Abstract: Transparent network elements (10) pass data in a data communication plane (24) over optical links (42) and pass control information in a control communication plane (22) over a out-of-fiber/out-of-band (OF/OB) network (44), such as an IP-based network. Previously developed protection state machines (38), such as those used in traditional SONET/SDH systems can be used along with new protection state machines (38), such as shared ring protection state machines. Client State machines (40) and a signaling controller (30) interface between the protection state machines (38) and the OF/OB network (44) such that the protection state machines (38) are isolated from the technicalities of transmission in the separate network.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for implementing a constraint-based shortest path first (“CSPF”) technique for dynamically switched optical transport networks are described. One embodiment comprises a traffic network element (“TNE”) in a network comprising a traffic engineering network database (“TEND”) that stores network topology information for the network and bandwidth availability information for links in the network; and a routing engine that receives a request for a label switched path (“LSP”) with specified constraints, processes network topology information from the TEND to create a network graph comprising links meeting the specified constraints, and computes a primary path through the network, wherein the primary path comprises links selected from the network graph.

Abstract: A communication network is arranged in a ring configuration of network elements (12) coupled by working spans (16) associated protection spans (18), with multiple rings sharing network elements (12a and 12b). A shared protection span (18ab) is coupled between pairs of shared network elements (12a and 12b). A matrix 28 in a shared network element (12a or 12b) can couple any channel from one of the incoming working spans or protection spans to any channel of the shared protection span (18ab).

Abstract: A system for identifying transmission rates of an optical signal transmitted in an optical communication network includes a signal converter for converting a sample of the optical signal to an electrical signal. A frequency analyzer analyzes the electrical signal to determine energy levels of the signal at predetermined frequencies. The detected energy levels are stored in a first memory device. A second memory device stores known energy levels at predetermined frequencies for a plurality of known optical transmission standards. A comparator receives the detected energy levels stored in the first memory device and compares this information to the known transmission standards stored in the second memory device in order to identify the data transmission standard of the optical signal.

Abstract: A system for detecting wavelength error that includes one or more ordered pairs of photodetectors each of which receives an individual optical signal and is used to detect a wavelength error in that optical signal. Each individual optical signal is directed towards a corresponding pair of photodetectors. The pair of photodetectors are positioned around a region of maximum constructive interference or minimum insertion loss. A feedback circuit analyzes output signals from the photodetectors and determines wavelength error based on differences between the output signals from the photodetectors.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for forwarding data packets through a fiber optic ring network includes forwarding data packets on a packet by packet basis. A node on the fiber optic ring network decides on a packet by packet basis whether to transmit on the working or protection path. Because this decision is being made on a packet level, reservation of throughput resources no longer is made at a one to one ratio. Rather, protection path resources are reserved at a ratio significantly less than one to one. In one embodiment, no resources are reserved for path restoration or protection path routing. Rather, quality of service provisioning is used to resolve interference situations wherein instantaneous demand exceeds capacity. A node evaluates ring conditions in relation to the demand of traffic resources and the relative quality of service ratings to determine whether and how to forward a packet.

Abstract: An optical vestigial sideband transmitter includes first and second intensity-modulated light sources and a pair of optical splitters. A first and second wavelength combiner receives a portion of the outputs of the first and second intensity-modulated light sources. The first wavelength combiner filters the two modulated signals to generate two vestigial sideband signals and multiplexes them onto a single waveguide such as an optical fiber for output to an optical transmission medium. The second wavelength combiner operates in conjunction with the first wavelength combiner to automatically and precisely regulate the optical wavelengths of the light sources, such that the passband of the first wavelength combiner substantially suppresses the redundant sideband from each modulated signal. After transmission, a vestigial sideband receiver including a wavelength splitter and optical-to-electrical receivers extracts the multiplicity of vestigial sideband signals placing them on separate optical waveguides.

Abstract: A NETWORK ELEMENT TERMINAL DATA INTERFACE (NETDI) system and method incorporating a terminal user interface which permits manipulation of network elements using a hardware-specific control language is disclosed. The present invention teaches automatic generation of on-line help directly from I/O manual specifications and translation of operator commands into network element specific protocols via the use of a network element database and associated XML repository. Various preferred embodiments of the present invention incorporate the use of TL1 composer/parsers to permit the automatic generation of Translation Language 1 interfaces between an operator console and a wide variety of telecommunication network elements.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and data processing system for establishing high-availability of network resources through automatic failover, while cooperating with existing telecommunications equipment management and other systems is disclosed. Events are filtered through a series of software modules, each having a particular role to play with respect to the event. External systems may register with a “Notification Dispatcher” module, included within the series of modules, to receive notifications when particular events occur. In this way, conflicts between the high-availability system and other systems are avoided through well-defined sharing of information and delegation of responsibilities.

Abstract: An alarm collection and routing method using a multi-stage clock distribution scheme in a signaling server organized into a plurality of uniquely addressable shelves. The signaling server includes a system timing generator, one or more clock distribution modules arranged in a nested hierarchical manner, and a plurality of bus control modules, wherein each bus control module interfaces with at least a portion of line cards disposed in a shelf. The system timing generator provides a framed serial control signal, SFI, for controlling the operation of the multi-stage clock distribution scheme, which encodes the IDs of the clock distribution modules and bus control modules. Each bus control module generates a Status signal, encoding it with alarm data and line card status information. The Status signals from the bus control modules are received by the clock distribution modules connected thereto and are multiplexed into a serial TDM bitstream (EAS signal) by each clock distribution module based on its ID.

