Abstract: A LIDAR includes multiple light sources and a Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCOS) device for controllably redirecting beams from each of the multiple light sources. The same or a different LCOS device can be used to controllably redirect reflected light to each of several corresponding light detectors. The LCOS device can be adjusted on a slower time scale while the light sources can be sequentially activated on a faster time scale. The LCOS device provides for fine steering control of LIDAR beams. The use of multiple light sources and detectors allows for a higher LIDAR scan rate.

Abstract: A method for assigning a network path after receiving a connection request to connect a first node with a second node of a network. The method including evaluating a network utilization parameter of the network, such as a network load or blocking probability, at that point in time. If the network utilization parameter is below a minimum threshold level, the method includes carrying out the steps of identifying a set of n network paths through the network that connect the first node with the second node and are absent non-linear links, performing network path selection by selecting p network paths from the set of n network paths that have the best linear OSNR, and, selecting a network path from the set of p network paths that balances the wavelength utilization between the first node and the second node of a network.

Abstract: A system and method for obfuscating an optical signal is disclosed. Obfuscating the optical signal may make it more difficult for the optical signal to be detected by an interloper. In one embodiment, an optical signal is received at an optical transmitter, and an obfuscated optical signal is generated by performing a modification of the received optical signal. The obfuscated optical signal is then transmitted from the optical transmitter to an optical receiver. An at least partially deobfuscated optical signal is generated at the optical receiver by performing a modification of the obfuscated optical signal. The modification performed at the optical receiver corresponds to the modification performed at the optical transmitter.

Abstract: A photonic device such as a polarization controller includes a coupler, such as a 2×2 MMI coupler, or a series of such couplers. Couplers may be interspersed with other components such as phase shifters. Photodetectors such as photodiodes are coupled to input and output lines of the coupler or couplers, for example via taps. In various embodiments, all of the couplers include photodetectors monitoring light power for at least two of their inputs and outputs, and at least one of the couplers includes photodetectors monitoring at least three of its inputs and outputs. The arrangement of photodetectors can provide sufficient information for feedback control of the photonic device and/or determining the state of polarization of light within the photonic device. Signals from some photodetectors can be used to estimate light power at locations in the photonic device lacking photodetectors.

Abstract: A monitoring and calibration apparatus for an optical networking device such as ROADM is provided. Reflectors are integrated into the device, for example at the ends of optical interconnect cables. The reflectors reflect light in specific monitoring wavelengths and pass other wavelengths such as those used for communication. A light source emits monitoring light which is reflected by the reflector and measured by a detector to measure the integrity of optical paths. The optical paths can include optical cables and cable connectors. Path integrity between different modules of the device can therefore be monitored. Multiple reflectors, reflecting light in different wavelengths, can be placed in series along the same optical path and used to monitor multiple segments of the path. A wavelength selective switch (WSS) of the device can be used to route monitoring light to different optical paths. The WSS also operates to route communication signals in the device.

Abstract: Spatial division multiplexing (SDM) allows multiple optical signals to be multiplexed onto a single optical link. Performance of SDM systems may be improved by monitoring performance metrics indicative of crosstalk between the spatially multiplexed signals and adjusting at least one transmission characteristic of one or more of the multiplexed signals in order to reduce the impact of the intermodal crosstalk.

Abstract: A method for conveying information through an optical fiber link between a transmitter and a receiver of an optical communication system. The method includes generating, by the transmitter, a predetermined spectral change, and inserting the predetermined spectral change into an optical fiber link for transmission to the receiver. A detector associated with the receiver detects the predetermined spectral change in an optical signal received through the optical fiber link, and generates a detection signal in accordance with the detection result. The detector is independent of a digital signal processor of the receiver that is configured to recover data modulated on the optical signal received through the optical fiber link.

Abstract: A LIDAR scanning system. The LIDAR system comprises a laser configured to transmit laser light. An optical switch is optically coupled to the laser to receive laser light via an input port. The optical switch includes a plurality of output ports for transmitting received laser light to an environment to be scanned. Each of the plurality of output ports is oriented in a different direction. A detector subsystem is positioned to receive reflected laser light. A processor is coupled to the detector subsystem. The processor is configured to receive data signals from the detector subsystem. The processor is also configured to determine a distance from the LIDAR scanning system to one or more objects in an environment of the LIDAR scanning system based on a time between a transmission of beams of laser light and a reception of a reflection of the beams of laser light.

Abstract: In some examples, an optical node includes transition logic to: receive an indication of a data channel to be added across an optical medium, the data channel to occupy a portion of an optical spectrum; in response to a receipt of the indication, divide the data channel into a plurality of sub-channels; and sequentially add each of the plurality of sub-channels across the optical medium in a particular order.

