Abstract: The optical systems of the present invention include optical switching device generally configured to control signal characteristic profiles over the pluralities of signal channels, or wavelengths, to provide desired signal characteristic profiles at the output ports of the device. Various signal characteristics that can be controlled include power level, cross-talk, optical signal to noise ratio, etc. The optical switching devices can include balanced demultiplexer/multiplexer combinations and switches that provide for uniform optical loss through the devices. In addition, low extinction ratio switches can be configured to provide higher extinction ratios.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for producing and utilizing orthogonal optical data signals, which can be produced by modulating electrical data signals onto orthogonal polarization components of an optical carrier traveling in opposite directions in a common modulator. The modulator can include one or more traveling wave electrodes having first and second ends with a first electrical data input connected to the first end and a second electrical data input connected to the second end.

Abstract: Optical transmission systems of the present invention include a plurality of optical amplifiers configured to provide optical amplification of one or more information carrying optical signal wavelengths. At least two of the optical amplifier are operated to provide net losses or net gains along corresponding spans, while the cumulative gain provided by the plurality of optical amplifiers substantially compensates for the cumulative loss of the spans.

Abstract: Optical transmission systems of the present invention include optical protection systems, apparatuses, and methods that provide increased reliability in the system. The optical system generally includes an optical switch having distinct, cooperating dedicated and shared protection sections. The shared protection sections in a plurality of nodes can be configured to provide a protection net, in which a plurality of traffic demands, or working channels, are commonly protected as protection group using one protection channels supported by the protection net.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for producing and utilizing orthogonal optical data signals, which can be produced by modulating electrical data signals onto orthogonal polarization components of an optical carrier traveling in opposite directions in a common modulator. The modulator can include one or more traveling wave electrodes having first and second ends with a first electrical data input connected to the first end and a second electrical data input connected to the second end.

Abstract: Optical systems of the present invention include amplifiers configured to achieve maximum signal channel in a span downstream of the transmitter and amplifier site and to decrease the interaction between the wavelengths at high signal channel powers. In addition, the system can include various types of optical fiber positioned in the network to provide for increased signal channel powers and higher gain efficiencies in the system.

Abstract: Optical systems and devices for processing spectral groups, and optical methods for forming spectral groups, the optical system including at least one sub-network including at least one spectral group router configurable to route a plurality of optical signal channels within a spectral group, when contained within said sub-network and terminate optical channels within a spectral group, when bounding said sub-network, each optical signal channel being transmitted from one node within said sub-network to another node in said sub-network.

Abstract: An optical transmission system includes a number of corresponding modular multiplexing and demultiplexing units used in transmitting and receiving an optical signal respectively. Additionally, compensation components compensate for optical dispersion experienced by the optical signal. The modular multiplexing and demultiplexing units are assembled in a cascade fashion at the transmit side and the receive side of the optical transmission system, respectively. The dispersion compensation components share dispersion compensation fiber across the cascaded units.

Abstract: Optical transmission systems of the present invention include a plurality of optical amplifiers configured to provide optical amplification of one or more information carrying optical signal wavelengths. At least two of the optical amplifier are operated to provide net losses or net gains along corresponding spans, while the cumulative gain provided by the plurality of optical amplifiers substantially compensates for the cumulative loss of the spans.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed that include network control architectures that provide for distributed control of the optical component work functions and network management. The distribution of the work function control in the network element provides for a hierarchical division of work function responsibilities. The hierarchical division provides for streamlined and specically tailored control structures that greatly increases the reliability of the network management system.

Abstract: Optical transmission systems of the present invention include at least one optical amplifier configured to provide optical amplification of one or more information carrying optical signal wavelengths. At least one optical amplifier is controlled based on an in situ performance characterization of the at least one optical amplifier and the transmission fiber. The in situ, or installed, performance characteristics of the optical amplifier can be characterized based on relative gain measurements over the signal wavelength range as a function of the supplied pump power. The installed characterization allows the optical amplifier performance and gain profiles to be tightly controlled over the signal wavelength range in the transmission system.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for driving an optical source with a current source. The optical source driver has a primary control loop having a DC—DC converter and an operational amplifier, wherein the DC—DC converter has a power input, a power output connected to the input of the optical source, and a control input, and wherein the operational amplifier has a first input connected between the optical source and the current source, a second input, and an output connected to the control input of the DC—DC converter, for controlling the output of the DC—DC converter in response to a control signal at the second input.

