Abstract: A communications network has a communications station, such as a telephone exchange, and at least one interface, such as a cabinet. A plurality of optical carriers are provided between the exchange and a cabinet, thereby allowing modulation of the signals, for example xDSL modulation, to be carried out at the exchange, rather than at the cabinet. This arrangement reduces the need to power the cabinet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a communications network, in particular to a communications network having a communications station such as a telephone exchange, and at least one interface, such as a cabinet. A plurality of optical carriers are provided between the exchange and a cabinet, thereby allowing modulation of the signals, for example xDSL modulation to be carried out at the exchange, rather than at the cabinet. This arrangement reduces the need to power the cabinet.

Abstract: An optical pulse source includes a gain-switched semiconductor laser diode (1). Light from a continuous wave source (3) is optically coupled into the laser cavity. Light output from the laser cavity passes through an electro-optic amplitude modulator (2). Synchronised modulating signals are applied to the semiconductor diode and to the amplitude modulator. The source outputs short low-jitter optical pulses and is suitable for use, for example, in a broadband optical network operating at high bit rates of 100 Gbit/s or more, or in an optical interconnect.