Abstract: An optical network, which includes edge and switching nodes, optically communicate information formatted into statistically multiplexed control and data bursts and/or metadata that are framed within Wide Area Network Interface Sublayer (WIS) frames for 10 Gb/s Ethernet according to the IEEE 802.3ae Standard. Frames with control bursts are transmitted prior to frames with related data bursts to configure optical switches in selected switching nodes so that the frames with the data bursts do not require O-E-O conversion. Another optical network uses frames that are data-rate and format compatible with the OC-192 synchronous optical network (SONET) transmission format. The ingress node to the optical network inserts the MAC address of the egress node rather than the IP address of the data destination. For both networks, mapping table information is exchanged in the optical network in an out-of-band network.

Abstract: Method, apparatus, and system architecture for performing handovers between heterogeneous wireless networks. While receiving wireless service from a base station for a first wireless network, a mobile subscriber station (MSS) device roams within range of one or more access points (APs) corresponding to a second wireless network. The MSS obtains parameters for each AP quantifying the wireless service available via that AP. The parameters are employed as inputs to a handover decision algorithm to determine if a handover of service from the first wireless network to an AP for the second wireless network is to be performed. In one embodiment, the handover decision algorithm is effected via a fuzzy logic controller that is implemented via execution of software on the MSS.

Abstract: Method and system of secured direct link set-up (DLS) for wireless networks. In accordance with aspects of the method, techniques are disclosed for setting up computationally secure direct links between stations in a wireless network in a manner that is computationally secure. A direct link comprising a new communication session is set up between first and second stations in a wireless local area network (WLAN) hosted by an access point (AP), the direct link comprising a new communication session. The AP generates a unique session key for the new communication session and transfers secured copies of the session key to each of the first and second stations in a manner under which only the first and second stations can obtain the session key. A security mechanism is then implemented on the unsecured direct link to secure the direct link between the first and second stations using a secure session key derived from the session key.

Abstract: An intelligent optical burst switching module for use in an optical switching network includes an optical receiver array, optical transmitter array, a core switch unit and a control unit. The core switch unit routes optical control and data signals received via a plurality of optical input lines to the optical receiver array and a plurality of output lines, respectively. The optical output lines provide propagation paths for a plurality of TDM channels. The optical receiver array converts the optical control signal to an electrical signal. The control unit processes the converted control signal and, responsive thereto, causes the core switch unit to route at least a portion of the data signal to one of the TDM channels. The control unit also causes the optical transmitter to generate a new optical control signal and cause the switch unit to route the new control signal to another of the TDM channels.

Abstract: A method is presented comprising receiving a broadband signal at a receiver in accordance with a first modulation technique, tuning the receiver to a channel within the broadband signal, and modifying one or more operational parameters of the receiver to demodulate the channel in accordance with a second modulation technique to determine whether the channel is a data channel.

Abstract: A waveguide Bragg grating (WBG) is apodized by varying the duty cycle of selected grating periods while fixing the pitch of the grating periods. In one embodiment, the WBG is implemented in a silicon substrate using polysilicon filled trenches of varying width while keeping the grating periods' pitch constant. The polysilicon trenches are formed so that if the width of one trench is increased compared to an adjacent grating period, the trench width in the other adjacent grating period (if present) is decreased.

Abstract: Method and system of network management and protocol software architectures for mobile broadband wireless networks. One embodiment of the software architecture employs a proxy Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) agent at a base station in the network. The proxy SNMP agent communicates with an SNMP manager at a network management system (NMS) using SNMP messages to send Management Information Base (MIB) objects between the NMS and the base station. The proxy SNMP agent communicates with a mobile subscriber station (MSS) using media access control (MAC) messages. The protocol software architecture further includes a management plane service access point (SAP) and a control plane SAP deployed in the MSS. The architecture enables specific parameters corresponding to dynamic service flows and Quality of Service to be retrieved from and written to an MSS using proxy SNMP agents at the base stations.

