Abstract: An optical block includes a first surface that receives light entering the optical block, a second surface through which the light exits the optical block, and a reflector that reflects light from the first surface towards the second surface. The reflector includes a textured surface that scatters or absorbs some of the light received from the first surface to attenuate the light exiting the optical block through the second surface.

Abstract: An optical block includes a first surface that receives light entering the optical block, a second surface through which the light exits the optical block, and a reflector that reflects light from the first surface towards the second surface. The reflector includes a textured surface that scatters or absorbs some of the light received from the first surface to attenuate the light exiting the optical block through the second surface.

Abstract: An optical block includes a first surface that receives light entering the optical block, a second surface through which the light exits the optical block, and a reflector that reflects light from the first surface towards the second surface. The reflector includes a textured surface that scatters or absorbs some of the light received from the first surface to attenuate the light exiting the optical block through the second surface.

Abstract: An optical block includes a first surface that receives light entering the optical block, a second surface through which the light exits the optical block, and a reflector that reflects light from the first surface towards the second surface. The reflector includes a textured surface that scatters or absorbs some of the light received from the first surface to attenuate the light exiting the optical block through the second surface.

Abstract: An optical transceiver provides substantial thermal isolation between an IC die and an optical element that is in electrical communication with the IC die. The IC die is further in electrical communication with a substrate that supports the optical element and the IC die. The transceiver includes an IC heat spreader that is configured to dissipate heat generated from the IC die. The IC die and the optical element can be substantially thermally isolated from each other so as to prevent the heat generated from the IC die from causing the optical elements to overheat.

Abstract: A method for determining receiver coupling efficiency includes varying optical power inputted into a half active optical cable to determine a maximum optical power at which the TIA squelches and determining a receiver coupling efficiency by calculating a ratio of a threshold optical power to the maximum optical power at which the TIA squelches. A method of determining link loss in a channel includes varying optical power of a light source to determine the maximum optical power at which the TIA squelches and determining the link loss in the channel by subtracting the maximum optical power from the threshold optical power. A method of determining link topology includes selecting a pattern of optical powers and matching a pattern of squelched and non-squelched outputs with the pattern of optical power. An active optical cable includes memory storing a value related to an initial link loss of the active optical cable.

Abstract: A method for determining receiver coupling efficiency includes varying optical power inputted into a half active optical cable to determine a maximum optical power at which the TIA squelches and determining a receiver coupling efficiency by calculating a ratio of a threshold optical power to the maximum optical power at which the TIA squelches. A method of determining link loss in a channel includes varying optical power of a light source to determine the maximum optical power at which the TIA squelches and determining the link loss in the channel by subtracting the maximum optical power from the threshold optical power. A method of determining link topology includes selecting a pattern of optical powers and matching a pattern of squelched and non-squelched outputs with the pattern of optical power. An active optical cable includes memory storing a value related to an initial link loss of the active optical cable.

Abstract: A method for determining receiver coupling efficiency includes varying optical power inputted into a half active optical cable to determine a maximum optical power at which the TIA squelches and determining a receiver coupling efficiency by calculating a ratio of a threshold optical power to the maximum optical power at which the TIA squelches. A method of determining link loss in a channel includes varying optical power of a light source to determine the maximum optical power at which the TIA squelches and determining the link loss in the channel by subtracting the maximum optical power from the threshold optical power. A method of determining link topology includes selecting a pattern of optical powers and matching a pattern of squelched and non-squelched outputs with the pattern of optical power. An active optical cable includes memory storing a value related to an initial link loss of the active optical cable.

Abstract: A method for determining receiver coupling efficiency includes varying optical power inputted into a half active optical cable to determine a maximum optical power at which the TIA squelches and determining a receiver coupling efficiency by calculating a ratio of a threshold optical power to the maximum optical power at which the TIA squelches. A method of determining link loss in a channel includes varying optical power of a light source to determine the maximum optical power at which the TIA squelches and determining the link loss in the channel by subtracting the maximum optical power from the threshold optical power. A method of determining link topology includes selecting a pattern of optical powers and matching a pattern of squelched and non-squelched outputs with the pattern of optical power. An active optical cable includes memory storing a value related to an initial link loss of the active optical cable.

Abstract: A method for determining receiver coupling efficiency includes varying optical power inputted into a half active optical cable to determine a maximum optical power at which the TIA squelches and determining a receiver coupling efficiency by calculating a ratio of a threshold optical power to the maximum optical power at which the TIA squelches. A method of determining link loss in a channel includes varying optical power of a light source to determine the maximum optical power at which the TIA squelches and determining the link loss in the channel by subtracting the maximum optical power from the threshold optical power. A method of determining link topology includes selecting a pattern of optical powers and matching a pattern of squelched and non-squelched outputs with the pattern of optical power. An active optical cable includes memory storing a value related to an initial link loss of the active optical cable.

