Including Optical Waveguide Patents (Class 398/200)
  • Patent number: 7424228
    Abstract: A communication system includes an optical transmitter which is differentially driven and an optical receiver that outputs a differential signal. The optical transmitter creates the differential drive signal from an input signal and delivers the differential drive signal to a laser. The differential drive signal is generated with a transformer and RF chokes for floating the laser above ground. The signal detected by the receiver is input as a differential signal to a transformer which then passes the signal through amplifiers and a filter. The optical communication system provides an increased spurious-free dynamic range which is well suited for RF signals and other analog signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Wilber Andrew Williams, Michael Gregory Abernathy
  • Patent number: 7421209
    Abstract: An optical wavelength multiplexing frequency shift keying modulation system. The system includes an optical wavelength multiplexing signal acquisition unit for outputting an optical wavelength multiplexing signal. A n optical frequency shift keying modulation unit acquires an optical frequency shift keying signal, including an upper side band signal and a lower side band signal, by performing frequency modulation to the optical wavelength multiplexing signal output from the optical wavelength multiplexing signal acquisition unit. An optical frequency shift keying signal separation unit separates the optical frequency shift keying signal output from the optical frequency shift keying modulation unit into an upper side band signal and a lower side band signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Incorporated Administrative Agency
    Inventors: Tetsuya Kawanishi, Masayuki Izutsu
  • Publication number: 20080193145
    Abstract: An optical transmitting apparatus includes an optical filter, a port that monitor light transmitted through the optical filter, a port that monitor not light transmitted through the optical filter, an optical waveguide substrate on which the optical filter and an optical waveguide which includes a port that monitors the characteristic of the light which passes through the optical filter, a semiconductor laser and a heater that is capable of independently adjust the wavelength characteristic of any of the optical waveguide and the semiconductor laser, and the optical waveguide substrate and the semiconductor laser are integrated such that the temperature of the optical waveguide substrate and the semiconductor laser can be collectively adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 7398022
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for transmitting at least a digital optical signal with return-to-zero phase-shift keying, employing a single optical modulator with dual-drive design, the encoded optical signal having improved spectral efficiency and performances and being generated by transmitters with simplified scheme; an optical communication system comprising the transmitting apparatus, a transmission line and an apparatus to receive the optical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Inventor: Mario Zitelli
  • Patent number: 7398023
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling bias and alignment in an optical signal transmitter for providing intensity modulation and DPSK modulation to an optical signal, e.g. in an RZ-DPSK modulation format. Output power in dither signals applied to the bias signals may be detected by a low speed photodetector. One or more of the bias signals may be adjusted in a low speed control loop in response to an error signal obtained by mixing the detected signal with the low frequency dither signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Tyco Telecommunications (US) Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew V. Mazurczyk, Sameh Sabet
  • Publication number: 20080138091
    Abstract: It is to provide an optical element, an optical module holder including the optical element, an optical module, and an optical connector that can attenuate with high accuracy an amount of light coupled between an optical transmission line and a photonic element using light refraction, thereby realizing appropriate optical communication while reducing manufacturing costs. A light attenuating refractive surface 7 is formed on an optical surface 4 disposed on an optical path between an optical transmission line 2 and a photonic element 3 in a main body of the optical element. The light attenuating refractive surface 7 attenuates the amount of light coupled between the optical transmission line 2 and the photonic element 3 by refracting and deflecting incident light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventor: Tomohiro Shimoguchi
  • Publication number: 20080131143
    Abstract: An optical transmission device of the invention has an optical transmitter unit 1 in which a light emitting element and a light receiving element are sealed with resin by transfer molding, and a holder 2 which holds the optical transmitter unit 1 being contained therein and which holds an optical plug being fitted therein with an optical fiber cable fixed to the optical plug. The holder 2 holds the optical plug that has been inserted from a direction generally at right angles to optical axes of the optical transmitter unit 1. The optical transmission device can easily be mounted on a printed board without necessity of a dead area for insertion/extraction of optical plug and can be small in size and thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventor: Kazuhito Nagura
  • Publication number: 20080124087
    Abstract: A method of transmission of radio signals over all types of graded-index multimode fibre is provided. The method comprises launching optical radiation into the core of the multimode fibre with a specified restricted launch to allow multiple trans-verse mode lasers transmitters to be used in low cost radio over fibre links. The launch technique allows a reduction in modal dispersion and modal interference, thus greatly improving the transmission performance of radio over fibre signals over multimode fibre as well as reducing system impairments such as outages and link failures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: Peter Hartmann, Richard Vincent Penty, Ian Hugh White, Alwyn John Seeds
