A waveguide optical monitor is disclosed. The device has an optical input port
coupled through a switch to a plurality of input waveguides. A dispersive element
disperses light within the input optical waveguides toward a plurality of output
waveguides. There are a plurality of photodetectors each optically coupled to an
output waveguide. The photodectors are for sensing an intensity of light within
the waveguide with which it is optically coupled. An optical switch in optical
communication with the optical input port and for switching light received at the
optical input port to one of the plurality of input waveguides. Also, an angular
dispersive element is present for receiving light from any one of the waveguides
and for dispersing the light toward a plurality of output waveguides in dependence
upon the input waveguide position and a wavelength of the light such that light
directed from the first of the plurality of input waveguides toward the plurality
of output waveguides has a first centre wavelength within each of the output waveguides
and light directed from the second of the plurality of input waveguides toward
the plurality of output waveguides has a second different centre wavelength within
each of the output waveguides, the second different center wavelength different
form any first center wavelength.
