Abstract: A video delivery system and service for use with a video presentation and methods of delivering and receiving a video representation. In one embodiment, a method of receiving a video representation includes receiving a request to program a video viewing device to record a video presentation employing a selected content. The method also includes remotely programming the video viewing device employing the selected content to provide the video representation.

Abstract: A test system for testing a communication system having a plurality of communication links is disclosed. The test system has a single tester for performing various measurement and diagnostic tasks on a single link. The test system also has a switching system for independently testing any link by coupling the tester into any one link. The tester is coupled into the link by coupling the tester input to the link's transmitter and the tester output to the link's receiver. The switching system couples the tester such that all remaining links of the communication system have a unique one of the plurality of transmitters coupled to a unique one of the plurality of receivers, whereby the operation of the communication system can be maintained while testing individual links.

Abstract: A test system for testing a communication system having a plurality of communication links is disclosed. The test system has a single tester for performing various measurement and diagnostic tasks on a single link. The test system also has a switching system for independently testing any link by coupling the tester into any one link. The tester is coupled into the link by coupling the tester input to the link's transmitter and the tester output to the link's receiver. The switching system couples the tester such that all remaining links of the communication system have a unique one of the plurality of transmitters coupled to a unique one of the plurality of receivers, whereby the operation of the communication system can be maintained while testing individual links.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical device and a subsystem incorporating the same. In an advantageous embodiment, the optical device includes a signal multiplexer element, and a signal distributor element, both contained within a single optic package unit such that signals introduced therein propagate in free space between the signal multiplexer element and the signal distributor element.

Abstract: A fiber optic device and a method of assembling the fiber optic device to provide at least four degrees of adjustment for an optical beam transported between an optical fiber and bulk optics in an optical device package. At an opening in the wall of the optical processor package, a washer-like structure allows initially adjustable contact at a flat surface thereof and at a spherically curved surface thereof. One of the surfaces bears against the wall about the opening and the other surface bears against a contact feature of a connecting assembly, typically a pre-assembled collimator assembly, that holds a termination portion of the optical fiber. Translational adjustment is made at the flat surface and tilting adjustment is made at the curved surface before final attachment at both surfaces.

Abstract: A fiber optic device and a method of assembling the fiber optic device to provide at least four degrees of adjustment for an optical beam transported between an optical fiber and bulk optics in an optical device package. At an opening in the wall of the optical processor package, a washer-like structure allows initially adjustable contact at a flat surface thereof and at a spherically curved surface thereof. One of the surfaces bears against the wall about the opening and the other surface bears against a contact feature of a connecting assembly, typically a pre-assembled collimator assembly, that holds a termination portion of the optical fiber. Translational adjustment is made at the flat surface and tilting adjustment is made at the curved surface before final attachment at both surfaces.

Abstract: A video delivery system and service for use with a video presentation and methods of delivering and receiving a video representation. In one embodiment, a method of receiving a video representation includes receiving a request to program a video viewing device to record a video presentation employing a selected content. The method also includes remotely programming the video viewing device employing the selected content to provide the video representation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus may be used to determine the wavelength of an input optical signal. The wavelength of an input optical signal may be determined by dividing the input optical signal into a plurality of individual optical signals and inducing the individual optical signals to interfere with each other to form a plurality of output optical signals, such that the powers of the output optical signals have a ripple dependence on the wavelength of the input optical signal. The peak amplitude of each of the powers depends monotonically on the wavelength of the input optical signal over a range of wavelengths to be monitored for said input optical signal. A plurality of electrical output signals may be produced from the output optical signals, each electrical output signal corresponding to the power of each output optical signal. The electrical output signals may then be compared to a predetermined set of signal values in order to determine the wavelength of the input optical signal.

Abstract: An optical system is provided with an optical assembly and a wavelength division multiplexer surface for transmitting a light beam. The optimal alignment of these light beams is accomplished by adjusting a steering device, which includes an optical wedge or a universal coupling, until the light path of the transmitted light beam through the optical assembly aligns with the light path of the transmitted light beam through the wavelength division multiplexing surface.

Abstract: A planar waveguide monitor is shown for determining the wavelength and power of component optical signals of a multiplexed optical signal. The monitor includes an optical waveguide router similar to a Dragone router with at least twice as many output waveguides as the number of component optical signals. An array of optical detectors is disposed to detect output optical signals from the output waveguides. The optical detectors produce a plurality of electrical output signals corresponding to the power of each detected output optical signal. The monitor includes a programmable computer to compare the electrical output signals to a predetermined set of output responses. The power and wavelength of each component optical signal of the multiplexed optical signal may be determined from this comparison.