  • Patent number: 7376358
    Abstract: An optical spike is generated at an arbitrarily selected location within an arbitrary optical link. The optical spike is generated by deriving a spike signal having a plurality of components, and launching the spike signal into the a transmitter end of the optical link. An initial phase relationship between the components is selected such that the involved signal components will be phase aligned at the selected location. In order to achieve this operation, the initial phase relationship between the components may be selected to offset dispersion induced phase changes between the transmitter end of the link and the selected location. One or more optical spikes can be generated at respective arbitrarily selected locations within the link, and may be used for performance monitoring, system control, or other purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: Kim Roberts, Maurice O'Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20080089697
    Abstract: An integrated DWDM transmitter apparatus includes a silica-on-silicon substrate which includes a silica layer and a silicon layer. A plurality of input waveguides and a plurality of gratings are provided within the silica layer. Each of the plurality of gratings is coupled to a corresponding one of the input waveguides. An arrayed waveguide grating within the silica layer is coupled to the plurality of input waveguides, and at least an output waveguide within the silica layer are coupled to the arrayed waveguide grating. The transmitter also includes a plurality of lasers disposed in a recessed region of the silica-on-silicon substrate, and each of the lasers is optically coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of input waveguides. The integrated transmitter also includes plurality of photodiodes, each of the plurality of photodiodes overlying a corresponding one of the plurality of grating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: FutureWei Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: XIAO ANDY SHEN, Yu Sheng Bai
  • Patent number: 7359638
    Abstract: An optical source generator for wavelength-division-multiplexing optical communication systems includes a wavelength-division multiplexer/demultiplexer, optical amplifiers, and wavelength-dependent reflectors such as optical fiber-Bragg gratings or wavelength-independent reflectors such as mirrors, so as to form laser resonant cavities. Lasing of the optical fibers therefore generates spontaneously emitted lights. Further, the optical source generator controls each reflectance of the respective wavelength-dependent or independent reflectors so that lights amplified within the laser resonant cavities can be used as multi-wavelength optical sources or independent optical sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong-Kwon Kim, Yun-Je Oh, Seong-Taek Hwang
  • Patent number: 7327910
    Abstract: An asymmetric twin waveguide (ATG) structure is disclosed that significantly reduces the negative effects of inter-modal interference in symmetric twin-waveguide structures and which can be effectively used to implement a variety of optical devices. The ATG structure of the invention can be monolithically fabricated on a single epitaxial structure without the necessity of epitaxial re-growth. To achieve the ATG structure of the invention, the effective index of the passive waveguide in the ATG is varied from that of a symmetric twin waveguide such that one mode of the even and odd modes of propagation is primarily confined to the passive waveguide and the other to the active waveguide. The different effective indices of the two coupled waveguides result in the even and odd modes becoming highly asymmetric. As a result, the mode with the larger confinement factor in the active waveguide experiences higher gain and becomes dominant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: The Trustees of Princeton University
    Inventors: Stephen R. Forrest, Milind Gokhale, Pavel Studenkov
  • Patent number: 7321733
    Abstract: An optical transmission system including an optical transmitting device and an optical receiving device. The optical transmitting device includes a data signal splitting section for splitting data signal information into at least two parts and generating at least two electrical signals having different center frequencies and bands, a frequency multiplexing section for performing frequency multiplexing for the at least two electrical signals, and an electrical-to-optical conversion section for converting the frequency-multiplexed signal to an optical signal and sending it to an optical transmission path. The optical receiving device includes an optical-to-electrical conversion section for converting the optical signal to a frequency-multiplexed signal, a band demultiplexing section for demultiplexing the frequency-multiplexed signal to obtain at least two electrical signals, and a data signal recovering section for recovering the data signal based on the at least two demultiplexed electrical signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Ikushima, Masaru Fuse
  • Patent number: 7315697
    Abstract: A multiple wavelength light source generates an output signal having a comb of accurately spaced apart frequencies with variable free spectral range in the C-band of optical fiber communication. The light source employs an electro-optical modulator (EOM) driven by a signal generator which modulates with EOM with multiple modulation frequencies to widen the output spectrum of signal. The EOM has a crystal provided with a waveguide. The waveguide may be doped with a rare-earth metal to impart gain properties to equalize the intensities of the comb. In one preferred embodiment, Er, Yt or other doping elements provide the gain property to waveguides. The crystal is also provided with periodically poled structure, and this may be engineered so as to form domains of unequal widths to improve the efficiency of modulation. The output signal from the light source may be split and presented to a bank of filters to create a multiple signals, each signal having one of the spaced apart frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: CeLight, Inc.
