Abstract: A method of mapping a network path in which a geographic path of cables of a network between a geographic location of a network component and a geographic location of a terminal network element is estimated electronically using walking directions data from a geodata services provider. A geographically accurate street map is populated with the geographic location of the network component, the geographic location of the terminal network element, and the estimated geographic path. The map is capable of being displayed with the use of geospatial software. A signal processing electronic device for populating a display of an interactive graphical user interface with network path mapping information and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer program instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the above referenced operations are also provided.

Abstract: Improved systems and methods for delivering CATV content over a fiber optic network from a transmitter by compensating for optical dispersion over the fiber optic network.

Abstract: A method of estimating a defect location within a network is provided. Information of pre-equalization coefficients of an adaptive pre-equalizer of a terminal network element on the network is received. A total amount of equalization applied by a negative delay portion of the adaptive pre-equalizer relative to a main tap level and a total amount of equalization applied by a positive delay portion of the adaptive pre-equalizer relative to the main tap level is determined. The terminal network element is determined as being affected by a defect if at least one of the total amount of equalization applied by the negative or positive delay portions relative to the main tap level is at an unacceptable level. If a defect is identified, a location of the defect is estimated differently depending upon whether the negative or positive delay portion of the adaptive pre-equalizer applies the greatest amount of equalization.

Abstract: A method of mapping a network fault is provided. Information is received concerning geographical coordinates of terminal network elements and their association with shared network components. A performance parameter is transmitted via upstream network communications from the terminal network elements is monitored. Terminal network elements from which the monitored performance parameter are unacceptable relative to a predetermined threshold for the performance parameter are identified, and a cluster of terminal network elements estimated to be subject to a common network fault is defined. The cluster includes terminal network elements that are identified as reporting an unacceptable performance parameter, as being within a predetermined geographic distance from each other, and as being associated with a common shared network component. A geographic map is populated with a single cluster alarm and includes an identification of the terminal network elements within the cluster.

Abstract: A method of mapping a network fault is provided. Information is received concerning geographical coordinates of terminal network elements and their association with shared network components. A performance parameter is transmitted via upstream network communications from the terminal network elements is monitored. Terminal network elements from which the monitored performance parameter are unacceptable relative to a predetermined threshold for the performance parameter are identified, and a cluster of terminal network elements estimated to be subject to a common network fault is defined. The cluster includes terminal network elements that are identified as reporting an unacceptable performance parameter, as being within a predetermined geographic distance from each other, and as being associated with a common shared network component. A geographic map is populated with a single cluster alarm and includes an identification of the terminal network elements within the cluster.

Abstract: A method of estimating a physical location of a network fault is provided. Information is received concerning the physical topology of the network by data pulls of information concerning network components and terminal network elements and geographic locations thereof. A network fault is detected by monitoring at least one performance parameter transmitted via upstream communications from the terminal network elements, and a physical location of a network fault is estimated based on the performance parameter, the physical topology of the network, and the terminal network element or elements from which the performance parameter was received that indicated the network fault. A list of network components that require inspection and that may provide a source of the network fault is generated. A signal processing electronic device for mapping the network fault and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer program instructions are also provided.

Abstract: A method of estimating a level of severity of a network fault is provided. Performance parameters are monitored on upstream and downstream links to terminal network elements on a network to detect potential network faults. An alarm is raised with respect to a potential network fault automatically if at least one of the performance parameters as monitored crosses a preset threshold. After an alarm is raised, a level of severity is assigned to the alarm based on pre and post forward error correction (FEC) bit error rates (BER). In addition, the total number of terminal network elements that are impacted by the network fault is estimated and, when multiple alarms are raised of an equal level of severity, a higher priority is placed upon an alarm that affects service to a greatest number of terminal network elements.

Abstract: A method of mapping a network path in which a geographic path of cables of a network between a geographic location of a network component and a geographic location of a terminal network element is estimated electronically using Keyhole Markup Language (KML) data. A geographically accurate street map is populated with the geographic location of the network component, the geographic location of the terminal network element, and the estimated geographic path. The map is capable of being displayed with the use of geospatial software implementing KML encoding. A signal processing electronic device for populating a display of an interactive graphical user interface with network path mapping information and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer program instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the above referenced operations are also provided.

Abstract: A method and computing device that provides a tunable RF filter for a two-way communication system. The method receives a downstream video signal, and filters the downstream video signal into at least one downstream bandwidth band, each downstream bandwidth band related to desired upstream/downstream bandwidth splits. The method performs an energy detection on each downstream bandwidth band, and determines a lowest frequency of said at least one downstream bandwidth band that contains downstream video content. The method sets a diplex filter upstream/downstream frequency cutoff to a maximum upstream bandwidth that does not conflict with the lowest frequency of said at least one downstream bandwidth band that contains downstream video content.

Abstract: A method (100) of operation in a passive optical network system (600) includes transmitting wave division multiplexed data in a downstream link (617) of an optical distribution network (618) using a plurality of optical line terminals (601,602,603). Each optical line terminal (601,602,603) operates at a unique wavelength, and is synchronized to each other optical line terminal by a common reference (643). Upstream data is received from an upstream link (619) of the optical distribution network on a shared common upstream wavelength (620).

