Abstract: Methods and devices for a single wavelength fiber optic sensor system are described. Sensing is based on relative shift in spectral responses of two co-located fiber gratings (FBGs) within a fiber optic cable and measured at one measurement wavelength. Under a range of conditions of interest, the shift in spectral responses maintains the measurement wavelength within respective slopes of the spectral responses. A normalized difference in reflected power is used to desensitize the measurement from any variation in power of the single laser power and/or in loss through the fiber optic cable. Several pairs of co-located FBGs may be used within the same fiber optic cable, each pair used for sensing at a corresponding location. An OTDR system couples light pulses at the measurement wavelength to the fiber optic cable, and measures amplitudes and timing of corresponding reflected light pulses to perform the normalized difference.

Abstract: Methods and devices for a planar bidirectional optical coupler for wavelength division multiplexing are described. The optical coupler can be used in an optical transceiver housed within a compact optical interconnect module for optical fiber-based data communication and/or OTDR measurement. According to one aspect, the optical coupler includes a layered planar construction, each layer based on a transparent planar substrate. A bottom carrier layer includes a metallized surface for mounting of electronic and/or electro-optical components. A lens layer overlays the carrier layer and includes collimating transmit and/or focusing receive lenses. A beam splitter/combiner layer overlays the lens layer and includes angled coated lateral surfaces that provide beam splitting and wavelength filtering functionality. The beam splitter/combiner layer is optically coupled to a ferrule receptacle of a fiber connector of the optical transceiver.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automated health assessment of fiber optic links of a fiber optic communication system are described. Tables are used to describe the fiber optic links, including access addresses to communication modules used in the links. Telemetry data representative of operation of the communication modules can be read via the access addresses into a central station. OTDR/OFDR measurement data of fiber optic segments used in the links can be read via the access addresses into the central station. The telemetry and/or OTDR/OFDR measurement data can be used by the central station for comparison against reference data to assess health of the links. The communication modules locally and continuously capture the telemetry data to detect transient events that may be the result of tampering of the links.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automated health assessment of fiber optic links of a fiber optic communication system are described. Tables are used to describe the fiber optic links, including access addresses to communication modules used in the links. Telemetry data representative of operation of the communication modules can be read via the access addresses into a central station. OTDR/OFDR measurement data of fiber optic segments used in the links can be read via the access addresses into the central station. The telemetry and/or OTDR/OFDR measurement data can be used by the central station for comparison against reference data to assess health of the links. The communication modules locally and continuously capture the telemetry data to detect transient events that may be the result of tampering of the links.

Abstract: Methods and systems for an ASIC with a laser with the laser's back-facet illumination being monitored by a photodetector situated such that the substrate of the ASIC acts as a waveguide for the back-facet illumination between the laser and the photodetector (monitor). In an embodiment, the laser and monitor are situated on the same side of the ASIC and the back-facet illumination is reflected off the far end of the ASIC substrate before reaching the monitor.

Abstract: Methods and devices for coupling light bidirectionally into optical fiber are described. The disclosed devices can be manufactured inexpensively in one-piece and integrated in high speed optical transceivers with small form-factor. The described methods and devices enable OTDR functionality in such transceivers and are compatible with sensor components mounted on a wiring or circuit board.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automated health assessment of fiber optic links of a fiber optic communication system are described. Tables are used to describe the fiber optic links, including access addresses to communication modules used in the links. Telemetry data representative of operation of the communication modules can be read via the access addresses into a central station. OTDR/OFDR measurement data of fiber optic segments used in the links can be read via the access addresses into the central station. The telemetry and/or OTDR/OFDR measurement data can be used by the central station for comparison against reference data to assess health of the links. The communication modules locally and continuously capture the telemetry data to detect transient events that may be the result of tampering of the links.

Abstract: Methods and devices for optical data communication with integrated OTDR capability are described. Unused ports of a multi-fiber connector that is used for coupling between two communication modules are used for OTDR measurement that is transparent to the data communication. Results of the OTDR measurement can be used to infer quality/performance of links used for the data communication. According to one aspect, coupling of a communication module with integrated OTDR capability to a respective multi-fiber connector is via individual optical fibers. According to another aspect, coupling of the communication module with integrated OTDR capability to the respective multi-fiber connector is according to a stacked configuration using an optical guide module arranged between the communication module and the respective multi-fiber connector.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automated health assessment of fiber optic links of a fiber optic communication system are described. Tables are used to describe the fiber optic links, including access addresses to communication modules used in the links. Telemetry data representative of operation of the communication modules can be read via the access addresses into a central station. OTDR/OFDR measurement data of fiber optic segments used in the links can be read via the access addresses into the central station. The telemetry and/or OTDR/OFDR measurement data can be used by the central station for comparison against reference data to assess health of the links. The communication modules locally and continuously capture the telemetry data to detect transient events that may be the result of tampering of the links.