    Inventors: Israel Smilanski, Isaac Shpantzer, Jacob B. Khurgin, Nadejda Reingand, Pak Shing Cho, Yaakov Achiam
  • Publication number: 20070297810
    Abstract: An antisqueezed light generator system is built with only the components for optical communications with long-term reliability. A cw-LD light is made pulses by an intensity modulator and amplified by an optical amplifier. The amplified optical pulses are made short by high-order soliton pulse compression effect at a first optical fiber and peak power is increased. A fluctuation is expanded in a phase direction through propagation in a second optical fiber. Because an initial fluctuation is amplified by the optical amplifier, the fluctuation expanded in the phase direction is increased to the extent of the amplification and sufficient antisqueezing strength can be obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventor: TATSUYA TOMARU
  • Patent number: 7302190
    Abstract: In an optical transmitting or receiving apparatus, a plurality of replaceable electro-optic converters or a plurality of replaceable opto-electric converters are provided in correspondence with optical transmission lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Nec Corporation
    Inventors: Masataka Goto, Kenji Sato
  • Publication number: 20070248363
    Abstract: An optical transmission module of the invention uses a semiconductor chip forming an optical modulator integrated laser on a semi-insulating semiconductor board. An input transfer line and an anode electrode of an optical modulator element are connected by a first bonding wire. The anode electrode of the optical modulator element and one of the ends of a terminal resistor element are connected by a second bonding wire. A cathode electrode of the optical modulator element and the other end of the terminal resistor element are connected by a third bonding wire. The cathode electrode of the optical modulator element and a ground electrode are connected by a fourth bonding wire. A joint portion between the first bonding wire and the input transfer line is arranged on an opposite side to a joint portion between the fourth bonding wire and the ground electrode while interposing the semiconductor chip between them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Inventor: Osamu Kagaya
  • Patent number: 7275878
    Abstract: The present invention relates to controlling parameters of an optical output of an optical transmitter. An optical package can be selected based on a level of attenuation of a parameter of a transmitter output by the optical package. The laser and the optical package can be assembled and a parameter of the transmitter output can be measured. An optical barrel can be selected based on the measurement, wherein the optical barrel is selected based on an attenuation level to satisfy a range of a desired parameter value. The optical package and the optical barrel can be assembled. A system for assembling the optical device is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventors: Gary Landry, Norman Brent Stapleton, James K. Guenter, Jimmy A. Tatum
  • Patent number: 7277603
    Abstract: A method of modulating an optical carrier. A target carrier modulation is computed based on an input data signal. An effective length of an optical modulator is then controlled based on the target carrier modulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: Kim B. Roberts, Michel Belanger
  • Patent number: 7272323
    Abstract: A bi-directional (BiDi) electrical to optical converter (transceiver) module is described that contains means for communicating in a full duplex fashion over one fiber. Furthermore, an automatic fail-over capability is included which allows redundancy to be build in to the transceiver. In one configuration, a BiDi transceiver module contains two lasers at different wavelengths and a means for establishing which wavelength to communicate with. An example of an application for the described invention is a storage area network application which requires redundant links and are currently bound by the number of fibers connecting to the front panels of switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Omron Network Products, LLC
