Abstract: A photonic-based distributed network switch and method where the switch is designed to reduce or filter optical data frames entering a port of the switch so that only data frames that are appropriate for the port are forwarded from the port. This reduces the amount of data that needs to be handled by the port interface, which is especially important where the port may be using legacy interface technology that may be incapable of handling the volume of data entering the port.

Abstract: A method for monitoring wavelength-division multiplexed (WDM) signal for detecting signal drift of objective signals, including generation of one or more objective signals and a guard signal. The guard signal has a wavelength that is within a range defined by a guard channel. The first and second objective signals and the guard signal are wavelength-division multiplexed to generate a wavelength-division multiplexed signal. The first objective signal, the second objective signal, and the guard signal are assigned to a first multiplexed objective channel, a second multiplexed objective channel, and a multiplexed guard channel, respectively. The wavelength-division multiplexed signal is received by a monitor and then the error rate of the multiplexed guard channel is determined.

Abstract: An encryption technique that creates a unique encryption key or fingerprint based on unique physical and electrical characteristics of a target electronic assembly to be protected. The encryption key can be constructed by exploiting the manufacturing variances present in all electronic elements including active elements and passive elements. Active elements include, for example: oscillators/clocks, internal I/O controllers, external I/O controllers, memory, processors, and digital power converters. Passive elements include, for example: internal I/O interconnects, external I/O interconnects, memory buses, and power buses. The encryption key can also include one or more environmental condition thresholds.

Abstract: A photonic-based distributed network switch that utilizes multiple photonic broadcast stars and separate optical transmitters to improve overall reliability, allow load balancing, and provide failover for the network switch and the network with which the switch is used.

Abstract: A computing architecture and network topology definition module which provide the ability to tailor a hardware network topology to differing needs. Computing resources are interconnected into a network implementation using an optical wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) star/coupler approach. The overall topology for the network is defined by the network topology definition module, which is a removable device that defines the network topology and communication connectivity between the computing resources. Replacement of the network topology definition module with a different network topology definition module changes the network topology and communication connectivity, allowing the computing resources to be tailored to particular needs.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for regulating the security of information flow can include multiple information receiving/transmitting domains where a device failure in one or more domains would not comprise the security of the systems. The systems and techniques may be implemented using a multi-domain checking approach in which the respective device operation status in each receiving/transmitting domain is independently monitored. The systems and techniques can advantageously prevent sensitive information from being inadvertently transferred to an untrusted or unauthorized entity.

Abstract: Methods and systems for optimizing the efficiency of simultaneous data transfers throughout a data network are provided. In the system, a time division system clock includes a network time division clock policy having a plurality of time slots. The network time division clock policy identifies a unique clock code for each of the time slots. Also, a source node and a destination node each include a portion of the network time division clock policy. The time division system clock continuously transmits the unique clock code identified for a particular time slot to the source node and the destination node during the duration of the time slot. Based on the clock code, the source nodes determines if it is assigned a communication channel to transmit collision-free data to the destination node during the duration of the particular time slot.

Abstract: A device having a case, an input optical fiber and an output optical fiber and a light path extending between the input and output optical fiber. A light path interrupting element is disposed within the case and is movable from a first position at which it interrupts a portion of the light path so that a first amount of light can reach the output optical fiber to a second position at which a second amount of light can reach the output optical fiber. A retainer is moveable relative to the case from a retaining position to a disengaged position. At the retaining position the retainer is engaged with the light path interrupting element to retain the light path interrupting element at the first position, and at the disengaged position the retainer is disengaged from the light path interrupting element and the light path interrupting element is at the second position.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable is described that includes a core, a cladding over the core, and a plurality of optical events on at least one of the core and cladding. The plurality of optical events are constructed and arranged to alter a signal transmitted through the cable, where the plurality of optical events define a signature key of the cable. The signature key can be used in various electronic devices and systems, such that a mode of operation is disabled or enabled based on whether the correct fiber optic cable is installed.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods of routing data through an optical network are disclosed. One such method includes transmitting optical data via a first fiber optic network from an originating node on a first level to a second level, receiving the optical data at a destination node on a third level from the second level via a second fiber optic network, wherein the second level, connected to the first fiber optic network and the second fiber optic network, includes a first intermediate node as a primary route on the second level for transmitting the optical data from the originating node to the destination node, and a second intermediate node as an alternate route on the second level for transmitting the optical data from the originating node to the destination node when the first intermediate node fails.

