Abstract: A nitride-based semiconductor device includes a first nitride-based semiconductor layer, a second nitride-based semiconductor layer, a third nitride-based semiconductor layer, a passivation layer, a gate insulator layer, and a gate electrode. The first nitride-based semiconductor layer includes at least two doped barrier regions defining an aperture between the doped barrier regions. The second nitride-based semiconductor layer is disposed over first nitride-based semiconductor layer. The third nitride-based semiconductor layer is disposed on the second nitride-based semiconductor layer and has a bandgap higher than a bandgap of the second nitride-based semiconductor layer. The passivation layer is disposed over the third nitride-based semiconductor layer, in which a vertical projection of the passivation layer on the first nitride-based semiconductor layer is spaced apart from the aperture. The gate insulator layer is disposed over the third nitride-based semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A computer system and computer-implemented method for receiving digitally stored metadata that defines a digital offer including specifying one or more static components and one or more dynamic components; for each of the static components, pre-computing a digital image in an interim raw byte representation and digitally storing the interim raw byte representations corresponding to all the static components; in response to receiving a request to provide a digital offer in real-time on demand: retrieving the interim raw byte representations corresponding to all the static components; for each of the dynamic components, rendering a component image file in real-time on demand; joining the interim raw byte representations corresponding to all the static components and all the component image files corresponding to the dynamic components and creating and storing a single digital image file corresponding to the digital offer; and transmitting the single digital image file to another computer.

Abstract: A method for engineering of a connection in a WDM photonic network with a plurality of flexibility sites connected by links comprises calculating a physical end-to-end route between a source node and a destination node and setting-up a communication path along this end-to-end route. An operational parameter of the communication path is continuously tested and compared with a test threshold. The path is declared established whenever the operational parameter is above the margin tolerance. The established path is continuously monitored by comparing the operational parameter with a maintenance threshold. A regenerator is switched into the path whenever the operational parameter is under the respective threshold, or another path is assigned to the respective connection. An adaptive channel power turn-on procedure provides for increasing gradually the power level of the transmitters in the path while measuring an error quantifier at the destination receiver until a preset error quantifier value is reached.

Abstract: A method for engineering of a connection in a WDM photonic network with a plurality of flexibility sites connected by links comprises calculating a physical end-to-end route between a source node and a destination node and setting-up a communication path along this end-to-end route. An operational parameter of the communication path is continuously tested and compared with a test threshold. The path is declared established whenever the operational parameter is above the margin tolerance. The established path is continuously monitored by comparing the operational parameter with a maintenance threshold. A regenerator is switched into the path whenever the operational parameter is under the respective threshold, or another path is assigned to the respective connection. An adaptive channel power turn-on procedure provides for increasing gradually the power level of the transmitters in the path while measuring an error quantifier at the destination receiver until a preset error quantifier value is reached.

Abstract: A method for engineering of a connection in a WDM photonic network with a plurality of flexibility sites connected by links comprises calculating a physical end-to-end route between a source node and a destination node and setting-up a communication path along this end-to-end route. An operational parameter of the communication path is continuously tested and compared with a test threshold. The path is declared established whenever the operational parameter is above the margin tolerance. The established path is continuously monitored by comparing the operational parameter with a maintenance threshold. A regenerator is switched into the path whenever the operational parameter is under the respective threshold, or another path is assigned to the respective connection. An adaptive channel power turn-on procedure provides for increasing gradually the power level of the transmitters in the path while measuring an error quantifier at the destination receiver until a preset error quantifier value is reached.

Abstract: Topology-centric resource management for large scale service clusters is described herein. According to certain embodiments of the invention, techniques include 1) creating optimized topology with network switches to connect service modules based on application flows and bandwidth requirements, 2) providing centralized or decentralized monitoring schemes to maintain the topology view of a service cluster, and 3) using the topology information for optimizing load balancing and service information dissemination. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.

Abstract: Topology-centric resource management for large scale service clusters is described herein. According to certain embodiments of the invention, techniques include 1) creating optimized topology with network switches to connect service modules based on application flows and bandwidth requirements, 2) providing centralized or decentralized monitoring schemes to maintain the topology view of a service cluster, and 3) using the topology information for optimizing load balancing and service information dissemination. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.

Abstract: A feedback control system for an optical switch includes a reference mirror that reflects a signal wavelength of light and transmits a reference wavelength. A detector array indicates positions, on the reference mirror, of first and second reference light beams transmitted through the reference mirror onto the detector array. An array of adjustable mirrors is controlled by a controller for adjusting each mirror in the array. The controller receives the position of the first reference light beam and adjusts a first mirror so that the first position is moved to a pre-determined location on the detector array, and receives the position of the second reference light beam and adjusts a second mirror so that the second position is moved to the same pre-determined location on the detector array, forming an aligned optical path on which a signal light beam can be transmitted through the optical switch.

