Abstract: Earthquake detection via fiber sensing is provided using using a supervisory path of submarine cables wherein the supervisory system/path of a submarine optical cable conveys portion(s) of an optical signal back to an origin location periodically—i.e., at every repeater location. Advantageously, since it is known where a returning signal is coming from, a resolution equivalent to an undersea span length may be determined—which is sufficient for wide area disturbances such as earthquakes. The returned signal is sufficiently strong such that the signal-to-noise ratio of a returned/received signal is not limited by the ASE noise of the amplifiers. The returned signal is much larger as compared to a normal distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) return signal since the return signal according to aspects of the present disclosure is directed backward via an optical coupler/reflector/circulator having a much larger coupling ratio as compared to normal Rayleigh back scattering utilized in DAS.

Abstract: Dependence of EDFA gain shape on input power and input spectrum shape is modelled using a simple neural network-based architecture for amplifiers with different gains and output powers. The model can predict the gain within ±0.1 dB. While the model has good success predicting the performance of an EDFA it is trained with, it is not as successful when predicting a different EDFA, or the same EDFA with different pump power. Retraining the model with a small amount of supplementary data from a separate EDFA makes the model able to predict the performance of the second EDFA with little loss in performance. Experiments show that machine learning model of an EDFA is capable of modelling spectralhole burning effects accurately. As a result, it significantly outperforms black-box models that neglect inhomogenous effects. Model achieves an average RMSE error of 0.016 dB between the model and measurements.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to systems, methods, and structures providing for the accurate measurement of guided acoustic-wave Brillouin scattering in optical fiber transmission systems and facilities.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure describe estimating/measuring core-cladding concentricity error in optical fibers. In sharp contrast to the prior art, our inventive method is based on measuring a seemingly unrelated property of fibers called guided acoustic wave Brillouin scattering (GAWBS). As we shall show and describe, by analyzing this GAWBS property we advantageously determine what level of CCCE is exhibited by the optical fiber.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure describe systems, methods. and structures directed to an integrated 3-way branching unit switch module suitable for undersea application.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure describe a three-way branching unit switch module having a small footprint suitable for application in an undersea application.

Abstract: Earthquake detection via fiber sensing is provided using using a supervisory path of submarine cables wherein the supervisory system/path of a submarine optical cable conveys portion(s) of an optical signal back to an origin location periodically—i.e., at every repeater location. Advantageously, since it is known where a returning signal is coming from, a resolution equivalent to an undersea span length may be determined—which is sufficient for wide area disturbances such as earthquakes. The returned signal is sufficiently strong such that the signal-to-noise ratio of a returned/received signal is not limited by the ASE noise of the amplifiers. The returned signal is much larger as compared to a normal distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) return signal since the return signal according to aspects of the present disclosure is directed backward via an optical coupler/reflector/circulator having a much larger coupling ratio as compared to normal Rayleigh back scattering utilized in DAS.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure describe a method for estimating mode field distribution in optical fibers from guided acoustic-wave Brillouin scattering wherein light for which the optical mode-field distribution is determined remains in the optical fibers and the distribution is made for light inside the fiber, and not at a fiber/air interface or other perturbation points to the fiber resulting in a more accurate representation of the optical mode-field distribution in the fiber. Since light is always in the fiber during the determination, no complicated fiber preparation steps or procedures are required and the mode-field distribution is determined as an average distribution along the length of the fiber under test.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to systems, methods, and structures providing for the accurate measurement of guided acoustic-wave Brillouin scattering in optical fiber transmission systems and facilities.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure describe estimating/measuring core-cladding concentricity error in optical fibers. In sharp contrast to the prior art, our inventive method is based on measuring a seemingly unrelated property of fibers called guided acoustic wave Brillouin scattering (GAWBS). As we shall show and describe, by analyzing this GAWBS property we advantageously determine what level of CCCE is exhibited by the optical fiber.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure describe systems, methods. and structures directed to an integrated 3-way branching unit switch module suitable for undersea application.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure describe systems, methods. and structures in which guided acoustic Brillouin (GAWBS) noise is measured using a homodyne measurement technique and demonstrated using a number of optical fibers, such fibers being commonly used in contemporary optical communications systems. The measurements are made with single spans and determined to be consistent with separate multi-span long-distance measurements. Additionally, a technique for preparing an optical fiber exhibiting superior GAWBS noise characteristics by reducing coherence length of the optical fiber by spinning the fiber at a high rate during the drawing process such that birefringence coherence length is reduced.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure describe a three-way branching unit switch module having a small footprint suitable for application in an undersea application.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure describe a method for estimating mode field distribution in optical fibers from guided acoustic-wave Brillouin scattering wherein light for which the optical mode-field distribution is determined remains in the optical fibers and the distribution is made for light inside the fiber, and not at a fiber/air interface or other perturbation points to the fiber resulting in a more accurate representation of the optical mode-field distribution in the fiber. Since light is always in the fiber during the determination, no complicated fiber preparation steps or procedures are required and the mode-field distribution is determined as an average distribution along the length of the fiber under test.