Abstract: The present invention relates to systems, apparatuses, and methods for the automated manufacture of optical fiber devices including a fiber magazine and a plurality of fiber cassettes within the magazine. The cassettes include alignment members and optical fiber in which the devices are to be formed. A plurality of work stations include assemblies for processing the fiber in the cassettes and reciprocal alignment structures corresponding to the alignment members of the cassettes.

Abstract: Optical systems of the present invention are configured in optical networks including a plurality of optical switch nodes interconnected by a plurality of optical transmission fibers, or other waveguides. The transmission fibers in the network can provide working and/or protection capacity for information, or communications traffic, being transmitted through the network. In various embodiments of the network, multiple diverse, working routes are provided on a single fiber path interconnecting a plurality of switch nodes. The multiple, diverse working routes can then be protected using a common protection fiber or path to provide shared protection. The switch nodes include optical switch configured to provide various levels of optical switching depending upon the network configuration. For example, line switches as well as optical cross-connects and routers can be deployed in the present invention to switch one or more wavelengths between the working and protection fibers.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for controlling optical signal wavelength spacing by providing for simultaneous upconversion of a plurality of electrical signal on subcarrier frequencies of an optical carrier frequency with or without modulation of an electrical data signal onto the optical carrier frequency. The optical carrier lightwave is split into a plurality of split lightwaves upon which one or more electrical frequencies carrying information can be upconverted onto optical subcarriers of the lightwave carrier frequency. The relative spacings of the optical subcarrier lightwaves will thus be unaffected by variation in the carrier frequency. The optical subcarrier lightwaves can then be recombined to form the optical data signal carrying the plurality of information carried by the electrical frequencies.

Abstract: Optical systems of the present invention generally include an optical signal controller disposed along an optical link between two optical nodes. The optical signal controller is configured to provide a monitoring signal from an optical signal passing between the nodes as a plurality of wavelength sub-bands at least one of which includes a plurality of signal channels. The controller generates a compensating channel having an optical power that is a function of the monitoring signal power in the plurality of wavelength sub-bands or total power. The compensating channel is combined with the optical signal to compensate for power variations in the optical signal passing between the nodes. In addition, the compensating channels can be used to transmit communication or system supervisory information between monitoring points and/or nodes in the system.

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.

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 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 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 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: Optical systems of the present invention include at least one optical amplifier configured to provide partitioned amplification over the range of signal wavelengths carrying information between optical signal processing nodes. The optical amplifier is configured to partition the gain provided to a plurality of wavelength groups such that the gain in a wavelength group is only partly interdependent on, or independent of, the gain in the other wavelength groups. The optical system is further configured to transmit information using working wavelengths and one or more protection wavelength in different wavelength groups. The information can be transmitted simultaneously to provide a single fiber 1+N type protection. Similarly, the information can be switched from the first wavelength to the second wavelength upon a failure to provide single fiber M:N type protection.

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 are configured in optical networks including a plurality of optical switch nodes interconnected by a plurality of optical transmission fibers, or other waveguides. The transmission fibers in the network can provide working and/or protection capacity for information, or communications traffic, being transmitted through the network. In various embodiments of the network, multiple diverse, working routes are provided on a single fiber path interconnecting a plurality of switch nodes. The multiple, diverse working routes can then be protected using a common protection fiber or path to provide shared protection. The switch nodes include optical switch configured to provide various levels of optical switching depending upon the network configuration. For example, line switches as well as optical cross-connects and routers can be deployed in the present invention to switch one or more wavelengths between the working and protection fibers.

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.

Abstract: Optical systems of the present invention generally include an optical signal controller disposed along an optical link between two optical nodes. The optical signal controller is configured to provide a monitoring signal from an optical signal passing between the nodes as a plurality of wavelength sub-bands at least one of which includes a plurality of signal channels. The controller generates a compensating channel having an optical power that is a function of the monitoring signal power in the plurality of wavelength sub-bands or total power. The compensating channel is combined with the optical signal to compensate for power variations in the optical signal passing between the nodes. In addition, the compensating channels can be used to transmit communication or system supervisory information between monitoring points and/or nodes in the system.

Abstract: Optical systems of the present invention include an add/drop device and/or cross-connect device, which is reconfigurable to add and drop signal wavelengths between one or more transmission paths. The add/drop device includes a first selective element configurable to pass a first group of signal wavelengths including at least a first signal wavelength from an input path to a first add/drop path and pass continuing signal wavelengths differing from the first group of signal wavelength to a second add/drop path. A second selective element is provided that is configurable to pass a second group of signal wavelengths including at least a second signal wavelength from said first add/drop path and continuing signal wavelengths differing from the second group of wavelengths from said second add/drop path to an output path.

Abstract: A pressure vessel joint for repeaters in submarine optical communication systems is described. The joint employs a breech ring which secures an endcap to the pressure vessel. The breech ring and pressure vessel have corresponding keys. The breech ring slides over the endcap and is rotated such that the breech ring keys engage the mating keys formed in the pressure vessel. The endcap is seated on a preloaded C-ring which seals the secured structure. Additional, redundant piston seals can also be provided to further prevent leakage.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods which compensate for distortion of optical and electrical signals being transmitted by communications systems and components by changing the effective length of communications cables and waveguides.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed that provide for simultaneously upconverting electrical signals carrying information at electric frequencies onto optical subcarrier lightwave frequencies that are greater and less than the carrier frequency of the lightwave onto which the electrical frequencies were upconverted. The upconversion of the electrical signals can be performed with or without suppression of the optical carrier frequency.

Abstract: Optical transmission systems of the present invention includes at least one double pass Mach Zehnder filter, which includes a first optical coupling section coupling at least one input/output port to a first end of two or more optical communication paths, or Mach-Zehnder legs, having different effective lengths. A second optical coupling section is provided to couple at least one output/input port to a second end of the optical communication paths. The first and second optical coupling sections and the two communication paths form a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. The double pass Mach-Zehnder filter is configured such that the output from at least one of the output/input port is coupled back into one of the one output/input ports and passes through the Mach-Zehnder interferometer a second time.

Abstract: Optical transmission systems of the present invention include at least one optical amplifier in which pump power being provided to an amplifying medium is amplified using a pump amplifier prior to being introduced into the amplifying medium. In various embodiments, a cascaded Raman resonator is used as a pump booster source to provide Raman amplification of the pump power being supplied from one or more pump sources to the signal channel amplifying medium.