Abstract: Network infrastructure systems including asymmetric Distributed Broadcast Select Switches and Asymmetric Network Interface Controllers for implementation in asymmetric networks and more particularly in cluster networks are provided.

Abstract: The deep penetration of optical transmission from the very edges of the network with optical access networks to the very core with routing data within data centers before transmission has resulted in competing demands for increased functionality, reduced cost, enhanced manufacturability, and reduced footprint. At the same time monitoring and fault detection with prior art optical time domain reflectometry systems have not kept up to the demands of these networks and systems as they are expensive test equipment based solutions. It would be beneficial to provide embedded OTDR functionality within each transmitter, receiver or transceiver deployed within the network allowing every link to be monitored continuously. It would be further beneficial for such embedded OTDRs to meet the demands for lower cost, high volumes, and smaller footprints with enhanced manufacturability.

Abstract: Today's communications require an effective yet scalable way interconnection of data centers and warehouse scale computers (WSCs) whilst operators must provide a significant portion of data center and WSC applications free of charge to users and consumers. At present, data center operators face the requirement to meet exponentially increasing demand for bandwidth without dramatically increasing the cost and power of the infrastructure employed to satisfy this demand. Simultaneously, consumer expectations of download/upload speeds and latency in accessing content provide additional pressure. Accordingly, the inventors provide a number of optical switching fabrics which reduce the latency and microprocessor loading arising from the prior art Internet Protocol multicasting techniques.

Abstract: Optical networking has become ubiquitous in providing low cost, high speed communications networks supporting our communication needs from FTTH through long haul to undersea. The large number of users and high speeds provided to each user fiber mean that information retrieval and routing functionality within the data centers hosting this information can become the bottleneck both in terms of speed and latency. According to embodiments of the invention the inventors present architectures based upon all-optical passive optical networks that support a distributive approach to latency reduction as well as protocols relating to their deployment. Beneficially, such POCXN concepts exploit optical components already supported by high volume manufacturing techniques as well as CWDM/DWDM techniques for throughput increase.

Abstract: Doped fiber amplifiers (DFA) using rare-earth doping materials with linear and non-linear interactions between the optical signal to be amplified and the pump laser have become a standard element of optical telecommunications systems for multiple applications including for example extending the reach of optical links before opto-electronic conversion is required or support increased fanout. However, in many applications wherein multiple DFAs are employed the electrical power budget wherein the pump laser diode (LD) represents approximately 25% of the module power consumption directly, and closer to approximately 40-50% once the control and drive electronics for the thermoelectric cooler and LD are included. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to reduce the overall power consumption of a DFA by exploiting unused optical pump power such that multiple gain stages, within the same or different DFAs, may be driven from a single pump LD.

Abstract: An optical component has a lens including a further optical component therein. The further optical component acts upon light propagating within a portion of the lens but not on light propagating within a second other portion of the lens. A simple configuration involves a lens having a slot for having the optical component inserted therein. Optical components including the lens with further optical component include beam splitters and beam combiners.

Abstract: An optical component is disclosed having a lens including a further optical component therein. The further optical component acts upon light propagating within a portion of the lens but not on light propagating within a second other portion of the lens. A simple configuration involves a lens having a slot for having the optical component inserted therein.

Abstract: An doped fiber optical amplifier featuring an optical component having first wavelength division multiplexer, an isolator and a second wavelength division multiplexer is described. The isolator supports the propagation of optical signals within a predetermined signal wavelength range in one direction. Pump signals having a wavelength within a pump wavelength range are diverted by the wavelength division multiplexers to inhibit coupling of the pump signals with the isolator. The optical amplifier supports the use of relatively high-powered optical pump lasers. The optical component is optically disposed between different lengths of doped fiber and serves to reduce optical noise within the amplifier.

Abstract: An optical device featuring a first wavelength division multiplexer, an isolator and a second wavelength division multiplexer is described. The isolator supports the propagation of optical signals within a predetermined signal wavelength range in one direction. Pump signals having a wavelength within a pump wavelength range are diverted by the wavelength division multiplexers to inhibit coupling of the pump signals with the isolator.

Abstract: An doped fiber optical amplifier featuring an optical component having first wavelength division multiplexer, an isolator and a second wavelength division multiplexer is described. The isolator supports the propagation of optical signals within a predetermined signal wavelength range in one direction. Pump signals having a wavelength within a pump wavelength range are diverted by the wavelength division multiplexers to inhibit coupling of the pump signals with the isolator. The optical amplifier supports the use of relatively high-powered optical pump lasers. The optical component is optically disposed between different lengths of doped fiber and serves to reduce optical noise within the amplifier.