Abstract: A heat dissipater assembly for an optical module for a telecommunications unit. The heat dissipater assembly includes a heat dissipater, a first connector portion coupled to the dissipater body and a second connector portion coupled to the dissipater body. The heat dissipater has a dissipater body including a recess for receiving the optical module, such that the optical module is in thermal communication with the dissipater body, and one or more heat dissipation structures configured to dissipate heat from the optical module into an environment around the heat dissipater. The optical connector is optically connected to the optical module received within the recess. The second connector portion is configured to be coupled to the telecommunications unit. The heat dissipater assembly further includes an electrical extender. The electrical extender is configured to be partially received within the heat dissipater.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to methods and apparatuses for providing a reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer, ROADM, (300) for use in an optical network. A ROADM comprises a first port (301a); a second port (302a); a third port (305a); and a first switch (307a) configured to: couple the first port to the second port in a first mode; and to couple the first port to the third port in a second mode, wherein: the third port is configured to be coupled to a first transceiver (306a) of a first network node, and the first switch is configured to utilise power supplied by the first transceiver being on to enter the second mode.

Abstract: A method in a transmitter of a communications system, the transmitter comprising a physical coding sublayer, PCS, for transmitting data to a receiver, the method comprising: monitoring a digital data stream to identify PCS idle blocks in the digital data stream; generating substitute data blocks for transmitting to the receiver in place of the PCS idle blocks, the substitute data blocks comprising low transition blocks, LTBs, and one or more pattern information blocks.

Abstract: A multi-domain telecommunication network may use a blockchain with an activation block to activate a reserved connection path for a service. The network may use a correction block in the blockchain to efficiently and timely perform a crank-back procedure. A management node of a domain of the network may act as an activation miner send activation messages to management nodes of other domains of the network, the management nodes may perform activation for their respective portions of the connection path reserved by the activation block. The management node acting as the activation miner may verify activation of reserved resources and, in case of failure, generate a correction Block to lock the failed resources and to release the resources affected by the crank-back process. Subsequent blockchain decisions and calculations may reflect the actual status of network resources.

Abstract: A communications network remote node having a downstream optical circuit configured to receive downstream, DS, optical signals from an active main node and from a standby main node, the downstream optical circuit switchable between a working mode and a protection mode. Optical receivers are configured to receive the demultiplexed downstream optical signals and output encapsulated downstream client signals. Optical transmitters are configured to receive encapsulated upstream client signals and to transmit upstream, US, optical signals at upstream wavelengths carrying the encapsulated upstream client signals. An upstream optical circuit is configured to multiplex the upstream optical signals carrying the encapsulated upstream client signals and to send the upstream optical signals to both main nodes.

Abstract: An indicator system (200) for optical ports (125) of a passive optical communications equipment (120). The indicator system comprises a plurality of photodetectors (510) configured to detect an optical signal on the optical ports and a plurality of (140) configured to indicate on which optical ports an optical signal is detected by the photodetector. The indicator system further comprises a power source (350) configured to provide power to the photodetectors (510) and indicators (140). The power source is self-contained at the passive optical communications equipment. The power source (350) comprises a mechanical to electrical converter (410).

Abstract: A heat dissipater assembly for an optical module for a telecommunications unit. The heat dissipater assembly includes a heat dissipater, a first connector portion coupled to the dissipater body and a second connector portion coupled to the dissipater body. The heat dissipater has a dissipater body including a recess for receiving the optical module, such that the optical module is in thermal communication with the dissipater body, and one or more heat dissipation structures configured to dissipate heat from the optical module into an environment around the heat dissipater. The optical connector is optically connected to the optical module received within the recess. The second connector portion is configured to be coupled to the telecommunications unit. The heat dissipater assembly further includes an electrical extender. The electrical extender is configured to be partially received within the heat dissipater.

Abstract: A multi-domain telecommunication network may use a blockchain with an activation block to activate a reserved connection path for a service. The network may use a correction block in the blockchain to efficiently and timely perform a crank-back procedure. A management node of a domain of the network may act as an activation miner send activation messages to management nodes of other domains of the network, the management nodes may perform activation for their respective portions of the connection path reserved by the activation block. The management node acting as the activation miner may verify activation of reserved resources and, in case of failure, generate a correction Block to lock the failed resources and to release the resources affected by the crank-back process. Subsequent blockchain decisions and calculations may reflect the actual status of network resources.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to methods and apparatus for autotuning an optical system. There is provided a method including transmitting an optical signal on a first transmitter of an optical transmission unit at a predetermined wavelength, and determining whether the predetermined wavelength corresponds with an operational wavelength associated with an input port of an optical multiplexing unit to which the first transmitter is coupled. The determination is dependent on detection of a non-optical fault signal from the optical multiplexing unit.

