Patents by Inventor Pierre Mertz

Pierre Mertz has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20250141542
    Abstract: A disclosed optical system comprises a repeater disposed between a first span and a second span of an optical cable and a node receiving an optical signal from the first span and transmitting a reflection to the first span. The node comprises a transmitter coupled to the first span to transmit the optical signal, transmit pulses having an RF modulated tone, and provide a local reflection; a receiver to receive the local reflection and the pulse reflection and passing a filtered spectrum; and a DSP to: determine a first RF phase of the local reflection and a second RF phase of the pulse reflection; determine a second RF phase; determine a first span seismic pressure based on the first RF phase and determine a second span seismic pressure based on the second RF phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2024
    Publication date: May 1, 2025
    Inventors: Pierre Mertz, Siddharth Varughese
  • Publication number: 20230085546
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for applying non-linearity to digital subcarriers. A receiver includes a detector circuit operable to receive a first optical signal over an optical link, the first optical signal carrying first data. The receiver includes a carrier recovery estimation circuit operable to generate compensated data by correcting errors in the first data. The receiver includes a non-linear coefficient estimation circuit operable to (i) receive the compensated data, and (ii) estimate one or more non-linear coefficients, wherein information indicative of the estimated non-linear coefficients is transmitted over an optical network, such that a second optical signal is transmitted based, at least in part, on the estimated non-linear coefficients, the second optical signal being received by the receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Mohamed Osman, Demin Yao, Domanic Lavery, Han Henry Sun, Pierre Mertz
  • Publication number: 20220303014
    Abstract: A transceiver is herein described. The transceiver comprises an optical source providing an optical signal, a modulator receiving the optical signal and configured to encode data into the optical signal, a transmitter module to receive data to be encoded into the optical signal and having at least one drive circuit supplying driver signals to the modulator to cause the modulator to encode data into a carrier having a frequency band and a tone signal outside of the frequency band into the optical signal, a narrowband filter operable to receive a portion of the optical signal via an optical loopback, the optical signal having the encoded data and a first tone reflection of the tone signal at a first instant of time and to pass the first tone reflection, a polarimeter operable to receive the first tone reflection and determine a first tone polarization of the first tone reflection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Pierre Mertz, Han Hennry Sun, Robert Maher
  • Patent number: 11323175
    Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus including a continuous wave idler and an optical coupler that provide an optical signal having a power greater than optical channels carrying data, and positioned at a cross-over point between two spectral bands, with each band encompassing multiple optical channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Infinera Corporation
    Inventors: Sumudu Geethika Edirisinghe, Pierre Mertz, Steven William Beacall
  • Publication number: 20220131605
    Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus including a continuous wave idler and an optical coupler that provide an optical signal having a power greater than optical channels carrying data, and positioned at a cross-over point between two spectral bands, with each band encompassing multiple optical channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Sumudu Geethika Edirisinghe, Pierre Mertz, Steven William Beacall
  • Patent number: 10298317
    Abstract: A method is described in which a loss of spectrum in an optical signal having an optical signal spectrum is detected. The optical signal is transmitted from a first node to a second node. In response to detecting the loss of spectrum in the optical signal, at least one idler carrier without data imposed is supplied into the optical signal spectrum transmitted from the first node to the second node, the optical signal spectrum encompassing a frequency band including a plurality of optical channels, the idler carrier being amplified stimulated emission light having a frequency corresponding to a first optical channel of the plurality of optical channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Infinera Corporation
    Inventors: Pierre Mertz, Omer Faruk Yilmaz
  • Publication number: 20180269964
    Abstract: A method is described in which a loss of spectrum in an optical signal having an optical signal spectrum is detected. The optical signal is transmitted from a first node to a second node. In response to detecting the loss of spectrum in the optical signal, at least one idler carrier without data imposed is supplied into the optical signal spectrum transmitted from the first node to the second node, the optical signal spectrum encompassing a frequency band including a plurality of optical channels, the idler carrier being amplified stimulated emission light having a frequency corresponding to a first optical channel of the plurality of optical channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Pierre Mertz, Omer Faruk Yilmaz
  • Patent number: 9246597
    Abstract: The present disclosure allows for optical link capacity to be optimized based on transmission parameters, such as amplifier gain, link loss, optical signal-to-noise ratio. For example, optical signals at wavelengths that are susceptible to impairments, such as non-linear effects, or that are not adequately amplified by an optical amplifier, may be modulated in accordance with lower rate/less spectrally efficient modulation formats (“low rate formats”) that are more noise tolerant. On the other hand, those optical signals at wavelengths that are less susceptible to or do not incur such impairments may be modulated in accordance with highly spectrally efficient/higher rate modulation formats (“high rate formats”) that are more noise sensitive. Accordingly, a maximum or optimized capacity may be realized through appropriately choosing, for each channel, a particular modulation format and channel spacing. Such optimized capacity can be readily obtained with adaptive driver circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Infinera Corporation
