Abstract: A sourceless co-packaged optical-electrical chip can include a plurality of different optical transceivers, each of which can transmit to an external destination or internal components. Each of the transceivers can be configured for a different modulation format, such as different pulse amplitude, phase shift key, and quadrature amplitude modulation formats. Different light sources provide light for processing by the transceivers, where the light source and transceivers can be configured for different applications (e.g., different distances) and data rates. An optical coupler can combine the light for the different transceivers for input into the sourceless co-packaged optical-electrical chip via a polarization maintaining media (e.g., polarization maintaining few mode fiber and polarization maintaining single mode fiber), where another coupler operates in splitting mode to separate the different channels of light for the different transceivers according to different co-packaged configurations.

Abstract: A sourceless co-packaged optical-electrical chip can include a plurality of different optical transceivers, each of which can transmit to an external destination or internal components. Each of the transceivers can be configured for a different modulation format, such as different pulse amplitude, phase shift key, and quadrature amplitude modulation formats. Different light sources provide light for processing by the transceivers, where the light source and transceivers can be configured for different applications (e.g., different distances) and data rates. An optical coupler can combine the light for the different transceivers for input into the sourceless co-packaged optical-electrical chip via a polarization maintaining media (e.g., polarization maintaining few mode fiber and polarization maintaining single mode fiber), where another coupler operates in splitting mode to separate the different channels of light for the different transceivers according to different co-packaged configurations.

Abstract: A sourceless co-packaged optical-electrical chip can include a plurality of different optical transceivers, each of which can transmit to an external destination or internal components. Each of the transceivers can be configured for a different modulation format, such as different pulse amplitude, phase shift key, and quadrature amplitude modulation formats. Different light sources provide light for processing by the transceivers, where the light source and transceivers can be configured for different applications (e.g., different distances) and data rates. An optical coupler can combine the light for the different transceivers for input into the sourceless co-packaged optical-electrical chip via a polarization maintaining media (e.g., polarization maintaining few mode fiber and polarization maintaining single mode fiber), where another coupler operates in splitting mode to separate the different channels of light for the different transceivers according to different co-packaged configurations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing a path based quality check for a specified bit rate in a wavelength division multiplexing optical network is described. According to one embodiment of the invention, a method selects from a database one of the available paths as a currently selected path. The database stores a representation of the available paths from an access node of the optical network to other access nodes of the optical network. The method further determines a cumulative noise, cumulative chromatic dispersion, and a maximum allowable chromatic dispersion for the currently selected path. In addition, the method determines whether the currently selected path passes the path based quality check based on whether the cumulative noise is less than the maximum allowable noise at a specific bit rate and whether the chromatic dispersion is less than the maximum allowable chromatic dispersion at the specified bit rate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing a path based quality check for a specified bit rate in a wavelength division multiplexing optical network is described. According to one embodiment of the invention, a method selects from a database one of the available paths as a currently selected path. The database stores a representation of the available paths from an access node of the optical network to other access nodes of the optical network. The method further determines a cumulative noise, cumulative chromatic dispersion, and a maximum allowable chromatic dispersion for the currently selected path. In addition, the method determines whether the currently selected path passes the path based quality check based on whether the cumulative noise is less than the maximum allowable noise at a specific bit rate and whether the chromatic dispersion is less than the maximum allowable chromatic dispersion at the specified bit rate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for implementing optical network quality using bit error rate and chromatic dispersion. According to one embodiment of the invention, a method includes the provision of quality of service in a wavelength division multiplexing optical network that supports a plurality of bit rates. As part of this method, the cumulative noise and cumulative chromatic dispersion for each available path as a whole is determined, where an available path is a series of two or more nodes each connected by an optical link on which a set of wavelengths is available for establishing a lightpath. In addition, different grades of path quality are distinguished based on bit error rate (BER), where BER is based on cumulative noise and bit rate. Furthermore, a minimum path quality is required based on chromatic dispersion decibel penalty, where chromatic dispersion decibel penalty is based on cumulative chromatic dispersion and bit rate.

Abstract: Modular WSS-based Communications system with colorless and network-port transparent add/drop interfaces is described herein. According to certain aspects of the invention, equipment architecture is provided that enables a linear, ring, and mesh optical network. The embodiments of the invention are primarily on how to add and drop signals at a node of the network. The embodiments of the invention are based on the use a wavelength selective switch (WSS), which is an emerging component technology. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.

