Abstract: An optical identification element. The optical identification element is associated with an object and includes encoded or stored information associated with the object. The optical identification element includes an optical assembly that generates electrical power in response to incident light from a reader. The generated electrical power is used by the optical identification element to at least retrieve the data and then transmit the data back to the reader optically.

Abstract: A modular sensing system architecture. A sensing system includes multiple planes that are in electrical communication. A power plane provides a power source and a communications module that can be optical and/or electrical in nature. The power source can be upgraded using optical power delivered over an optical fiber. The sensing system can also both transmit/receive data over the optical fiber. A processing plane provides memory and processing power. The processing plane can be updated/upgraded via the communications module or the optical fiber. A sensor plane includes multiple sensors. The architecture enables sensor planes to be interchangeable while still having communication with other planes of the sensor. The processing plane can be updated to accommodate different sensor configurations.

Abstract: A sensing system tethered to an optical fiber for delivering optical power. A sensing system has a semiconductor device that includes photodiodes and a laser. The optical signal delivered through the optical fiber generates a current in the photodiodes that can be used to at least recharge the sensing system's power supply or bias the laser. The optical signal can be modulated to deliver data to the sensing system. The laser can be modulated to transmit data from the sensing system over the optical fiber. Because the power source can be recharged, the sensing system can also transmit and receive using an RF module.

Abstract: An optoelectronic device that has a network address (e.g., IF address) and participates in in-band traffic for purposes of performing functions (e.g., network diagnostics, network control, network provisioning, fault isolation, etc.) that are traditionally performed by host equipment. An embodiment of the invention may have a protocol engine and a status monitoring module. The protocol engine identifies data packets that are addressed to the optoelectronic device, and allows the optoelectronic device to insert packets of information generated by the device into in-band data. Logic of the optoelectronic device may modify the operating parameters of the device according to the control information included in the data packets. The status monitoring module detects the device's physical conditions and the conditions of its links.

Abstract: The principles of the present invention relate to aligning optical components with three degrees of translational freedom. A lens pin, a lens base, and a molded package are aligned in a first direction, a second direction, and a third direction such that the signal strength of optical signals transferred between a lens included in the lens pin and the molded package is optimized. The lens pin is mechanically coupled to the lens base to fix the position of the lens relative to the molded package in the first direction. Subsequently, the lens base and the molded package are realigned in the second and third directions such that the signal strength is again optimized. The lens base is mechanically coupled to the molded package to fix the position of the lens base relative to the molded package in the second and third directions.

Abstract: A controller for optical components. A controller includes mixed signal interface that is configured to connect to an optical component external to the controller. The mixed signal interface is able to deliver and/or receive signals to and/or from the optical component. The controller includes a digital interface that is able to connect to a memory external to the controller. The digital interface may receive a digital representation of operating characteristics of the optical component. The controller is configured to deliver and/or receive signals to and/or from the optical component based on the digital representation of operating characteristics.

Abstract: Testing optical components. A method of testing an optical component includes operating the optical component at a number of operating conditions. A digital representation of operating characteristics is generated as a result of operating the optical component at the number of operating conditions. The digital representation of operating characteristics is stored in a memory. The memory is included with the optical component in a least one optical module, laser module, and/or photosensitive module.

Abstract: A controller for optical components. A controller includes an analog interface that is configured to connect to an optical component external to the controller. The analog interface is able to deliver and/or receive signals to and/or from the optical component. The controller includes a digital interface that is able to connect to a memory external to the controller. The digital interface may receive a digital representation of operating characteristics of the optical component. The controller is configured to deliver and/or receive signals to and/or from the optical component based on the digital representation of operating characteristics.

Abstract: A variable optical attenuator. A PIN structure is integrated with an optical detector such as a PIN diode or an APD diode. When the PIN structure is forward biased, the light signal is not affected and is detected by the optical detector. When the PIN structure is reverse biased, the light signal is attenuated and the dynamic range of the optical detector can be increased.

Abstract: A computer system with modular optical components. The computer system includes a controller. The controller includes an analog interface that can deliver and/or receive analog signals to and/or from an optical component. The controller further includes a digital interface that is able to receive a digital representation of operating characteristics of the optical component.