    Inventors: Pierre Mertz, Kuang-Tsan Wu
  • Patent number: 9166689
    Abstract: A system receives four-bit symbols that correspond to traffic associated with a three-bit phase modulation scheme and are encoded based on a four-bit phase modulation scheme. The system determines values with which to perform equalization that enable the four-bit symbols to be restored to a condition that existed prior to being transmitted to the system. The system performs, using the values, equalization on a four-bit symbol that includes at least a first pair of bits associated with a first polarization, and performs, after completing the equalization, another equalization on another four-bit symbol that includes at least a second pair of bits associated with a second polarization. The system identifies a three-bit symbol, of a set of three-bit symbols associated with the three-bit phase modulation scheme, based on the equalized first pair of bits and the equalized second pair of bits, generates the three-bit symbol, and outputs the three-bit symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Infinera Corporation
    Inventors: Han Henry Sun, Kuang-Tsan Wu, Pierre Mertz
  • Patent number: 9166696
    Abstract: An apparatus including a photodiode, a low pass filter, an analog-to-digital converter, an interpolation circuit and a digital signal processor is disclosed. The photodiode receives a portion of a plurality of optical signals, each of which is modulated in accordance with a corresponding one of a plurality of data streams, and each having a corresponding one of a plurality of wavelengths. The photodiode supplies an electrical output. The low-pass filter supplies a filtered output in response to the electrical output. The analog-to-digital converter is configured to sample the filtered output at a first sampling rate to generate a plurality of first data samples. The interpolation circuit is configured to receive the plurality of first data samples and supply a plurality of second data samples at a second sampling rate less the first sampling rate. The digital signal processor circuit is configured to receive the plurality of second data samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Infinera Corporation
    Inventors: Kuang-Tsan Wu, John D. McNicol, David F. Welch, Stephen G. Grubb, Pierre Mertz
  • Patent number: 9154258
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed including a subsea link idler apparatus comprising at least one data laser generating a first laser beam as a data signal, having a first frequency within a first data channel bandwidth slot; a first continuous wave laser generating a second laser beam with a first polarization and a second frequency being within a second data channel bandwidth slot; a second continuous wave laser generating a third laser beam with a second polarization different from the first polarization and a third frequency being offset from the second frequency and being within the second data channel bandwidth slot; a polarization beam combiner positioned in paths of the second and third laser beams combining the second and third laser beams into an idler signal; and a transmitter receiving and transmitting the data signal and idler signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Infinera Corporation
    Inventors: Pierre Mertz, Hai Xu
  • Publication number: 20150280855
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed including a subsea link idler apparatus comprising at least one data laser generating a first laser beam as a data signal, having a first frequency within a first data channel bandwidth slot; a first continuous wave laser generating a second laser beam with a first polarization and a second frequency being within a second data channel bandwidth slot; a second continuous wave laser generating a third laser beam with a second polarization different from the first polarization and a third frequency being offset from the second frequency and being within the second data channel bandwidth slot; a polarization beam combiner positioned in paths of the second and third laser beams combining the second and third laser beams into an idler signal; and a transmitter receiving and transmitting the data signal and idler signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Pierre Mertz, Hai Xu
  • Patent number: 9124371
    Abstract: Consistent with the present disclosure, data, in digital form, is received by a transmit node of an optical communication system, and is then provided to a modulator that, in turn, modulates light, received from an optical source at one of a plurality of periodically and preferably minimally spaced wavelengths. The plurality of periodically spaced wavelengths or carriers are grouped together with minimal carrier spacing, to form a superchannel. The carrier spacing between adjacent carriers is determined by detecting a beat frequency of a combined optical signal that includes the outputs of two adjacent optical sources. The beat frequency corresponds to a frequency difference between the outputs of the adjacent carriers. This frequency difference should correspond to a desired carrier spacing between each of the plurality of carriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Infinera Corporation
    Inventors: John D. McNicol, Michael Francis Van Leeuwen, Pierre Mertz, Hai Xu
  • Publication number: 20140369698
    Abstract: An apparatus including a photodiode, a low pass filter, an analog-to-digital converter, an interpolation circuit and a digital signal processor is disclosed. The photodiode receives a portion of a plurality of optical signals, each of which is modulated in accordance with a corresponding one of a plurality of data streams, and each having a corresponding one of a plurality of wavelengths. The photodiode supplies an electrical output. The low-pass filter supplies a filtered output in response to the electrical output. The analog-to-digital converter is configured to sample the filtered output at a first sampling rate to generate a plurality of first data samples. The interpolation circuit is configured to receive the plurality of first data samples and supply a plurality of second data samples at a second sampling rate less the first sampling rate. The digital signal processor circuit is configured to receive the plurality of second data samples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Kuang-Tsan Wu, John D. McNicol, David F. Welch, Stephen G. Grubb, Pierre Mertz
  • Patent number: 8831439
