Abstract: A device may include a component, a first switch, a repeater, and a second switch. The component may configure optical paths between ports. The component may comprise a first pair of optical ports connected to a first pair of optical fibers, and a second pair of optical ports connected to a second pair of optical fibers. The first switch may be configured to output one of two optical signals received by the first pair of optical ports from the first pair of optical fibers. The repeater may reshape or amplify the outputted optical signal. The second switch may be configured to direct the reshaped or amplified signal to one of the second pair of optical ports.

Abstract: A system comprises a transmitter including a laser configured to generate a laser beam directed at a spot on a surface, and a laser driver connected to the laser and configured to modulate input data onto the laser beam. The system may further comprise a receiver including an optical detector configured to decode received light into raw data, a signal processor configured to decode the raw data into the original input data, and telescope optics configured to receive light reflected from the spot on the surface, collimate the light and converge the light onto the optical detector.

Abstract: First and second switching device are connected by a number of signal paths. The first switching device receives an instruction to switch from a first one of the signal paths to a second one of the signal paths. The first switching device performs, in response to the received instruction, a first switching operation to connect the first path, at an input of the first switching device, to the second path, at an output of the first switching device. The second switching device receives the instruction to switch from the first path to the second path and detects a loss of signal on the first path as a result of the first switching operation performed by the first switching device. The second device performs, in response to detecting the loss of signal on the first path, a second switching operation to connect the first path, at an output of the second switching device, to the second path, at an input of the second switching device.

Abstract: A method for managing an optical network having a plurality of nodes interconnected by a plurality of fiber links includes installing one or more active reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexer (ROADM) cards into a node and installing a spare ROADM card into the node. The one or more active ROADM cards are configured to pass optical traffic to and from the optical network. The installed spare ROADM card is remotely activated to pass optical traffic to and from the optical network, subsequent to configuring the one or more active ROADM cards, based on one of: an event or expiration of a time period.

Abstract: Optical nodes in an optical network may provide directionless, colorless, contentionless, and gridless transmission, reception, and switching of optical signals in which a non-fixed number of optical channels and a non-fixed bandwidth for each optical channel is used. Optical nodes can use the full extent of the optical bandwidth due to the absence of channel spacing.

Abstract: A device includes a female connector to receive a male network connector of a network conduit, and a first male connector optically communicating with the female connector, where the first male connector includes a first indicator that identifies a first wavelength optical signal. The device also includes a second male connector optically communicating with the female connector, where the second male connector includes a second indicator that identifies a second wavelength optical signal. The device further includes a wavelength splitter to receive an optical signal from the network conduit via the female connector, provide the optical signal to the first male connector when the optical signal corresponds to the first wavelength optical signal, and provide the optical signal to the second male connector when the optical signal corresponds to the second wavelength optical signal.

Abstract: A method comprising identifying a data demand of an optical channel request; identifying available resources for satisfying the optical channel request; selecting light paths to a destination based on the identified available resources, wherein each light path is distinct; selecting one or more optical carriers for each light path; optically transmitting data pertaining to the optical channel request based on the selected light paths, wherein each selected optical carrier of each light path carries a portion of the data and a total of the one or more optical carriers associated with the light paths collectively carry an entire portion of the data; receiving the one or more optical carriers of the light paths at the destination; identifying a latency between the one or more optical carriers of the light paths; adjusting the latency between the one or more optical carriers of the light paths; and assembling the data.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes 1) detecting an initialization action performed by a first extremity of a user and a second extremity of the user, the initialization action comprising a touching of a first arbitrary location on the touch screen by the first extremity and a touching of a second arbitrary location on the touch screen by the second extremity, 2) designating, in response to the initialization action, the first arbitrary location as a first reference position and the second arbitrary location as a second reference position, 3) detecting one or more tapping actions performed on the touch screen, 4) determining a relative position on the touch screen of each of the one or more tapping actions with respect to the first and second reference positions, and 5) identifying one or more data entry commands associated with the one or more tapping actions. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A first node receives a first phase modulated optical signal at a first wavelength from a master node. The first node also transmits a first amplitude modulated optical signal to the master node at the first wavelength using a portion of the first phase modulated optical signal as a light source.

Abstract: A fiber-optic coupler may include a first optical fiber including an end portion to send or receive optical signals to or from an end portion of a second optical fiber. The coupler may also include a micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) structure to align the end portion of the first optical fiber with the end portion of the second optical fiber.

