Abstract: A method for selecting a global positioning receiver includes receiving global positioning system signals from global positioning system receivers. The global positioning system receivers receive the global positioning system signals from corresponding global positioning system satellites. The method also includes replicating the global positioning system signals from the global positioning system receivers, determining a signal drift and a phase precision for each global positioning system signal, and selecting one of the global positioning system signals based on the corresponding signal drift and the phase precision of the global positioning system signal.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a tunable laser having a distributed Bragg reflector includes, aligning a reflection peak of the distributed Bragg reflector with a target cavity mode of a plurality of cavity modes defined by a total optical path length inside a resonant cavity of the tunable laser. The method includes aligning a resultant lasing mode with a target wavelength of an output wavelength grid. The resultant lasing mode is formed by alignment of the reflection peak of the distributed Bragg reflector with the target cavity mode. The method also includes setting a target output power and a target extinction ratio of the tunable laser.

Abstract: A method for selecting a global positioning receiver includes receiving global positioning system signals from global positioning system receivers. The global positioning system receivers receive the global positioning system signals from corresponding global positioning system satellites. The method also includes determining a signal quality score of each received signal based on a signal drift and a phase precision of the corresponding signal, and selecting one of the received global positioning system signals having the highest signal quality score.

Abstract: A cascaded distribution framework includes a global positioning system receiver in communication with optical line terminals. Each global positioning system receiver receives a signal from a corresponding global positioning system satellite. Each optical line terminal includes a management card for each global positioning system receiver in communication with the optical line terminal and a line card. The management card receives a global positioning system signal from a corresponding global positioning system receiver. The line card is collocated for each management card in the optical line terminal. Each line card receives a global positioning system signal from each management card in the optical line terminal, determines a signal quality score of each received signal based on a signal drift and a phase precision of the corresponding signal, and selects one of the received global positioning system signals having the highest signal quality score.

Abstract: A signal distribution system includes global positioning system receivers in communication with optical line terminals and a system manager. Each global positioning system receiver receives a signal from a corresponding global positioning system satellite. Each optical line terminal includes a management card and a line card. The management card receives a signal from a corresponding global positioning system receiver. Each line card receives a signal from each management card and determines a signal drift and a phase precision for each signal. The system manager receives a failure communication for a global positioning system signal from a line card when the signal drift of the global positioning system signal is above a threshold signal drift or the phase precision of the signal is below a threshold phase precision. The system manager identifies a failure location of the signal within the system based on one or more received failure communications.

Abstract: A method of processing optical signals in a passive optical network includes receiving a first signal in a first optical spectrum, and receiving a second signal in a second optical spectrum. The second optical spectrum is different from the first optical spectrum. The method also includes multiplexing the first and second signals into a first multiplexed signal and outputting the first multiplexed signal. The method also includes receiving a second multiplexed signal, and demultiplexing the second multiplexed signal into a third signal and a fourth signal. The third signal is in the second optical spectrum and the fourth signal is in the first optical spectrum. The method also includes outputting the third and fourth signals.

Abstract: A wavelength tunable laser includes a gain section, a grating section, and an isolation section. The gain section generates and modulates an optical signal. The grating section is positioned adjacent to the gain section, and the isolation section is disposed between the gain section and the grating section. The isolation section impedes conduction of an electrical current between the gain section and the grating section.

Abstract: A method of processing optical signals in a passive optical network includes receiving a first signal in a first optical spectrum, and receiving a second signal in a second optical spectrum. The second optical spectrum is different from the first optical spectrum. The method also includes multiplexing the first and second signals into a first multiplexed signal and outputting the first multiplexed signal. The method also includes receiving a second multiplexed signal, and demultiplexing the second multiplexed signal into a third signal and a fourth signal. The third signal is in the second optical spectrum and the fourth signal is in the first optical spectrum. The method also includes outputting the third and fourth signals.

Abstract: A local area network system that includes a residential gateway in wired communication with a remote service provider and multiple set top boxes in wired communication with the residential gateway. Each set top box includes a network extender having a wired connection to a residential gateway of a local area network, a media player in communication with the network extender, and at least one wireless transceiver in communication with the network extender. The media player includes a computing processor executing instructions to format a signal received from the network extender for use by a media device. Each set top box is configured as an access point for a local area network of the residential gateway.

Abstract: The wavelength tunable laser includes a thermo-electric cooler (TEC), a distributed feedback portion, and a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA). The distributed feedback portion is disposed on the thermo-electric cooler and has a plurality of distributed feedback (DFB) lasers connected in series. Each DFB laser is configured to output an optical signal within a different temperature dependent tunable range of wavelengths. Therefore, the distributed feedback portion outputs an optical signal from one of the DFB lasers. The SOA is optically connected to the distributed feedback portion. The SOA amplifies and modulates the optical signal outputted from the distributed feedback portion.

Abstract: An optical network remote node includes first and second node inputs, each receiving a multiplexed optical signal, and node outputs, each outputting a separate demultiplexed optical signal. The node includes first and second optical power splitters, each having a splitter input connected to one of the node inputs and splitter outputs connected to corresponding node outputs. The node includes an arrayed waveguide grating having first and second grating inputs connected to the first and second node inputs, respectively, and grating outputs connected to the corresponding node outputs. If the received signal at one of the node inputs is time division multiplexed, the corresponding connected optical power splitter broadcasts the received optical signal at the node outputs. If the received signal at one of the node inputs is wavelength division multiplexed, the arrayed waveguide grating demultiplexes the received optical signals in wavelength and outputs the demultiplexed signals at the node outputs.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing port usage in an optical circuit switch are disclosed herein. A plurality of optical circulators can be coupled to the plurality of input and output ports of an optical circuit switch. An optical circulator coupled to an input port and an optical circulator coupled to an output port can form a bidirectional pair capable of communicating with any other bidirectional pair of the optical circuit switch. In this regard, the number of bidirectional ports of an optical circuit switch can be increased allowing additional bandwidth to flow through the optical circuit switch. Increasing the efficiency and capabilities of optical circuit switches within a large scale communications network can offer increased functionality and performance with little trade off.

Abstract: A local area network system that includes a residential gateway in wired communication with a remote service provider and multiple set top boxes in wired communication with the residential gateway. Each set top box includes a network extender having a wired connection to a residential gateway of a local area network, a media player in communication with the network extender, and at least one wireless transceiver in communication with the network extender. The media player includes a computing processor executing instructions to format a signal received from the network extender for use by a media device. Each set top box is configured as an access point for a local area network of the residential gateway.

Abstract: A set top box including a network extender and a media player in communication with the network extender. The network extender is connectable to a residential gateway of a local area network through a wired connection. The media player includes a computing processor executing instructions to format a signal received from the network extender for use by a media device. The set top box also includes at least one wireless transceiver in communication with the network extender.