Abstract: An optoelectronic module may include an optical receiver optically coupled with an optical fiber. The optical receiver may be configured to receive time synchronization signals from the optical fiber. The time synchronization signals may be frequency modulated, wavelength modulated, or amplitude modulated and may be received along with received data signals. A time synchronization signal detection module may be communicatively coupled to the optical receiver. The time synchronization signal detection module may be configured to receive the time synchronization signals that are transmitted through the optical fiber and detect frequency modulations, wavelength modulations, or amplitude modulations to recover the time synchronization signals.

Abstract: A method of tuning optoelectronic transceivers in an optical network may include powering on a first optoelectronic transceiver, setting a channel wavelength of the first optoelectronic transceiver, transmitting a first request command from the first optoelectronic transceiver through the optical network to a second optoelectronic transceiver, and non-iteratively changing a channel wavelength of the first optoelectronic transceiver until a second request command is received from the second optoelectronic transceiver. The second request command may indicate to the first optoelectronic transceiver that the channel wavelength set by the first optoelectronic transceiver is able to travel through the optical network between the first optoelectronic transceiver and the second optoelectronic transceiver.

Abstract: A method of tuning optoelectronic transceivers in an optical network may include powering on a first optoelectronic transceiver, setting a channel wavelength of the first optoelectronic transceiver, transmitting a first request command from the first optoelectronic transceiver through the optical network to a second optoelectronic transceiver, and non-iteratively changing a channel wavelength of the first optoelectronic transceiver until a second request command is received from the second optoelectronic transceiver. The second request command may indicate to the first optoelectronic transceiver that the channel wavelength set by the first optoelectronic transceiver is able to travel through the optical network between the first optoelectronic transceiver and the second optoelectronic transceiver.

Abstract: A method of tuning optoelectronic transceivers in an optical network may include powering on an optoelectronic transceiver, setting the channel wavelength of the optoelectronic transceiver, transmitting a request command from the optoelectronic transceiver through the optical network to another optoelectronic transceiver; and waiting to receive a second request command from the another optoelectronic transceiver.

Abstract: A method of tuning optoelectronic transceivers in an optical network may include powering on an optoelectronic transceiver, setting the channel wavelength of the optoelectronic transceiver, transmitting a request command from the optoelectronic transceiver through the optical network to another optoelectronic transceiver; and waiting to receive a second request command from the another optoelectronic transceiver.

Abstract: In an example, a communication module includes an optical transmitter, an optical receiver, and a periodical filter. The optical transmitter is configured to emit an outbound optical signal. The optical receiver is configured to receive an inbound optical signal. A first frequency of the outbound optical signal is offset from a second frequency of the inbound optical signal by an amount less than a channel spacing of a multiplexer/demultiplexer implemented in an optical communication system that includes the communication module. The periodical filter is positioned in optical paths of both the outbound optical signal and the inbound optical signal and has a transmission spectrum with periodic transmission peaks and troughs. The first frequency of the outbound optical signal may be aligned to one of the transmission peaks and the second frequency of the inbound optical signal may be aligned to one of the transmission troughs, or vice versa.

Abstract: In an example, a communication module includes an optical transmitter, an optical receiver, and a periodical filter. The optical transmitter is configured to emit an outbound optical signal. The optical receiver is configured to receive an inbound optical signal. A first frequency of the outbound optical signal is offset from a second frequency of the inbound optical signal by an amount less than a channel spacing of a multiplexer/demultiplexer implemented in an optical communication system that includes the communication module. The periodical filter is positioned in optical paths of both the outbound optical signal and the inbound optical signal and has a transmission spectrum with periodic transmission peaks and troughs. The first frequency of the outbound optical signal may be aligned to one of the transmission peaks and the second frequency of the inbound optical signal may be aligned to one of the transmission troughs, or vice versa.

Abstract: A module, system and method adjusts a tunable filter to have an adjustable frequency response based on one of an outbound optical signal on a transmit channel and an inbound optical signal on a receive channel. The tunable filter is in an optical path of the outbound optical signal and in an optical path of the inbound optical signal. The transmit and the receive channels are configured as part of a channel plan of a bidirectional (bi-di) dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) system.

Abstract: In an example, a communication module includes an optical transmitter, an optical receiver, and a periodical filter. The optical transmitter is configured to emit an outbound optical signal. The optical receiver is configured to receive an inbound optical signal. A first frequency of the outbound optical signal is offset from a second frequency of the inbound optical signal by an amount less than a channel spacing of a multiplexer/demultiplexer implemented in an optical communication system that includes the communication module. The periodical filter is positioned in optical paths of both the outbound optical signal and the inbound optical signal and has a transmission spectrum with periodic transmission peaks and troughs. The first frequency of the outbound optical signal may be aligned to one of the transmission peaks and the second frequency of the inbound optical signal may be aligned to one of the transmission troughs, or vice versa.

Abstract: An optoelectronic module may include an optical receiver optically coupled with an optical fiber. The optical receiver may be configured to receive time synchronization signals from the optical fiber. The time synchronization signals may be frequency modulated, wavelength modulated, or amplitude modulated and may be received along with received data signals. A time synchronization signal detection module may be communicatively coupled to the optical receiver. The time synchronization signal detection module may be configured to receive the time synchronization signals that are transmitted through the optical fiber and detect frequency modulations, wavelength modulations, or amplitude modulations to recover the time synchronization signals.

