Abstract: Single-mode optical fiber systems, incorporating fiber of core radius of sufficient size to support the fundamental mode together with from one to three higher order modes, exhibit performance/cost advantages relative to systems based on traditional single-mode fiber.

Abstract: Fiber-optic connectors and methods for coupling optical fibers via the fiber-optic connectors are disclosed. Once such fiber-optic connector includes: 1) a socket having a tunnel extending through a portion of the socket, the tunnel having first opening through a first socket surface and a second opening through a second socket surface, the first surface being opposed to the second surface, 2) a first plug having a first prong that is configured to support a portion of a first optical fiber, and that is configured to be inserted with the portion of the first optical fiber into the first opening, and 3) a second plug having a second prong that is configured to support a portion of a second optical fiber, and that is configured to be inserted with the portion of the second optical fiber into the second opening.

Abstract: A WDM optical wavelength converter for converting modulated radiation at a first WDM wavelength channel (?1) to corresponding modulated radiation at another WDM wavelength channel (?2) comprises: a semiconductor laser (e.g., a sampled grating distributed Bragg reflector SGDBR device) integrated with a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA). The converter is characterized in that the laser is wavelength tuneable over at least a plurality of wavelength channels and preferably all wavelength channels.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an integrated wavelength converter and optical router which is based on an optical device which includes upper and lower waveguide structures. The upper wave guide structure includes first and second portions, and includes a reflecting surface for reflecting optical signals between the first and second portions. Each of the portions is able to be optically coupled with a respective part of the lower wave-guide structure, such that optical signals can be coupled between respective parts of the lower waveguide structure.

Abstract: Multimode optical fiber local area networks, both intrabuilding and interbuilding, are optimized to take advantage of the wide wavelength operating range offered by co-pending patent application Ser. No. 10/408,076 “Enhanced Multimode Fiber” —a fiber provided both with: longitudinally spaced perturbations for inducing mode coupling and thereby lessening mode dispersion; and with a radial discontinuity for discouraging conversion of bound-to-cladding-modes and thereby lessening added loss previously associated with induced mode coupling.

Abstract: A single-mode fiber of increased core size consists of a “few-mode” fiber, of core size sufficient for guiding up to three high-order modes in addition to the fundamental mode, by interposing perturbations of such spacing along the fiber, as to selectively couple any such high-order modes to (unguided) cladding modes, thereby rejecting all but the fundamental mode. Unwanted coupling of the fundamental mode, leading to added fiber loss, is minimized by appropriate refractive index profile design.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable suitable for blowing into and through ducts containing pressurized gas, such as natural gas, has the fibers therein arranged in arrays that form longitudinally extending vents. The vents are blocked from transmission of any gas by each being filled with a compliant member which assumes the cross-sectional shape of the vents thereby blocking it. In a second embodiment of the invention, the first and third ferrules are fixed within the housing with their offset bores in alignment. A second ferrule is interposed between the first and third ferrules and is mounted in a rotatable member for misaligning the bore in the second ferrule with the bores in the first and third ferrule to produce attenuation of a signal passing through the ferrules by misaligning the fibers contained in the bores.

Abstract: A variable attenuator has first and second substantially identical ferrules or capillaries, each being mounted in a barrel or splice housing and extending toward each other, with their distal ends being separated by a gap of a first width. The width of the gap is controlled by a sleeve into which the ferrules are inserted, the ends of the sleeve butting against the front faces of the barrels. The ferrules are made by producing a glass rod mounted between the barrels and having a bore offset from and parallel to the centerline of the rod and breaking or cleaving the rod at its longitudinal center. The broken ends are then polished. The barrels are keyed to a housing member so that the offset bores are coincident in the zero position as defined by the keys.

Abstract: A perturbed, multimode optical fiber exhibits order-of-magnitude improved capacity attributed to mode mixing—high per-channel bit rate, and large channel number due to large available bandwidth—without the added loss which, in the past, was associated with the perturbation stream.

Abstract: An expeditious method for introducing geometric perturbations into lightguide during fabrication offers a perturbation stream of amplitude and periodicity—constant or varying—to satisfy a variety of needs.

