Abstract: An apparatus and method for storing a fiber optic assembly are disclosed. In one embodiment, a fiber optic assembly storage apparatus that includes a storage tray is disclosed. The storage tray has a first side and a second side where the first side defines a plurality of storage channels. The first side defines an optical component storage channel, a plurality of optical component storage cells, an optical component fiber storage channel, and a coupling fiber storage channel. The optical component fiber storage channel is disposed at a first end of the optical component storage channel and the coupling fiber storage channel interconnects the optical component storage channel and the plurality of optical component storage cells. A tray cover may also be provided that is positioned on the first side of the storage tray.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided that yields improved performance by modulating the optical phase and polarization of an optical signal with a periodic waveform having harmonic content that is more complex than that associated with a simple sinusoidal waveform. A phase modulator receives an optical signal onto which data has been modulated at a predetermined frequency. The phase modulator modulates the phase of the optical signal in a continuous manner with the periodic waveform with complex harmonics where the fundamental phase modulation frequency is equal to the same predetermined frequency at which the data is modulated onto the optical signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are introduced for preventing a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber wound on the same spool from interfering from one another. The apparatus comprises an annulus having an inner edge, an outer edge, and an annular width consisting of the distance, measured radially, between the inner and outer edges. The inner edge of the annulus is sized to fit snugly in a coaxial fashion around the spool, and the annular width should be at least large enough to separate the first and second optical coil.

Abstract: An optical transmission system allows for the remote determination of the output power of each carrier for each repeater. The optical transmission system includes two terminals, an optical path that transmits a plurality of optical signals between the two terminals, and a plurality of repeaters spaced along the optical path. At least one of the terminals generates a first line monitor signal and a second line monitor signal. The second line monitor signal is delayed by a round trip delay from the terminal to a repeater at which the output power is desired to be measured. The terminal then transmits the first line monitor signal on the optical path. Each repeater in the transmission system generates a return line monitor signal in response to receiving the first line monitor signal and transmits the return line monitor signal on the optical path.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus and method for application of a chemical process on a component surface is provided. In an embodiment for an apparatus for preparing a component surface for application of a chemical process, the apparatus includes a base, an o-ring retainer, an o-ring, a boot, and a retention ring. The component is mounted on the base. The o-ring is positioned on the o-ring retainer and the o-ring retainer is inserted through an aperture in the component and mated with the base. The assembled component, base, o-ring retainer, and o-ring are positioned within the boot. The retention ring is positioned around the boot.

Abstract: An optical transmission system is provided that includes a transmitting terminal, a receiving terminal remotely located from the transmitting terminal, and an optical transmission path connecting the transmitting terminal to the receiving terminal. The optical transmission path includes at least one optical amplifier such that portions of the optical transmission path located between adjacent optical amplifiers or terminals denote a transmission span. The path includes constituent optical fiber having a positive dispersion shift, dispersion compensating optical fiber having a negative dispersion shift, and dispersion slope compensating fiber having a negative dispersion slope.

Abstract: A system and method are introduced to provide a flexible splint for an optical-fiber splice. After splicing the fiber, it is placed within a flexible inner layer. Over the flexible inner layer is placed a flexible outer layer, thereby creating an inner- and outer-layer splint.

Abstract: An optical WDM transmission system. The arrangement includes a splitter for dividing a multiplexed optical signal having a prescribed bandwidth into a plurality of distinct sub-bands. The plurality of distinct sub-bands is received by a plurality of output paths, respectively, which direct the sub-bands to respective ones of a plurality of optical amplifiers disposed in the output paths. The optical amplifiers each have a prescribed gain shape across the bandwidth of its respective sub-band. A coupler recombines the distinct sub-bands and couples them onto the optical fiber transmission path. An optical preamplifier is coupled to an input of the splitter. The optical preamplifier is a Raman amplifier having a bandwidth substantially encompassing the prescribed bandwidth of the multiplexed optical signal.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining at least one optical transmission parameter for achieving a prescribed operating characteristic of an optical transmission system that includes at least one optical amplifier. The optical transmission parameter to be determined may include, for example, the channel wavelengths that are employed, the channel powers, and/or the spacing between adjacent channels.The method begins by transmitting through the transmission system a plurality of saturating optical wavelengths such that the optical amplifiers operate at a desired operating point within a region of gain compression. A plurality of probe wavelengths are transmitted through the transmission system. The probe wavelengths have a total power insufficient to substantially change the desired operating point of the optical amplifiers. The plurality of probe wavelengths are characterized by at least one optical transmission parameter. Next, an initial operating characteristic of the transmission system is determined.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for providing pump energy to a doped optical fiber located along an optical transmission path. The doped optical fiber imparts amplification to an optical signal when pumped at a pump wavelength. In accordance with the method, pump energy is generated in the transmission fiber by introducing a power at a wavelength one Raman Stokes order below the desired pump wavelength. The pump energy is transmitted along the transmission path such that first order Raman Stokes-shifted light is applied to the doped optical fiber. For example, if the optical fiber is doped with erbium, which has a pump wavelength of about 1485 nm, pump energy is provided at a wavelength of 1390 nm.

