Abstract: A control topology for distributed scheduling has a two-dimensional fanout broadcast network, which may include logical partitioning. Logically, a switch is in the center and line cards are in a two-dimensional grid. There are multiple broadcast networks along rows and columns. Each line card broadcasts to all the other line cards in its row and column. Then, each line card aggregates requests in its row and forwards the aggregated data to all the other line cards in its column.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method of and system for enabling the transport of timer protocols over a generic frame procedure (GFP) network. The method comprises the steps of transmitting a defined optical initialization sequence to a GFP mapper, and using that GFP mapper to detect the optical initialization sequence and to generate a specified GFP frame to represent the initialization sequence. This specified GFP frame is recognized as a control frame for timer initialization. In a preferred embodiment, the timer protocol uses biphase encoding to encode clock data, and the method comprises the further steps of recovering clock data from a data stream that uses the biphase encoding, detecting a clock rate in that data stream, and using a look up table to map said detected clock rate into a specific code for said control frame.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for stereoscopic 3D image projection and viewing using a single projection source, alternating polarization, and passive eyewear. This approach is applicable to frame sequential video created using existing 3D graphics APIs, as well as other video signal formats, and is compatible with existing digital light processor (DLP) technology for both front and rear projection systems. A alternating polarizer filter actuator in the form of a closed feedback loop with pulse width modulated control is used to modulate the projected image. A preferred embodiment enables an existing DLP projection system to be enhanced with 3D capability.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for stereoscopic 3D image projection and viewing using a single projection source, alternating polarization, and passive eyewear. This approach is applicable to frame sequential video created using existing 3D graphics APIs, as well as other video signal formats, and is compatible with existing digital light processor (DLP) technology for both front and rear projection systems. An alternating polarizer in the form of a magnetomechanically resonant polarizing filter actuator is used to modulate the projected image. A preferred embodiment enables an existing DLP projection system to be enhanced with 3D capability.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for stereoscopic 3D image projection and viewing using a single projection source, alternating polarization, and passive eyewear. This approach is applicable to frame sequential video created using existing 3D graphics APIs, as well as other video signal formats, and is compatible with existing digital light processor (DLP) technology for both front and rear projection systems. An alternating polarizer filter actuator in the form of a closed feedback loop is used to modulate the projected image. A preferred embodiment enables an existing DLP projection system to be enhanced with 3D capability.

Abstract: A byte-wide optical switch and switching method are provided. The optical switch includes a first set of ports for receiving in parallel an optical byte of data, and multiple second sets of ports each capable of outputting in parallel the optical byte of data. An array of optical switching elements is disposed between the first set of ports and the multiple second sets of ports. The array of optical switching elements direct the optical byte of data in parallel from the first set of ports to at least one second set of ports of the multiple second sets of ports. The switching elements may comprise micro-electro mechanical system (MEMS) devices, each having a position controllable reflective surface. Thin film optical filters can be provided on the reflective surfaces for wavelength selective switching.

Abstract: Inconsistent data in communications networks is detected. The detection is performed by a component of the network that is separate from where the recovery takes place. The detection employs a packet sequence number, which is checked when the packet is received. The packet sequence number is initialized to define a valid window of packet sequence numbers.

Abstract: A time division multiplexing (TDM) facility is presented for time division multiplexing at least two inter-system channel (ISC) data streams to create a TDM multiplexed data stream. The TDM multiplexed data stream can be forwarded across the network over a single wavelength of a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) network. The TDM multiplex data stream may be wavelength division multiplexed with one or more other TDM multiplexed data stream. Different protocols are presented for maintaining disparity balance within the ISC data streams depending upon whether a given sequence in one of the data streams is an idle sequence, frame sequence or continuous sequence.

Abstract: Feedback control of a target system is provided which utilizes the imposition of a periodic modulating signal onto a command signal of a controller. The command signal with the period modulating signal imposed thereon is input to the target system to be controlled. A response of the target system to a manifestation of the periodic modulating signal in the command signal is detected, and a feedback signal is produced from the detected response. The periodic modulating signal and the feedback signal are processed together to produce an error signal, and the command signal is modified in accordance with the error signal to drive the current state of the target system toward a desired state, wherein the periodic modulating signal facilitates control of the target system.

Abstract: A light transmission device is provided including a light pipe having two ends, one end being an ellipsoidal-shaped end. A recess is configured within the ellipsoidal-shaped end for reception of a light source that transmits light into the light pipe. The recess includes an interior concave wall, and the light source is at least partially received in the recess to face the interior concave wall via which light is transmitted into the light pipe. The ellipsoidal-shaped end further includes a curved surface configured to facilitate collection of light into the light pipe when the light source is at least partially received in the recess in the ellipsoidal-shaped end. The ellipsoidal-shaped end includes a first focal point and a second focal point, wherein the recess in the ellipsoidal-shaped end intersects the first focal point, and the second focal point is disposed adjacent to or within the light pipe.