    Inventors: Eric B. Grann, Curtis A. Ray, Todd Whitaker, Michael J. Laha, Brian Peters
  • Patent number: 7269358
    Abstract: An optical transmitter for an optical fiber transmission system is described. The optical transmitter includes an optical source that generates an optical signal having a wavelength at an output. An optical intensity modulator modulates the optical signal with an electrical modulation signal to generate a modulated optical signal at an output. At least one parameter of the optical intensity modulator is chosen to suppress at least one of phase and sideband information in the modulated optical signal. An optical fiber is coupled to the output of the optical intensity modulator. The suppression of the at least one of the phase and the sideband information in the modulated optical signal increases an effective modal bandwidth of the optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Optium Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Hallemeier, Mark Colyar, Eitan Gertal, Heider Ereifej
  • Patent number: 7263296
    Abstract: In a system connecting a transmitter and a receiver using transmission paths and repeaters (in-line amplifiers), red chirping whose ? parameter is performed for an optical signal on a transmitting side. Each of the repeaters includes a dispersion-compensator for compensating the amount of dispersion on a preceding transmission path. The amount of dispersion compensation of the dispersion-compensator included in the transmitter is made constant. The dispersion-compensator included in the receiver is arranged in order to compensate the amount of dispersion on a preceding transmission path. A spread of a pulse width on a transmission path can be efficiently compensated by using the compensation capability of the dispersion-compensators and the red chirping on the transmitting side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Akira Miyauchi, Kazuo Yamane, Yumiko Kawasaki, Satoru Okano
  • Patent number: 7263287
    Abstract: An apparatus for accelerating assessment of an optical transmission system using Bit Error Rate (BER) tests calculates Q-factors for at least two different extinction ratios from measured test BER values, and extrapolates to determine a Q-factor for an operational extinction ratio, whereby the operational BER value for the operational extinction ratio can be calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Yu Xu
  • Patent number: 7254342
    Abstract: A method is provided for transmitting information in an optical communication system that includes transmitting an optical information signal at a wavelength over an optical link with a first and second end. The optical information signal is pre-distorted for dispersion proximate the first end of the optical link. The optical information signal is then compensated proximate the second end of the optical link for dispersion, wherein the pre-distortion and the compensation have opposite polarity at the transmitting wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Kaori Odate, Olga I. Vassilieva, Takeshi Hoshida
  • Patent number: 7248801
    Abstract: In a bidirectional optical communications module capable of all-dual-mode communications using a single optical fiber, interference due to internally scattered light is reduced by forming a diverging area on a periphery of a transmission lens and providing a thin film reflection mirror which collects incoming light. A inexpensive, compact bidirectional optical communications module can be offered with reduced interference between outgoing and incoming light, especially, interference due to internally scattered light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideaki Fujita, Yorishige Ishii, Toshihiro Tamura
  • Patent number: 7248798
    Abstract: A method and system for identification of a channel in an optical network is provided. The channel is identified by the use of unique combinations of two or more low frequencies, or tones, modulated onto the channel and optionally, a network parameter associated with the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Tropic Networks Inc.
