Abstract: Platelets or blood cells are detected in a fluid sample by adjusting a focal depth of a microscope through a range of values, the microscope having a mounted sample and an objective lens adapted with one or both of (a) a spherical aberration correction unmatched to a utilized cover plate for the sample, or (2) a numerical aperture unmatched to a utilized illumination source for the sample. Images are recorded at different specific focal depths and in multiple z planes of a fluid bearing the platelets, where the position of platelets may overlap on different of the multiple z planes that are recorded, the images recorded through the cover plate, thus causing the generation of a specific light-dark pattern indicative of platelets at particular positions and at multiple depths in the fluid media. The images are analyzed for the specific light-dark pattern.

Abstract: An active receiver structure that combines a large number of detectors without bandwidth penalty may provide a better signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) than conventional Radio Frequency over Glass (RFoG) networks. A transmission line receiver is used to combine a large number of optical detectors into a single radio frequency (RF) signal without a bandwidth penalty and a modest penalty in noise performance that results in an SNR that is much better than traditional optical combining techniques that are followed by a single detector. An optical multiplexer structure may be designed around the active splitter such that passive optical network (PON) operation is not impeded.

Abstract: Methods and systems for modulating an amplifier power supply to efficiently attain amplified RF output power with much lower power dissipation than existing amplifiers. In a cable television (CATV) network, a processor receives a signal to be amplified by an amplifier at a location remote from the processor. A bias point of the amplifier may be variably modulated based on peaks of an input signal to reduce amplifier dissipation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optical modulation index calibration in a CATV network.

Abstract: Methods and systems for modulating an amplifier power supply to efficiently attain amplified RF output power with much lower power dissipation than existing amplifiers. In a cable television (CATV) network, a processor receives a signal to be amplified by an amplifier at a location remote from the processor. A bias point of the amplifier may be variably modulated based on peaks of an input signal to reduce amplifier dissipation.

Abstract: An active optical combiner for a CATV network.

Abstract: A process of scheduling stream packets for output from a multiplexing network device involves prioritizing the output of packets first according to stream priority, and within a particular priority, by stream ID.

Abstract: An optical receiver includes closed-loop composite second order (CSO) distortion correction logic. An optical communication system includes a transmitter comprising open-loop composite second order (CSO) distortion correction logic, and a receiver comprising closed-loop composite second order (CSO) distortion correction logic.

Abstract: A network device provides output data rate control having variable bandwidth and a response time constant that increases according to an amount of time that an input rate of data to the network device is evaluated by the logic to provide output data rate control. The device applies a rate estimate when a determination of the output rate to a predetermined accuracy is unavailable.

Abstract: An optical transmitter includes a laser and an external modulator that is used to modulate the optical signal using amplitude modulation (AM). The AM is accompanied by frequency modulation (FM) of the output signal that is generally detrimental to system performance. Both the laser and the modulator are driven by an RF input signal, where part of this RF signal is common. By adjusting the relative drive signals the FM response to the modulator drive signal can be cancelled by a laser drive signal or adjusted to a preferred value.

Abstract: Implementing a laser into a system that uses a remote powered combiner or an aggregating combiner (AC) with one or more in-range contributing combiners may provide power to the downstream contributing combiners (CC). The power may be provided on the same fiber that downstream signals and the upstream signals traverse.

Abstract: Systems and methods for preventing laser clipping in a CATV network.

Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a single-mode optical fiber and a fiber Bragg grating coupled to the single model fiber. The sensor detects a wavelength shift of a reflection spectrum of the Bragg grating for input light signals to the single mode fiber at different polarization states. A pressure measurement is obtained by determining at least a pair of mutually orthogonal polarization states for the input light at which the wavelength shift of a reflection spectrum of the Bragg grating is a maximum.

Abstract: Implementing a laser into a system that uses a remote powered combiner or an aggregating combiner (AC) with one or more in-range contributing combiners may provide power to the downstream contributing combiners (CC). The power may be provided on the same fiber that downstream signals and the upstream signals traverse.

Abstract: A system for communicating data signals over an optical transmission path combines forward signals onto a fiber that also carriers return signals. The system includes a return receiver for detecting an optical beat interference (OBI) event. Return signals are received by return receivers, one for each group of users. The fiber is provided to a splitter that distributes the forward optical receivers to the end users (RTx), which each comprise a receiver for the forward wavelength and a transmitter for the return wavelength. The transmitters provide return signals. When multiple transmitters are on at the same time, OBI events can take place when transmitter wavelengths coincide. When the return receiver detects an OBI event, it may signal the end user devices via a forward communication. The end user devices are responsive to the OBI detection signal to adjust a return wavelength to reduce or eliminate OBI.

Abstract: An upgradeable electrical add/drop multiplexer is provided that is capable of processing light at numerous wavelengths thereby eliminating the need to add an optical add/drop multiplexer to an existing electrical add/drop multiplexer to process new services provided at different wavelengths than the wavelengths for which the existing electrical add/drop multiplexer are designed. The electrical add/drop multiplexer may be used to process light transmitted over a passive optical network under an RFoG, EPON, and/or 10GPON standard or any combination thereof or may be upgraded for future standards.

Abstract: Powering an active/splitter and providing information to ONUs to cause adjustments to ONU operating wavelengths. An ONU may identify the port of a splitter to which the ONU is connected in order to make wavelength adjustments. Various techniques enable the ONU to identify from which port the ONU is receiving signals, such as a splitter that splits signals to ONUs in a cable network and signals to one or more ONUs the port to which it is connected. The splitter may lack electrical power and may perform the signal function by harvesting optical power from optical power provided to the splitter. In this manner, an active splitter may behave passively with respect to powering components in the absence of electrical power.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting laser transmission bursts in a CATV network.

Abstract: Powering an active/splitter and providing information to ONUs to cause adjustments to ONU operating wavelengths. An ONU may identify the port of a splitter to which the ONU is connected in order to make wavelength adjustments. Various techniques enable the ONU to identify from which port the ONU is receiving signals, such as a splitter that splits signals to ONUs in a cable network and signals to one or more ONUs the port to which it is connected. The splitter may lack electrical power and may perform the signal function by harvesting optical power from optical power provided to the splitter. In this manner, an active splitter may behave passively with respect to powering components in the absence of electrical power.

Abstract: A transmitter, using frequency sub-band coding, can output a plurality of narrowcast and/or broadcast signals to a plurality of sub-groups or nodes along a single optical link. The transmitter can output the plurality of signals as multiple slices of spectrum, wherein each slice of spectrum is designated for a particular sub-group or node. The transmitter can further instruct each receiver or node as to which slice of spectrum to use and at which frequency to output the associated signal information to its intended subscribers. Thus, a single transmitter can feed narrowcast information to multiple nodes or receivers along a single optical link. In embodiments, channels can be monitored and manipulated on a channel-by-channel basis, and channels delivered using different network solutions can be combined.