New notations based on the wavelength transfer matrix for functional analysis of wavelength circuits and new WDM networks using AWG-based star coupler with asymmetric characteristics

New notations using the wavelength transfer matrix for wavelength circuits and networks are proposed. The method is a simple and effective in expressing and analyzing complicated wavelength circuits and networks; only simple notations are used. Wavelength transfer matrixes reported for network circuits are described and functionally verified. The results show the effectiveness of the proposed method. Finally, a new passive star coupler employing arrayed-waveguide-grating for WDM star networks is proposed. Its asymmetric wavelength characteristics are easily verified by the wavelength transfer matrix method and experiments. It reduces the total number of wavelengths by 81% for a 64 node network.