    Inventors: Paul David Obeda, Derrick Remedios, Ping Wai Wan, Colin Geoffrey Kelly
  • Patent number: 7248800
    Abstract: An optical receiver includes a first light receiving element to convert an optical signal to an electric signal and to output the electric signal from one end. A light receiving element row is connected to the other end of the first light receiving element to supply electric power to the first light receiving element. The light receiving element row includes a plurality of second light receiving elements connected in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Shimada, Asako Ikeda, Shigeyuki Sakura
  • Patent number: 7239814
    Abstract: A first peak hold circuit holds a peak potential of a positive phase voltage signal output from a differential output amplifier, and a second peak hold circuit holds a peak potential of a negative phase voltage signal output from the differential output amplifier. An adding circuit adds an output signal of the first peak hold circuit and an output signal of the second peak hold circuit. A differential input amplifier amplifies and outputs a voltage difference between a reference voltage and an addition result voltage signal of the adding circuit. A current output circuit outputs a DC current based on an output voltage of the differential input amplifier. A current switch circuit converts a DC current to a pulse current so as to supply the pulse current to a laser diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tokio Miyasita
  • Patent number: 7209660
    Abstract: An optical communications system includes a receiver subsystem with at least two heterodyne receivers. The receiver subsystem receives a composite optical signal having two or more subbands of information and corresponding tones. An optical splitter splits the composite optical signal into optical signals. Each optical signal includes a subband(s) and corresponding tone. Each heterodyne receiver receives an optical signal. The receiver includes a heterodyne detector coupled to a signal extractor. The heterodyne detector mixes the optical signal with an optical local oscillator to produce an electrical signal which includes a frequency down-shifted version of the subband and the tone of the optical signal. The signal extractor mixes the frequency down-shifted subband with the frequency down-shifted tone to produce a frequency component containing the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Forster Energy LLC
    Inventors: Ting K Yee, Peter H Chang
  • Patent number: 7203402
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating a frequency comb and for its use in analyzing materials and in telecommunications. The frequency comb is generated by passing pulsed light from a laser through an optical fiber having a constriction. The frequency comb comprises a plurality of monochromatic components separated in frequency by a substantially constant frequency increment. The monochromatic components are used to probe materials for analysis. In preferred embodiments, the materials are DNA, RNA, PNA and other biologically important molecules and polymers. Optical responses are observed and used to analyze or identify samples. In telecommunication applications, the individual monochromatic components serve as carriers for individual communication channels that can carry information of any of a variety of types, such as voice, data and images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Menlo Biocombs, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodor W. Haensch, Michael Mei, Ronald Holzwarth, Frederick R. Blume
  • Patent number: 7194211
    Abstract: Optical transmitter/receivers for use in a DWDM systems are provided. Transmission of data signals in a quadrature-return-to-zero (QRZ) format achieves a data transmission rate equal to eight times a base data rate, i.e., 80 Gbps over a 100 GHz channel if the base data rate is 10 Gbps, with high non-linear performance by setting the polarization state of the data bands such that non-linear effects induced by PMD are reduced. Additionally, a transmitter achieves a transmission data rate equal to 16 times the base data rate by sharpening the QRZ pulses and interleaving pulse-sharpened QRZ data signals in the time domain, further doubling the data rate. Using counterpropagation in the transmitter, carrier signals and data signals traverse the same length of fiber, reducing fringing effects in the transmitter. Related techniques enhance reception and detection of data at high data rates. A local pulse-sharpened carrier is mixed with a QRZ data signal at a detector reducing amplification noise by a factor of two.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Teradvance Communications LLC
    Inventors: Marcel F. C. Schemmann, Zoran Maricevic, Bogdan Hoanca
  • Patent number: 7187821
    Abstract: A method and system for suppression of the optical carrier of an optically modulated digital signal, the method comprising the steps of: modulating the amplitude of an optical carrier with digital input data to generate an amplitude modulated optical signal; and modulating the frequency of the optical carrier of the resulting optical signal with the same digital input data. A fiber optic system comprising: an optical source adapted to produce an adiabatically chirped amplitude modulated optical signal; an optical fiber adapted to receive the optical signal; and an optical receiver; wherein the optical power of the signal launched into the fiber exceeds the stimulated Brillouin threshold of the transmission fiber for a single frequency, continuous wave signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Matsui, Daniel Mahgerefteh
  • Patent number: 7184660
    Abstract: The invention describes methods and systems for monitoring the performance of an optical network by marking a group of optical signals with a set of identification tags which are unique to network characteristics. In the preferred embodiments, fiber identification (FID) and bundle identification (BID) tags are encoded into optical signals by marking an optical signal with low frequency dither tones whose frequencies are unique to the fiber section and to a bundle of fibers respectively. Detecting of the FID and BID tones provides more effective and accurate monitoring of performance of the optical network and allows determining of the network topology, e.g. paths of optical channels and traffic load through different fiber sections in the network. Other sets of hierarchically arranged identifiers encoded into optical signals have also been proposed, including band, conduit, city, region, country, etc. identifiers, as well as identifiers related to network security and service characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Tropic Networks Inc.
