Abstract: A pluggable OTDR is disclosed that is utilizes a specific architecture that separates its passive optical elements from the remaining active optical and electrical elements. The set of active elements (i.e., laser, photodetector, and control/processing electronics) can arranged in a manner similar to a small form-factor pluggable (SFP) optical transceiver and assembled within a housing that meets these requirements. The passive optics may be incorporated into a separate optical fiber pigtailed component that is attached between the active OTDR module and a fiber span under test.

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: An optical communication system includes a free space optical transceiver within a housing to transmit and receive optical communication signals along an optical pathway through a window in the housing. Heating elements applied to the interior surface of the window substantially uniformly heat the window such that the window is kept free from condensation and ice without introducing significant distortions in the wavefront. Accordingly, the heating elements are designed and placed on the window such that the obscuration caused by the presence of the heating elements within the optical pathway and the wavefront distortion caused by temperature gradients within the cross-section of the window in the optical pathway cause less than 1 decibel (dB) in transmission loss as compared to the same system without the heating elements on the window.

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 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 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 free space variable optical attenuator (VOA) utilizes a beamsplitter to create tap beams (of both the input signal and the beam-steered output signal) that are directed into monitoring photodiodes. The beamsplitter is configured to exhibit a non-equal splitting ratio such that the tap beams are only a relatively small portion of the input/output beams. The free space configuration eliminates the need for fiber-based couplers, splices and connections to external monitors, as required in prior art VOA monitoring systems. The VOA utilizes a voltage-controlled, MEMS-based tilt mirror to provide beam steering of the propagating, free space beam in a known manner to introduce attenuation (power reduction) in the output signal.

Abstract: An optical communication system includes a free space optical transceiver within a housing to transmit and receive optical communication signals along an optical pathway through a window in the housing. Heating elements applied to the interior surface of the window substantially uniformly heat the window such that the window is kept free from condensation and ice without introducing significant distortions in the wavefront. Accordingly, the heating elements are designed and placed on the window such that the obscuration caused by the presence of the heating elements within the optical pathway and the wavefront distortion caused by temperature gradients within the cross-section of the window in the optical pathway cause less than 1 decibel (dB) in transmission loss as compared to the same system without the heating elements on the window.

Abstract: A free space variable optical attenuator (VOA) utilizes a beamsplitter to create tap beams (of both the input signal and the beam-steered output signal) that are directed into monitoring photodiodes. The beamsplitter is configured to exhibit a non-equal splitting ratio such that the tap beams are only a relatively small portion of the input/output beams. The free space configuration eliminates the need for fiber-based couplers, splices and connections to external monitors, as required in prior art VOA monitoring systems. The VOA utilizes a voltage-controlled, MEMS-based tilt mirror to provide beam steering of the propagating, free space beam in a known manner to introduce attenuation (power reduction) in the output signal.

Abstract: A low cost, high reliability system for correcting aberrations in optical signals is disclosed. A foreoptic assembly, such as a telescope, receives an incoming optical signal and directs it to an active optical element, such as a fast steering mirror. The incoming optical signal is diffracted by a diffractive optical element to shape the image that is formed at a wavefront sensor, such as a quad-cell. The wavefront sensor measures a tip-tilt aberration of the incoming optical signal and the active optical element is adjusted to correct the measured aberration. An outgoing optical signal can be transmitted along substantially the same optical path as the incoming optical signal, but in the opposite direction. Thus, the aberration measured from the incoming optical signal can be automatically accounted for in the outgoing optical signal.

Abstract: A free-space optical transceiver includes a repositionable mirror for receiving and sending light beams with another transceiver. To properly align the light beams, the position of the mirror is determined in using a position sensor. The position sensor is mounted within a base substructure that is coupled to a steerable mirror substructure containing the mirror. The position sensor reflects sensor light off of the mirror to determine the position of the mirror along two different axes. The position sensor includes an optical element for shaping the sensor light. The components of the position sensor are mounted to the base substructure such that alignment of the position sensor is not required. Further, by coupling the position sensor to the base substructure and not the steerable mirror substructure, the moment of inertia and center of gravity of the steerable mirror substructure is improved, thereby improving the steering responsiveness of the mirror.

Abstract: A stabilized ultra-high bandwidth capacity transceiver system that combines an E-band (71-76 GHz, 81-86 GHz) millimeter wave RF transceiver with an eye-safe adaptive optics Free Space Optical (FSO) transceiver as a combined apparatus for simultaneous point-to-point commercial communications. The apparatus has a high degree of assured carrier availability under stressing environmental conditions. The apparatus establishes and maintains pointing and stabilization of mmW RF and FSO optical beams between adjacent line of sight apparatuses. The apparatus can rapidly acquire and reacquire the FSO optical carrier link in the event the optical carrier link is impaired due to adverse weather.

