Abstract: A system has fiber amplifiers that amplify a seed signal into a high power signal. Control circuity drives the fiber amplifiers. An auxiliary broad-linewidth signal can be selectively introduced to mitigate the onset of Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS) when the primary input seed source does not meet the requirements of power and/or linewidth. To determine whether to mitigate SBS, an input photodiode can detect the seed signal, and the control circuity can detect an operational parameter associated with a detected signal indicative of an onset of SBS on the optical path. In response to the detection, the control circuitry introduces an auxiliary broad-linewidth signal from a broad-linewidth source, which can mitigate the onset of SBS on the optical path.

Abstract: A fiber-based optical amplifier is formed to exhibit a reflective architecture in a particular configuration where a single pump source is shared among several individual reflective amplifier elements. A passive, non-variable power splitter is used to direct sub-beams of sufficient power into the rare-earth doped fiber contained within individual amplifiers. Since the reflective architecture results in an optical signal passing through the doped fiber coil (gain medium) twice, a lower pump power (compared to a conventional single-pass structure) may be used to obtain the same target output power level and the single pump source is considered as sufficient to provide enough output power to pass through a power splitting arrangement and deliver enough pump power to provide amplification of a propagating optical signal in each of the individual amplifiers.

Abstract: A system for communicating supervisory information between amplifier nodes in an optical communication network utilizes modulation of an included pump source to superimpose the supervisory information on data signals (typically customer data signals) propagating between the amplifier nodes transmitted customer signals. The modulated pump appears as a modulated envelope on the amplified data signal exiting the amplifier node, and may be recovered by suitable demodulation components located at the second node (i.e., the destined receiver of the supervisory information). The supervisory information may include monitoring messages, provisioning data, protocol updates, etc., and is utilized as an input to an included modulator, which then forms a drive signal for the pump controller.

Abstract: A colorless mux/demux cable assembly, including a first fiber optic cable, a second fiber optic cable, and a main body that includes an N:1 optical combiner and a 1:N optical splitter. The N:1 optical combiner is configured to combine individual optical signals received by each of N input fibers of the second fiber optic cable and provide a combined output signal to an output fiber of the first fiber optic cable. The 1:N optical splitter is configured to split a combined input optical signal (having N wavelength channels) received via an input fiber of the first fiber optic cable and provide a split output signal comprising each of the N wavelength channels to each of N output fibers of the second fiber optic cable.

Abstract: A cascaded arrangement of optical amplifying stages is used to provide efficient amplification of signals within an extended wavelength range in a relatively compact configuration. A wavelength selective filter is positioned at the output of a first amplifier stage and used to direct amplified signals within a longer wavelength range (e.g., L-band) into a second amplifier stage, thus forming a cascaded configuration of the first and second amplifier stages. The second stage imparts an additional level of gain to the signals within the longer wavelength range, and an optical combiner may be used to direct both sets of amplified signals along a common output path.

Abstract: A bidirectional optical power monitor is disclosed that is used as an in-line monitor along a section of bidirectional optical fiber. The optical power monitor includes a bidirectional assembly of a lensing arrangement with a partially reflective element coupled to an output of the lensing arrangement. The reflective element directs small portions of optical signals propagating in each direction into separate ones of a pair of photodiodes (allowing for simultaneous measurement of power propagating in both directions along an optical fiber). The reflective element directs the majority of the optical signals through the lensing arrangement a second time and thereafter coupled into the proper section of optical fiber such that a continuity of signal propagation direction is maintained.

Abstract: A system for communicating supervisory information between amplifier nodes in an optical communication network utilizes modulation of an included pump source to superimpose the supervisory information on data signals (typically customer data signals) propagating between the amplifier nodes transmitted customer signals. The modulated pump appears as a modulated envelope on the amplified data signal exiting the amplifier node, and may be recovered by suitable demodulation components located at the second node (i.e., the destined receiver of the supervisory information). The supervisory information may include monitoring messages, provisioning data, protocol updates, etc., and is utilized as an input to an included modulator, which then forms a drive signal for the pump controller.