Abstract: Multimode optical fiber local area networks, both intrabuilding and interbuilding, are optimized to take advantage of the wide wavelength operating range offered by co-pending patent application “Enhanced Multimode Fiber” (Atty. Docket: White 17)—a fiber provided both with: longitudinally spaced perturbations for inducing mode coupling and thereby lessening mode dispersion; and with a radial discontinuity for discouraging conversion of bound-to-cladding-modes and thereby lessening added loss previously associated with induced mode coupling.

Abstract: Single-mode optical fiber systems, incorporating fiber of core radius of sufficient size to support the fundamental mode together with from one to three higher order modes, exhibit performance/cost advantages relative to systems based on traditional single-mode fiber.

Abstract: A single-mode fiber of increased core size consists of a “few-mode” fiber, of core size sufficient for guiding up to three high-order modes in addition to the fundamental mode, by interposing perturbations of such spacing along the fiber, as to selectively couple any such high-order modes to (unguided) cladding modes, thereby rejecting all but the fundamental mode. Unwanted coupling of the fundamental mode, leading to added fiber loss, is minimized by appropriate refractive index profile design.

Abstract: A system for cross-connecting network elements of different types through a common universal media. In the system, a media conversion interface is electrically connected to a network element. This media conversion interface passively maps the connector and cable type of the network element to a universal connector type. This media conversion interface is electrically connected to a cross-connect module in a universal distribution frame. This electrical connection uses a universal cable group and universal connectors. This cross-connect module is connected to another cross-connect module, also in a universal distribution frame, using a universal cable group and universal connectors. This second cross-connect module is electrically connected to a second media conversion interface, using a universal cable group and universal connectors.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable suitable for blowing into and through ducts containing pressurized gas, such as natural gas, has the fibers therein arranged in arrays that form longitudinally extending vents. The vents are blocked from transmission of any gas by each being filled with a compliant member which assumes the cross-sectional shape of the vents thereby blocking it.

Abstract: Connector systems for dynamically updating information related to a network and methods for developing the connector systems, are provided. A connector system for dynamically updating information related to the network, comprises: a connector; and an integrated circuit integrated in a surface of the connector. A method for developing the connector system comprises: obtaining a connector; and integrating an integrated circuit in a surface of the connector.

Abstract: Adapter systems for dynamically updating information related to a network and methods for developing the adapter systems, are provided. An adapter system for dynamically updating information related to the network comprises: an adapter; and an antenna integrated in one of a surface of the adapter and in a tape overlay that can be affixed to the surface of the adapter. A method for developing an adapter system comprises: obtaining an adapter; and integrating an antenna in one of a surface of the adapter and in a tape overlay that can be affixed to the surface of the adapter.

Abstract: Self-registration systems and methods for dynamically updating information related to a network, are provided. A self-registration system for dynamically updating information related to a network, comprises: a connector comprising an integrated circuit that stores a first block of information; an adapter coupled to the connector; a reader that receives the first block of information from the integrated circuit via the adapter; and a communication line coupled to the adapter via the connector, where the first block of information comprises a first block of information about network elements associated with the integrated circuit, and where the first block of information about network elements associated with the integrated circuit comprises information other than information identifying the connector, the adapter, the communication line and the integrated circuit.

Abstract: A connector plug for an optical fiber polarization maintaining connector has a front housing portion from which extends a cantilevered latching arm having a cross-sectional shape of a truncated wedge, and a rear housing portion. A barrel assembly having a flange thereon and a ferrule extending therefrom is housed within said first and second portions and is incrementally rotatable with respect to the first portion of the housing and hence to the latching arm. In a first embodiment the flange is seated in the front portion and prevented from turning with respect thereto. In a second embodiment the rear housing portion is an extender cap having resilient clamping arms which grip the flange. The extender cap is incrementally rotatable with respect to the first portion of the housing and, hence, the ferrule is incrementally rotatable with respect to the latching arm.

Abstract: A variable attenuator has first and second substantially identical ferrules or capillaries, each being mounted in a barrel or splice housing and extending toward each other, with their distal ends being separated by a gap of a first width. The width of the gap is controlled by a sleeve into which the ferrules are inserted, the ends of the sleeve butting against the front faces of the barrels. The ferrules are made by producing a glass rod mounted between the barrels and having a bore offset from and parallel to the centerline of the rod and breaking or cleaving the rod at its longitudinal center. The broken ends are then polished. The barrels are keyed to a housing member so that the offset bores are coincident in the zero position as defined by the keys.