Abstract: A stabilized ultra-high bandwidth capacity transceiver system that combines an E-band (71-76 GHz, 81-86 GHz) millimeter wave RF transceiver with an eye-safe adaptive optics Free Space Optical (FSO) transceiver as a combined apparatus for simultaneous point-to-point commercial communications. The apparatus has a high degree of assured carrier availability under stressing environmental conditions. The apparatus establishes and maintains pointing and stabilization of mmW RF and FSO optical beams between adjacent line of sight apparatuses. The apparatus can rapidly acquire and reacquire the FSO optical carrier link in the event the optical carrier link is impaired due to adverse weather.

Abstract: A stabilized ultra-high bandwidth capacity transceiver system that combines an E-band (71-76 GHz, 81-86 GHz) millimeter wave RF transceiver with an eye-safe adaptive optics Free Space Optical (FSO) transceiver as a combined apparatus for simultaneous point-to-point commercial communications. The apparatus has a high degree of assured carrier availability under stressing environmental conditions. The apparatus establishes and maintains pointing and stabilization of mmW RF and FSO optical beams between adjacent line of sight apparatuses. The apparatus can rapidly acquire and reacquire the FSO optical carrier link in the event the optical carrier link is impaired due to adverse weather.

Abstract: A low cost, high reliability system for correcting aberrations in optical signals is disclosed. A foreoptic assembly, such as a telescope, receives an incoming optical signal and directs it to an active optical element, such as a fast steering mirror. The incoming optical signal is diffracted by a diffractive optical element to shape the image that is formed at a wavefront sensor, such as a quad-cell. The wavefront sensor measures a tip-tilt aberration of the incoming optical signal and the active optical element is adjusted to correct the measured aberration. An outgoing optical signal can be transmitted along substantially the same optical path as the incoming optical signal, but in the opposite direction. Thus, the aberration measured from the incoming optical signal can be automatically accounted for in the outgoing optical signal.

Abstract: A stabilized ultra-high bandwidth capacity transceiver system that combines an E-band (71-76 GHz, 81-86 GHz) millimeter wave RF transceiver with an eye-safe adaptive optics Free Space Optical (FSO) transceiver as a combined apparatus for simultaneous point-to-point commercial communications. The apparatus has a high degree of assured carrier availability under stressing environmental conditions. The apparatus establishes and maintains pointing and stabilization of mmW RF and FSO optical beams between adjacent line of sight apparatuses. The apparatus can rapidly acquire and reacquire the FSO optical carrier link in the event the optical carrier link is impaired due to adverse weather.

Abstract: A rapid iris acquisition, tracking, and imaging system can be used at longer standoff distances and over larger capture volumes, without the active cooperation of subjects. Eye reflections from the subjects' eyes are used to steer a high resolution camera to the eyes in order to capture images of the irises. A circular deformable minor driven by one or more annular forces can be used to focus the camera. A circular mirror substrate is mounted by its circumference onto a minor mount and driven by an annular drive element that contacts the minor substrate along a ring. If the annular drive element has a certain diameter relative to the circumference of the mirror substrate, the mirror substrate will be deformed in the shape of a sphere.

Abstract: An apparatus and packaging scheme that ensures that alignments between signal sending and detecting components in transceivers are optimized and maintained over the lifetime of the apparatus. This is accomplished through use of a pair of polymer optical modules, which are used to couple light sent to and received from respective fiber optic cables. During a pre-alignment process, head portions of the polymer optical modules are inserted into respective slots defined in a standoff that is mounted on an optical sub-assembly to which an emitter and detector are mounted, whereby these slots are configured so that the head portions slide along the sidewalls of the slots during assembly. During a subsequent active alignment process, each polymer optical module is positioned relative to its respective emitter or detector until a maximum signal is detected, whereupon the position of the components is quick-set using a UV-sensitive adhesive.

Abstract: According to the invention, systems, apparatus and methods are disclosed for optically enabling a circuit component in a large scale integrated circuit. In one embodiment, the invention is a circuit comprising a light sensing device for producing a signal in response to sensing light, an optic function subcircuit, and a switch connected to the light sensing device and to the optic function subcircuit for activating the optic function subcircuit when light is sensed. The light sensing device is preferably a phototransistor and a light sensing circuit is preferably placed between the light sensing device and the switch for amplifying and conditioning the light sensing signal. The optic function subcircuit can be an optical modulator, an optical receiver or any other device that is to be operated and powered only when incident light is present.

Abstract: An apparatus including a base having a first opening of a dimension suitable to pass a light emission therethrough, a first side wall coupled to the base and having a second opening of a dimension suitable to pass a light emission therethrough, a second side wall coupled to the base and having a reflective component thereon, and the base, the first side wall, and the second side wall define an interior chamber with the reflective component disposed in the interior chamber; and a fiber connector extending from an exterior of the first side wall adjacent the second opening. A method including powering a laser disposed in a substrate coupling a fiber optic cable to an optical subassembly; and aligning the optical assembly over the transceiver board to capture the emitted light from the laser in the fiber optic cable.