Abstract: Multiple function bandwidth management systems. Bandwidth-management systems for an optical network are easily assembled by concatenating a plurality of intelligent, miniaturized, bandwidth-management modules (BMM's) together. The BMM's subdivide the wide available spectrum into narrow band segments. Each individual BMM is designed to overcome loss and optimize dispersion, gain, and power or gain equalization for a few channels at a time. Each device includes optical connectors and filters, as well as any other components necessary to direct the band of optical channels through the device's optical path while passing other optical channels within the spectrum to additional devices which can be connected without disturbing existing bandwidth-management modules. Each BMM also includes a digital control module that operates the BMM in any one of a plurality of selectable operating modes.

Abstract: Adjustable optical fiber grating dispersion compensators. The invention provides a fully tunable dispersion compensator with a wide dynamic range. Dispersion compensators according to the invention are based on uniform fiber Bragg grating technology. Individual gratings are tuned so that the gratings, which normally operate in reflection mode, operate in transmission mode with the frequency of interest falling just outside a reflection band edge. Gratings are combined to provide broadband, or multiple-wavelength dispersion. Tuning is provided via transducers coupled to the gratings. A control system can be connected to the transducers to provide a control signal so that the frequencies of the gratings can be dynamically tuned. The control system operates by measuring signals from opto-electronic detectors. The signals are used to determine a fractional spectral power transmitted through a filter. The fractional spectral power is related to the amount of dispersion present in the optical path of the network.

Abstract: Adjustable optical fiber grating dispersion compensators. The invention provides a fully tunable dispersion compensator with a wide dynamic range. Dispersion compensators according to the invention are based on uniform fiber Bragg grating technology. Individual gratings are tuned so that the gratings, which normally operate in reflection mode, operate in transmission mode with the frequency of interest falling just outside a reflection band edge. Gratings are combined to provide broadband, or multiple-wavelength dispersion. Tuning is provided via transducers coupled to the gratings. A control system can be connected to the transducers to provide a control signal so that the frequencies of the gratings can be dynamically tuned. The control system operates by measuring signals from opto-electronic detectors. The signals are used to determine a fractional spectral power transmitted through a filter. The fractional spectral power is related to the amount of dispersion present in the optical path of the network.