Abstract: A method and system for network management and service provisioning for mobile broadband wireless networks. The method and system employ a network management system (NMS) to manage nodes corresponding to base stations (BS) and mobile subscriber stations (MSS). A service flow database is used to store data relating to pre-provisioned dynamic service flows for subscribers having service agreements with a service provider for the mobile broadband wireless network. Management Information Bases (MIBs) are hosted by the various BSs in the network. The MIBs contain tabulated data that is used to define and provision dynamic service flows. The MIBs are structured to enable management of the MIBs via Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) messaging and SNMP agents operating on SNMP managed nodes for the BSs. Hand-over methods are also supported that forward service flow information between a serving BS and a target BS to pre-provision service flows at the target BS.

Abstract: Method and system to support fast hand-over of mobile subscriber stations in broadband wireless networks. In connection with a hand-over process, a determination is made to which target base station (BS) an air interface for a mobile subscriber station (MSS) is to be handed-over. Various service requirements are requested by the MSS, including a Quality of Service (QoS) level. Based on feedback from potential target BSs, a target BS for hand-over is selected. Current connection context data corresponding to current service flows provided by a serving BS is passed to the target BS to pre-provision service such that a minimal amount of re-entry messaging is required. In one embodiment, a Management Information Base (MIB) instance is maintained at each BS in a broadband wireless network. To pre-provision service, applicable connection context data are transferred between MIB instances at the serving and target BS using Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) messaging.

Abstract: A method and system for network management and service provisioning for broadband wireless networks. The method and system employ a network management system (NMS) to manage nodes corresponding to base stations (BS) and subscriber stations (SS). A service flow database is used to store data relating to pre-provisioned dynamic service flows for subscribers having service agreements with a service provider for the broadband wireless network. Management Information Bases (MIBs) are hosted by the various BSs in the network, along with the SSs. The MIBs contain tabulated data that is used to define and provision dynamic service flows. The MIBs are structured to enable management of the MIBs via Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) messaging and SNMP agents operating on the SNMP managed nodes for the BSs and SSs.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to authenticate base and subscriber stations and secure sessions for broadband wireless networks, such as IEEE P802.16-based networks. The apparatus employs a trusted platform module (TPM) to generate security keys, including attestation identity keys (AIKs). A subscriber station (SS) generates an AIK key pair for a specific authentication server (AS) operated by a broadband wireless network, and sends the public AIK key to the AS during a one-time service signup process. In response to an access request, the SS sends authentication information including a manifest signed with the SS's private AIK key. The SS may then be authenticated by the AS via use of the SS's public AIK key. The AS may be authenticated by the SS using a similar process, thus supporting mutual authentication via AIK keys. The TPM may also be used to verify a current configuration of a subscriber station platform is an authorized configuration.

Abstract: A waveguide Bragg grating (WBG) is apodized by varying the duty cycle of selected grating periods while fixing the pitch of the grating periods. In one embodiment, the WBG is implemented in a silicon substrate using polysilicon filled trenches of varying width while keeping the grating periods' pitch constant. The polysilicon trenches are formed so that if the width of one trench is increased compared to an adjacent grating period, the trench width in the other adjacent grating period (if present) is decreased.

Abstract: A method and architecture for secure transmission of data within optical switched networks. In one embodiment, the optical switched network comprises a photonic burst-switched (PBS) network. Under various schemes, security keys are distributed to each edge node in a PBS network. A source edge node uses an encryption key to encrypt selected data bursts to be sent to a destination edge node via a virtual lightpath coupling the source and destination edge nodes. Security data are embedded in a control burst header indicates to the destination node whether corresponding data bursts sent via the virtual lightpath are encrypted. The security data may also identify an encryption/decryption algorithm and decryption keys to be used. Keys and/or certificates may be generated by or provided to the edge nodes. In some embodiments, public key infrastructure facilities are used in conjunction with employment of private and public keys and certificates.

