Patents by Inventor Steven J. Hand

Steven J. Hand 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: 20240356645
    Abstract: An example system includes a hub transceiver and a plurality of edge transceivers. The hub transceiver is operable to transmit, over a first communications channel, a first message to each of the edge transceivers concurrently, including an indication of available network resources on an optical communications network. Each of the edge transceiver is operable to transmit, transmit, over a second communications channel, a respective second message to the hub transceiver including an indication of a respective subset of the available network resources selected by the edge transceiver for use in communicating over the optical communications network. Further, the edge transceiver is operable to receive, from the hub transceiver, a third message acknowledging receipt of a selection and a fourth message confirming an assignment of the selected subset of the available network resources to the edge transceiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2023
    Publication date: October 24, 2024
    Applicant: Infinera Corporation
    Inventor: Steven J. Hand
  • Patent number: 12095546
    Abstract: A network or system in which a hub or primary node may communicate with a plurality of leaf or secondary nodes. The hub node may operate or have a capacity greater than that of the leaf nodes. Accordingly, relatively inexpensive leaf nodes may be deployed to receive data carrying optical signals from, and supply data carrying optical signals to, the hub node. One or more connections may couple each leaf node to the hub node, whereby each connection may include one or more spans or segments of optical fibers, optical amplifiers, optical splitters/combiners, and optical add/drop multiplexer, for example. Optical subcarriers may be transmitted over such connections, each carrying a data stream. The subcarriers may be generated by a combination of a laser and a modulator, such that multiple lasers and modulators are not required, and costs may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Infinera Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Rahn, Kuang-Tsan Wu, Steven J. Hand, David F. Welch
  • Patent number: 11838052
    Abstract: An example system includes a hub transceiver and a plurality of edge transceivers. The hub transceiver is operable to transmit, over a first communications channel, a first message to each of the edge transceivers concurrently, including an indication of available network resources on an optical communications network. Each of the edge transceiver is operable to transmit, transmit, over a second communications channel, a respective second message to the hub transceiver including an indication of a respective subset of the available network resources selected by the edge transceiver for use in communicating over the optical communications network. Further, the edge transceiver is operable to receive, from the hub transceiver, a third message acknowledging receipt of a selection and a fourth message confirming an assignment of the selected subset of the available network resources to the edge transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Infinera Corporation
    Inventor: Steven J. Hand
  • Patent number: 11824628
    Abstract: A hub node may or have a capacity greater than that of associated leaf nodes. Accordingly, inexpensive leaf nodes may be deployed to receive data carrying optical signals from, and supply data carrying optical signals to, the hub node. One or more connections may couple each leaf node to the hub node, each connection including one or more segments of optical fibers, optical amplifiers, optical splitters/combiners, and optical add/drop multiplexer. Optical subcarriers may be transmitted over such connections, each carrying a data stream. The subcarriers may be generated by a combination of a laser and a modulator. As the capacity requirements of the leaf nodes change, the number of subcarriers associated with, and thus the amount of data provided to, each node, may be changed accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Infinera Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Rahn, Kuang-Tsan Wu, Steven J. Hand, David F. Welch
  • Patent number: 11791893
    Abstract: A network or system in which a hub or primary node may communicate with a plurality of leaf or secondary nodes. The hub node may operate or have a capacity greater than that of the leaf nodes. Accordingly, relatively inexpensive leaf nodes may be deployed to receive data carrying optical signals from, and supply data carrying optical signals to, the hub node. One or more connections may couple each leaf node to the hub node, whereby each connection may include one or more spans or segments of optical fibers, optical amplifiers, optical splitters/combiners, and optical add/drop multiplexer, for example. Optical subcarriers may be transmitted over such connections, each carrying a data stream. The subcarriers may be generated by a combination of a laser and a modulator, such that multiple lasers and modulators are not required, and costs may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Infinera Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Rahn, Kuang-Tsan Wu, Steven J. Hand, David F. Welch