Abstract: Optical switches are described herein. In one embodiment, an exemplary optical switch includes, but is not limited to, a first waveguide, a second waveguide across with the first waveguide in an angle to form an intersection, and a pair of electrodes placed within a proximity of the intersection to switch a light traveling from the first waveguide to the second waveguide, where the intersection includes a geometry that supports single and multimode propagation. The intersection includes a geometry having a ridge width ranging approximately from 2.6 ?m to 19.2 ?m and a ridge height ranging approximately from 4 ?m to 16 ?m. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for implementing optical network quality using bit error rate and chromatic dispersion. According to one embodiment of the invention, a method includes the provision of quality of service in a wavelength division multiplexing optical network that supports a plurality of bit rates. As part of this method, the cumulative noise and cumulative chromatic dispersion for each available path as a whole is determined, where an available path is a series of two or more nodes each connected by an optical link on which a set of wavelengths is available for establishing a lightpath. In addition, different grades of path quality are distinguished based on bit error rate (BER), where BER is based on cumulative noise and bit rate. Furthermore, a minimum path quality is required based on chromatic dispersion decibel penalty, where chromatic dispersion decibel penalty is based on cumulative chromatic dispersion and bit rate.

Abstract: Optical switches are described herein. In one embodiment, an exemplary optical switch includes, but is not limited to, a first waveguide, a second waveguide across with the first waveguide in an angle to form an intersection, and a pair of electrodes placed within a proximity of the intersection to switch a light traveling from the first waveguide to the second waveguide, where the intersection includes a geometry that supports single and multimode propagation. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.

Abstract: Modular WSS-based Communications system with colorless and network-port transparent add/drop interfaces is described herein. According to certain aspects of the invention, equipment architecture is provided that enables a linear, ring, and mesh optical network. The embodiments of the invention are primarily on how to add and drop signals at a node of the network. The embodiments of the invention are based on the use a wavelength selective switch (WSS), which is an emerging component technology. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.

Abstract: A method for routing optical signals within an optical switch matrix is described herein. In one embodiment, exemplary routing within the optical switch matrix includes, but is not limited to, providing a plurality of switching nodes and a plurality of intermediate wavelengths. Furthermore, any one of a plurality of input waveguides is coupled with any one of a plurality of output waveguides, using one or more of the switching nodes and the intermediate waveguides. In addition, a switching node couples the respective input waveguide and the respective output waveguide. The switching node includes a first switch coupling the respective input waveguide to an intermediate waveguide and a second switch coupling the intermediate waveguide to the respective output waveguide.

Abstract: Optical switches are described herein. In one embodiment, an exemplary optical switch includes, but is not limited to, a first waveguide, a second waveguide across with the first waveguide in an angle to form an intersection, and a pair of electrodes placed within a proximity of the intersection to switch a light traveling from the first waveguide to the second waveguide, where the intersection includes a geometry that supports single and multimode propagation. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.

Abstract: An optical switch matrix is described herein. In one embodiment, an exemplary optical switch matrix includes, but is not limited to, multiple input waveguides, multiple output waveguides, for each of the input waveguides and each of the output waveguides, a switching node coupling the respective input waveguide and the respective output waveguide. The switching node includes a first switch coupling the respective input waveguide to an intermediate waveguide and a second switch coupling the intermediate waveguide to the respective output waveguide. The second switch is an X switch having first and second input ports and first and second output ports, the first input port receiving the intermediate waveguide and the first output port coupling to the respective output waveguide. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.

Abstract: Optical switches are described herein. In one embodiment, an exemplary optical switch includes, but is not limited to, a first waveguide, a second waveguide across with the first waveguide in an angle to form an intersection, and a pair of electrodes placed within a proximity of the intersection to switch a light traveling from the first waveguide to the second waveguide, where at least one of the electrodes includes a non-uniform edge to deflect a light remained after switching from the first waveguide to the second waveguide to a direction other than a direction associated with the first waveguide. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.

Abstract: A circular polarization modulator operable to output light alternating in time between left-hand and right-hand circular is provided. The circular polarization modulator preferably comprises three elements: a TE-TM mode-excitation balancer, a TE-TM phase-difference modulator and a TE-TM mode-shape matcher. The TE-TM mode-excitation balancer, which may include a DC voltage source and is preferably based upon a tilt-poled polymer, preferably produces light having as near equally excited TE and TM modes as a forty-five degree (45°) linear input polarization may provide. The TE-TM phase-difference modulator preferably includes an AC voltage source and provides wave retardation capable of producing a phase difference between the TE and TM waves.

Abstract: A circular polarization modulator operable to output light alternating in time between left-hand and right-hand circular is provided. To accomplish such polarization, the circular polarization modulator preferably comprises three stages, a TE-TM mode-excitation balancer, a TE-TM phase-difference modulator and a TE-TM mode-shape matcher. The TE-TM mode-excitation balancer may include a DC voltage source and is preferably based upon a tilt-poled polymer. The TE-TM mode-excitation balancer preferably produces light having as near equally excited TE and TM modes as a forty-five degree (45°) linear input polarization may provide. The TE-TM phase-difference modulator preferably includes an AC voltage source and provides wave retardation capable of producing a phase difference between the TE and TM waves of a quarter wave.