Abstract: A method for determining receiver coupling efficiency includes varying optical power inputted into a half active optical cable to determine a maximum optical power at which the TIA squelches and determining a receiver coupling efficiency by calculating a ratio of a threshold optical power to the maximum optical power at which the TIA squelches. A method of determining link loss in a channel includes varying optical power of a light source to determine the maximum optical power at which the TIA squelches and determining the link loss in the channel by subtracting the maximum optical power from the threshold optical power. A method of determining link topology includes selecting a pattern of optical powers and matching a pattern of squelched and non-squelched outputs with the pattern of optical power. An active optical cable includes memory storing a value related to an initial link loss of the active optical cable.

Abstract: An optical block includes a first surface that receives light entering the optical block, a second surface through which the light exits the optical block, and a reflector that reflects light from the first surface towards the second surface. The reflector includes a textured surface that scatters or absorbs some of the light received from the first surface to attenuate the light exiting the optical block through the second surface.

Abstract: A method of calculating an effective age of an active optical cable including a fiber optic cable, at least one optical transducer, a first memory, and a second memory includes, during regular intervals that are divided into regular subintervals and after each of the regular subintervals, sensing an operational parameter of the active optical cable and recording in the second memory a value corresponding to a sensed operational parameter; after each of the regular intervals, storing in the first memory the values recorded in the second memory; and calculating the effective age of the active optical cable based on the values stored in the first memory.

Abstract: A method for determining receiver coupling efficiency includes varying optical power inputted into a half active optical cable to determine a maximum optical power at which the TIA squelches and determining a receiver coupling efficiency by calculating a ratio of a threshold optical power to the maximum optical power at which the TIA squelches. A method of determining link loss in a channel includes varying optical power of a light source to determine the maximum optical power at which the TIA squelches and determining the link loss in the channel by subtracting the maximum optical power from the threshold optical power. A method of determining link topology includes selecting a pattern of optical powers and matching a pattern of squelched and non-squelched outputs with the pattern of optical power. An active optical cable includes memory storing a value related to an initial link loss of the active optical cable.

Abstract: A data transport system for transporting data and auxiliary signals over an optical link comprises a transmitter, a receiver and an optical link. The transmitter and receiver are coupled to a first end of the optical link. The optical link includes a number of optical channels. A controller is coupled to the transmitter and the receiver, and controls the transmitter and the receiver to operate in a first state when data are detected at an input of the transmitter. Data are transported via the data transport system in the first state. The controller controls the transmitter and the receiver to operate in a second state when the data are detected as absent at the input of the transmitter. Data are prevented from being transported via the data transport system in the second state.

Abstract: A data transport system for transporting data and auxiliary signals over an optical link comprises a transmitter, a receiver and an optical link. The transmitter and receiver are coupled to a first end of the optical link. The optical link includes a number of optical channels. A controller is coupled to the transmitter and the receiver, and controls the transmitter and the receiver to operate in a first state when data are detected at an input of the transmitter. Data are transported via the data transport system in the first state. The controller controls the transmitter and the receiver to operate in a second state when the data are detected as absent at the input of the transmitter. Data are prevented from being transported via the data transport system in the second state.

Abstract: A data transport system for transporting data and auxiliary signals over an optical link comprises a transmitter, a receiver and an optical link. The transmitter and receiver are coupled to a first end of the optical link. The optical link includes a number of optical channels. A controller is coupled to the transmitter and the receiver, and controls the transmitter and the receiver to operate in a first state when data are detected at an input of the transmitter. Data are transported via the data transport system in the first state. The controller controls the transmitter and the receiver to operate in a second state when the data are detected as absent at the input of the transmitter. Data are prevented from being transported via the data transport system in the second state.

Abstract: A data transport system for transporting data and auxiliary signals over an optical link comprises a transmitter, a receiver and an optical link. The transmitter and receiver are coupled to a first end of the optical link. The optical link includes a number of optical channels. A controller is coupled to the transmitter and the receiver, and controls the transmitter and the receiver to operate in a first state when data are detected at an input of the transmitter. Data are transported via the data transport system in the first state. The controller controls the transmitter and the receiver to operate in a second state when the data are detected as absent at the input of the transmitter. Data are prevented from being transported via the data transport system in the second state.

Abstract: A data transport system for transporting data and auxiliary signals over an optical link comprises a transmitter, a receiver and an optical link. The transmitter and receiver are coupled to a first end of the optical link. The optical link includes a number of optical channels. A controller is coupled to the transmitter and the receiver, and controls the transmitter and the receiver to operate in a first state when data are detected at an input of the transmitter. Data are transported via the data transport system in the first state. The controller controls the transmitter and the receiver to operate in a second state when the data are detected as absent at the input of the transmitter. Data are prevented from being transported via the data transport system in the second state.

Abstract: A data transport system for transporting data and auxiliary signals over an optical link comprises a transmitter, a receiver and an optical link. The transmitter and receiver are coupled to a first end of the optical link. The optical link includes a number of optical channels. A controller is coupled to the transmitter and the receiver, and controls the transmitter and the receiver to operate in a first state when data are detected at an input of the transmitter. Data are transported via the data transport system in the first state. The controller controls the transmitter and the receiver to operate in a second state when the data are detected as absent at the input of the transmitter. Data are prevented from being transported via the data transport system in the second state.