Abstract: An optical device comprises a transmitter module, a receiver module, and a switch comprising a first port coupled to the transmitter module, a second port coupled to the receiver module, a third port configured to couple to a transmitter fiber, and a fourth port configured to couple to a receiver fiber. A method implemented in a switch, the method comprising operating in a monitor mode that provides for monitoring of a transmitter fiber or a receiver fiber, receiving a command to transition from the monitor mode to a data mode, connecting a transmitter module to the transmitter fiber, and connecting a receiver module to the receiver fiber.

Abstract: A wavelength selective switch (WSS), reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer (ROADM) and methods of determining a condition of a domain network section are provided. The WSS and ROADM include a light source for sending an optical signal having a characteristic. The method comprises instructing a light source to send an optical signal across an optical link, obtaining measurements of characteristic values of the optical signal received at and sent by components along the domain network section, comparing the characteristic values to pre-defined limits, and determining the condition of the domain network section based on the characteristic values.

Abstract: A method for conveying information through an optical fiber link between a transmitter and a receiver of an optical communication system. The method includes generating, by the transmitter, a predetermined spectral change, and inserting the predetermined spectral change into an optical fiber link for transmission to the receiver. A detector associated with the receiver detects the predetermined spectral change in an optical signal received through the optical fiber link, and generates a detection signal in accordance with the detection result. The detector is independent of a digital signal processor of the receiver that is configured to recover data modulated on the optical signal received through the optical fiber link.

Abstract: A network controller in a control plane and a method for selecting a connection for a wavelength channel from a plurality of connection candidates in a communications network. The network controller comprises a modeling module and a routing engine. The modeling module obtains information from a physical element in the network, related to an estimated time for the element to establish each connection candidate therethrough for the wavelength channel. The routing engine selects the connection taking into account the estimated time associated with each connection candidate.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide systems and methods which avoid the negative effects of Spectral Hole Burning when spectral changes are made for an optical communication system (OCS). Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to methods and systems which preform spectral holes for the range of wavelength channels expected to be used in the OCS. Embodiments include a configurable idle tone source for providing power to each of a set of idle tone wavelengths distributed across the spectral band used in the optical communication system. The configurable idle tone source is communicatively coupled to an output fiber of an optical network element and controlled such that optical power is present in the output optical fiber at each one of the set of idle tone wavelengths.

Abstract: A photonic device such as a polarization controller includes a coupler, such as a 2×2 MMI coupler, or a series of such couplers. Couplers may be interspersed with other components such as phase shifters. Photodetectors such as photodiodes are coupled to input and output lines of the coupler or couplers, for example via taps. In various embodiments, all of the couplers include photodetectors monitoring light power for at least two of their inputs and outputs, and at least one of the couplers includes photodetectors monitoring at least three of its inputs and outputs. The arrangement of photodetectors can provide sufficient information for feedback control of the photonic device and/or determining the state of polarization of light within the photonic device. Signals from some photodetectors can be used to estimate light power at locations in the photonic device lacking photodetectors.

Abstract: A network controller in a control plane and a method for selecting a connection for a wavelength channel from a plurality of connection candidates in a communications network. The network controller comprises a modeling module and a routing engine. The modeling module obtains information from a physical element in the network, related to an estimated time for the element to establish each connection candidate therethrough for the wavelength channel. The routing engine selects the connection taking into account the estimated time associated with each connection candidate.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide systems and methods which avoid the negative effects of Spectral Hole Burning when spectral changes are made for an optical communication system (OCS). Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to methods and systems which preform spectral holes for the range of wavelength channels expected to be used in the OCS. Embodiments include a configurable idle tone source for providing power to each of a set of idle tone wavelengths distributed across the spectral band used in the optical communication system. The configurable idle tone source is communicatively coupled to an output fiber of an optical network element and controlled such that optical power is present in the output optical fiber at each one of the set of idle tone wavelengths.

Abstract: Transmitter, receiver, system and method for secure data communications are provided. The transmitter encodes data as a spatial symbol in accordance with a codebook to transmit spatially encoded data through the optical channel. The receiver detects a spatial symbol from spatially encoded data received through the optical channel, and generates a data value based on a codebook and the spatial symbol.

Abstract: An optical system for coupling an optical signal into an orbital angular momentum (OAM) mode of an OAM optical fiber is disclosed. The system includes a first detector array for capturing an input image, a processor for processing the input image to determine modal purity and for generating a feedback signal based on the modal purity and a spatial light modulator (SLM) having an array of pixels that are adjustable in response to the feedback signal. This system improves modal purity and lessens modal crosstalk.

Abstract: A spatial mode multiplexer for multiplexing optical signals onto different spatial modes includes an optical path for directing a probe signal through a mode converter of the multiplexer. A spatial profile of an optical phase of the probe signal is detected e.g. by splitting the reference signal into monitoring and reference paths to produce an interference pattern that can be captured and processed to control the spatial mode converters.