  • Patent number: 11689282
    Abstract: An example system includes a transceiver and a microcontroller. The microcontroller is configured to receive, from first and second network interfaces of the transceiver, a plurality of messages from a hub node and the leaf nodes. Each of the messages corresponds to a respective one of the ingress or egress data flows. The microcontroller is also configured generate a resource assignment map based on the messages. The resource assignment map includes pairings between a respective one of the ingress data flows and a respective one of the egress data flows, and, for each of the pairings, an indication of a respective network resource assigned to exchange the egress data flow of that pairing with a respective one of the leaf nodes. The microcontroller is also configured to generate a command to cause the transceiver to transmit the egress data flows in accordance with the resource assignment map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Infinera Corporation
    Inventors: Rajan Rao, Steven J. Hand, Vasudha Bhaskara
  • Patent number: 11671195
    Abstract: A system comprising a hub transceiver coupled to a first network node; and a plurality of edge transceivers, each configured to be communicatively coupled to a respective second network node, and to the hub transceiver, wherein the hub transceiver is operable to transmit a first message to each of the edge transceivers, the first message comprising an indication of available optical subcarriers and availability to use multiple non-contiguous optical subcarriers; receive, a service request identifying a selected subset of the available optical subcarriers including a non-contiguous first optical subcarrier and second optical subcarrier, transmit a second message to indicate either a success or a failure, and receive, via the selected subset, data from the second network node, and wherein at least one of the edge transceivers is operable to, transmit, using the selected subset of available optical subcarriers, data from the second network node to the first network node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Infinera Corporation
    Inventors: Iftekhar Hussain, Steven J. Hand, Paul N. Freeman
  • Patent number: 11637630
    Abstract: A network or system in which a hub or primary node may communicate with a plurality of leaf or secondary nodes. The hub node may operate or have a capacity greater than that of the leaf nodes. Accordingly, relatively inexpensive leaf nodes may be deployed to receive data carrying optical signals from, and supply data carrying optical signals to, the hub node. One or more connections may couple each leaf node to the hub node, whereby each connection may include one or more spans or segments of optical fibers, optical amplifiers, optical splitters/combiners, and optical add/drop multiplexer, for example. Optical subcarriers may be transmitted over such connections, each carrying a data stream. The subcarriers may be generated by a combination of a laser and a modulator, such that multiple lasers and modulators are not required, and costs may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Infinera Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Rahn, Kuang-Tsan Wu, Steven J. Hand, David F. Welch
  • Publication number: 20230092560
    Abstract: A network or system in which a hub or primary node may communicate with a plurality of leaf or secondary nodes. The hub node may operate or have a capacity greater than that of the leaf nodes. Accordingly, relatively inexpensive leaf nodes may be deployed to receive data carrying optical signals from, and supply data carrying optical signals to, the hub node. One or more connections may couple each leaf node to the hub node, whereby each connection may include one or more spans or segments of optical fibers, optical amplifiers, optical splitters/combiners, and optical add/drop multiplexer, for example. Optical subcarriers may be transmitted over such connections, each carrying a data stream. The subcarriers may be generated by a combination of a laser and a modulator, such that multiple lasers and modulators are not required, and costs may be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2021
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicant: Infinera Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Rahn, Kuang-Tsan Wu, Steven J. Hand, David F. Welch
  • Publication number: 20230061657
    Abstract: A network or system in which a hub or primary node may communicate with a plurality of leaf or secondary nodes. The hub node may operate or have a capacity greater than that of the leaf nodes. Accordingly, relatively inexpensive leaf nodes may be deployed to receive data carrying optical signals from, and supply data carrying optical signals to, the hub node. One or more connections may couple each leaf node to the hub node, whereby each connection may include one or more spans or segments of optical fibers, optical amplifiers, optical splitters/combiners, and optical add/drop multiplexer, for example. Optical subcarriers may be transmitted over such connections, each carrying a data stream. The subcarriers may be generated by a combination of a laser and a modulator, such that multiple lasers and modulators are not required, and costs may be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Rahn, Kuang-Tsan Wu, Steven J. Hand, David F. Welch
