Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling optical power attenuation are provided. A method comprises periodically measuring an optical power of an optical signal received by an optical receiver and periodically measuring a first attenuation control signal voltage. When the optical power measurement is outside a target power range, the method continues with calculating a target voltage necessary to maintain the optical power measurements at a target power level; calculating a second attenuation control signal based on the target voltage, wherein the second attenuation control signal is calculated to provide an over-damped transient response that maintains the second attenuation control signal within a usable range of a variable optical power attenuator; applying a second attenuation control signal voltage based on the second attenuation control signal to the variable optical power attenuator; and adjusting attenuation of the optical signal based on the second attenuation control signal voltage.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling power in a communications network are provided. In one embodiment, a method comprises reading a power level of a communication link; and, driving an attenuation control signal based on the power level of the communication link. When the power level is greater than or equal to a minimum supported power level, driving an attenuation control signal further comprises constraining the attenuation control signal to a calibrated range of a characteristic curve. When one or both of the power level is less than the minimum supported power level and a bit error rate is greater than a maximum error threshold, driving an attenuation control signal further comprises generating an attenuation control signal outside the calibrated range of the characteristic curve.

Abstract: A method for remotely restoring inoperative data communications is disclosed. The method includes generating a predetermined sequence of signals at a first Communications unit. The method further includes keying an output of a transmitter on and off at the first communications unit with the predetermined sequence of signals and conveying a transmission of the predetermined sequence of signals to a second communications unit. The method also includes recognizing the predetermined sequence of signals at the second communications unit as indicative of inoperability of the second communications unit and, responsive to the recognized predetermined sequence of signals, outputting a signal to attempt to restore inoperative data communications at said second communications unit.

Abstract: A system and method for remotely restoring inoperative data communications are disclosed, which causes the transmitter to transmit over the physical link a predetermined sequence of signals that can be detected at the receiver. Responsive to the detected sequence of signals, the receiver can initiate an internal reset command to restore the communication of data. As one example, a system for remotely restoring inoperative data communications is disclosed, which includes a first laser transceiver unit located in a head end, and a second laser transceiver unit remotely located in a node end, and an optical transmission medium connected between the head end and the node end. For this example, the head end is the host end of a distributed base station system for a cellular radiotelephone network, the node end includes the cellular transmitter/receiver (remote radio head) and antenna components, and the optical transmission medium is a fiber optic cable.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling power in a communications network are provided. In one embodiment, a method comprises reading a power level of a communication link; and, driving an attenuation control signal based on the power level of the communication link. When the power level is greater than or equal to a minimum supported power level, driving an attenuation control signal further comprises constraining the attenuation control signal to a calibrated range of a characteristic curve. When one or both of the power level is less than the minimum supported power level and a bit error rate is greater than a maximum error threshold, driving an attenuation control signal further comprises generating an attenuation control signal outside the calibrated range of the characteristic curve.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling optical power attenuation are provided. A method comprises periodically measuring an optical power of an optical signal received by an optical receiver and periodically measuring a first attenuation control signal voltage. When the optical power measurement is outside a target power range, the method continues with calculating a target voltage necessary to maintain the optical power measurements at a target power level; calculating a second attenuation control signal based on the target voltage, wherein the second attenuation control signal is calculated to provide an over-damped transient response that maintains the second attenuation control signal within a usable range of a variable optical power attenuator; applying a second attenuation control signal voltage based on the second attenuation control signal to the variable optical power attenuator; and adjusting attenuation of the optical signal based on the second attenuation control signal voltage.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling optical power levels in an optical communications network are provided. In one embodiment, a system comprises means for demodulating one or more radio frequency communications signals from a modulated optical signal, wherein the means for demodulating measures an optical power level of the modulated optical signal; means for comparing the measured optical power level to one or more reference set points; means for transmitting a feedback signal, wherein the feedback signal is based on the difference between the measured optical power level and the one or more reference set points; and means for attenuating the modulated optical signal based on the feedback signal.