Abstract: An arrangement for generating amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) over the combination of the C-band and L-band wavelength ranges is proposed, based on a reflective topology that reduces the number of individual components (compared with separate C-band and L-band ASE sources) required to generate the broadband ASE output. A pair of ASE generators are used, where at least one of the generators is configured to include a reflective element at a termination of the included gain fiber. The inclusion of the reflective element allows for the generated emission to pass through the gain fiber twice (emulating the operation of a conventional dual-stage ASE source). A long wavelength portion of the ASE created by a first ASE generator may be used as a seed input by the remaining ASE generator of the pair to further increase the efficiency of extending the ASE along the L-band wavelength range.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates optical amplifier modules. In one form for example, an optical amplifier module includes a booster optical amplifier configured to increase optical power of a first optical signal. The module also includes a preamp optical amplifier configured to increase optical power of a second optical signal and a pump laser optically coupled to the booster optical amplifier and the preamp optical amplifier. The pump laser is configured to provide a booster power to the booster optical amplifier and a preamp power to the preamp optical amplifier, the preamp power is effective to induce a gain in optical power to provide a target optical power of the second optical signal from the preamp optical amplifier, and the booster power is dependent on the preamp power.

Abstract: A fiber-based master optical power amplifier (MOPA) is configured to utilize a pump source that operates in pulse mode with the arrival time of the pump pulses coordinated with the arrival time of the input pulses. The width of the pump pulses is also controlled, thus providing a mechanism for controlling both the amount of pump energy injected into the fiber amplifier, as well as the overlap in time between the pump pulse and the seed pulse. As the pulse repetition interval (PRI) of the input seed pulse changes, the timing of the pump pulses and their width are also changed so that a “constant gain” environment is created within the amplifying medium, providing an essentially constant energy output pulse, regardless of differences in ASE generated during different PRIs.

Abstract: A system for communicating supervisory information between amplifier nodes in an optical communication network utilizes modulation of an included pump source to superimpose the supervisory information on data signals (typically customer data signals) propagating between the amplifier nodes transmitted customer signals. The modulated pump appears as a modulated envelope on the amplified data signal exiting the amplifier node, and may be recovered by suitable demodulation components located at the second node (i.e., the destined receiver of the supervisory information). The supervisory information may include monitoring messages, provisioning data, protocol updates, etc., and is utilized as an input to an included modulator, which then forms a drive signal for the pump controller.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating supervisory information between amplifier nodes in an optical communication network utilizes modulation of an included pump source to superimpose the supervisory information on through-transmitted customer signals (or ASE associated with the amplifier if no customer traffic is present). The supervisory information (which may include monitoring messages, provisioning data, protocol updates, and the like) is utilized as an input to an included modulator, which then forms a drive signal for the pump controller. In a preferred embodiment, binary FSK modulation is used.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates optical amplifier modules. In one form for example, an optical amplifier module includes a booster optical amplifier configured to increase optical power of a first optical signal. The module also includes a preamp optical amplifier configured to increase optical power of a second optical signal and a pump laser optically coupled to the booster optical amplifier and the preamp optical amplifier. The pump laser is configured to provide a booster power to the booster optical amplifier and a preamp power to the preamp optical amplifier, the preamp power is effective to induce a gain in optical power to provide a target optical power of the second optical signal from the preamp optical amplifier, and the booster power is dependent on the preamp power.

