Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing optical pulses of a desired wavelength utilizes a section of higher-order-mode (HOM) fiber to receive input optical pulses at a first wavelength, and thereafter produce output optical pulses at the desired wavelength through soliton self-frequency shifting (SSFS) or Cherenkov radiation. The HOM fiber is configured to exhibit a large positive dispersion and effective area at wavelengths less than 1300 nm.

Abstract: The surface silicon layer (SOI layer) of an SOI-based optical modulator is processed to exhibit a corrugated surface along the direction of optical signal propagation. The required dielectric layer (i.e., relatively thin “gate oxide”) is formed over the corrugated structure in a manner that preserves the corrugated topology. A second silicon layer, required to form the modulator structure, is then formed over the gate oxide in a manner that follows the corrugated topology, where the overlapping portion of the corrugated SOI layer, gate oxide and second silicon layer defines the active region of the modulator. The utilization of the corrugated active region increases the area over which optical field intensity will overlap with the free carrier modulation region, improving the modulator's efficiency.

Abstract: A hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) access network manager is formed to include a mediated access system to control each service provider's ability to monitor, view and re-configure selected elements within the HFC access network. A database included within the manager contains a mapping between the information service providers and the various network elements for which each service provider is permitted access and/or control. With mediated access, an information service provider has the ability to monitor quality, perform diagnostic tests and configure that equipment which directly supports the provided services.

Abstract: A hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) access network manager is formed to support a variety of functions related to the operation and management of an HCF access plant. The HFC access network manager allows for monitoring of the downstream and upstream transmission paths, and supports the sectionalization of faults. The monitoring can be achieved through a variety of techniques including, but not limited to, monitoring bit error rate (BER), frame error rate (FER), carrier-to-noise ratio (C/N), or any other suitable quality-related signal parameter.

Abstract: A hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) access network manager is formed to support a variety of functions related to the operation and management of an HCF access plant. The network manager includes a topology discovery module that can function either automatically, or under control of a command from the access network manager, to poll individual network elements to identify their type and location, thus creating a topological map of the network. The polling can be accomplished in either the analog or digital domain.

Abstract: A Raman amplified transmission includes at least two pump sources to provide amplification to optical signals residing in the C-band (1530-1562 nm) and L-band (1574-1604 nm). The pump signals are chosen so as to provide for a relatively flat and wide composite gain spectrum with a width at least 50% greater than that generated by a monochromatic pump, while also chosen so as to prevent any four-wave mixing products from being in either the C- or L-bands.