Abstract: A telecommunications network is provided for establishing communication between at least one originating station and at least one destination station. The network includes a plurality of IP switches for addressing and routing data in accordance with an Internet protocol and an ATM protocol. A server, which is coupled to at least one of the IP switches, receives at least one service attribute requested by the originating station in communication with the IP switch. A network control point (NCP) is employed to provide data, in response to a request from the server, pertaining to the service attribute. At least one address database is associated with each of the IP switches. The address database includes a subset of the data available in the NCP.

Abstract: A method is provided of trimming the optical coupling ratio of an optical coupler to a prescribed value. The optical coupler is formed from a plurality of waveguides which each include a core and cladding. In accordance with the method, an irradiation energy is selected that is absorbed by portions of the waveguides located in a coupling region. A dosage of radiation is applied to the waveguide portions at least sufficient to adjust the optical coupling ratio to the prescribed value. The radiation, which may be absorbed by the cladding and/or the core of the waveguides, causes a change in the refractive index difference between the core and cladding of the waveguides. This change in the refractive index difference will result in a change in the optical coupling ratio of the device.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for adding a dither signal to an optical carrier modulated with an information signal. The apparatus includes a dithering element having an input and an output in series with an optical carrier modulated with an information signal. A differential element having an inverting input, a non-inverting input, and an output is coupled to the input of the dithering element. A signal generator, which is provided for producing a desired dither signal to be added to the modulated optical carrier, is coupled to the non-inverting input of the differential element. A feedback element produces a signal related to the output of the dithering element and couples the signal related to the output of the dithering element to the inverting input of the differential element.