Abstract: For connecting a high voltage wire to an elongated terminal of an electrical device, a connector link is provided comprising a first hollow tubing having an open first end with an extending flattened portion of the tubing bent to form the wall of a second hollow tubing having an axis of elongation perpendicular to the axis of elongation of the first tubing. The second hollow tubing is interference fitted onto the terminal and an end of the high voltage wire is inserted into the open end of the first tubing. The wire end is soldered to the first tubing and the second tubing is soldered to the terminal. An abundance of solder is used for causing the solder to flow outwardly from the ends of the tubings to form a continuous well-wetted shape of solder having smooth and rounded surfaces for avoiding concentrated electric fields and attendant electrical discharges.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for managing dispersion in a WDM optical transmission system so that transmission performance is improved. The usable optical bandwidth of the transmission system is divided into sub-bands that individually undergo dispersion compensation before being re-combined. Accordingly, in comparison to known dispersion mapping techniques, more WDM data channels reside near a wavelength corresponding to the average zero dispersion wavelength.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for transmitting an optical signal. The method includes the step of generating an optical signal that includes a plurality of optical channels, which are sequentially numbered from 1 to N from lowest to highest wavelength. A state-of-polarization of predetermined odd-numbered channels is oriented to be substantially orthogonal to a state of polarization of predetermined even-numbered channels by directing the predetermined odd-numbered channels and the predetermined even-numbered channels through orthogonally polarizing inputs of a polarization coupler. The odd-numbered channels and the even-numbered channels may be directed through first and second wavelength combiners, respectively, prior to orienting their states of polarization.

Abstract: A method is provided for automatically identifying a system fault in an optical communication system that includes first and second transmission paths for supporting bidirectional communication. In accordance with the method, measurements are made of a plurality of optical gain values respectively generated by a plurality of optical amplifier units disposed in respective loop back paths extending through the first and second transmission paths of the optical communication system. A gain signature is obtained by subtracting a plurality of baseline values from the plurality of optical gain values. Directional state changes are located along the gain signature to identify a plurality of directional states. Each of the directional states is assigned a pre-established state such that the gain signature is represented by a sequence of pre-established states. The sequence of pre-established states of said gain signature is compared to a plurality of predetermined sequences of pre-established states.

Abstract: A high-powered optical pump includes at least two sub-pumps. Each sub-pump generates light at different wavelengths. The outputs of the sub-pumps are coupled to a remote pump fiber. The resulting light transmitted on the remote pump fiber results in a lower Raman gain and Raman noise spectral peak than that generated by existing single wavelength high-powered optical pumps at the same power level. Therefore, increased power can be transmitted on the remote pump fiber in contrast to a single wavelength pump. Additionally, the total gain spectrum available for the amplification of signals is increased.

Abstract: The disclosed optical fiber communication system comprises a remotely pumped erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA). The pump radiation is de-tuned with respect to wavelength, the wavelength being selected longer than both the optimal wavelengths for pumping the EDFA and for producing Raman gain in the transmission fiber, respectively. Such de-tuning results in improved over-all system performance through reduced multi-path interference. Exemplarily, the pump radiation has wavelength in the range 1490-1510 nm.

Abstract: A fiber winding and storage assembly is disclosed. The fiber winding and storage assembly includes a fiber winding fixture and a fiber storage device. The fiber winding fixture includes a winding structure, a handle member and a mounting member. The winding structure has a first side and a second side where the first side defines a recess therein. The handle member is attached to the second side of the winding structure. The mounting member is disposed within the recess of the winding structure and extends perpendicularly therefrom. The fiber storage device is received within the recess of the fiber winding fixture.

Abstract: A safety interlocking arrangement for use with a doped fiber amplifier and its associated pump source(s). A pair of metallized jumper cables are used to interconnect the amplifier and pump source, where the physically connections to the housings are electrically isolated. Within the pump source, an isolated power supply, in series with a control switch (such as an optical coupler) is connected between the isolated fiber coupling ports. Within the doped fiber amplifier, a diode is connected between the isolated amplifier fiber coupling ports. When the metallized jumper fiber cables are properly connected between the pump source and the amplifier, the electrical circuit is completed and a low level current will flow. The current activates the control switch within the pump source, where the control switch functions to turn "on" the pump source lasers. If either metallized jumper fiber is misconnected, broken or missing, no current will flow.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for modulating the polarization of an optical signal. A polarization modulator receives an optical signal onto which data has been modulated at a predetermined frequency. The polarization modulator modulates the state of polarization of the optical signal at a frequency phase locked and equal to the same predetermined frequency at which the data is modulated onto the optical signal. The polarization modulation is performed so that the average value of the state of polarization over each modulation cycle is substantially equal to zero.

Abstract: A Raman amplifier is provided that includes at least a portion of optical fiber in which an optical signal travels. The optical fiber portion may encompass all or part of the optical transmission path of an optical communication system. A pump energy unit is provided that includes first and second pump sources providing pump power at first and second wavelengths, respectively. The first and second wavelengths generate first and second overlapping gain profiles in the optical fiber portion. An optical circulator has a first port receiving the pump power, a second port providing the pump power to the optical fiber and receiving the optical signal, and a third port transmitting the optical signal received from the second port. As a result of this arrangement, a Raman amplifier is provided in which the bandwidth is substantially increased over the bandwidth that can be achieved by the previously mentioned Raman amplifier.