Abstract: A collimator device and a collimator lens array for an optical circuit switch are provided. The collimator includes a fiber array including multiple optical fibers disposed in a hole array. An optical lens array is aligned and coupled to the fiber array. A spacer is disposed between the fiber array and the optical lens array and provides substantially uniform spacing between lenses in the optical lens array and corresponding fibers in the fiber array. Multiple pads are positioned along edges of a surface of the spacer facing the optical lens array defining a first separation gap between the spacer and the optical lens array. A first epoxy bonds the spacer to the optical lens array, and a second epoxy bonds the spacer to the fiber array. The optical lens array includes a glass substrate having a first surface defining lenses in a two-dimensional array.

Abstract: A demultiplexer/multiplexer is disclosed wherein an arrayed waveguide grating having a reflector at an end includes selectable signal path blockers. The arrayed waveguide device has a common input/output port for launching radiation in the form of an input signal having n wavelengths therein and for receiving back via the reflector at the input/output port a selected channel of the input signal. In operation a multiplexed signal have n channels is launched therein and a selected channel is output for analysis or further processing.

Abstract: An improved shipping and display carton (94) is provided which includes strategically located perforation lines (74-84) permitting removal of portions of the carton (94) to create a dual display. The side-by-side sections (96, 98) of the carton (94) may be individually used by manual separation thereof along a perforation line (40). The carton (94) is preferably fabricated using a preform (86), the latter produced using a unitary sheet blank (10).

Abstract: A demultiplexer/multiplexer is disclosed wherein an arrayed waveguide grating having a reflector at an end includes selectable signal path blockers. The arrayed waveguide device has a common input/output port for launching radiation in the form of an input signal having n wavelengths therein and for receiving back via the reflector at the input/output port a selected channel of the input signal. In operation a multiplexed signal have n channels is launched therein and a selected channel is output for analysis or further processing.

Abstract: A method of distributing IP routing information between elements of an optical ring or spur network for network management, the method comprising the step of assigning a control interface module to each network element, wherein each interface module has first and second point-to-point link ports to its two neighbouring interface modules respectively, and assigning an IP address and sub-netmask to each link port.

Abstract: An optical network element having a management unit for receiving a management signal. The management unit includes at least two substantially identical management components.

Abstract: An optical network comprising a network management station, at least one source network element associated with the network management station, and at least one destination network element, wherein the source network element comprises a source proxy for sending an OSC signal in the form of IP datagrams to the destination network element under the control of the management station, the source proxy being arranged in a manner such that, in use, it sends duplicate IP datagrams along two different optical paths to the destination network element, and wherein the destination network element comprises a destination proxy arranged to pass one of the duplicate IP datagrams into the destination network element for processing and to filter out for disposal the other one.

Abstract: An optical network element for use in an optical network, the network element including a processing unit capable of running a Unix® operating system and adapted, in use, to effect at least one management function associated with the network element. (Unix® is a registered trade mark of The Open Group.

Abstract: An optical network arranged in a manner such that in use at least one management function in the optical network is being effected utilising standard TCP/IP communication protocols.