Abstract: A method and system for a bit error rate (BER) contour-based optimum decision threshold and sampling phase selection in optical communication systems is disclosed. According to one aspect of the invention, for a selected sampling phase and a decision threshold, high BER values are measured. Low BER values are approximated from the high BER values using error functions. The procedures are repeated for all selected sampling phases and decision thresholds and corresponding BER values are calculated. The sampling phases and decision thresholds for each specific BER value are plotted to create the BER contour diagrams. The optimum decision threshold for a sampling phase is calculated by equating the BER due to marks (“1s”) and the BER due to spaces (“0s”). In one aspect of the invention, a BER test module resides in the receiver. The BER test module calculates the BERs and the optimum decision threshold and sampling phase.

Abstract: A method and system for determining a receiver power for a required bit error rate (BER) in an optical communication systems is disclosed. A signal is transmitted using an initial transmitter power and is received at a receiver. A BER contour diagram is created by measuring high BER values and approximating low BER values from the high BER values. The optimum decision threshold and/or sampling phase is determined from the contour diagram and the BER is calculated at the optimum decision threshold and/or at the optimum sampling phase. If the calculated BER is not close to or equal to the required BER, the transmitter power is adjusted until the calculated BER is close to or equal to the required BER. The receiver power is then calculated from the transmitter power or directly measured from the received signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for optic signal power control to maintain a desired or optimum optic signal power level. During start-up, a default or target value from memory may be utilized to bias or otherwise control operation of an optic signal generator or driver. During operation, pre-stored values may continue to be utilized or an open loop or closed loop control system may be utilized. An open loop control system may incorporate a temperature module or a timer module to account for changes in environment or changes due to aging that may undesirably affect system operation. A closed loop control system may incorporate one or more feedback loops that generate a compensation value to account for detected changes. In one configuration one or more peak values of the actual optic signal, or a portion thereof, are detected and processed to generate the compensation signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for optic signal power control to maintain a desired or optimum optic signal power level. During start-up, a default or target value from memory may be utilized to bias or otherwise control operation of an optic signal generator or driver. During operation, pre-stored values may continue to be utilized or an open loop or closed loop control system may be utilized. An open loop control system may incorporate a temperature module or a timer module to account for changes in environment or changes due to aging that may undesirably affect system operation. A closed loop control system may incorporate one or more feedback loops that generate a compensation value to account for detected changes. In one configuration one or more peak values of the actual optic signal, or a portion thereof, are detected and processed to generate the compensation signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for optic signal power control to maintain a desired or optimum optic signal power level. During start-up, a target value from memory may be utilized to control one or more power levels of an optic signal. There may comprise 2 or more different power levels for the optic signal. During operation, target values may continue to be utilized or an open loop or closed loop control system may be utilized. Compensation may occur for both additive noise/distortion and multiplicative noise/distortion. The compensation for one power level may be expanded or extrapolated to compensate for additive noise/distortion and multiplicative noise/distortion that affect other power levels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for optic signal power control to maintain a desired or optimum optic signal power level. During start-up, a default or target value from memory may be utilized to bias or otherwise control operation of an optic signal generator or driver. During operation, one or more parameters or aspects of the optic module or the environment may be monitored. In response to the monitoring one or more control signal may be generated to created to modify bias level, modulation level, or both. The monitoring may monitor the optic signal itself. The bias level and modulation level may be changed simultaneously.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for optic signal power control to maintain a desired or optimum optic signal power level. During start-up, a default or target value from memory may be utilized to bias or otherwise control operation of an optic signal generator or driver. During operation, pre-stored values may continue to be utilized or an open loop or closed loop control system may be utilized. An open loop control system may incorporate a temperature module or a timer module to account for changes in environment or changes due to aging that may undesirably affect system operation. A closed loop control system may incorporate one or more feedback loops that generate a compensation value to account for detected changes. In one configuration one or more peak values of the actual optic signal, or a portion thereof, are detected and processed to generate the compensation signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus configured to incorporate system data for transmission as part of or concurrently with network data. The system data may comprise communication system data for use in controlling or monitoring a communication system. The system data may be is utilized to control or adjust the amplitude or intensity of the network data to thereby amplitude modulate the system data into or with the transmission of the network data. By monitoring the amplitude or intensity of the received network data signal, the system data may be recovered. An automatic gain control or bias loop may be monitored to detect the amplitude modulation of the network data. The system data may be encoded.

Abstract: A method and apparatus configured to transmit module data between optic modules over a primary communication channel, such as an optic fiber configured to carry network data or outgoing data. A control center may send the module data, such as any type of DDMI data, over the optic fiber to control one or more aspects of the optic module system. The optic module may also be configured to send module data regarding any aspect of module status or operation, to a control center, via the optic fiber. Use of the primary communication channel, normally reserved for only network data, allow for module to module communication or module to control center communication without need of cumbersome two wire interface or supplement channels. Optic module data communication may occur concurrent with network data transmission. Optic module data back-up may occur via the optic channel to provide rapid re-load of important optic module data.