Abstract: A device may receive sensing data that is produced by an environment associated with a fiber optic cable. Based on the sensing data, the device may determine a sensing profile, which indicates a measure of vibration as a function of distance along the fiber optic cable and as a function of time. The device may receive new sensing data produced by the environment. The device may determine that the new sensing data satisfies a vibration deviation criteria, relative to the sensing profile, for a duration threshold. By satisfying the vibration deviation criteria for the duration threshold, the new sensing data may indicate that the environment includes an activity associated with an increased likelihood of damage to the fiber optic cable relative to the sensing data. The device may perform one or more actions based on the new sensing data satisfying the vibration deviation criteria for the duration threshold.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure describe distributed fiber optic sensing (DFOS) systems, methods, and structures that advantageously enable anomaly detection resulting from construction—or other activity based on image processing that may advantageously detect/notify/prevent damage to a fiber optic network infrastructure before such damage occurs.

Abstract: A random acoustic phase scrambler device is installed in-line with a telecommunications fiber link to prevent voice detection via fiber links. The device includes a transducer to produce vibrations; a length of optical fiber positioned to receive the vibration from the transducer; and a random acoustic phase driver configured to control the intensity and frequency of the vibrations. The transducer produces randomized vibrations within an acoustic bandwidth. The device is configured to introduce device-induced phase changes to signals within the telecommunications fiber link. The bandwidth of the device-induced phase changes is greater than the bandwidth of voice-induced phase changes, and the device-induced phase changes are greater in intensity than the voice-induced phase changes. The device-induced phase changes mask voice-induced phase changes through the telecommunications fiber link that are otherwise detectable by voice detection equipment tapped to the telecommunications fiber link.

Abstract: A system includes a hybrid mobile network/television antenna and a routing device connected to the antenna. The hybrid mobile network/television antenna receives content via a broadcast television network and receives content via a mobile network. The routing device includes a first communication interface that connects to the hybrid mobile network/television antenna, and a second communication interface that connects to a user device and receives a request for content from the user device. The routing device selects a network from the broadcast television network or the mobile network. The first communication interface receives the requested content via the selected network, and the routing device forwards the requested content to the user device via the second communication interface.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure describe hybrid distributed fiber optic sensing systems, methods, and structures that advantageously are extensions of existing fiber optic infrastructure and provide distributed fiber optic sensing (DFOS) functionality to the existing infrastructure.

Abstract: A device may receive, from a sensor device, cable distance data identifying cable distances along the fiber cable to vibrations experienced by the fiber cable from a vibration device. The device may receive location data identifying geographic coordinates associated with the vibrations, and may correlate the cable distance data and the location data to generate correlated data. The device may receive, from the sensor device, data identifying a cable distance along the fiber cable to an alarm condition associated with the fiber cable, and may determine geographic coordinates associated with the alarm condition based on the correlated data and the data identifying the cable distance along the fiber cable to the alarm condition. The device may perform actions based on the geographic coordinates associated with the alarm condition.

Abstract: A device may receive, from a sensor device, cable distance data identifying cable distances along a fiber cable to vibrations experienced by the fiber cable, and may receive location data identifying locations associated with the vibrations. The device may correlate the cable distance data and the location data to generate correlated location data, and may store the correlated location data in a data structure. The device may receive, from the sensor device, data identifying a cable distance along the fiber cable to an alarm condition associated with the fiber cable, and may determine a location of the alarm condition based on the correlated location data and the data identifying the cable distance along the fiber cable to the alarm condition. The device may perform actions based on the alarm location.

Abstract: A random acoustic phase scrambler device is installed in-line with a telecommunications fiber link to prevent voice detection via fiber links. The device includes a transducer to produce vibrations; a length of optical fiber positioned to receive the vibration from the transducer; and a random acoustic phase driver configured to control the intensity and frequency of the vibrations. The transducer produces randomized vibrations within an acoustic bandwidth. The device is configured to introduce device-induced phase changes to signals within the telecommunications fiber link. The bandwidth of the device-induced phase changes is greater than the bandwidth of voice-induced phase changes, and the device-induced phase changes are greater in intensity than the voice-induced phase changes. The device-induced phase changes mask voice-induced phase changes through the telecommunications fiber link that are otherwise detectable by voice detection equipment tapped to the telecommunications fiber link.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure describe optical fiber sensing systems, methods and structures disclosing a distributed fiber sensor network constructed on an existing, live network, data carrying, optical fiber telecommunications infrastructure to detect temperatures, acoustic effects, and vehicle traffic—among others. Of particular significance, sensing systems, methods, and structures according to aspects of the present disclosure may advantageously identify specific network locations relative to manholes/handholes and environmental conditions within those manholes/handholes namely, normal, flooded, frozen/iced, etc.