Abstract: Methods and devices for a single wavelength fiber optic sensor system are described. Sensing is based on relative shift in spectral responses of two co-located fiber gratings (FBGs) within a fiber optic cable and measured at one measurement wavelength. Under a range of conditions of interest, the shift in spectral responses maintains the measurement wavelength within respective slopes of the spectral responses. A normalized difference in reflected power is used to desensitize the measurement from any variation in power of the single laser power and/or in loss through the fiber optic cable. Several pairs of co-located FBGs may be used within the same fiber optic cable, each pair used for sensing at a corresponding location. An OTDR system couples light pulses at the measurement wavelength to the fiber optic cable, and measures amplitudes and timing of corresponding reflected light pulses to perform the normalized difference.

Abstract: Methods and devices for coupling light bidirectionally into optical fiber are described. The disclosed devices can be manufactured inexpensively in one-piece and integrated in high speed optical transceivers with small form-factor. The described methods and devices enable OTDR functionality in such transceivers and are compatible with sensor components mounted on a wiring or circuit board.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automated health assessment of fiber optic links of a fiber optic communication system are described. Tables are used to describe the fiber optic links, including access addresses to communication modules used in the links. Telemetry data representative of operation of the communication modules can be read via the access addresses into a central station. OTDR/OFDR measurement data of fiber optic segments used in the links can be read via the access addresses into the central station. The telemetry and/or OTDR/OFDR measurement data can be used by the central station for comparison against reference data to assess health of the links. The communication modules locally and continuously capture the telemetry data to detect transient events that may be the result of tampering of the links.

Abstract: Methods and devices for coupling light bidirectionally into optical fiber are described. The disclosed devices can be manufactured inexpensively in one-piece and integrated in high speed optical transceivers with small form-factor. The described methods and devices enable OTDR functionality in such transceivers and are compatible with sensor components mounted on a wiring or circuit board.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automated health assessment of fiber optic links of a fiber optic communication system are described. Tables are used to describe the fiber optic links, including access addresses to communication modules used in the links. Telemetry data representative of operation of the communication modules can be read via the access addresses into a central station. OTDR/OFDR measurement data of fiber optic segments used in the links can be read via the access addresses into the central station. The telemetry and/or OTDR/OFDR measurement data can be used by the central station for comparison against reference data to assess health of the links. The communication modules locally and continuously capture the telemetry data to detect transient events that may be the result of tampering of the links.

Abstract: Methods and devices for coupling light bidirectionally into optical fiber are described. The disclosed devices can be manufactured inexpensively in one-piece and integrated in high speed optical transceivers with small form-factor. The described methods and devices enable OTDR functionality in such transceivers and are compatible with sensor components mounted on a wiring or circuit board.

Abstract: A protective assembly method using a transparent layer within the fiber interconnect system aids in optical coupling by preventing an air gap from forming between the fiber cores within a connector. A thin transparent film (or with adhesive) is placed over the fiber end-faces at the connector interface, the film having characteristics which allows it to conform to the fiber end and minimize coupling loss between fibers. The film is sized to fit connectors faces and can be temporary, being replaced with each installation. A coating can also applied to the connector surface, providing a similar effect, as well as structurally enhancing the connector surfaces.

Abstract: A protective assembly method using a transparent layer within the fiber interconnect system aids in optical coupling by preventing an air gap from forming between the fiber cores within a connector. A fiber protection device made of a thin transparent film, which includes an adhesive layer, is applied over the fiber end-faces at the connector interface, the film having characteristics which allows it to conform to the fiber end and minimize coupling loss between fibers. According to one aspect, the film is part of a cartridge that provides structural support for the film to facilitate application of the fiber protection device. The film may be divided by perforate patterns that define one or more fiber protection devices formed by the film. The assembly method can include usage of an applicator base plate upon which the cartridge is mounted. According to another aspect, the film may be part of a single-use disposable pod for application of a single fiber protection device.

Abstract: A protective assembly method using a transparent layer within the fiber interconnect system aids in optical coupling by preventing an air gap from forming between the fiber cores within a connector. A fiber protection device made of a thin transparent film, which includes an adhesive layer, is applied over the fiber end-faces at the connector interface, the film having characteristics which allows it to conform to the fiber end and minimize coupling loss between fibers. According to one aspect, the film is part of a cartridge that provides structural support for the film to facilitate application of the fiber protection device. The film may be divided by perforate patterns that define one or more fiber protection devices formed by the film. The assembly method can include usage of an applicator base plate upon which the cartridge is mounted. According to another aspect, the film may be part of a single-use disposable pod for application of a single fiber protection device.

Abstract: A protective assembly method using a transparent layer within the fiber interconnect system aids in optical coupling by preventing an air gap from forming between the fiber cores within a connector. A thin transparent film (or with adhesive) is placed over the fiber end-faces at the connector interface, the film having characteristics which allows it to conform to the fiber end and minimize coupling loss between fibers. The film is sized to fit connectors faces and can be temporary, being replaced with each installation. A coating can also applied to the connector surface, providing a similar effect, as well as structurally enhancing the connector surfaces.

Abstract: An optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) system with an integrated high speed optical modulator is capable of operating at a speed similar to the OTDR pulse width to improve the measurement resolution and reduce the time required to acquire a high dynamic range OTDR measurement over existing approaches. ASICs can be used to control the modulator and generation of pulses. The high-speed optical modulator enables high resolution single-photon OTDR measurement by blocking out all return light except from the region of fiber under examination.