Abstract: An optical monitor device and method are disclosed for measuring characteristics of optical signals in an optical communications network. The optical monitor device may include an array of optical detector elements on which the optical signals, each having a different wavelength, may be substantially concurrently imaged, and a processing element. The array of optical detector elements may be controlled so that for each optical signal, a plurality of measurements may be obtained, with each measurement occurring at a distinct optical sensitivity level. The processing element may select, for each optical signal, the measurement providing the most accurate measurement of the optical signal. In this way, the dynamic range of the optical monitor device is increased relative to the dynamic range of the array of optical detector elements.

Abstract: A technique for detecting the status of wavelength division multiplexed optical signals is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the technique is realized by first splitting an original, multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam into at least two representative, multiplexed, polychromatic optical beams. Next, a first of the at least two representative, multiplexed, polychromatic optical beams is separated according to wavelength into a plurality of optical signal channels, wherein each of the plurality of optical signal channels are for communicating a respective, representative optical signal via a respective, representative, discrete, monochromatic optical beam. Finally, the presence or absence of a representative optical signal is detected on each of the plurality of optical signal channels.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable restraint for holding wires in relation to an optical cabinet has a first portion coupled to an end of a base portion. A second portion is coupled to an opposing end of the base portion, such that the first portion, base portion, and second portion define an interior space. An end of the top portion and an end of the bottom portion define an open area that communicates with the interior space. A first pin extends downward from the first portion and is axially offset from a second pin extends upwardly from the second portion. The first portion, base portion, and second portion each have a curved surface that guides the fiber optic cable through the interior space in a manner that minimizes the possibility of damaging the fiber optic cable.

Abstract: A technique for processing dense wavelength division multiplexed optical signals in a network node is disclosed. In one embodiment, the technique is realized as an optical power managed network node comprising a dense wavelength division multiplexing device for combining a plurality of narrowband optical signals into a multiplexed polychromatic optical signal. The optical power managed network node also comprises a wavelength-selective optical power detector for detecting the power of each of the plurality of narrowband optical signals combined into the multiplexed polychromatic optical signal. The optical power managed network node further comprises a plurality of attenuators for attenuating the power of at least one of the plurality of narrowband optical signals based upon the detected power of each of the plurality of narrowband optical signals.

Abstract: An improved diffraction grating for wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing devices is disclosed. The improved diffraction grating has a glass substrate, a polymer grating layer located adjacent to the glass substrate, and a metal coating layer located adjacent to the polymer grating layer. The improvement comprises a polymer coating layer located adjacent to the metal coating layer, and a glass cover located adjacent to the polymer coating layer, wherein the polymer coating layer and the glass cover compensate for thermal characteristics associated with the polymer grating layer and the glass substrate, respectively.

Abstract: A variety of wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, an improved wavelength division multiplexing for receiving a plurality of diverging monochromatic optical beams, for combining the plurality of diverging monochromatic optical beams into a converging multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam, and for transmitting the converging, multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam. The concave diffraction grating can be formed in a variety of ways such as, for example, in a polymer material with a reflective surface. Alternatively, the concave diffraction grating may be etched into a rigid material with a reflective surface.

Abstract: Improved wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing devices are disclosed. In the case of an improved wavelength division multiplexing device having a diffraction grating for combining a plurality of monochromatic optical beams into a multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam, the improvement comprises employing a plurality of patterned optical input components corresponding to the plurality of monochromatic optical beams, wherein each of the plurality of patterned optical input components introduces a first patterned phase delay into a corresponding one of the plurality of monochromatic optical. beams. The improvement also comprises employing a patterned optical output component for introducing a second patterned phase delay into the multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam, wherein the first patterned phase delay and the second patterned phase delay are added so as to reshape the passband of the improved wavelength division multiplexing device.