    Inventors: Wen Liu, Paul David Obeda, Niranjan Vethanayagam, Dan Oprea
  • Patent number: 7164862
    Abstract: An optical signal transmitter is disclosed that transmits an optical signal with corresponding Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) channels and Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) channels. The transmitter is comprised of a laser, a dispersion system, and a modulator. The laser generates and transmits a narrow laser pulse comprised of a plurality of wavelength channels. The dispersion system broadens the narrow laser pulse into a wide laser pulse. The modulator modulates the wide laser pulse based on an electric modulation signal comprised of a plurality of time slot channels wherein the time slot channels in the electric modulation signal correspond to the wavelength channels in the wide laser pulse respectively. The modulator transfers a modulated wide laser pulse. Channels of the modulated wide laser pulse are hybrid wavelength and time slot channels. The transmitter singularly transmits a WDM optical signal comprised of multiple wavelength channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Chao-Xiang Shi, Li-Ping Chen
  • Patent number: 7139491
    Abstract: Extremely advanced technology for scrambling an optical signal based on quantum mechanical fluctuation is used to provide a highly reliable optical communication method which can invalidate illicit activities such as wire-tapping, a system, and a laser oscillator which is used in the method and system. A transmitter side generates laser light, simultaneously oscillated at a plurality of wavelengths, the total number of generated photons being constant, and transmits a signal light comprising data which has been added to the light of the plurality of wavelengths; and at a receiving side, light, simultaneously oscillated at the plurality of wavelengths, is selected from the signal light, and the data is demodulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshitada Katagiri, Etsu Hashimoto, Kenichi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7127182
    Abstract: A transmitter for optical communication systems includes a source of optical radiation, a source of complex non-information signals, and a modulator unit in communication with the source of optical radiation. The modulator unit is also in communication with the source of complex non-information signals. The modulator has an input adapted to receive information-bearing signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Broadband Royalty Corp.
    Inventors: Paul J. Matthews, Paul D. Biernacki, Sandeep T. Vohra
  • Patent number: 7127174
    Abstract: A novel optical time division multiplexing (OTDM) module based on hybrid-integrated optical chips is disclosed. An integrated modulator chip generates optical RZ signal streams which are then interleaved in an integrated time-delay chip to produce an OTDM signal. The integrated modulator chip is coupled and secured to the integrated time-delay chip via a suitable optical index-matching layer or collimating lenses. Such an approach alleviates the stability problems offered by conventional fiber-based OTDM technology and aids in reducing the size and complexity as well as lowering the cost for the assembly. Furthermore, the time-delay chip of the present invention offers fine tuning capabilities thereby allowing for slight adjustments in the interleaving of optical signal streams when non-standard data transmission rates are required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Oplink Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Tiangong Liu, Jinghui Li, Tongqing Wang
  • Patent number: 7127183
    Abstract: The output monitor/control device is provided with: Mach-Zehnder circuit 104 that receives a light beam, branches the light beam into two light beams having a phase difference of 180°, and transmits each of the light beams, exhibiting a periodic optical transmittance-optical frequency characteristic a period of a frequency interval corresponding to a predetermined free spectral range; first and second photodiodes that each receive one of two light beams supplied from the Mach-Zehnder circuit; calculation circuit 108 that calculates a predefined discrimination formula for evaluating wavelength change of the light beam based on output currents of the photodiodes; and wavelength control circuit 111 that detects change in wavelength based on the calculation results by the calculation circuit and adjusts the wavelength to a set value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Takefumi Oguma
  • Patent number: 7110672
    Abstract: A detector outputs a detection signal indicating amplitude variation of an input frequency-multiplexed signal. An amplitude controller adjusts the amplitude of the frequency-multiplexed signal by referring to the detection signal. A modulator modulates the amplitude-adjusted frequency-multiplexed signal to produce a predetermined modulated signal. A second multiplexer multiplexes the modulated signal and the detection signal to produce a multiplexed signal. An optical transmitter converts the multiplexed signal into an optical signal, and then sends it out to an optical transmission path. An optical receiver converts the received optical signal into an electrical signal. A separator separates the modulated and detection signals from the electrical signal. A demodulator demodulates the modulated signal to output the frequency-multiplexed signal. An amplitude adjuster adjusts the amplitude of the frequency-multiplexed signal by referring to the detection signal to reproduce the original amplitude variation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaru Fuse
