Novel full-cycle-coupler-based optical add-drop multiplexer and performance characteristics at 40-Gb/s WDM networks

A novel configuration of an interferometric device, based on a full-cycle full (100%) coupler structure, loaded with a Bragg grating symmetrically placed into the uniform coupler waist, is proposed for use as an optical add-drop multiplexer (OADM) with simultaneously optimized add and drop actions. A general method for designing a suitable Bragg grating for optimal inscription in to the uniform coupler waist is also proposed for use in to the device design and development. The performance of the device is characterized at 40-Gb/s wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) networks using theoretical systems simulations and is compared directly with other alternative OADM architectures.