Abstract: Optical systems of the present invention include a plurality of optical processing nodes in optical communication via a plurality of signal varying devices. A first signal varying device includes an optical fiber configured to produce Raman scattering/gain in a signal wavelength range and a first signal variation profile. A first pump source is configured provides sufficient pump power in a plurality of first pump wavelengths to stimulate Raman scattering/gain in the optical fiber within the signal wavelength range. A second signal varying device is provided having a second signal variation profile to produce a cumulative signal variation profile that differs from the first and second signal variation profiles.

Abstract: A fiberoptic network with an optical supervisory channel in each of the optical fibers interconnecting the nodes of the network is described. Together with IP routers, the optical supervisory channels form a control network over which signaling and control signals are exchanged by which provisioning and restoration operations are performed at each node. To restore connections between the nodes upon a failure of the network, the control network helps to maintain at each node a synchronized database of network connections between the nodes, send messages to other nodes to initiate restoration operations by a node noticing the failure; and recalculate network connections around the failure by each node from a synchronized database at the node.

Abstract: Optical transmission systems of the present invention include at least one optical amplifier generally including an optical signal amplifying medium supplied with pump power in the form of optical energy in via an optical pump source. The pump source includes multiple optical sources, at least two of which provide optical energy in first and second wavelength ranges separated by a frequency difference. The amplifier includes a wavelength controller configured to adjust the wavelength range of at least one of the optical sources to vary the frequency difference in a manner sufficient to vary optical intensity noise produced when the optical energy from the multiple optical sources is combined.

Abstract: Optical transmission systems of the present invention include at least one optical amplifier configured to provide optical amplification of one or more information carrying optical signal wavelengths. At least one optical amplifier is controlled based on an in situ performance characterization of the at least one optical amplifier and the transmission fiber. The in situ, or installed, performance characteristics of the optical amplifier can be characterized based on relative gain measurements over the signal wavelength range as a function of the supplied pump power. The installed characterization allows the optical amplifier performance and gain profiles to be tightly controlled over the signal wavelength range in the transmission system.

Abstract: An athermalized optical fiber component assembly including a limiting member, a mounting structure attached to the limiting member, a temperature compensating substrate attached to the mounting structure, and an optical fiber component mounted on the temperature compensating substrate. The movement of the temperature compensating substrate as a function of temperature is constrained by the limiting member. Also, a method for manufacturing an athermalized optical fiber component assembly.

Abstract: Optical systems of the present invention include an electrical signal distortion compensator configured to electrically distort an electrical signal to offset optical distortion imposed by a Fabry-Perot filter on an optical signal corresponding to the electrical signal. The electrical signal distortion compensator can be used in an optical transmitter to distort the electrical signal prior to optical transmission, or in an optical receiver after optical transmission. The distortion compensation can be performed on a baseband signal or a modulated electrical carrier. Likewise, the distortion compensator can be deployed in combination with an optical receiver, which allows the use of the F-P filter-optical receiver combination with transmitters and receivers that do not include F-P filters or distortion compensators.

Abstract: Optical systems of the present invention include optical devices, such as lasers and other optical sources, that are packaged, or housed, in a structure employing a high thermal conductivity, low effective thermal mass member, such as a heat pipe. The high thermal conductivity, low effective thermal mass is positioned in sufficiently close proximity to one or more optical sources that heat generated by the sources is conducted away at a desired efficiency to maintain the package within a prescribed temperature range.

Abstract: Optical systems of the present invention generally include at least one optical amplifier having a first pump source configured to supply power to said amplifier via a first pumping paths. A second pumping path is provided to supply power to the amplifier from a second pump source configured to replace power from the first pump source. The amplifier allows the replacement and repair of a pump source during operation by providing in-service hot swap capability, which increases the overall availability of the amplifier. The pump source can also be changed during operation to allow reconfiguration of the optical system.