Abstract: An optical communication system comprising an optical fiber connected to a first signal regeneration node located at a first end of the optical fiber and a second signal regeneration node located at a second end of the optical fiber; intermediary nodes located between the first and second signal regeneration nodes, wherein one or more pairs of adjacent intermediary nodes each define a span distance along the optical fiber; and one or more Raman amplifiers located within each span distance along the optical fiber, wherein at least one of the one or more Raman amplifiers comprises a case that encases one or more lasers and a temperature controller comprising a temperature sensor to monitor a temperature of the one or more lasers; and a temperature regulator to control a temperature of the one or more lasers.

Abstract: An optical transmission system is described. The transmission system comprises a plurality of modules that include signal repeaters at each end. Within each module, optical signals are propagated between the repeaters through free space. Adjacent modules are connected by optical fibers to enable optical transmission therebetween. Adjacent modules are mechanically coupled with a flexible joint.

Abstract: A method is provided for distributing quantum cryptographic keys. The method includes receiving, from an initial quantum key generating transmitter, a first signal via a single combined channel that includes a first quantum signal and a public data signal alternating in a time shared manner. The first signal is split into a first split signal and a second split signal. A low attenuation is applied to the first split signal when the first split signal includes the first quantum signal. A high attenuation is applied to the first split signal when the second split signal includes the public data signal. The first split signal is received at an intermediate quantum key generating receiver when the low attenuation is applied. The initial quantum key generating transmitter is corresponded with to generate a first quantum key. A second quantum signal is transmitted to a recipient quantum key generating receiver. The recipient quantum key generating receiver is corresponded with to generate a second quantum key.

Abstract: A measurement system that includes a power source and a power meter, said power source is configured to generate both a measurement signal and a power source communication signal, and said power meter is in communication with said power source and configured to receive both said measurement signal and said power source communication signal

Abstract: A first node receives a first phase modulated optical signal at a first wavelength from a master node. The first node also transmits a first amplitude modulated optical signal to the master node at the first wavelength using a portion of the first phase modulated optical signal as a light source.

Abstract: A method may include generating first and second optical signals and modulating the first and second optical signals simultaneously to synchronize the signals. The method may include varying the polarization of the second optical signal and transmitting the first and second optical signals. The method may include receiving the first and second optical signals, wherein the signals traveled along a same optical path. The method may include determining a plurality of differential travel delays between the first and second optical signals over a period of varying polarizations and determining a differential group delay based on the maximum and the minimum differential travel delays.

Abstract: A testing input module for testing an in-service WDM system is provided. The testing input module includes a first light source configured to emit a first light signal to one or more empty channels of the in-service WDM system; and a tunable second light source configured to emit a second light signal to test the one or more empty channels. The testing input module also includes a first switch module configured to: receive from the first light source and output the first light signal during a first time interval; and receive from the second light source and output the second light signal during a second time interval. The second time interval is a duration wherein a channel power monitoring function of the in-service WDM system is not triggered.

Abstract: A system includes an optical transmitter configured to generate an optical signal that includes a scrambled polarization state; and output the optical signal via an optical fiber associated with a network path that is transporting network traffic. The system also includes an optical receiver configured to receive the optical signal; measure a polarization associated with the optical signal; determine, based on the polarization, a degree of polarization associated with the test signal; identify a differential group delay associated with the test signal based on the degree of polarization; output a notification that the optical fiber is available to carry high capacity traffic when the differential group delay is less than a threshold, where the high capacity traffic includes a data rate that his greater than another threshold; and output a notification that the optical fiber is not available to carry the high capacity traffic when the differential group delay is not less than the threshold.

Abstract: A device for measuring optical latency in a test path includes an optical source to generate an optical signal. An optical modulator modulates the optical signal based on a modulation signal. An output port outputs the modulated optical signal to the test path. An input port receives a return optical signal following propagation through the test path. Latency calculating logic calculates the optical latency for the test path based on the modulation signal and the return optical signal.

Abstract: A system and methods include generating an optical time domain reflectrometry signal; transmitting the optical time domain reflectrometry signal on a first fiber path in a first direction through at least one optical amplifier; receiving a reflection of the optical time domain reflectrometry signal on the first fiber path in a second direction opposite the first direction; transmitting the reflected optical time domain reflectrometry signal on a second fiber path in the second direction, where the second fiber path is not the first fiber path; and determining a location of a fault on the first fiber path based on the reflected optical time domain reflectrometry signal.