Abstract: An actuator device can include a plate, an actuator, a connector, and a power unit. The plate can retain a section of an optical fiber at the transmitter end of an optical communication link. The section of the optical fiber can be wrapped in at least a partial loop and held or retained by the plate. The connector can be a mechanical connector that couples the plate to the actuator and enables the plate to move about at least one axis to cause a change in a polarization state of the optical signal carried by the optical fiber. The change in the polarization state is identifiable by a polarized photodetector near a receiver end of the optical communication link. The power unit can provide power to at least the actuator.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure describe optical fiber sensing systems, methods and structures disclosing a distributed fiber sensor network constructed on an existing, live network, data carrying, optical fiber telecommunications infrastructure to detect temperatures, acoustic effects, and vehicle traffic—among others. Of particular significance, sensing systems, methods, and structures according to aspects of the present disclosure may advantageously identify specific network locations relative to manholes/handholes and environmental conditions within those manholes/handholes namely, normal, flooded, frozen/iced, etc.

Abstract: An actuator device can include a plate, an actuator, a connector, and a power unit. The plate can retain a section of an optical fiber at the transmitter end of an optical communication link. The section of the optical fiber can be wrapped in at least a partial loop and held or retained by the plate. The connector can be a mechanical connector that couples the plate to the actuator and enables the plate to move about at least one axis to cause a change in a polarization state of the optical signal carried by the optical fiber. The change in the polarization state is identifiable by a polarized photodetector near a receiver end of the optical communication link. The power unit can provide power to at least the actuator.

Abstract: Systems described herein provide antenna elements, each of which contains an antenna array and electronics, built into a fiber optic aerial cable to form a hybrid cable. The hybrid cable has a fiber buffer tube including one or more fiber cores, an outer sheath surrounding the fiber buffer tube, and a distributed array of antenna elements around portions of the outer sheath along a length of the hybrid fiber optic cable. Each of the antenna elements includes an antenna and control electronics for the antenna.

Abstract: A passive optical network (“PON”) integrated tool may be a single device with which to (i) test and measure optical power levels on active fiber links that transfer signaling between PON devices without interfering with the signaling, (ii) test and measure reflectance and signal loss on inactive fiber links on which there is no signaling, (iii) illuminate fiber with visible light for visual integrity verification, and/or (iv) inspect fiber optic cable connectors for minute abnormalities. The PON integrated tool may include pass-through connection adapters with a tap to provide signaling from connected fiber to one or more detectors that measure signaling characteristics at different wavelengths for different PON channels. The PON integrated tool may include other connection adapters for fiber inspection, emission of visible laser light, and/or emission of pulses of light to the connected fiber in order to measure reflectance and signal loss.

Abstract: One or more management systems coordinate wavelength configuration patterns of a plurality of multi-wavelength optical transport nodes in an optical network for a first transport period. The one or more management systems determine data traffic demand changes in the optical network; and coordinate wavelength configuration patterns of the plurality of multi-wavelength optical transport nodes in the optical network for a second transport period, that is subsequent to the first transport period, based on the determined data traffic demand changes.

Abstract: An optical node may include an optical switch and an optical add drop multiplexer (OADM). The optical switch may receive, via a space-division multiplexing (SDM) link that carries optical signals via multiple SDM elements, an optical signal to be switched from a first SDM element to a second SDM element. The multiple SDM elements may include multiple cores of a multi-core fiber, multiple modes of a multi-mode fiber, or multiple fibers of a fiber bundle. The optical switch may switch the optical signal from the first SDM element to the second SDM element. The OADM may add optical signals to an optical network or drop optical signals from the optical network via one or more SDM links that include the SDM link.

Abstract: One or more management systems coordinate wavelength configuration patterns of a plurality of multi-wavelength optical transport nodes in an optical network for a first transport period. The one or more management systems determine data traffic demand changes in the optical network; and coordinate wavelength configuration patterns of the plurality of multi-wavelength optical transport nodes in the optical network for a second transport period, that is subsequent to the first transport period, based on the determined data traffic demand changes.

Abstract: Systems described herein provide antenna elements, each of which contains an antenna array and electronics, built into a fiber optic aerial cable to form a hybrid cable. The hybrid cable has a fiber buffer tube including one or more fiber cores, an outer sheath surrounding the fiber buffer tube, and a distributed array of antenna elements around portions of the outer sheath along a length of the hybrid fiber optic cable. Each of the antenna elements includes an antenna and control electronics for the antenna.

Abstract: One or more management systems coordinate wavelength configuration patterns of a plurality of multi-wavelength optical transport nodes in an optical network for a first transport period. The one or more management systems determine data traffic demand changes in the optical network; and coordinate wavelength configuration patterns of the plurality of multi-wavelength optical transport nodes in the optical network for a second transport period, that is subsequent to the first transport period, based on the determined data traffic demand changes.

Abstract: Systems described herein provide antenna elements, each of which contains an antenna array and electronics, built into a fiber optic aerial cable to form a hybrid cable. The hybrid cable has a fiber buffer tube including one or more fiber cores, an outer sheath surrounding the fiber buffer tube, and a distributed array of antenna elements integrated along a length of the hybrid fiber optic cable. Each of the antenna elements includes an antenna and control electronics for the antenna.