Abstract: A method may include determining whether the topology of a network includes a direct path between a first endpoint and a second endpoint in the network. A direct path may be used to send a first type of traffic from the first endpoint to the second endpoint whereas any currently available path may be used to send a second type of traffic from the first endpoint to the second endpoint. If the topology of the network does not include a direct path, the first type of traffic may be buffered at the first endpoint until the topology of the network is reconfigured to include the direct path. The topology of the network may be reconfigured when at least one switch in the network reconfigures, for example, by switching from one interconnection to another interconnection pattern. Related systems and articles of manufacture are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for network switching may include a plurality of input ports, a plurality of output ports, and a subset of pre-configured interconnection patterns including some but not all of the possible interconnection patterns between the input ports and the output ports. The apparatus may be communicatively coupled to a network via the input ports and/or the output ports. The apparatus may be configured to switch to a first interconnection pattern and a second interconnection pattern from the subset of pre-configured interconnection patterns. The first interconnection pattern and the second interconnection pattern may each provide a set of connections between the input ports and the output ports. At least one signal between the input ports and the output ports may be transmitted via the first interconnection pattern and/or the second interconnection pattern. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for network switching may include a plurality of input ports, a plurality of output ports, and a subset of pre-configured interconnection patterns including some but not all of the possible interconnection patterns between the input ports and the output ports. The apparatus may be communicatively coupled to a network via the input ports and/or the output ports. The apparatus may be configured to switch to a first interconnection pattern and a second interconnection pattern from the subset of pre-configured interconnection patterns. The first interconnection pattern and the second interconnection pattern may each provide a set of connections between the input ports and the output ports. At least one signal between the input ports and the output ports may be transmitted via the first interconnection pattern and/or the second interconnection pattern. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: A method may include determining whether the topology of a network includes a direct path between a first endpoint and a second endpoint in the network. A direct path may be used to send a first type of traffic from the first endpoint to the second endpoint whereas any currently available path may be used to send a second type of traffic from the first endpoint to the second endpoint. If the topology of the network does not include a direct path, the first type of traffic may be buffered at the first endpoint until the topology of the network is reconfigured to include the direct path. The topology of the network may be reconfigured when at least one switch in the network reconfigures, for example, by switching from one interconnection to another interconnection pattern. Related systems and articles of manufacture are also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for increasing spectral efficiency, capacity and/or extending dispersion-limited reach in a communication link employs narrow filtering of a baseband signal to reduce the original bandwidth to a substantially smaller bandwidth for transmission across a transmission medium such as an optical fiber. By restricting the bandwidth, the rate of spreading is reduced significantly. The receiver at the other end of the transmission medium includes an equalizer for returning the received signal to its original bandwidth for retrieval of information contained in the signal.

Abstract: A system and method for increasing spectral efficiency, capacity and/or extending dispersion-limited reach in a communication link employs narrow filtering of a baseband signal to reduce the original bandwidth to a substantially smaller bandwidth for transmission across a transmission medium such as an optical fiber. By restricting the bandwidth, the rate of spreading is reduced significantly. The receiver at the other end of the transmission medium includes an equalizer for returning the received signal to its original bandwidth for retrieval of information contained in the signal.

Abstract: A waveguide configuration including a core having an index of refraction and a shear velocity, a first cladding extending about the core having a shear velocity which is less than that of the core and an index of refraction which is less than the core, a second cladding extending about the first cladding, the second cladding having a shear velocity which is greater than that of the first cladding, wherein an optical mode has an index of refraction greater than that of the second cladding, and a buffer extending about the second cladding.

Abstract: The method of the invention controls the acoustic waves to be guided away from the portion of the waveguide which guides the light. Thus, acoustic waves are guided into the cladding. A substantial reduction in the SBS effect is then realized in the core that guides light. The method of the invention is applicable to single clad optical waveguides, such as optical fibers, as well as dual clad optical fibers and other waveguides. A preferred dual clad (a.k.a. dual core) waveguide structure permits realization of a pump laser system having reduced SBS effect in the core used for guiding transmitted light to be pumped (amplified). A second core guides acoustic waves outside the core used for guiding transmitted light, and also guides pump light which amplifies the light transmitted in the core for light transmission. Pumping may also be assisted by cladding the second “pump” core with a cladding that is anti-guiding for light and guiding for acoustic waves.

Abstract: A holographic particle image velocimeter employs stereoscopic recording of particle images, taken from two different perspectives and at two distinct points in time for each perspective, on a single holographic film plate. The different perspectives are provided by two optical assemblies, each including a collecting lens, a prism and a focusing lens. Collimated laser energy is pulsed through a fluid stream, with elements carried in the stream scattering light, some of which is collected by each collecting lens. The respective focusing lenses are configured to form images of the scattered light near the holographic plate. The particle images stored on the plate are reconstructed using the same optical assemblies employed in recording, by transferring the film plate and optical assemblies as a single integral unit to a reconstruction site.