Abstract: An optical cross-connect switch includes a switching mirror, a lens mount for securing an optical fiber collimating lens so that a light path from the optical fiber collimating lens is in an alignment relative to the switching mirror and a second lens, and an actuator. The actuator is connected to the switching mirror. The actuator comprises a flexure, and a mechanical motion amplifier. The switching mirror is attached to the mechanical motion amplifier in a thermally stable manner. Mechanical motion of the actuator is damped using a damping fluid. Repeatability of actuator motion is provided for switching the switching mirror into and out of the light path.

Abstract: An optical communication system includes an input optical fiber, an output optical fiber, and first and second Risley prism pairs disposed in an optical path between the input optical fiber and the output optical fiber. A first actuator is configured to independently rotate a first and a second prism of the first Risley prism pair so that a first light beam is steered to be incident on the second Risley prism pair by adjusting the first Risley prism pair. A second actuator is configured to independently rotate a third and a fourth prism of the second Risley prism pair so that a second light beam is steered to be incident on the first Risley prism pair by adjusting the second Risley prism pair, providing optical beam alignment of the optical path for communication and optical switching.

Abstract: A feedback control system for an optical switch includes a reference mirror that reflects a signal wavelength of light and transmits a reference wavelength. A detector array indicates positions, on the reference mirror, of first and second reference light beams transmitted through the reference mirror onto the detector array. An array of adjustable mirrors is controlled by a controller for adjusting each mirror in the array. The controller receives the position of the first reference light beam and adjusts a first mirror so that the first position is moved to a pre-determined location on the detector array, and receives the position of the second reference light beam and adjusts a second mirror so that the second position is moved to the same pre-determined location on the detector array, forming an aligned optical path on which a signal light beam can be transmitted through the optical switch.

Abstract: An agile network is provided with a layered control system for maintaining a network-wide target performance parameter (e.g. power) along all end-to-end connections. A connection is controlled at the physical layer using optical control loops that have a concatenated response based on a set of loop time constants. The network is separated into gain based span loops and power based switch loops; each link has a gain profile, and requires a per-wavelength power target as the output power target for the switch loop at the start of the link. Use of achievable gain for the span loops allow to optimize the performance of the link. Use of individual achievable power targets allows each switch loop to autonomously ramp on and off channels without causing interference with existing and other ramping channels. A loop control uses a model-based rules block, to distribute control signals to an optical section encompassing a plurality of optical components.

Abstract: An optical cross-connect switch includes a switching mirror, a lens mount for securing an optical fiber collimating lens so that a light path from the optical fiber collimating lens is in an alignment relative to the switching mirror and a second lens, and an actuator. The actuator is connected to the switching mirror. The actuator comprises a flexure, and a mechanical motion amplifier. The switching mirror is attached to the mechanical motion amplifier in a thermally stable manner. Mechanical motion of the actuator is damped using a damping fluid. Repeatability of actuator motion is provided for switching the switching mirror into and out of the light path.

Abstract: A method for engineering of a connection in a WDM photonic network with a plurality of flexibility sites connected by links comprises calculating a physical end-to-end route between a source node and a destination node and setting-up a communication path along this end-to-end route. An operational parameter of the communication path is continuously tested and compared with a test threshold. The path is declared established whenever the operational parameter is above the margin tolerance. The established path is continuously monitored by comparing the operational parameter with a maintenance threshold. A regenerator is switched into the path whenever the operational parameter is under the respective threshold, or another path is assigned to the respective connection. An adaptive channel power turn-on procedure provides for increasing gradually the power level of the transmitters in the path while measuring an error quantifier at the destination receiver until a preset error quantifier value is reached.

Abstract: A method for engineering of a connection in a WDM photonic network with a plurality of flexibility sites connected by links comprises calculating a physical end-to-end route between a source node and a destination node and setting-up a communication path along said end-to-end route. An operational parameter of said communication path is continuously tested and compared with a test threshold. The path is declared established whenever the operational parameter is above said margin tolerance. The established communication path is continuously monitored by comparing the operational parameter with a maintenance threshold. A regenerator is switched into the path whenever the operational parameter is under the respective threshold, or another path is assigned to the respective connection.

Abstract: A performance evaluation analysis for optical transmission systems is disclosed. A reference eye mask is defined for a transmitter and for a reference optical transmission link. The quality of the transmission for a live path is determined by applying the reference eye mask on the eye diagram of the electrical signal recovered at a point of measurement with a distortion measurement unit. The point of measurement could be established at a receiver optical connection plane, for measuring the optical transmission link and transmitter penalty, or could be at the optical connection plane of a transmitter, for measuring the performance of the transmitter. The optical path may include optical amplifiers, dispersion compensating modules, active and passive components.