Abstract: A ganged optical circuit switch includes an input array and an output array each having a set of ports; a first switching plane and a second switching plane disposed between the input array and the output array, each having a plurality of switching elements; and one or more multiplexing lenses located between the input array and the output array, configured to perform angular multiplexing of a group of the set of ports where all channels from the group are on a single switching element of the plurality of switching elements. The group of the set of ports can correspond to a parallel single mode (PSM) optical transceiver, such that the angular multiplexing reduces the number of switching elements by a number of channels on the PSM optical transceiver.

Abstract: A modular and manufacturable optical cross connect includes a plurality of subassemblies each including either of an array of collimators and an array of adjustable mirrors, wherein the plurality of subassemblies are configured to modularly scale a size of the optical cross connect, wherein the plurality of subassemblies are arranged relative to one another with an optical propagation region in between, and wherein the plurality of subassemblies with the array of collimators each include one or more probe ports configured to support an alignment signal for active alignment control.

Abstract: A hybrid air/liquid-cooled network element including a backplane defining a plurality of holes, one or more printed circuit boards disposed on one side of the backplane, a plurality of fan units coupled to an opposite side of the backplane and adapted to circulate an air flow to components disposed on the printed circuit board(s) through certain of the plurality of holes defined by the backplane, and one or more coolant distribution manifold boxes coupled to the opposite side of the backplane adjacent to the plurality of fan units and adapted to circulate a coolant fluid flow to one or more cold plates disposed adjacent to components disposed on the printed circuit board(s) through other of the plurality of holes defined by the backplane, where the one or more coolant distribution manifold boxes each have height and width dimensions substantially the same as each of the plurality of fan units.

Abstract: A host module configured for insertion into a chassis of a network element includes a Printed Circuit Board (PCB); a plurality of rails disposed on the PCB, for housing one or more universal sub slot modules on the host module, wherein the plurality of rails are for guiding a universal sub slot module during insertion and for stabilization thereof; and a faceplate disposed to the PCB and including one or more openings each for the one or more universal sub slot modules, wherein the PCB communicates to each of the one or more universal sub slot modules via a plurality of high-speed links that are at least 28 Gbps each. At least one of the one or more universal sub slot modules can be a coherent modem or a router.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for increasing space for external connectors on network components mounted on a rack or cabinet. According to one implementation, a Network Element (NE) assembly includes a blade module having a relatively flat form factor. The blade module, for instance, includes at least a front section, a rear section, a left-side section, and a right-side section. When the blade module is mounted in a rack, the front section thereof is arranged at or near a front portion of the rack and the rear section thereof is arranged at or near a back portion of the rack. Furthermore, the NE assembly further includes a first side-plane connector module configured to be coupled with the left-side section or right-side section of the blade module.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling airflow through a casing or shelf assembly are provided. An apparatus, according to one implementation, includes a mount plate configured to be attached to a side panel of a casing for housing network equipment. For example, the mount plate may include a window. The apparatus also includes one or more hinges arranged at an edge of the window of the mount plate and a baffle pivotably attached to the one or more hinges. The baffle can be arranged within a range of positions with respect to the mount plate to control an amount of airflow through the window. Within these range of positions, the baffle is configured to redirect the airflow in a front-to-back direction through the casing.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide a guided cable assist that blinks port LEDs on the faceplate cage of modules as an indication that assists the user in cabling a system optimally from start to finish. The systems and methods include receiving a signal responsive to a first end of a cable being coupled to a first port in a system; providing an indication, wherein the indication signifies where a second end of the cable is to be coupled; and responsive to the second end of the cable being coupled, performing a validation check of the cable connection.

Abstract: An imaging fiber bundle includes a first end and a second end; and N photonic lanterns, N>1, wherein the N photonic lanterns are disposed between and aligned to the first end and the second end. Each of the N photonic lanterns includes first M multimode cores, at the first end, that extend to S single-mode cores, where M and S are integers, and M<S, and second M multimode cores that, at the second end, that extend from the S single-mode cores.

Abstract: A circuit assembly includes a printed circuit board, an integrated circuit chip coupled to the printed circuit board, and a plurality of power phases associated with the integrated circuit chip arranged as grouped power phases. One or more power phases of the grouped power phases is physically distanced from a side of the integrated circuit chip associated with physically distanced power phase(s) of the grouped power phases.

Abstract: A network device includes a support structure configured to support communication equipment, the support structure including at least a non-conductive vertical substrate, a pair of conductive strips arranged on a front-facing surface of the non-conductive vertical substrate and configured in electrical communication with a power source, and one or more alignment blocks, where each of the one or more alignment blocks includes a touch-proof cage configuration that has spacing dimensions configured to prevent a normal-sized human finger from contacting the pair of conductive strips to reduce the risk of electric shock. Each of the one or more alignment blocks includes slots configured to guide one or more power connectors of a circuit board for making electrical contact with the pair of conductive strips when the circuit board is installed on the support structure.