    Abstract: Consistent with the present disclosure, data, in digital form, is received by a transmit nodes of an optical communication, and converted to analog signal by a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) to drive a modulator. The modulator, in turn, modulates light at one of a plurality of wavelengths in accordance with the received data. The modulated light is then transmitted over an optical communication path to a receive node. At the receive node, the modulated optical signal, as well as other modulated optical signals are supplied to a photodetector circuit, which receives additional light at one of the optical signal wavelengths from a local oscillator laser. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is provided in the receive node to convert the electrical signals output from the photodetector into digital form. The output from the ADC is then filtered in the electrical domain, such that optical demultiplexing of individual channels is unnecessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Infinera Corporation
    Inventors: Kuang-Tsan Wu, John D. McNicol, David F. Welch, Stephen G. Grubb, Pierre Mertz
  • Patent number: 8768177
    Abstract: Consistent with the present disclosure, data, in digital form, is received by a transmit nodes of an optical communication, and converted to analog signal by a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) to drive a modulator. The modulator, in turn, modulates light at one of a plurality of wavelengths in accordance with the received data. The modulated light is then transmitted over an optical communication path to a receive node. At the receive node, the modulated optical signal, as well as other modulated optical signals are supplied to a photodetector circuit, which receives additional light at one of the optical signal wavelengths from a local oscillator laser. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is provided in the receive node to convert the electrical signals output from the photodetector into digital form. The output from the ADC is then filtered in the electrical domain, such that optical demultiplexing of individual channels is unnecessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Infinera Corporation
    Inventors: Kuang-Tsan Wu, John D. McNicol, David F. Welch, Stephen G. Grubb, Pierre Mertz
  • Patent number: 8655190
    Abstract: Consistent with the present disclosure, data, in digital form, is received by a transmit nodes of an optical communication, and converted to analog signal by a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) to drive a modulator. The modulator, in turn, modulates light at one of a plurality of wavelengths in accordance with the received data. The modulated light is then transmitted over an optical communication path to a receive node. At the receive node, the modulated optical signal, as well as other modulated optical signals are supplied to a photodetector circuit, which receives additional light at one of the optical signal wavelengths from a local oscillator laser. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is provided in the receive node to convert the electrical signals output from the photodetector into digital form. The output from the ADC is then filtered in the electrical domain, such that optical demultiplexing of individual channels is unnecessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Infinera Corporation
    Inventors: Kuang-Tsan Wu, John D. McNicol, David F. Welch, Stephen G. Grubb, Pierre Mertz
  • Patent number: 8639118
    Abstract: Consistent with the present disclosure, data, in digital form, is received by a transmit nodes of an optical communication, and converted to analog signal by a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) to drive a modulator. The modulator, in turn, modulates light at one of a plurality of wavelengths in accordance with the received data. The modulated light is then transmitted over an optical communication path to a receive node. At the receive node, the modulated optical signal, as well as other modulated optical signals are supplied to a photodetector circuit, which receives additional light at one of the optical signal wavelengths from a local oscillator laser. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is provided in the receive node to convert the electrical signals output from the photodetector into digital form. The output from the ADC is then filtered in the electrical domain, such that optical demultiplexing of individual channels is unnecessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Infinera Corporation
    Inventors: Kuang-Tsan Wu, John D. McNicol, David F. Welch, Stephen G. Grubb, Pierre Mertz
  • Publication number: 20140003824
    Abstract: A system receives four-bit symbols that correspond to traffic associated with a three-bit phase modulation scheme and are encoded based on a four-bit phase modulation scheme. The system determines values with which to perform equalization that enable the four-bit symbols to be restored to a condition that existed prior to being transmitted to the system. The system performs, using the values, equalization on a four-bit symbol that includes at least a first pair of bits associated with a first polarization, and performs, after completing the equalization, another equalization on another four-bit symbol that includes at least a second pair of bits associated with a second polarization. The system identifies a three-bit symbol, of a set of three-bit symbols associated with the three-bit phase modulation scheme, based on the equalized first pair of bits and the equalized second pair of bits, generates the three-bit symbol, and outputs the three-bit symbol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: Infinera Corporation
    Inventors: Han Henry SUN, Kuang-Tsan Wu, Pierre Mertz
  • Publication number: 20140003815
    Abstract: A photonic integrated circuit device comprises a receiver integrated in a substrate and having an optical input line, a first, a second, a third, and a fourth electrical output line, and a transmitter having a first input line in electrical communication with the first electrical output line, a second input line in electrical communication with the second, a third input line in electrical communication with the third, and a fourth input line in electrical communication with the fourth electrical output line. The receiver may receive and convert an input TM signal, and an input TE signal into a first electrical signal outputted to the first, a second electrical signal outputted to the second, a third electrical signal outputted to the third, and a fourth electrical signal outputted to the fourth electrical output line. The transmitter may receive the electrical signals and modulate and output a phase conjugated output light signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventor: Pierre Mertz