Abstract: A system has fiber amplifiers that amplify a seed signal into a high power signal. Control circuity drives the fiber amplifiers. An auxiliary broad-linewidth signal can be selectively introduced to mitigate the onset of Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS) when the primary input seed source does not meet the requirements of power and/or linewidth. To determine whether to mitigate SBS, an input photodiode can detect the seed signal, and the control circuity can detect an operational parameter associated with a detected signal indicative of an onset of SBS on the optical path. In response to the detection, the control circuitry introduces an auxiliary broad-linewidth signal from a broad-linewidth source, which can mitigate the onset of SBS on the optical path.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates optical amplifier modules. In one form for example, an optical amplifier module includes a booster optical amplifier configured to increase optical power of a first optical signal. The module also includes a preamp optical amplifier configured to increase optical power of a second optical signal and a pump laser optically coupled to the booster optical amplifier and the preamp optical amplifier. The pump laser is configured to provide a booster power to the booster optical amplifier and a preamp power to the preamp optical amplifier, the preamp power is effective to induce a gain in optical power to provide a target optical power of the second optical signal from the preamp optical amplifier, and the booster power is dependent on the preamp power.

Abstract: A pluggable bidirectional optical amplifier module may include preamp and booster optical amplifiers and a housing. The preamp optical amplifier may be configured to amplify optical signals traveling in a first direction. The booster optical amplifier may be configured to amplify optical signals traveling in a second direction. The housing may at least partially enclose the preamp optical amplifier and the booster optical amplifier. The pluggable bidirectional optical amplifier module may have a mechanical form factor that is compliant with a pluggable communication module form factor MSA. A colorless mux/demux cable assembly may be operated with the pluggable bidirectional optical amplifier. The colorless mux/demux cable assembly may include a 1:N optical splitter a N:1 optical combiner coupled side-by-side to the 1:N optical splitter, a first fiber optic cable optic cable, and a second fiber optic cable.

Abstract: A pluggable bidirectional optical amplifier module may include preamp and booster optical amplifiers and a housing. The preamp optical amplifier may be configured to amplify optical signals traveling in a first direction. The booster optical amplifier may be configured to amplify optical signals traveling in a second direction. The housing may at least partially enclose the preamp optical amplifier and the booster optical amplifier. The pluggable bidirectional optical amplifier module may have a mechanical form factor that is compliant with a pluggable communication module form factor MSA. A colorless mux/demux cable assembly may be operated with the pluggable bidirectional optical amplifier. The colorless mux/demux cable assembly may include a 1:N optical splitter a N:1 optical combiner coupled side-by-side to the 1:N optical splitter, a first fiber optic cable optic cable, and a second fiber optic cable.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to devices, which may be used in communication or optoelectronic modules for example, suitable for arrayed positioning of a plurality of fiber optical components. In one form, an optoelectronic module includes a printed circuit board (“PCB”). The module also includes an optical component array device which includes an elongated support member and an array of fused fiber optical components positioned around and coupled with the elongated support member. A recursive fiber may extend between an output of a first fused fiber optical component and an input of a second fused fiber optical component, and an optical fiber routing member may be coupled to the PCB and include a plurality of guides extending away from the PCB and defining a pathway for routing optical fibers relative to the PCB.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating supervisory information between amplifier nodes in an optical communication network utilizes modulation of an included pump source to superimpose the supervisory information on through-transmitted customer signals (or ASE associated with the amplifier if no customer traffic is present). The supervisory information (which may include monitoring messages, provisioning data, protocol updates, and the like) is utilized as an input to an included modulator, which then forms a drive signal for the pump controller. In a preferred embodiment, binary FSK modulation is used.

Abstract: A fiber-based master optical power amplifier (MOPA) is configured to utilize a pump source that operates in pulse mode with the arrival time of the pump pulses coordinated with the arrival time of the input pulses. The width of the pump pulses is also controlled, thus providing a mechanism for controlling both the amount of pump energy injected into the fiber amplifier, as well as the overlap in time between the pump pulse and the seed pulse. As the pulse repetition interval (PRI) of the input seed pulse changes, the timing of the pump pulses and their width are also changed so that a “constant gain” environment is created within the amplifying medium, providing an essentially constant energy output pulse, regardless of differences in ASE generated during different PRIs.