Abstract: A network element include one or more modules each supporting one or more pluggable modules; and a first manifold and a second manifold each configured to connect to a conduit associated with a coldplate, wherein one of the first manifold and the second manifold is an inlet manifold and the other is an outlet manifold for a cooling fluid that flows through the conduit to cool the one or more pluggable modules. The one or more pluggable modules can be each a pluggable optical module that is one of compliant to any of XFP, SFP, XENPAK, X2, CFP, CFP2, CFP4, CFP8, QSFP, QSFP+, QSFP28, OSFP, and QSFP-DD and have a housing that has dimensions similar to any of XFP, SFP, XENPAK, X2, CFP, CFP2, CFP4, CFP8, QSFP, QSFP+, QSFP28, OSFP, and QSFP-DD.

Abstract: Systems and methods include an optical switch system which provides a combination of ?LED arrays, PDs, imaging fiber cables, and crosspoint switch on a single chip. The system includes one or more input ports with each input port configured to connect to an input fiber bundle. The system additionally includes one or more output ports with each output port configured to connect to an output fiber cable, wherein each of the input fiber bundle and the output fiber cable include a plurality of fiber cores. An electrical crosspoint switch is connected to the one or more input ports and the one or more output ports, wherein the electrical crosspoint switch is configured to connect a given input port to a corresponding output port, including all signals in the input fiber cable to the corresponding output fiber cable.

Abstract: Systems and methods include cabling topology for expansion of network components such as servers, computing devices, routers, switches, and other components of the like. In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides a rack which may be coupled to a plurality of additional side racks. The racks include one or more shelves (systems), the shelves being connected via a plurality of cables each having the same length and any excess slack in the cables is managed via utilizing any of a plurality of hooks. The racks may include a plurality of systems stacked on top of each other which may be connected via the plurality of cables each having the same length and any excess slack in the cables again being managed via any of the plurality of hooks.

Abstract: Network rack systems for physically supporting modules of a network element and cable management structures for maintaining network cables in an organized manner are provided. An auxiliary side cabinet, according to one implementation, includes a frame configured for physical attachment to a side portion of a main rack structure, where the main rack structure is configured to support a plurality of modules of a Network Element (NE). The auxiliary side cabinet further includes a front plane connected to a front portion of the frame. Also, the auxiliary side cabinet includes one or more connector panels supported on the front plane. Each of the one or more connector panels is configured to support a plurality of connectors. The plurality of connectors are configured for communication with associated connectors of the modules of the NE via cables. Also, the plurality of connectors are configured as high pin count connectors.

Abstract: An optical bypass system for interconnecting a plurality of data centers with a regional hub networking node includes an optical switching layer configured to receive a plurality of channels from each of the plurality of data centers, and to switch the plurality of channels from each of the plurality of data centers (1) between one another for optical bypass and (2) to an electrical switching fabric at the regional hub networking node; and a controller configured to (1) configure wavelengths on corresponding optical transceivers for each of the plurality of channels from each of the plurality of data centers, (2) configure wavelength switching in the optical switching layer, and (3) determine packet forwarding between the corresponding optical transceivers.

Abstract: A hardened optical platform includes a hardened enclosure including a door that when closed environmentally seals the hardened enclosure; a first set including one of more modules; a second set including one or more modules arranged substantially perpendicular to the first set; and high-speed cabling interconnecting the first set to the second set, wherein the hardened optical platform is passively cooled with the hardened enclosure and the door being weatherproof thereby having no airflow internally from a surrounding environment.

Abstract: Network rack systems for physically supporting modules of a network element and cable management structures for maintaining network cables in an organized manner are provided. An auxiliary side cabinet, according to one implementation, includes a frame configured for physical attachment to a side portion of a main rack structure, where the main rack structure is configured to support a plurality of modules of a Network Element (NE). The auxiliary side cabinet further includes a front plane connected to a front portion of the frame. Also, the auxiliary side cabinet includes one or more connector panels supported on the front plane. Each of the one or more connector panels is configured to support a plurality of connectors. The plurality of connectors are configured for communication with associated connectors of the modules of the NE via cables. Also, the plurality of connectors are configured as high pin count connectors.

Abstract: A shelf system for use in a telecommunications or networking application, including a shelf assembly and a circuit card assembly conformally inserted into the shelf assembly. The circuit card assembly includes a printed circuit board assembly disposed in a case and a plurality of fabric ports coupled to the printed circuit board and accessible from a rear facing side of the case. The shelf assembly includes a housing defining an opening on a rear facing side of the housing adapted to provide access to the plurality of fabric ports from the rear facing side of the housing. The circuit card assembly further includes a plurality of client ports accessible from a front facing side of the case and the housing of the shelf assembly further defines an opening on a front facing side of the housing adapted to provide access to the plurality of client ports from the front facing side of the housing.

Abstract: A circuit assembly includes a printed circuit board, an integrated circuit chip coupled to the printed circuit board, and a plurality of power phases associated with the integrated circuit chip arranged as grouped power phases. One or more power phases of the grouped power phases is physically distanced from a side of the integrated circuit chip associated with physically distanced power phase(s) of the grouped power phases.

Abstract: Systems and methods include an optical transceiver configured to connect to a fiber cable having a plurality of fiber cores, the optical transceiver including a plurality of transmitters, and a plurality of receivers, wherein the transmitters connect to a first set of the fiber cores in the fiber cable and the receivers connect to a second set of the fiber cores of the fiber cable. The optical transceiver including an array composed of the elements where each element consists of a ?LED and a Photodetector connected to a programmable wire such that a training algorithm selects which wires become active in the data path. Associated circuitry such as drivers for ?LEDs and TIAs for PDs are also part of each element.