Abstract: A method and architecture for secure transmission of data within optical-switched networks. In one embodiment, the optical switched network comprises a photonic burst-switched (PBS) network. Under various schemes, security keys including encryption and decryption keys are generated by edge nodes and the decryption keys are distributed to other edge nodes in a PBS network. In one embodiment, the security keys are dynamically generated by a trusted platform module (TPM). A source edge node uses its encryption key to encrypt selected data bursts to be sent to a destination edge node via a virtual lightpath coupling the source and destination edge nodes. Security data are embedded in a control burst header indicates to the destination node whether corresponding data bursts sent via the virtual lightpath are encrypted. The security data also includes the decryption key and may also identify an encryption/decryption algorithm to be used.

Abstract: A method and system for routing high-speed data to and from SANs (Storage Area Networks and Server Area Networks) via optical burst-switched (OBS) networks. OBS network components, including edge nodes and switching nodes, are coupled between SAN islands. In one embodiment, the OBS network comprises a photonic burst-switched (PBS) network. Under one scheme, a PBS edge node and SAN gateway are co-located at the interface to the SAN, while a plurality of PBS switching nodes are deployed between the PBS edge nodes. Under another scheme, PBS switching/edge nodes are co-located at respective SANs. This scheme employs an external gateway protocol (EGP) for routing data via selected route segments. Data going to and received from a SAN is packaged as Fibre Channel Frames. Data transmitted via the PBS network is converted into PBS frames having encapsulated Fibre Channel Frames. The schemes also support interfaces with legacy networks, such as LANs and WANs.

Abstract: A semiconductor-based gain equalization device, method and apparatus. In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a semiconductor material. An optical path is included through the semiconductor material and is optically coupled to receive and transmit an optical beam. The gain equalization device is disposed in the semiconductor material. The optical gain equalization device includes a plurality of Bragg gratings disposed in the semiconductor material optically coupled to receive and transmit the optical beam. Each of the plurality of Bragg gratings have a different Bragg wavelength. The optical beam is to be directed from plurality of Bragg gratings with a non-uniform spectral response to compensate for the spectral non-uniformity of optical amplifiers.

Abstract: An architecture and method for performing dynamic route discovery and time slot reservation provisioning within optical-switched networks. The method employs extensions to the RSVP-TE signaling protocol, which uses various messages to reserve resources. Under a peer routing embodiment, routing trees and resource availability data are maintained by the edge nodes. A lightpath route is dynamically selected based on selection criteria applied to the routing tree data and the availability of resources along the lightpath. Link state information, including resource reservation data, is broadcast by the switching nodes to update the edge nodes of their resource availability. A resource reservation message is passed between nodes defined by an explicit route contained in the message, and resource availability is confirmed for the entire lightpath prior to confirming the resource reservations.

Abstract: A semiconductor-based tunable optical dispersion compensation method and apparatus for multiple channels. In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a semiconductor material. An optical path through the semiconductor material is included. The optical path is optically coupled to receive an optical beam. A nonlinearly chirped Bragg grating is disposed in the semiconductor material. The optical path includes the nonlinearly chirped Bragg grating to substantially reduce chromatic dispersion in the optical beam.

Abstract: An architecture and method for performing dynamic route discovery and variable time slot reservation provisioning within optical-switched networks. The method employs extensions to the RSVP-TE signaling protocol, which uses various messages to reserve network resources. Under an overlay routing embodiment, network resources are reserved via a resource reservation message that is sent hop-by-hop between switching nodes, wherein the next hops are dynamically selected based on routing tree tables in the switching nodes. The concatenation of hops forms the route for the reserved lightpath. The resource reservation request is passed between nodes defined by a dynamically routed path, and resource availability is confirmed for the entire lightpath prior to confirming the resource reservations.

Abstract: A semiconductor-based gain equalization device, method and apparatus. In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a semiconductor material. An optical path is included through the semiconductor material and is optically coupled to receive and transmit an optical beam. The gain equalization device is disposed in the semiconductor material. The optical gain equalization device includes a plurality of Bragg gratings disposed in the semiconductor material optically coupled to receive and transmit the optical beam. Each of the plurality of Bragg gratings have a different Bragg wavelength. The optical beam is to be directed from plurality of Bragg gratings with a non-uniform spectral response to compensate for the spectral non-uniformity of optical amplifiers.