Abstract: A passive optical network system having a node that is optically coupled to optical line terminals (OLTs), and that is optically coupled to optical network units (ONUs). The node includes at least one fiber link module (FLM), each FLM including an upstream multiplex conversion device (MCD), and a downstream MCD. The upstream MCD receives an upstream optical signal from the ONUs, converts the upstream optical signal to an upstream electrical signal, and transmits a regenerated upstream optical signal to the OLTs. The downstream MCD receives a downstream optical signal from the OLTs, converts the downstream optical signal to a downstream electrical signal, and transmits a regenerated downstream optical signal to the ONUs.

Abstract: An optical receiver includes a light receiving element for converting an optical signal to an electrical signal having a first bandwidth and an amplifier for amplifying the electrical signal. The amplifier has a first gain response that yields a second bandwidth that is less than the first bandwidth. The optical receiver also includes an equalizing circuit operationally coupled to the amplifier. The equalizing circuit has a second gain response that compensates for the first gain response of the amplifier so that a substantially constant net gain is imparted by the amplifier and the equalizing circuit to the electrical signal over the first bandwidth.

Abstract: An optical receiver includes a light receiving element for converting an optical signal to an electrical signal having a first bandwidth and an amplifier for amplifying the electrical signal. The amplifier has a first gain response that yields a second bandwidth that is less than the first bandwidth. The optical receiver also includes an equalizing circuit operationally coupled to the amplifier. The equalizing circuit has a second gain response that compensates for the first gain response of the amplifier so that a substantially constant net gain is imparted by the amplifier and the equalizing circuit to the electrical signal over the first bandwidth.

Abstract: A method is provided to calibrate a monitor photodiode that measures the optical output power generated by an optoelectronic transceiver module that includes a burst mode laser diode. The method includes disabling the power control loop that controls an average optical output power generated by the laser diode during a laser burst. A series of logic zero signals is applied to a data input of the transceiver module and the logic zero level of the optical signal generated by the burst mode laser diode while applying the series of logic zero signals is measured. The logic zero bias level applied to the laser diode is adjusted until the measured logic zero level of the optical signal reaches a first desired value. While maintaining the optical signal at the first desired value, a first value of a current generated by the monitor photodiode in response to optical energy received from a back facet of the laser diode is stored.

Abstract: An optical network terminal is provided for use in a passive optical network (PON). The optical network terminal includes a data port for receiving data packets from an external device and a processor for converting the data packets to data link frames. In addition, the optical network terminal includes a memory configured to store a time division multiplexing scheme identifying a time slot assigned to each of a plurality of network nodes in the PON for transmission of upstream optical signals. An optical transceiver is provided for converting the data link frames to upstream optical signals and transmitting the optical signals on an upstream TDMA (time division, multiple access) channel to an Optical Line Terminal (OLT). The optical transceiver includes a burst mode laser diode for generating the optical signals and a burst mode laser driver for biasing the laser diode with a bias signal and a modulation bias signal. The laser driver includes a dual closed loop feedback control circuit.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed towards a system and method for providing a high speed switching driver to transmit data information. A first current is switched through a diode or shunted through an alternate path to selectively bias the diode. A second current can also be selectively switched through the diode to modulate a light energy output transmitted from the diode. Based on this configuration, fast bias-switching for generating a modulated laser diode output can be achieved by selectively switching the bias current through the diode or alternate path. Consequently, a solid state device can be controlled to transmit data information after a relatively minimal setup time delay to bias the diode.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for receiving packets having a wide dynamic range of power levels over a shared medium in a communications system. The receiver responds to a packet with a different power level within an inter-packet time and maintains a constant logic level for a long string of ‘ones’ or ‘zeros’ within a packet. An AC-coupled pre-amplifier provides a voltage signal having a slowly decaying power level for a long string of ‘ones’ or ‘zeros’ within the packet. A differential amplifier with hysteresis, ignores the slowly decaying power level of a long string of ‘ones’ or ‘zeros’ within the packet and does not overwrite the power level of the long string until it detects the end of the string.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed towards a system and method for providing a high speed switching driver to transmit data information. A first current is switched through a diode or shunted through an alternate path to selectively bias the diode. A second current can also be selectively switched through the diode to modulate a light energy output transmitted from the diode. Based on this configuration, fast bias-switching for generating a modulated laser diode output can be achieved by selectively switching the bias current through the diode or alternate path. Consequently, a solid state device can be controlled to transmit data information after a relatively minimal setup time delay to bias the diode.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed towards a system and method for providing a high speed switching driver to transmit data information. A first current is switched through a diode or shunted through an alternate path to selectively bias the diode. A second current can also be selectively switched through the diode to modulate a light energy output transmitted from the diode. Based on this configuration, fast bias-switching for generating a modulated laser diode output can be achieved by selectively switching the bias current through the diode or alternate path. Consequently, a solid state device can be controlled to transmit data information after a relatively minimal setup time delay to bias the diode.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed towards a system and method for providing a high speed switching driver to transmit data information. A first current is switched through a diode or shunted through an alternate path to selectively bias the diode. A second current can also be selectively switched through the diode to modulate a light energy output transmitted from the diode. Based on this configuration, fast bias-switching for generating a modulated laser diode output can be achieved by selectively switching the bias current through the diode or alternate path. Consequently, a solid state device can be controlled to transmit data information after a relatively minimal setup time delay to bias the diode.