Abstract: Systems and methods use single-fiber optical add/drop multiplexers (OADMs) to enable bi-directional data transmission in WDM systems over a single fiber. By reducing the required capacity for an optical network from dual fibers to a single fiber, significant cost and bandwidth efficiencies are achieved. The systems and methods also provide redundancy protection in single-fiber bidirectional line ring systems. In the event of a downstream fiber or device failure, the OADM module receives a signal on a first wavelength from a first direction, shifts the signal from the first wavelength to a second wavelength, and sends the signal back down the fiber it originated from on the second wavelength, thus maintaining the propagation of the signal in the ring system.

Abstract: Optical systems route signals bi-directionally on a single fiber. The bidirectional data transmission over a single fiber can be used for WDM systems, including for example both CWDM and DWDM systems. The systems can include devices, such as interleavers, bandpass filter, and circulators, which are used in pairs at opposite ends of an optical fiber to couple signals into a bidirectional signal over the optical fiber. The use of a circulator enables signals traveling in opposite directions on the single fiber to occupy the same wavelength channels.

Abstract: Optical modules described herein include optical components such as lasers or photodiodes for communicating on fiber-optic networks. The lasers and photodiodes have analog interface such that the lasers and photodiodes can be controlled by a controller external to the optical modules. The optical modules also include memory modules. The memory modules store operating characteristics of the lasers and photodiodes. The operating characteristics can be read via digital interfaces that are connected to the memory modules. This allows the controller to appropriately adjust signals such that a randomly selected controller may be used with a randomly selected optical module.

Abstract: Semiconductor optical amplifier with polarization independent gain. A polarization adjusting layer is formed on a semiconductor optical amplifier. The semiconductor optical amplifier has an active region that includes both compressively strained and tensile strained quantum wells. The polarization adjusting layer is formed and then etched to a thickness that repositions an optical signal within the active region such that the gain of the optical signal is independent of the polarization of the optical signal.

Abstract: The present application teaches systems and techniques for reducing the polarization dependency of an optical component by combining the actions of a circulator and a polarization beam combiner to separate an optical signal into a plurality of orthogonally oriented polarization components; rotate at least one of the components so that the polarization orientation of the components are parallel; propagate the components through respective input ports of an optical component at substantially the same time; rotate at least one of a plurality of output components from the optical component so that the polarization orientation of the output components are orthogonal; and recombine the plurality of output components into an output optical signal.

Abstract: A redundant optical signal transmission and reception system is disclosed to enable information exchange via an optical communications network without data loss in the event of optical transmitter or receiver failure. In one embodiment, the redundant optical signal system includes a primary transmission link comprising a plurality of optical transmitters and a multiplexor for modulating and combining electrical signals into a primary multiplexed optical signal. In the event of failure of an optical transmitter, a backup transmission link is activated to compensate for the malfunctioning transmitter. The backup transmission link utilizes a backup optical transmitter to modulate the electric signal formerly received by the malfunctioning optical transmitter. The backup transmission link combines the backup optical signal with the primary multiplexed optical signal to form a complete optical signal for transmission over the optical network.

Abstract: Semiconductor optical amplifier with flattened or balanced gain across a spectrum of wavelengths. A gain balancing layer is formed on a semiconductor optical amplifier. The optical amplifier has an active region that includes one or more quantum wells of varying thickness and the gain balancing layer changes the optical confinement of some of the quantum wells to varying degrees. The gain balancing layer is etched or formed to a thickness that causes the semiconductor optical amplifier to have a flattened or balanced gain across a broad spectrum of wavelengths.

Abstract: A semiconductor optical amplifier for eliminating cross talk. The semiconductor optical amplifier includes a waveguide ridge that is formed on a broad area semiconductor laser. The ridge has angled facets and guides incident optical signals through the active region. When lasing, the broad area semiconductor laser locks the carrier density and photon density such that an incident optical signal does not affect the carrier density or the photon density. Thus, the broad area laser and the semiconductor optical amplifier share the same active region or gain medium and cross talk is eliminated when multiple optical signals are incident on the semiconductor optical amplifier.