Abstract: A method and system for synchronizing a local optical clock with a master optical clock, wherein the local clock generates a local clock signal at a local clock wavelength, and said master clock generates a master clock signal at a master clock wavelength. The method comprises the steps of dithering the wavelengths of the local and master clock signals, and generating a control signal representing the difference between the dithered wavelengths of the local and master clock signals. That control signal is then used to synchronize the local clock with the master clock. Preferably, a wavelength-locked loop is used as a means of phase or wavelength control for the optically distributed clock signals. The wavelength-locked loop provides a technique to control the wavelength of a local optical clock source in a manner that will allow the local clock to follow variations in the wavelength of another optical signal.

Abstract: A method and system for modulating an optical signal to encode data therein. The method comprises the steps of directing the optical signal through a filter mechanism having a passband function including a center wavelength, and modulating the center wavelength of the optical signal to establish a difference between the center wavelengths of the filter mechanism and the optical signal to represent a data value. With the preferred implementation of the invention, a transmit device is used to encode the data in the optical signal, and a receive device is provided to decode the signal. The transmit device modulates the center wavelength of the optical signal to establish a difference between the center wavelength and a predefined wavelength to encode data in the optical signal, and the transmit device then transmits the optical signal. The receive device receives the optical signal from the transmit device and processes that signal to identify the encoded data.

Abstract: Feedback control of a target system is provided which utilizes the imposition of a periodic modulating signal onto a command signal of a controller. The command signal with the period modulating signal imposed thereon is input to the target system to be controlled. A response of the target system to a manifestation of the periodic modulating signal in the command signal is detected, and a feedback signal is produced from the detected response. The periodic modulating signal and the feedback signal are processed together to produce an error signal, and the command signal is modified in accordance with the error signal to drive the current state of the target system toward a desired state, wherein the periodic modulating signal facilitates control of the target system.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing performance characteristics of optical networks. The system and method exploits a wavelength-locked loop servo-control circuit and methodology that enables real time adjustment of optical signals in accordance with attenuation characteristics of an optical transmission channel. Particularly, the invention enables alignment of optical signal center wavelengths and optical wavelength selective devices exhibiting a peaked passband function in optical networks utilizing information included in first derivative and second derivatives of dither modulated optical signals extracted from a feedback signal provided in the wavelength-locked loop servo-control circuit.

Abstract: A wavelength-locked loop servo-control circuit and methodology that enables real time mutual alignment of an electromagnetic signal having a peaked spectrum function including a center wavelength and a wavelength selective device implementing a peaked passband function including a center wavelength, in a system employing electromagnetic waves.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is an optical interconnect module comprising a silicon carrier; a communication integrated circuit mounted on the silicon carrier and an optical integrated circuit flip chip mounted on the silicon carrier. The optical integrated circuit is in electrical communication with the communication integrated circuit by electrical paths in the silicon carrier. Optical paths in the silicon carrier provide optical coupling between the optical integrated circuit and an optical link.

Abstract: A method and system for dispersion control of electromagnetic signals in communication networks by narrowing the widths of electromagnetic pulses such as modulated laser signals. Generally, in the preferred embodiment, the present invention utilizes a feedback loop based on dither frequency modulation which dynamically adjusts the alignment of the laser center frequency with the filter passband. In this way, there is an acceptable tradeoff between optical power and pulse width, so a higher power laser can be used to generate a narrower optical pulse. The narrower pulses then travel farther in the fiber link before reaching their dispersion limit. It is believed that, by using this invention, existing link distance could be doubled, while re-using existing installed singlemode fiber. The systems employing the feedback loop may be information carrying or control systems.

Abstract: A wavelength Division Multiple Access (WDMA) free space broadcast technique for optical backplanes and interplanar communications for providing free space optical interconnects between multiple circuit cards in a computer system or networking device which is compatible with existing electrical backplanes. Current equipment can easily be upgraded in the field to take advantage of this new approach by simply replacing existing printed circuit boards, without requiring a complete redesign of the copper backplane.

Abstract: An integrated optical transducer assembly includes a substrate and an optoelectronic array attached to the substrate. The optoelectronic array further includes a plurality of individual subunits bonded together to form a single array, with each of the subunits including a defined number of individual optoelectronic elements associated therewith. The elastomeric material maintains an original alignment between the plurality of subunits.

Abstract: A receiver portion of a multichannel communications link uses optical components to receive data in parallel. Further, the receiver portion of the link provides various functions, including clock recovery, clock-to-data alignment and deskewing. The clock-to-data alignment provides for a dynamically adjusted clock that is used to regulate the output flow of data from the receiver portion, either in parallel or in series.