Abstract: A method of implementing a stretched single optical communication span includes receiving one or more optical signals from an optical fiber span having high loss; adding a pilot signal to the one or more optical signals, subsequent to the receiving; and amplifying the one or more optical signals and the pilot signal with a pre-amplifier that is an Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier (EDFA). Advantageously, the stretched single span operates below a Hazard 1M environment. A node in a stretched single optical communication span includes an optical multiplexer connected to an optical fiber span having high and a pilot signal, and configured to output a combination of one or more optical signals from the optical fiber span and the pilot signal; and a pre-amplifier that is an EDFA configured to receive the output of the optical multiplexer and provide amplification of the one or more optical signals and the pilot signal.

Abstract: A method of implementing a stretched single optical communication span includes receiving one or more optical signals from an optical fiber span having high loss; adding a pilot signal to the one or more optical signals, subsequent to the receiving; and amplifying the one or more optical signals and the pilot signal with a pre-amplifier that is an Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier (EDFA). Advantageously, the stretched single span operates below a Hazard 1M environment. A node in a stretched single optical communication span includes an optical multiplexer connected to an optical fiber span having high and a pilot signal, and configured to output a combination of one or more optical signals from the optical fiber span and the pilot signal; and a pre-amplifier that is an EDFA configured to receive the output of the optical multiplexer and provide amplification of the one or more optical signals and the pilot signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for strategizing the insertion and/or removal of a node into and/or out of a network are provided. A system, according to one implementation, includes a processing device and a memory device configured to store a computer program. The computer program includes instructions that, when executed, enable the processing device to configure a Network Element (NE) in a pass-through mode whereby channels are neither added nor dropped to thereby prepare the NE for insertion into or removal from a photonic network. Upon the insertion of the NE into the photonic network or the removal of the NE from the photonic network, the instructions may further enable the processing device to perform a zero configuration procedure for automatically establishing communication along one or more Optical Service Channels (OSCs) and for automatically controlling gain and loss characteristics along one or more fiber links altered by the insertion or removal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for strategizing the insertion and/or removal of a node into and/or out of a network are provided. A system, according to one implementation, includes a processing device and a memory device configured to store a computer program. The computer program includes instructions that, when executed, enable the processing device to configure a Network Element (NE) in a pass-through mode whereby channels are neither added nor dropped to thereby prepare the NE for insertion into or removal from a photonic network. Upon the insertion of the NE into the photonic network or the removal of the NE from the photonic network, the instructions may further enable the processing device to perform a zero configuration procedure for automatically establishing communication along one or more Optical Service Channels (OSCs) and for automatically controlling gain and loss characteristics along one or more fiber links altered by the insertion or removal.