Abstract: A method of identifying a fault in an optical link comprises continually storing samples of a signal that represents a power of an optical signal received over the optical link. When a fault is detected on said optical link, at least one stored series of samples of the signal is retrieved. The method then comprises performing a classification on the retrieved series of samples, in order to classify the series of samples as resulting from one of a plurality of predefined faults.

Abstract: A communications network remote node having a downstream optical circuit configured to receive downstream, DS, optical signals from an active main node and from a standby main node, the downstream optical circuit switchable between a working mode and a protection mode. Optical receivers are configured to receive the demultiplexed downstream optical signals and output encapsulated downstream client signals. Optical transmitters are configured to receive encapsulated upstream client signals and to transmit upstream, US, optical signals at upstream wavelengths carrying the encapsulated upstream client signals. An upstream optical circuit is configured to multiplex the upstream optical signals carrying the encapsulated upstream client signals and to send the upstream optical signals to both main nodes.

Abstract: An indicator system (200) for optical ports (125) of a passive optical communications equipment (120). The indicator system comprises a plurality of photodetectors (510) configured to detect an optical signal on the optical ports and a plurality of (140) configured to indicate on which optical ports an optical signal is detected by the photodetector. The indicator system further comprises a power source (350) configured to provide power to the photodetectors (510) and indicators (140). The power source is self-contained at the passive optical communications equipment. The power source (350) comprises a mechanical to electrical converter (410).

Abstract: A method of identifying a fault in an optical link comprises continually storing samples of a signal that represents a power of an optical signal received over the optical link. When a fault is detected on said optical link, at least one stored series of samples of the signal is retrieved. The method then comprises performing a classification on the retrieved series of samples, in order to classify the series of samples as resulting from one of a plurality of predefined faults.

Abstract: A method of managing a node in a cluster of nodes in an SDN network. The method comprising receiving from the node a request to join the cluster and a list of references authenticating the node. The references are verified and if the referenced passed the verification the node is allowed to join the cluster. Then a trust level of the node is calculated based on the number of verified references, wherein a role of the node in the cluster depends on the trust level of said node.

Abstract: Optical protection switching apparatus (10), for a single fibre bidirectional WDM optical ring, comprising: first (12) and second (14) ports for coupling to first and second adjacent portions of a single fibre bidirectional WDM optical ring; an optical splitter (16) comprising an input to receive a WDM aggregate optical signal, and first and second outputs coupled to the first and second ports; an optical switch (108) between the second output and the second port; and processing circuitry (24) to receive at least one of an indication of transmission continuity in the optical ring and an indication of transmission discontinuity in the optical ring, and to generate a switch control signal (20) comprising instructions to cause the optical switch to be open when there is transmission continuity in the optical ring and to cause the optical switch to be closed when there is transmission discontinuity in the optical ring.

Abstract: Optical protection switching apparatus (10), for a single fibre bidirectional WDM optical ring, comprising: first (12) and second (14) ports for coupling to first and second adjacent portions of a single fibre bidirectional WDM optical ring; an optical splitter (16) comprising an input to receive a WDM aggregate optical signal, and first and second outputs coupled to the first and second ports; an optical switch (108) between the second output and the second port; and processing circuitry (24) to receive at least one of an indication of transmission continuity in the optical ring and an indication of transmission discontinuity in the optical ring, and to generate a switch control signal (20) comprising instructions to cause the optical switch to be open when there is transmission continuity in the optical ring and to cause the optical switch to be closed when there is transmission discontinuity in the optical ring.

Abstract: A method of managing a node in a cluster of nodes in an SDN network. The method comprising receiving from the node a request to join the cluster and a list of references authenticating the node. The references are verified and if the referenced passed the verification the node is allowed to join the cluster. Then a trust level of the node is calculated based on the number of verified references, wherein a role of the node in the cluster depends on the trust level of said node.

Abstract: A flexible array probe is disclosed suitable for use in the non-destructive testing and inspection of test pieces with varying cross-sectional geometries. Array elements—such as, but not limited to, eddy current sensors, piezoelectric sensor elements, and magnetic flux leakage sensors—are mounted on thin alignment fins and coupled together with pairs of pivot mechanisms along the axis of desired rotation. The pivot mechanisms allow rotation in exactly one dimension and force the flexible array probe to align its elements orthogonally to the surface of the structure under test. Alignment and coupling fixtures are also disclosed.

Abstract: A flexible array probe is disclosed suitable for use in the non-destructive testing and inspection of test pieces with varying cross-sectional geometries. Array elements—such as, but not limited to, eddy current sensors, piezoelectric sensor elements, and magnetic flux leakage sensors—are mounted on thin alignment fins and coupled together with pairs of pivot mechanisms along the axis of desired rotation. The pivot mechanisms allow rotation in exactly one dimension and force the flexible array probe to align its elements orthogonally to the surface of the structure under test. Alignment and coupling fixtures are also disclosed.