Abstract: A system or a network may include an optoelectronic module that includes an optical transmitter optically coupled with an optical fiber, and a controller communicatively coupled to the optical transmitter. The controller may be configured to operate the optical transmitter to transmit data signals through the optical fiber. The optoelectronic module may be configured to transmit time synchronization signals through the optical fiber along with the data signals.

Abstract: A module, system and method adjusts a tunable filter to have an adjustable frequency response based on one of an outbound optical signal on a transmit channel and an inbound optical signal on a receive channel. The tunable filter is in an optical path of the outbound optical signal and in an optical path of the inbound optical signal. The transmit and the receive channels are configured as part of a channel plan of a bidirectional (bi-di) dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) system.

Abstract: A system or a network may include an optoelectronic module that includes an optical transmitter optically coupled with an optical fiber, and a controller communicatively coupled to the optical transmitter. The controller may be configured to operate the optical transmitter to transmit data signals through the optical fiber. The optoelectronic module may be configured to transmit time synchronization signals through the optical fiber along with the data signals.

Abstract: In an example, a communication module includes an optical transmitter, an optical receiver, and a periodical filter. The optical transmitter is configured to emit an outbound optical signal. The optical receiver is configured to receive an inbound optical signal. A first frequency of the outbound optical signal is offset from a second frequency of the inbound optical signal by an amount less than a channel spacing of a multiplexer/demultiplexer implemented in an optical communication system that includes the communication module. The periodical filter is positioned in optical paths of both the outbound optical signal and the inbound optical signal and has a transmission spectrum with periodic transmission peaks and troughs. The first frequency of the outbound optical signal may be aligned to one of the transmission peaks and the second frequency of the inbound optical signal may be aligned to one of the transmission troughs, or vice versa.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for automated contamination removal in association with integrated circuit manufacturing and testing. Disclosed embodiments include methods for cleaning electrical contacts of integrated circuit packages with steps for transporting the package from a first position to a second position and, during the transit, bringing the electrical contacts into engagement with one or more cleaning station. Aspects of the disclosed apparatus include a package transit chute for moving packages from a first position to a second position and one or more cleaning stations between the first and second positions. The cleaning stations further include one or more cleaning mats positioned for cleaning electrical contacts of packages transported in the chute.

Abstract: An optical device for demultiplexing an optical signal comprises a grating that receives an optical signal comprising a plurality of wavelength channels, and generates a plurality of spatially separated light beams. Each light beam is associated with a particular wavelength channel. The optical device further comprises an optical element that at least partially compensates a temperature based frequency shift associated with the spatially separated light beams. The optical device further comprises a plurality of lenses and a plurality of fibers. The plurality of lenses are arranged such that a spacing between at least a pair of lenses is determined to at least partially compensate a non-linearity introduced by the grating. Each fiber is associated with a corresponding lens and receives a corresponding light beam. At least one fiber is placed a distance that is less than a focal length associated with its corresponding lens.

Abstract: A wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing device is presented utilizing a polarization-based filter to separate odd and even wavelengths, or upper and lower channels of an input optical signal. The wavelength filter first converts the input signal to a predetermined polarization. A series of birefringent waveplates provide a polarization-dependent optical transmission function such that the polarized beam is decomposed into a first beam component carrying the first spectral band at a first polarization and a second beam component carrying the second spectral band at a second, orthogonal polarization. A beam displacer spatially separates the beam components into a pair of orthogonally-polarized beams. A quarter-wave plate converts these orthogonally-polarized beams into a pair of circularly-polarized beams, which are reflected by a mirror back along parallel optical paths through the quarter-wave plate, beam displacer, and waveplates.

Abstract: An optical device for demultiplexing an optical signal comprises a grating that receives an optical signal comprising a plurality of wavelength channels, and generates a plurality of spatially separated light beams. Each light beam is associated with a particular wavelength channel. The optical device further comprises an optical element that at least partially compensates a temperature based frequency shift associated with the spatially separated light beams. The optical device further comprises a plurality of lenses and a plurality of fibers. The plurality of lenses are arranged such that a spacing between at least a pair of lenses is determined to at least partially compensate a non-linearity introduced by the grating. Each fiber is associated with a corresponding lens and receives a corresponding light beam. At least one fiber is placed a distance that is less than a focal length associated with its corresponding lens.

Abstract: A wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing device is presented utilizing a polarization-based filter to separate odd and even wavelengths, or upper and lower channels of an input optical signal. The wavelength filter first converts the input signal to a predetermined polarization. A series of birefringent waveplates provide a polarization-dependent optical transmission function such that the polarized beam is decomposed into a first beam component carrying the first spectral band at a first polarization and a second beam component carrying the second spectral band at a second, orthogonal polarization. A beam displacer spatially separates the beam components into a pair of orthogonally-polarized beams. A quarter-wave plate converts these orthogonally-polarized beams into a pair of circularly-polarized beams, which are reflected by a mirror back along parallel optical paths through the quarter-wave plate, beam displacer, and waveplates.

Abstract: A addressable CATV end-user payment collection management system, which includes a cable TV broadcasting system, the cable TV broadcasting system having a plurality of demodulators, which demodulate signals from different channels, a video signal main cable for signal output, a mixer, which mixes the signals received from the demodulators into an end-user receivable video signal, and then sends the mixed video signal to the end users through the video signal main cable, a payment collection computer data bank for storing and processing data of the end-users, and producing a control signal to a cable modem subject to the payment data of the end-users, a cable modem connected between the cable TV broadcasting system and the payment collection computer data bank for sending the control signal from the payment collection computer data bank to the mixer of the cable TV broadcasting system for mixing with the video signal for synchronous output; and a plurality of signal distributors respectively connected to the v