Abstract: Submarine cable branching units with fiber pair switching configured to allow any number of trunk cable fiber pairs to access the optical spectrum any number of branch cable fiber pairs. Access to a particular branch terminal is not limited to predefined subset of the trunk fiber pairs. This approach allows fewer branch cable fiber pairs to be equipped in each branching unit, reducing system cost, simplifies system planning and provides flexible routing of overall trunk cable capacity.

Abstract: Submarine cable branching units with fiber pair switching configured to allow any number of trunk cable fiber pairs to access the optical spectrum any number of branch cable fiber pairs. Access to a particular branch terminal is not limited to predefined subset of the trunk fiber pairs. This approach allows fewer branch cable fiber pairs to be equipped in each branching unit, reducing system cost, simplifies system planning and provides flexible routing of overall trunk cable capacity.

Abstract: Submarine cable branching units with fiber pair switching configured to allow any number of trunk cable fiber pairs to access the optical spectrum any number of branch cable fiber pairs. Access to a particular branch terminal is not limited to predefined subset of the trunk fiber pairs. This approach allows fewer branch cable fiber pairs to be equipped in each branching unit, reducing system cost, simplifies system planning and provides flexible routing of overall trunk cable capacity.

Abstract: Techniques for communications using optical fiber are disclosed. An optical add/drop multiplexer (OADM) node includes an interface to a first fiber pair connecting a first trunk station and a second trunk station. The OADM node further includes an interface to a second fiber pair connecting the first trunk station and the second trunk station with a branch station. The OADM node includes a plurality of filters configured to provide connectivity between the first trunk station, the second trunk station and the branch station. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Techniques for communications using optical fiber are disclosed. An optical add/drop multiplexer (OADM) node includes an interface to a first fiber pair connecting a first trunk station and a second trunk station. The OADM node further includes an interface to a second fiber pair connecting the first trunk station and the second trunk station with a branch station. The OADM node includes a plurality of filters configured to provide connectivity between the first trunk station, the second trunk station and the branch station. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A system and method for spectral loading unutilized channels of a partially loaded WDM system may be used to suppress spectral hole burning (SHB). Dummy tones may be loaded at different loading wavelengths within the band of system wavelengths such that the loading wavelengths are associated with a subset of unutilized channels in the WDM system. The loading wavelengths may be selected and spaced based on a distortion in the gain spectrum of the partially loaded WDM system such that the dummy tones alter the distortion to provide a desired gain spectrum.

Abstract: A communication system including a repeatered trunk path and one or more unrepeatered branch segments coupled to the trunk path through associated submarine branching units. Each of the branch segments may be configured to carry at least the same channel capacity as the trunk path and may have a length greater than the average repeater spacing in the trunk path.

Abstract: A communication system including a repeatered trunk path and one or more unrepeatered branch segments coupled to the trunk path through associated submarine branching units. Each of the branch segments may be configured to carry at least the same channel capacity as the trunk path and may have a length greater than the average repeater spacing in the trunk path.

Abstract: A system and method for spectral loading unutilized channels of a partially loaded WDM system may be used to suppress spectral hole burning (SHB). Dummy tones may be loaded at different loading wavelengths within the band of system wavelengths such that the loading wavelengths are associated with a subset of unutilized channels in the WDM system. The loading wavelengths may be selected and spaced based on a distortion in the gain spectrum of the partially loaded WDM system such that the dummy tones alter the distortion to provide a desired gain spectrum.

Abstract: An optical communication system comprising a first apparatus for supplying at least three optical signals, each having a predetermined wavelength selected from a first range of wavelengths &Dgr;&lgr;; an optical transmission line, optically connected to the first apparatus, for the transmission of the at least three optical signals, the optical transmission line comprising in its turn i. at least one optical amplification system having a predetermined gain spectrum which, in the first range of wavelengths &Dgr;&lgr;, has a maximum and a minimum gain (expressed in dB), the difference between the maximum and minimum gain being &Dgr;Gtot, and ii.

Abstract: An optical communication system (1) comprising: a first apparatus for supplying at least three optical signals, each having a predetermined wavelength selected from a first range of wavelengths &Dgr;&lgr;; an optical transmission line (1000), optically connected to the said first apparatus, for the transmission of the said at least three optical signals, the said optical transmission line (1000) comprising in its turn; i. at least one optical amplification system (11) having a predetermined gain spectrum which, in the said first range of wavelengths &Dgr;&lgr;, has a maximum and a minimum gain (expressed in dB), the difference between the said maximum and minimum gain being &Dgr;Gtot; and ii.