Abstract: An architecture for use in controlling and managing optical functions and optical devices. A common microprocessor based control layer coordinates commands between optical devices and a user station. The control layer executes an operating system which handles data flow in the control layer. Generic commands from the user station causes the operating system to call specific subroutines the produce digital commands. These digital commands are then passed to a digital layer that interfaces with an analog layer. The analog layer is specifically developed to interface and work with a specific optical device. The analog layer thus directly controls the optical device including changing its settings based on input from the digital layer.

Abstract: A caddy for dispensing fiber optic patch cord cables. The device has a housing inside of which a disk is rotatably mounted. A length of patch cord cable is wound around the circumference of the disk and an S-shaped channel is present on one side of the disk. The channel is sized to hold captive a section of the patch cord fiber optic cable, thereby preventing any loss of signal or damage to the patch cord fiber optic cable from undue bending stresses on the cable. The housing has an opening through which the two ends of the patch cord fiber optic cable protrude.

Abstract: Methods and devices which use a tunable optical filter to only scan selected portions of spectrum of the optical carrier. By not scanning the whole spectrum, fast scanning is achieved while providing high scanning resolution by the use of the tunable optical filter. To save board space and cost, data is compared with existing data from the network at a logically remote location.

Abstract: A method and devices for individually controlling the signal strength of single or multiple optical channels. A controller module monitors the signal strength of channels and amplifies those that need amplifying while attenuating those that are too strong using the same Erbium doped fiber amplifier. A controllable compensation module receives at least one channel and, when required, can either amplify or attenuate the signal strength of the channels. The module can be constructed out of a single fiber with an associated pump laser. If the laser provides insufficient pumping power, the fiber acts as an attenuator. If the laser provides a higher level of pump power, the fiber acts as an amplifier.

Abstract: A method and devices for individually controlling the signal strength of single or multiple optical channels. A controller module monitors the signal strength of channels and amplifies those that need amplifying while attenuating those that are too strong using the same Erbium doped fiber amplifier. A controllable compensation module receives at least one channel and, when required, can either amplify or attenuate the signal strength of the channel(s). The module can be constructed out of a single fiber with an associated pump laser. If the laser provides insufficient pumping power, the fiber acts as an attenuator. If the laser provides a higher level of pump power, the fiber acts as an amplifier.

Abstract: A broadband optical amplifier that can provide a constant amplifier gain profile, correct for ASE noise, and minimize gain tilt by dynamically controlling different stages of the amplifier through a combination of gain, loss, and power control of each stage depending on input and the desired output level. The multiple stage amplifier has a central control circuit independently controlling each stage, the amplifier comprising a plurality of sequentially coupled stages, each stage being an attenuator stage, a gain setting sub-amplifier stage, or a power level setting stage. The central control circuit determines which stages are actively gain or power controlled.

Abstract: A broadband light source is fabricated from an optical transmission medium having an amplification material such as rare earth doped (e.g. erbium) fiber. The natural emission spectrum of this amplification material is corrected. The weak emission wavelength region has been enhanced and the whole spectrum flattened. The source outputs high power with about 25% pump efficiency. The spectrum is stable and the power density is equalized through out the emission region.

Abstract: A broadband light amplifier comprising a pair of signal transmission and amplification arms, one for carrying a short wavelength signal in a short optical wavelength band and another for carrying a longer wavelength signal in a longer optical wavelength band, an optical amplifier in each arm for amplifying a respective signal carried therein, and a wavelength division optical multiplexer for combining the amplified signals into a single optical fiber, the amplifier being devoid of a circulator.

Abstract: An optical light source signal generator comprising an optical amplification medium for generating amplified spontaneous emission (ASE), having forward and backward light propagating ports for outputting output and backward optical light respectively, a reflector for reflecting the backward propagating optical light back toward the backward light propagating port, and an optical light spectrum reshaper interposed between the reflector and the backward light propagating port for transmitting the reflected light to the backward light propagating port with a wavelength dependence having a reduced amplitude in a band coinciding with an undesired high gain band of the optical amplification medium.