  • Patent number: 7072543
    Abstract: An apparatus for transmission of free space optical communication system signals employing a spatially-extended light source and method of using the same. A laser beam source directs an optical signal into a free end of a segment of multimode fiber. As the optical signal passes through the segment of multimode fiber, the optical signal is converted into a mode-scrambled optical signal. This mode-scrambled signal may then be used as a spatially-extended light source that is directed outward as an optical beam through the use of a collimating lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Terabeam Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Pierce, John A. Bell, Carrie Sjaarda Cornish, David Rush
  • Patent number: 7068949
    Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-wavelength locking method for a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) optical communication network, and in particular, a multi-wavelength locking method and apparatus for a WDM optical communication system that can lock wavelengths of optical signals by producing pilot tones by applying a sine-wave current to a plurality of transmission lasers having different wavelengths, passing the optical signal through a Fabry-Perot etalon filter, and then Fourier-transforming the filtered optical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology
    Inventors: Yeun Chol Jung, Keun Joo Park, Seung Gyun Shin, Ho Chul Ji
  • Patent number: 7062172
    Abstract: A detector outputs a detection signal indicating amplitude variation of an input frequency-multiplexed signal. An amplitude controller adjusts the amplitude of the frequency-multiplexed signal by referring to the detection signal. A modulator modulates the amplitude-adjusted frequency-multiplexed signal to produce a predetermined modulated signal. A second multiplexer multiplexes the modulated signal and the detection signal to produce a multiplexed signal. An optical transmitter converts the multiplexed signal into an optical signal, and then sends it out to an optical transmission path. An optical receiver converts the received optical signal into an electrical signal. A separator separates the modulated and detection signals from the electrical signal. A demodulator demodulates the modulated signal to output the frequency-multiplexed signal. An amplitude adjuster adjusts the amplitude of the frequency-multiplexed signal by referring to the detection signal to reproduce the original amplitude variation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaru Fuse
  • Patent number: 7050723
    Abstract: Extremely advanced technology for scrambling an optical signal based on quantum mechanical fluctuation is used to provide a highly reliable optical communication method which can invalidate illicit activities such as wire-tapping, a system, and a laser oscillator which is used in the method and system. A transmitter side generates laser light, simultaneously oscillated at a plurality of wavelengths, the total number of generated photons being constant, and transmits a signal light comprising data which has been added to the light of the plurality of wavelengths; and at a receiving side, light, simultaneously oscillated at the plurality of wavelengths, is selected from the signal light, and the data is demodulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshitada Katagiri, Etsu Hashimoto, Kenichi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7025461
    Abstract: A display system includes a waveguide optical panel having an inlet face and an opposite outlet face. A projector cooperates with a digital imaging device, e.g. a digital micromirror imaging device, for projecting an image through the panel for display on the outlet face. The imaging device includes an array of mirrors tiltable between opposite display and divert positions. The display positions reflect an image light beam from the projector through the panel for display on the outlet face. The divert positions divert the image light beam away from the panel, and are additionally used for reflecting a probe light beam through the panel toward the outlet face. Covering a spot on the panel, e.g. with a finger, reflects the probe light beam back through the panel toward the inlet face for detection thereat and providing interactive capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Brookhaven Science Associates
    Inventors: James T. Veligdan, Leonard DeSanto, Lisa Kaull, legal representative, Calvin Brewster, deceased
  • Patent number: 6993258
    Abstract: A WDM transmitter comprising an array of M pump lasers multiplexed by an M×N multiplexer, in the form of a coupler, and used to feed an array of N optically pumped fiber lasers emitting at wavelengths ?1, ?2, . . . ?N. The parameter M determines the number of pump lasers as well as the number of inputs of the pump-multiplexing coupler and can be smaller or equal to parameter N that determines the number of optically pumped lasers. The fiber laser outputs are passed through N isolators before entering N modulators were the signals are monolithically modulated. The outputs of the modulators are passed through an array of N tunable attenuators. Finally all the individual channel outputs are recombined into a single output in a combiner. The output will typically lead to an optical network. The proposed architecture may also be used for optical amplifiers, especially fiber-based optical amplifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: University of Southampton