Abstract: A photonic-based distributed network switch is described that updates independent ports of the switch in parallel based on information that flows through the ports to and from a passive photonic broadcast star. Because each port sees the same information via the passive photonic broadcast star, each port can harvest information from the data flow in parallel and update itself based on the harvested information.

Abstract: A photonic-based distributed network switch that utilizes multiple photonic broadcast stars and separate optical transmitters to improve overall reliability, allow load balancing, and provide failover for the network switch and the network with which the switch is used.

Abstract: A physical layer photonic protocol switch (PLPPS) that is protocol independent and switches at the optical signal level. Computing subsystem resources are linked to the PLPPS and are grouped into one or more logical system topologies. If needed, additional computing subsystem resources can be allocated to the logical system topology, during runtime. The PLPPS provides the ability to dynamically allocate computing subsystem resources to specific computing enclaves. The PLPPS manages the configuration of and controls access to the computing subsystem resources. Computing resources can then be assigned to specific logical system topologies and additional computing subsystem resources are able to be shared, added or removed, from other logical system topologies, as needs fluctuate. This physical layer switch architecture creates a dynamic computing infrastructure allowing for the sharing of a single computing subsystem resource amongst two or more logical system topologies.

Abstract: A photonic-based distributed network switch and method where the switch is designed to reduce or filter optical data frames entering a port of the switch so that only data frames that are appropriate for the port are forwarded from the port. This reduces the amount of data that needs to be handled by the port interface, which is especially important where the port may be using legacy interface technology that may be incapable of handling the volume of data entering the port.

Abstract: A computing architecture and method which provides application software or hardware the ability to dynamically allocate subsystem resources to construct computing enclaves. The architecture manages the configuration of and controls access to the subsystem resources. Subsystem resources are assigned to enclaves and additional subsystem resources are able to be added or removed as needs fluctuate. Removed subsystem resources are sanitized and returned to a resource pool, and are available for allocation. This computing architecture and method allows the creation of dynamic computing systems.

Abstract: An encryption technique that creates a unique encryption key or fingerprint based on unique physical and electrical characteristics of a target electronic assembly to be protected. The encryption key can be constructed by exploiting the manufacturing variances present in all electronic elements including active elements and passive elements. Active elements include, for example: oscillators/clocks, internal I/O controllers, external I/O controllers, memory, processors, and digital power converters. Passive elements include, for example: internal I/O interconnects, external I/O interconnects, memory buses, and power buses. The encryption key can also include one or more environmental condition thresholds.

Abstract: A method for monitoring wavelength-division multiplexed (WDM) signal for detecting signal drift of objective signals, including generation of one or more objective signals and a guard signal. The guard signal has a wavelength that is within a range defined by a guard channel. The first and second objective signals and the guard signal are wavelength-division multiplexed to generate a wavelength-division multiplexed signal. The first objective signal, the second objective signal, and the guard signal are assigned to a first multiplexed objective channel, a second multiplexed objective channel, and a multiplexed guard channel, respectively. The wavelength-division multiplexed signal is received by a monitor and then the error rate of the multiplexed guard channel is determined.

Abstract: A method for monitoring wavelength-division multiplexed (WDM) signal for detecting signal drift of objective signals, including generation of one or more objective signals and a guard signal. The guard signal has a wavelength that is within a range defined by a guard channel. The first and second objective signals and the guard signal are wavelength-division multiplexed to generate a wavelength-division multiplexed signal. The first objective signal, the second objective signal, and the guard signal are assigned to a first multiplexed objective channel, a second multiplexed objective channel, and a multiplexed guard channel, respectively. The wavelength-division multiplexed signal is received by a monitor and then the error rate of the multiplexed guard channel is determined.

Abstract: An encryption technique that creates a unique encryption key or fingerprint based on unique physical and electrical characteristics of a target electronic assembly to be protected. The encryption key can be constructed by exploiting the manufacturing variances present in all electronic elements including active elements and passive elements. Active elements include, for example: oscillators/clocks, internal I/O controllers, external I/O controllers, memory, processors, and digital power converters. Passive elements include, for example: internal I/O interconnects, external I/O interconnects, memory buses, and power buses. The encryption key can also include one or more environmental condition thresholds.

Abstract: Systems, networks, and methods of providing an Internet protocol routing network are disclosed. One Internet protocol routing network includes: a number of local subnet routers, where the routers are Internet protocol (IP) enabled; a single mode optical fiber cable, where the local subnet routers are coupled to the optical fiber cable; and one or more optical code division multiple access (OCDMA) encoder/decoder coupled to the optical fiber cable, where a number of channels associated with the local subnet routers are assigned an OCDMA signature code.