Abstract: A control circuit includes a power controller for adjusting a bias current to a laser diode to change the power output of the laser diode, the change in power having a corresponding wavelength shift effect on the nominal operating wavelength of the laser diode and a monitoring circuit for sensing the bias current to the laser diode and for generating an output signal in response to the sensed bias current. The control circuit further includes a wavelength controller which receives the output signal from the monitoring circuit and in response to the output signal compensates for the wavelength shift such that the laser diode maintains operation at the nominal wavelength.

Abstract: A method for wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) fiber delay line (FDL) optical buffer routing and scheduling of conflicted variable length data packets through an optical router. The method includes ordering of each conflicted variable length data packet and selecting each of the data packets in turn for routing based on the ordering sequence selected. The sequentially assigned conflicted data packet is assigned a wavelength in the FDL optical buffer from (n) available wavelengths, wherein (n)=&lgr;1, &lgr;1, . . . , &lgr;n, &lgr;1, &lgr;1, . . . , &lgr;n, . . . . Each data packet is converted to the sequentially assigned wavelength (n) and routed to an optical buffer according to the wavelength assignment. If the wavelength of the FDL optical buffer is fully occupied the data packet is dropped.

Abstract: A preferred WDM all optical packet switched router architecture and an integrated analysis method for determining said architecture are disclosed. The method of the present invention includes the steps of simulating, with a network simulator, the operation of a desired network topology having at least one baseline router, establishing a steady state in the network simulation, applying a router and network dimensioning algorithm to the desired network topology for a predetermined number of clock cycles, and determining the preferred network router architecture based on the predetermined number of clock cycles. The baseline router used in the method of this invention can be a WDM all optical packet switched router, and the preferred network router architecture can be a WDM all-optical packet switched router architecture.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing channel scheduling algorithms in an optical router wherein a scheduler operates pursuant to an algorithm and is capable of determining the availability of outbound data channels capable of carrying a data packet of duration B. The scheduler is further capable of selecting one channel from available data channels and assigning the data packet to the selected channel. The scheduler then updates state information of the selected data channel, but if no data channel is available to carry the data packet the data packet is dropped.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for registering a mobile node in both home and in foreign domains. A base station informs a base station router of the presence of a mobile entering the base station's coverage area by sending a mobile node advertisement message to a base station router. In addition, the mobile node sends a mobile IP registration request to the base station router. The base station router appends a base station router extension message to the mobile IP registration request (which contains an IP address of the base station router) and forwards the mobile IP registration request to a main access router. The main access router appends a multicast address extension to the mobile IP registration reply. The multicast address extension contains the multicast address allocated for the mobile node.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for cross connect matrices includes originating, center and terminating stages in both a main portion and a back-up portion that allows center stages to be switched without causing a framing error. The signal from the main portion is transmitted through both the back-up and main portions of the cross connect matrices such that a terminating line card receives a frame aligned signal from the main and back portions. The terminating line card then switches its output to be the signal produced by the back-up portion with no framing error. In the main portion, the center stage may be switched. After the center stage is switched, the terminating line card can switch again to output the signal from the main portion.

Abstract: A predistortion linearizer, transmitter and method for linearizing a nonlinear device (e.g., power amplifier, mixer) are described. The predistortion linearizer includes a coupling circuit, a diode and a direct current adjusting circuit that work together to generate a distorted signal which is reflected onto a signal path and inputted into the nonlinear device. The distorted signal compensates for at least some of the nonlinear spurs introduced by the nonlinear device to an input signal which was also applied to the signal path and inputted into the nonlinear device. As a result, the nonlinear device outputs a compensated output signal.

Abstract: A telecommunications network (30) includes a plurality of devices that communicate using a certain protocol, such as SIP. Packet phones (32) communicate with the network devices using GPSs (34). The GPSs (34) provide a GUI (graphical user interface) for the packet phones (32). As the user operates the GUI to perform functions, event data is sent to the GPS (34) associated with the phone. The GPS (34) interprets the event data and generates SIP (or other protocol) commands to create, modify and terminate communication sessions as desired by the user.

Abstract: An optical connector cleaning device for cleaning a ferrule end surface of an optical or fiberoptic connector is described. The device includes a cleaning rod, a drive mechanism, and a cleaning media, such as a swab, a brush, a pad, or a foam, connected to an end of the cleaning rod and having a thickness past the end of the cleaning rod of at least about 0.125 inches. A mating connector housing the cleaning rod may be provided for connecting with the optical connector. The drive mechanism may be housed in a handheld body or may be mounted on a dummy card connector physically compatible with a slot in a card-cage. The dummy card connector may include an adjustable frame which can be adjusted to modify card size in order for the same dummy card connector to be physically compatible with more than one physical slot configuration.

Abstract: An optical channel regulator (46) is provided. The optical channel regulator (46) includes a tapped optical coupler (60) receiving an optical line carrying an optical signal. The tapped optical coupler (60) provides substantially all of the optical signal as an output. An electrically variable optical attenuator (64) receives the output of the tapped optical coupler (60) and attenuates the optical signal responsive to a feedback control signal. A second tapped optical coupler (66) receives an output of the attenuator (64). The second coupler (66) provides substantially all of the received optical signal as an output and provides a remaining portion of the optical signal as a tapped output. An optical detector (68) then receives the tapped output and provides an output signal representing the optical signal. A comparator (70) receives the output signal of the optical detector (68) and a reference signal.