Abstract: A method, an optical node, and an optical network include a power controller configured to bring channels in-service in parallel over multiple cascaded optical nodes quickly, efficiently, and in a non-service affecting manner. The method, node, and network utilize multiple states of a control loop that maintains a stable response in downstream optical nodes as channels are added in parallel. Further, the power controller is configured to operate independently alleviating dependencies on other power controllers and removing the need for coordination between power controllers. The method, node, and network provide efficient turn up of dense wave division multiplexing (DWDM) services which is critical to optical layer functionality including optical layer restoration.

Abstract: Provided is an optical apparatus and method wherein power transfer coefficients arising from SRS are measured at a designated co-location point and the power of dithers, which are impressed on the channels of a multiplexed optical signal propagating through the optical apparatus, is measured at each co-location point. Within the optical apparatus distances between co-location points are short and the power transfer coefficients are effectively constant. Consequently, the power of each channel of the multiplexed optical signal at the co-location points is obtained from the power of the dithers at a respective one of the co-location points and the power transfer coefficients measured at the designated co-location point. In some embodiments, information on the channel power at the co-location points is used to provide instructions for compensating for fluctuations in channel power and/or channel count at an input and/or channel count within the optical apparatus.

Abstract: An optical roundabout comprising optical switching elements arranged in a ring, the routing of the inputs of each internal optical switch to its outputs being ganged, each internal optical switching element having add and drop ports, and connected to its next optical switching element around the ring by an optical waveguide.

Abstract: A programmable optical add/drop multiplexer (OADM) implements add/drop function of optical signals from a number of cross-connected optical systems while treating issues of coherent cross-talk, chromatic dispersion, slope of dispersion and amplitude equalization. Input WDM (wavelength division multiplexed) optical signals from a number of optical systems are each de-multiplexed into a number of optical path signal that are routed through switches and then multiplexed into a number of output WDM optical signals. Problems with coherent cross-talk in optical path signals are eliminated by introducing equivalent optical path lengths between paths through which the optical path signals propagate and by introducing dead-bands between consecutive optical path signals.

Abstract: Provided is an optical apparatus and method wherein power transfer coefficients arising from SRS are measured at a designated co-location point and the power of dithers, which are impressed on the channels of a multiplexed optical signal propagating through the optical apparatus, is measured at each co-location point. Within the optical apparatus distances between co-location points are short and the power transfer coefficients are effectively constant. Consequently, the power of each channel of the multiplexed optical signal at the co-location points is obtained from the power of the dithers at a respective one of the co-location points and the power transfer coefficients measured at the designated co-location point. In some embodiments, information on the channel power at the co-location points is used to provide instructions for compensating for fluctuations in channel power and/or channel count at an input and/or channel count within the optical apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a high performance optical architecture for multiplexing and demultiplexing channels for use in high spectral efficiency optical systems. In general, the MUX and DeMUX architectures of the present invention will fall into two key sections or stages: a wavelength group section and a channel section. The group section makes use of characteristic associated with groups of multiplexed channels for separating said groups from an optical signal having a plurality of multiplexed groups. Advantageously, in preferred embodiments, the channel section is colorless (non-wavelength specific between groups) in order to reduce cost and complexity. With respect to the colorless channel section, components with free spectral ranges (FSRs) have been strategically added to provide repetitive optical filtering functions on group of channels (i.e., subsets of channels within each band of wavelengths) so that the colorless channel section can operate in any respective group identically.

Abstract: Provided is an optical apparatus and method wherein power transfer coefficients arising from SRS are measured at a designated co-location point and the power of dithers, which are impressed on the channels of a multiplexed optical signal propagating through the optical apparatus, is measured at each co-location point. Within the optical apparatus distances between co-location points are short and the power transfer coefficients are effectively constant. Consequently, the power of each channel of the multiplexed optical signal at the co-location points is obtained from the power of the dithers at a respective one of the co-location points and the power transfer coefficients measured at the designated co-location point. In some embodiments, information on the channel power at the co-location points is used to provide instructions for compensating for fluctuations in channel power and/or channel count at an input and/or channel count within the optical apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a high performance optical architecture for multiplexing and demultiplexing channels for use in high spectral efficiency optical systems. In general, the MUX and DeMUX architectures of the present invention will fall into two key sections or stages: a wavelength group section and a channel section. The group section makes use of characteristic associated with groups of multiplexed channels for separating said groups from an optical signal having a plurality of multiplexed groups. Advantageously, in preferred embodiments, the channel section is colorless (non-wavelength specific between groups) in order to reduce cost and complexity. With respect to the colorless channel section, components with free spectral ranges (FSRs) have been strategically added to provide repetitive optical filtering functions on group of channels (i.e., subsets of channels within each band of wavelengths) so that the colorless channel section can operate in any respective group identically.

Abstract: Optical receiving methods and systems are disclosed. One such optical receiving system includes an optical amplifier operable to produce amplified optical signals satisfying a filterless detection specification limit, and an optical detector locatable in unfiltered communication with the optical amplifier to receive the amplified optical signals therefrom.

Abstract: Optical amplification systems and methods are disclosed. A first optical amplification system includes an optical interface filter configured to separate a desired communications band from at least one other communications band, and an optical amplifier in communication with the interface filter for amplifying the desired communications band. The optical amplifier includes at least one suppression filter configured to attenuate a wavelength subset of the at least one other communications band nearest the desired communications band and narrower than the at least one other communications band.

Abstract: A programmable optical add/drop multiplexer (OADM) implements add/drop function of optical signals from a number of cross-connected optical systems while treating issues of coherent cross-talk, chromatic dispersion, slope of dispersion and amplitude equalization. Input WDM (wavelength division multiplexed) optical signals from a number of optical systems are each de-multiplexed into a number of optical path signal that are routed through switches and then multiplexed into a number of output WDM optical signals. Problems with coherent cross-talk in optical path signals are eliminated by introducing equivalent optical path lengths between paths through which the optical path signals propagate and by introducing dead-bands between consecutive optical path signals.

Abstract: Optical receiving methods and systems are disclosed. One such optical receiving system includes an optical amplifier operable to produce amplified optical signals satisfying a filterless detection specification limit, and an optical detector locatable in unfiltered communication with the optical amplifier to receive the amplified optical signals therefrom.