Abstract: We disclose a modular fiber-interconnect device that can be used in a ROADM to optically interconnect wavelength-selective switches and optical add/drop blocks thereof. An example module of the modular fiber-interconnect device has seventeen optical ports, each implemented using an MPO connector of the same type. The number of (nominally identical) modules in the modular fiber-interconnect device depends on the degree N of the ROADM and can vary, e.g., from two for N=4 to fourteen or more for N?20. A proper set of duplex optical connections within the ROADM can be created in a relatively straightforward manner, e.g., by running MPO cables of the same type from the wavelength-selective switches and the optical add/drop blocks of the ROADM to appropriate optical ports of the various modules of the modular fiber-interconnect device.

Abstract: We disclose a modular fiber-interconnect device that can be used in a ROADM to optically interconnect wavelength-selective switches and optical add/drop blocks thereof. An example module of the modular fiber-interconnect device has seventeen optical ports, each implemented using an MPO connector of the same type. The number of (nominally identical) modules in the modular fiber-interconnect device depends on the degree N of the ROADM and can vary, e.g., from two for N=4 to fourteen or more for N?20. A proper set of duplex optical connections within the ROADM can be created in a relatively straightforward manner, e.g., by running MPO cables of the same type from the wavelength-selective switches and the optical add/drop blocks of the ROADM to appropriate optical ports of the various modules of the modular fiber-interconnect device.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided, e.g. an optical transmitter, that includes an optical noise source and an optical coupler. The optical noise source is configured to produce light having a noise spectrum and is optically coupled to a selected one of the inputs. The optical noise conditioner is configured to receive the light from the optical noise source and to form a noise slice of the noise spectrum. The optical noise conditioner includes a wavelength blocker located in an optical path between the optical noise source and the optical coupler; and, an optical amplifier located in an optical path between the wavelength blocker and the optical coupler.

Abstract: The present invention involves the passing of clock information from a point where a tributary payload is mapped into a carrier to a point where a tributary payload is de-mapped from the carrier. A synchronization signal is generated at the mapping end. Rather than sending clock phase information implicitly by means of the data, as is normally the case, a value of the synchronization signal at a given time, is sent explicitly, independent from the payload data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filtering phase noise or jitter from a reference signal that may be of any arbitrary rate. By using a synthesizer to convert a signal at the output of a low noise signal source to a signal with frequency similar to a high speed output rate with desired relationship to the reference signal, a limitation normally caused by the narrow tuning range of a VCXO (a typical low noise signal source) can be overcome. Conversely, the desired high speed output rate may be converted to one similar to the VCXO frequency.