The present invention is directed to a bidirectional add/drop multiplexer connected
with waveguides at opposite ends thereof, respectively, and adapted to add/drop
a channel in forward and reverse directions. The multiplexer includes a forward
arrayed waveguide grating for demultiplexing the respective channels of the forward
optical signal inputted thereto, for adding or dropping a channel to the demultiplexed
channels of the forward optical signal, and for multiplexing the channel-added
or dropped channels; a reverse arrayed waveguide grating for demultiplexing respective
channels of the reverse optical signal inputted thereto, for adding or dropping
a channel to the demultiplexed channels of the reverse optical signal, and for
multiplexing the channel-added or dropped channels; a first circulator for inputting
the forward optical signal to the forward waveguide grating and outputting the
reverse optical signal received from the reverse waveguide grating to one of the
waveguides, and, a second circulator for inputting the reverse optical signal to
the forward waveguide grating and outputting the forward optical signal received
from the forward waveguide grating to the other waveguide. Using this arrangement,
the bidirectional add/drop multiplexer is capable of cutting off the relative intensity
noise while avoiding the collision of the forward and reverse optical signals.