    Inventors: David Neil Payne, Michael Nickolaos Zervas, Morten Ibsen
  • Patent number: 6963697
    Abstract: A method of decoding a signal in an optical fiber. In one embodiment the method includes receiving the optical signal, wherein the optical signal is a pulse amplitude modulated signal. Converting the optical signal to an electrical signal. Comparing the electrical signal with a plurality of levels. Producing comparison output signals based on the comparison of the electrical signal with the plurality of levels. Processing the comparison output signals on a clock to produce processed output signals and latching the processed output signals on a clock signal to generate the plurality of serial, digital data streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Aravanan Gurusami, Joseph F. Chiappetta
  • Patent number: 6950610
    Abstract: An optical communication interface module includes a combined transmission module and a combined reception module. The combined transmission module processes a D+ electrical data signal and a D? electrical data signal, and combines and transmits the same through a first optical fiber line. The combined reception module processes the D+ and D? electrical data signals combined and received through a second optical fiber line, and applies the D+ and D? electrical data signals to a D+ port and D? port, respectively. The combined transmission module includes a transmission driving circuit that generates an optical data signal corresponding to one of the D+ and D? electrical data signals, and a transmission control switch that controls the optical data signal to have a level of brightness higher than a first set value while the D+ and D? electrical data signals are both maintained at a logic ‘low’ state, and controls the transmission driving circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Opticis Co., LTD
    Inventor: Seung-ill Lee
  • Patent number: 6928246
    Abstract: A detector outputs a detection signal indicating amplitude variation of an input frequency-multiplexed signal. An amplitude controller adjusts the amplitude of the frequency-multiplexed signal by referring to the detection signal. A modulator modulates the amplitude-adjusted frequency-multiplexed signal to produce a predetermined modulated signal. A second multiplexer multiplexes the modulated signal and the detection signal to produce a multiplexed signal. An optical transmitter converts the multiplexed signal into an optical signal, and then sends it out to an optical transmission path. An optical receiver converts the received optical signal into an electrical signal. A separator separates the modulated and detection signals from the electrical signal. A demodulator demodulates the modulated signal to output the frequency-multiplexed signal. An amplitude adjuster adjusts the amplitude of the frequency-multiplexed signal by referring to the detection signal to reproduce the original amplitude variation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaru Fuse
  • Patent number: 6920289
    Abstract: This invention extends the range of optical data of mobile device by trading speed for distance as well as integrating a plurality of pulses over time to define a single bit of information. The present invention uses a number of integrated pulses to represent a single bit instead of utilizing a one to one correspondence between pulses and bits. The present invention executes a range extender application which executes on the mobile device without any hardware modification to the mobile device. The range extender application causes the optical transmitter to “stutter” or repetitively emanate the identical pulse representing a bit of information. Sufficient photons are thereby gathered at a receiver to reach a predetermined threshold. A tradeoff of the data transmission frequency in this invention is that a signal intensity drops by a factor of 100 when distance increases by a factor of 10 yielding a distance/intensity ratio of {fraction (1/10)}.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas G. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 6871023
    Abstract: A spread polarization transmitter for transmitting at least one light signal comprises a spread-spectrum communication apparatus and a polarization modulator. The spread-spectrum communication apparatus modulates the at least one light signal according to a spread-spectrum modulation technique. The polarization modulator comprises a polarizer and a magnetic bubble waveguide. The polarizer is capable of polarizing the at least one spread-spectrum modulated light signal in a polarized direction. And the magnetic bubble waveguide, which is configured in accordance with a pseudo-random polarization code sequence such that the plurality of magnetic bubble domains assume a time varying position representative of the pseudo-random polarization code sequence, is capable of receiving at least one polarized, spread-spectrum modulated light signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Atmur, Jeffrey H. Hunt