Abstract: An optical apparatus for multiplexing a plurality of optical signals of different wavelengths to provide a multiplexed output optical signal. A plurality of input waveguides receive the plurality of optical signals. A first free space region is connected to the plurality of input waveguides, and an optical grating comprising a plurality of unequal length waveguides is connected to the first free space region. A second free space region is connected to the optical grating, and an output waveguide is connected to the second free space region for providing the multiplexed output optical signal.

Abstract: An optical attenuator includes at least two optical fiber terminations, of which at least one is misaligned, for providing uniform attenuation, which is substantially wavelength independent. At least one of the fiber terminations is misaligned from its position that provides best optical coupling. To accomplish this misalignment, at least one of the fiber terminations is displaced, laterally, longitudinally, or both. This displacement allows only a portion of the incident optical energy to enter an optical fiber core. This reduction in transmission of optical energy provides optical attenuation that is approximately uniform as a function of wavelength. Alternate configurations include at least one lens, such as GRIN lens, a spherical lens, or an aspherical lens, placed between the optical fiber terminations.

Abstract: A fiber optic apparatus and a method for altering the orientation of a mirror of the fiber optic apparatus using a laser. The fiber optic apparatus comprises an optical wave guide with at least one optical fiber, a retaining structure, and a mirror. The retaining structure includes at least one lens disposed therein. The optical wave guide is coupled to a first end of the retaining structure and the mirror is coupled to a second end of the retaining structure so that the lens is disposed between the wave guide and the mirror. When the apparatus is being assembled, a portion of the retaining structure is illuminated with a laser to correct misalignments of the components of the apparatus.

Abstract: An optical attenuator is disclosed that utilizes the concept of destructive and constructive interference to enhance the ability to attenuate the light signal sent between an optical transmitter and an optical receiver. Rather than completely blocking out a portion of the light signal or utilizing a membrane coated with a partially reflecting material, the present invention utilizes a very high reflectivity coating on divided surfaces, and controls the relative distances between each of the divided surfaces and the optical transmitter/receiver.

Abstract: An isolator assembly eliminates optical feedback or return beams in multiple stages. The isolator assembly employs passive optical components, including birefringent walk-off plates and non-reciprocal rotation plates. The rotation plates are located adjacent the walk-off plates. The optical components form a compact, integral unit. In the forward direction, the isolator assembly translates a polarized component beam through a triangular path to first separate and then combine the beam with respect to an orthogonally polarized component beam. By alternating birefringent sheets and rotation sheets, several isolator assemblies may be produced from a single layered stack.

Abstract: Data recovery is simplified when there is a known interval between packets by using the information about time between packet starts to adjust the receiver clock rather relying solely on the information conveyed by the received bits. Information about packet length may also be used.

Abstract: An optical filter in fabricated in an electro-optic material such as lithium niobate and uses a plurality of pairs of waveguides coupled to each other by optical coupling regions. The waveguides and optical coupling regions overlying electrodes which are used to tune the filter by varying the optical path length difference between waveguides and the optical cross coupling in the optical coupling regions.

Abstract: An optical fiber communication system comprises a bus to which are connected two or more individual stations with inputs from the bus and outputs to the bus. Each station includes an optical coupler, folded by means of a partially transmissive mirror, wherein the inputs and outputs are optically coupled. A light energy source applies optical energy to the bus which passes through each station by means of the optical coupler associated therewith. Each station includes means for modulating the light energy on the bus by varying the optical coupling, and each station has detector means for receiving optical energy passing through the mirror and detecting the presence or absence of modulated signals on the bus. Control means at each station initiates operating commands on the basis of the energy detected by the detector means.

Abstract: A quasi-hermaphroditic connection comprises first and second substantially identical connector assemblies. Each connector assembly comprises a cylindrical plug member having a central bore containing an optical fiber, the end of which is made flush with the front face of the plug member. A support rod is affixed to the plug member with its axis parallel thereto and has a portion extending beyond the front of the plug member. The two plug members are pushed towards each other until the faces abut with the extended portions of each support rod contacting the other support rod and forming a V-groove therewith in which both plugs rest. The two connector assemblies are clamped together on either side of the region in which the faces abut, with no clamping forces being exerted in that region.

Abstract: A method of mechanically mating two workpieces when one of the workpieces lacks physically matable surface characteristics. An adaptor is formed through crystallographic etching techniques and is precisely positioned and mounted to the surface of the workpiece lacking physical features in order to provide mechanical points of contact for mating with the other workpiece. Solder points are formed on the surface of the workpiece and the adaptor by photolithographic metalization. The adaptor is then solder bump mounted to the surface of the workpiece for highly precise positioning. The adaptor forms precisely positioned points of contact for mechanical mating with the physical features of the other workpiece.