Abstract: A verification system for a switch or other element in a digital transmission system includes a sample extraction means for tapping a input to the switch, and a similar means for tapping an output of the switch. Analogue features of the signal passing through the switch are tapped off and compared by pattern matching without demultiplexing digital data from the signal passing through the switch. The result of the match can be used to verify the switch has switched correctly, or to monitor other parameters such as cross-talk.

Abstract: An optical logic device is provided by an interferometer having an output which defines a logic state 1 or 0 in dependence upon an interference condition existing in the interferometer. Each arm of the interferometer contains a semiconductor optical amplifier in which the effect of cross phase modulation is utilized to modulate the phase of light transmitted through the respective arms. Optical signals are counter propagated through one or both of the arms in order to provide the cross modulation and thereby enable the interference condition to be set to one or other of the logic states. Automatic level control is provided at inputs to the interferometer and between successive stages of logic device. The method has application to high frequency digital optical communication systems where all optical logic operations are required.

Abstract: In an optical transmission system, multi-path interference is distinguished from the desired signal and other interferences, by measuring light transmitted from a source, using an element of the transmission system. Frequency modulation products are used, and the signature of the interference in the frequency spectrum is derived.

Abstract: An optical logic device is provided by an interferometer in which an output optical signal is determined in accordance with an interference condition of the interferometer. The interference condition is reset by an optical setting signal which is counter-propagated through a semi-conductor optical amplifier forming one arm of the interferometer. Latching of the interference condition in the set state is achieved by a feedback signal taken from the output optical signal and combined with the setting signal. Resetting of the interference condition is achieved by nulling the output optical signal by counter-propagating a reset optical signal via second semiconductor optical amplifier constituting the second arm of the interferometer. Alternatively the input optical signal to the interferometer may be interrupted to null the output. A further alternative arrangement utilizes an electrical re-setting signal which actuates an electrical phase shifting device in the second arm of the interferometer.

Abstract: A control system for an optical element such as an optical amplifier in an optical transmission system determines the transmitted optical signal power in each of a plurality of different optical wavelength bands, determines which of the powers is closest to a threshold, and controls an output power of the element, or controls a parameter which affects the threshold, on the basis of the power closest to the threshold. Since there is no longer any need to allow a margin for possible gain variations between different wavelengths, power output can be controlled with reduced upper or lower margins, and thus error rates reduced, or transmission distances increased.

Abstract: A system for locating sources of degradation of an optical path of an optical transmission system comprises means for transmitting (1) along the path a test pattern signal having a frequency spectrum predominately in a band below a data traffic rate means (4) for recovering the test pattern at a plurality of separate points in the path means (4) for determining an amount of pattern degradation from the shape of the recovered pattern, and means (5) for comparing the amounts of pattern degradation at the separate points to locate the source. A broad range of types of degradation can be detected efficiently, and the results used to take corrective action.

Abstract: An add/drop multiplexer/demultiplexer (ADM) for switching, modulating and attenuating optical signals in a fiber optic network employing wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) is disclosed. The ADM is equipped an optical multiplexer for splitting an input WDM signal into individual optical signals, leading to respective 2.times.2 switches. Each switch has another input originating from a plurality of "add lines", and selects one of its inputs to be dropped and the other to continue along a main signal path. The retained signals may be modulated and attenuated prior to being tapped and finally multiplexed together by a WDM multiplexer. The tapped signals are optoelectronically converted and fed back to a controller, preferably a digital signal processor running a software algorithm, which controls the switching, modulation and attenuation.

Abstract: An Optical Transmission System includes a monitor for outputting monitored data representative of the extent to which an optical signal is degraded by polarization mode dispersion. The monitor measures the degree of depolarization present in a sample of the optical signal derived from an optical tap, the depolarization being associated with polarization variation at the bit rate frequency of a signal data stream carried by the optical signal. The monitored data is used to control operation of the system to reroute the optical path taken by the optical signal in the event of a threshold level of polarization mode dispersion being exceeded. A transmitter of the optical signal may also be controlled to minimize polarization mode dispersion by varying the polarization state of the optical signal at launch so as to reduce the measured monitor data. The monitor functions during normal transmission of optical signals without the need for shutting down links of the system for measurement purposes.

Abstract: A method for recovering an outgoing data signal from an incoming signal received over a transmission network. The method provides for preparing a bit error rate (BER) map for a data regenerator, determining, on the BER map, an optimal operation point for a provisioned BER.sub.prov value, and monitoring the data regenerator to function in the optimal operation point for providing a regenerated data signal. In addition, the errors in the regenerated data signal may be further corrected using current forward error correction circuitry. To prepare a BER map, the data regenerator operates in an error mapping mode, wherein the incoming signal is decoded using a slicing level V.sub.i and a phase shifted clock signal CL.sub.j. Each value BER.sub.i,j is measured over a preset period of time T.sub.prov for a pair V.sub.i, .phi..sub.j and stored in a memory. The BER maps may be prepared once a day or at any other suitable interval.

Abstract: A method for encoding a binary input sequence x(0,1) to obtain a duobinary output sequence y(+1,0,-1) is provided. The duobinary coding technique always provides an output bit y.sub.k =0 when the corresponding bit x.sub.k =0; bits y.sub.k alternatively assume a logical level "+1" and "-1" whenever an input bit x.sub.k-1 =0 changes to x.sub.k =1, and the output bit y.sub.k maintains the logical level "+1" or "-1" whenever the corresponding bit x.sub.k maintains the logical level "1". A coding device for encoding a binary input sequence x(0,1) to a duobinary output sequence y(+1,0,-1) is also provided, comprising a D-type flip-flop for generating a binary switch signal. A first AND circuit receives the input sequence and the switch signal, and provides a first binary sequence a(0,1), while a second AND circuit receives the input sequence and the complement of the switch signal and provides a second binary sequence b(0,1).

Abstract: A pulsed optical signal (13) of a network (23) is monitored to obtain eye measurement data as a means of obtaining an indication of signal degradation. Optical sampling of the optical signal is effected by means of an interferometer (2) in which sampling optical pulses (8) are propagated equally through arms 3 and 4 of the interferometer which include semiconducter optical amplifiers. The optical signal to be monitored is counter propagated through one arm of the interferometer, thereby setting an interference condition of the interferometer by cross modulation in one of the semiconductor optical amplifiers. The output is detected and converted to electrical signals which are processed to obtain the eye measurement data. Parameters defining the quality of the eye are extracted and processed to locate defects occurring within a network by deploying eye monitors at a number of locations. Elements of the network may be controlled using the output parameters.

Abstract: In an apparatus and method for troubleshooting a transmission system comprising optical line amplifiers (OA), optical reflections can be detected irrespective if a data signal is present or absent. Each OA is equipped with a self-stimulation signal detection unit for generating a low frequency local code unique to the transmission system and dithering the outgoing signal in a controlled manner with the local code. Each OA attempts to detect its local code in the incoming signal by comparing the energy of the transmitted and received dithers. The presence of the local code in the incoming signal initiates alarms which unequivocally identify the faulted OA. Each OA selects its local code out of a bank of local codes, according to a priority scheme and re-selects its local code in case of conflicts.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for transmitting very high bit rates over an optical link, using unidirectional and bidirectional WDM technology. The 1550 nm window for optical transmission is spatially separated into two bands, "Red" and "Blue", and the channels in each band are selected so that respective wavelengths present a substantially equal gain tilt. A fiber amplifier designed according to spatial separation and wavelength selection of the invention is disclosed, along with multiple span WDM network topologies.