Abstract: An improved wavelength division multiplexing device is disclosed. The improved wavelength division multiplexing device has a diffraction grating for combining a plurality of monochromatic optical beams into a multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam. The improvement in the improved wavelength division multiplexing device is the use of a homogeneous refractive index collimating/focusing lens for collimating the plurality of monochromatic optical beams traveling along a first direction to the diffraction grating, and for focusing the multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam traveling along a second direction from the diffraction grating, wherein the second direction being substantially opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A method and device for improving a signal-to-noise ratio measurement range of a monitoring device operating on a fiber optic network. The method includes receiving a wavelength division multiplexed optical signal including a plurality of optical signals centered at different wavelengths within a range of wavelengths. The wavelength division multiplexed optical signal is dispersed to form a discrete power spectrum. The discrete power spectrum is measured, and data representing the measured optical signals is generated. The measured optical signals include a point spread function response of a pixelated optical detector. A deconvolution operation is performed on the generated data to create an estimate that is more representative of the power spectrum by compensating for the point spread function of the pixelated optical detector.

Abstract: A family of ultra-dense wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing devices are disclosed. In the case of an ultra-dense wavelength division multiplexing device, a wavelength division multiplexing device is used for combining at least one plurality of monochromatic optical beams into a corresponding at least one single, multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam, wherein the wavelength division multiplexing device has an input element and an output element. A plurality of optical input devices is disposed proximate the input element, wherein each of the plurality of optical input devices communicates a plurality of monochromatic optical beams to the wavelength division multiplexing device for combining the plurality of monochromatic optical beams into a single, multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam.

Abstract: A bi-directional fiber optic jumper that connects two fiber optic system common wavelength fibers is disclosed. The retraction of the jumper exposes fiber connections and enables a system reconfiguration such as adding or dropping of common wavelengths into open fiber connections. A magnet is provided in the chassis of the jumper to engage a magneto-resistive device, such as a Hall effect sensor feature, that is contained on an optical add/drop device product chassis. The Hall effect sensor facilitates monitoring of insertion or withdrawal of the fiber channel jumper from the optical add/drop device.

Abstract: A wavelength division multiplexing device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the wavelength division multiplexing device comprises a crystalline collimating lens for collimating a plurality of monochromatic optical beams, a diffraction grating for combining the plurality of collimated, monochromatic optical beams into a multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam, and a crystalline focusing lens for focusing the multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam.

Abstract: A wavelength division multiplexing device is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the wavelength division multiplexing device comprises a homogeneous refractive index collimating lens for collimating a plurality of monochromatic optical beams, a diffraction grating for combining the plurality of collimated, monochromatic optical beams into a multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam, and a homogeneous refractive index focusing lens for focusing the multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam.

Abstract: An improved wavelength division multiplexing device is disclosed. The improved wavelength division multiplexing device has a diffraction grating for combining a plurality of monochromatic optical beams into a multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam. The improvement in the improved wavelength division multiplexing device is the use of a crystalline collimating/focusing lens for collimating the plurality of monochromatic optical beams traveling along a first direction to the diffraction grating, and for focusing the multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam traveling along a second direction from the diffraction grating, wherein the second direction being substantially opposite the first direction.

Abstract: An improved wavelength division multiplexing device is disclosed. The improved wavelength division multiplexing device has a diffraction grating for combining a plurality of monochromatic optical beams into a multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam. The improvement in the improved wavelength division multiplexing device is the use of a diffractive optic collimating/focusing lens for collimating the plurality of monochromatic optical beams traveling along a first direction to the diffraction grating, and for focusing the multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam traveling along a second direction from the diffraction grating, wherein the second direction being substantially opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A wavelength division multiplexing device is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the wavelength division multiplexing device comprises a polymer collimating lens for collimating a plurality of monochromatic optical beams, a diffraction grating for combining the plurality of collimated, monochromatic optical beams into a multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam, and a polymer focusing lens for focusing the multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam.

Abstract: A wavelength division multiplexer/demultiplexer is provided that integrates axial gradient refractive index elements with a diffraction grating to provide efficient coupling from a plurality of input optical sources (each delivering a single wavelength to the device) which are multiplexed to a single polychromatic beam for output to a single output optical source.