99. The method of claim 96, further comprising:
 receiving, at the first terminal, a fourth optical signal; and   deriving a fifth optical signal suitable for long haul transmission from the fourth optical signal;   multiplexing the second optical signal and the fifth optical signal;   wherein transmitting the second optical signal comprises transmitting the multiplexed second and fifth optical signals.   
     
     
       100. The method of claim 99, wherein the second terminal is configured to:
 demultiplex the multiplexed second and fifth optical signals; and   transmit a sixth optical signal, wherein the sixth optical signal is derived from the fifth optical signal.   
     
     
       101. The method of claim 100, wherein the sixth optical signal is suitable for use by a third end user device. 
     
     
       102. An optical transport terminal comprising:
 a transponder configured to receive a first optical signal and to create a second optical signal suitable for long haul transmission, the second optical signal being derived from the first optical signal, wherein the transponder is configured to receive the first optical signal from an end user device;   a coarse optical filter configured to filter the second optical signal;   a fine optical filter configured to filter the second optical signal; and   a transmitter configured to transmit the second optical signal from the optical transport terminal to a second terminal via a long haul network and a metro network;   wherein the optical transport terminal is configured to receive the first optical signal and to transmit the second optical signal without translation of the first and second optical signals between a short range signal format and a long range signal format.   
     
     
       103. The optical transport terminal of claim 102, wherein the short range signal format accommodates propagation distances equal to or less than about 80 kilometers, and wherein the long range signal format accommodates propagation distances greater than about 80 kilometers. 
     
     
       104. The optical transport terminal of claim 102, further comprising an optical amplifier that is connected to the fine optical filter. 
     
     
       105. The optical transport terminal of claim 102, wherein at least one of the coarse optical filter or the fine optical filter comprises at least one of the group consisting of: a banded DWDM filter, an interleaver, a splitter, a DWDM filter, a tunable filter, a distributed tunable optical multiplexer, a distributed tunable optical demultiplexer. 
     
     
       106. The optical transport terminal of claim 102, wherein the optical transport terminal is in a physical configuration configured to fit in an equipment rack. 
     
     
       107. The optical transport terminal of claim 106, wherein the physical configuration includes at least one master shelf, at least one slave shelf, and at least one dual slave shelf. 
     
     
       108. The optical transport terminal of claim 106, wherein the physical configuration includes at least two master shelves, at least two slave shelves, and at least two dual slave shelves. 
     
     
       109. The optical transport terminal of claim 106, wherein the physical configuration includes at least two master shelves and at least three dual slave shelves. 
     
     
       110. The optical transport terminal of claim 102, wherein the second terminal is configured to receive the second optical signal and configured to transmit a third optical signal, the third optical signal derived from the second optical signal. 
     
     
       111. A method for transporting optical signals from a first terminal to a second terminal, wherein the first and second terminals each include a coarse multiplexer and a coarse demultiplexer, the method comprising:
 receiving a first optical signal at the first terminal, wherein the first optical signal is suitable for use by a first end user device;   deriving a second optical signal suitable for long haul transmission from the first optical signal;   multiplexing the second optical signal with at least one other optical signal to form an output optical signal; and   transmitting the output optical signal from the first terminal to the second terminal, wherein the second terminal is configured to transmit a third optical signal suitable for use by a second end user device, wherein the third optical signal is derived from the second optical signal;   wherein the first optical signal is received, the second optical signal is multiplexed, and the output optical signal is transmitted without translation of the first and second optical signals between a short range signal format and a long range signal format.   
     
     
       112. The method of claim 111, wherein the short range signal format accommodates propagation distances equal to or less than about 80 kilometers, and wherein the long range signal format accommodates propagation distances greater than about 80 kilometers. 
     
     
       113. The method of claim 111, wherein the deriving comprises deriving the second optical signal by a transponder. 
     
     
       114. The method of claim 111, further comprising:
 receiving, at the first terminal, a fourth optical signal; and   deriving a fifth optical signal suitable for long haul transmission from the fourth optical signal;   wherein multiplexing the second optical signal comprises multiplexing the second optical signal and the fifth optical signal to form the output optical signal.   
     
     
       115. The method of claim 114, wherein the second terminal is configured to:
 demultiplex the multiplexed second and fifth optical signals; and   transmit a sixth optical signal, wherein the sixth optical signal is derived from the fifth optical signal.   
     
     
       116. The method of claim 115, wherein the sixth optical signal is suitable for use by a third end user device.