  • Patent number: 11581950
    Abstract: Techniques are described for implementing an out-of-band communication channel used to exchange control channel information in sub-carrier-based optical communication systems. In an example implementation, an optical communication system includes a primary transceiver, a component, and secondary transceivers. The primary transceiver is operable to supply first optical subcarriers to an optical communication path, the first optical subcarriers being amplitude modulated at a first frequency to carry first control information and amplitude modulated at a second frequency to carry second control information. The component is operable to be coupled to the optical communication path and includes circuitry operable to detect the first control information. The secondary transceivers are coupled to a terminal end of the optical communication path. At least one of the secondary transceivers is operable to detect the second control information and block the first control information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Infinera Corporation
    Inventors: Amir Jafari, Steven J. Hand, Mohamed Osman
  • Publication number: 20230044890
    Abstract: An example system includes a hub transceiver and a plurality of edge transceivers. The hub transceiver is operable to transmit, over a first communications channel, a first message to each of the edge transceivers concurrently, including an indication of available network resources on an optical communications network. Each of the edge transceiver is operable to transmit, transmit, over a second communications channel, a respective second message to the hub transceiver including an indication of a respective subset of the available network resources selected by the edge transceiver for use in communicating over the optical communications network. Further, the edge transceiver is operable to receive, from the hub transceiver, a third message acknowledging receipt of a selection and a fourth message confirming an assignment of the selected subset of the available network resources to the edge transceiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2021
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Applicant: Infinera Corporation
    Inventor: Steven J. Hand
  • Patent number: 11563507
    Abstract: A system comprising a hub transceiver and edge transceivers is described. The hub transceiver is coupled to a first network node via an optical communications network. Each of the edge transceivers is coupled to a respective second network node, and to the hub transceiver. The hub transceiver is operable to form one or more logical partition of optical subcarriers in an optical signal based on connection types. Each logical partition has a first partition boundary, a second partition boundary and a plurality of subcarriers logically between the first partition boundary and the second partition boundary. Each partition boundary is assigned a particular connection type. The hub transceiver assigns a subset of available optical subcarriers of the plurality of subcarriers where each assignment includes a number of optical subcarriers based on the connection type in the service request, and a subcarrier location within the one or more logical partition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Infinera Corporation
    Inventors: Iftekhar Hussain, Steven J. Hand, Paul N. Freeman
  • Publication number: 20220376780
    Abstract: A network or system in which a hub or primary node may communicate with a plurality of leaf or secondary nodes. The hub node may operate or have a capacity greater than that of the leaf nodes. Accordingly, relatively inexpensive leaf nodes may be deployed to receive data carrying optical signals from, and supply data carrying optical signals to, the hub node. One or more connections may couple each leaf node to the hub node, whereby each connection may include one or more spans or segments of optical fibers, optical amplifiers, optical splitters/combiners, and optical add/drop multiplexer, for example. Optical subcarriers may be transmitted over such connections, each carrying a data stream. The subcarriers may be generated by a combination of a laser and a modulator, such that multiple lasers and modulators are not required, and costs may be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2021
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Applicant: Infinera Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Rahn, Kuang-Tsan Wu, Steven J. Hand, David F. Welch
  • Publication number: 20220376781
    Abstract: A network or system in which a hub or primary node may communicate with a plurality of leaf or secondary nodes. The hub node may operate or have a capacity greater than that of the leaf nodes. Accordingly, relatively inexpensive leaf nodes may be deployed to receive data carrying optical signals from, and supply data carrying optical signals to, the hub node. One or more connections may couple each leaf node to the hub node, whereby each connection may include one or more spans or segments of optical fibers, optical amplifiers, optical splitters/combiners, and optical add/drop multiplexer, for example. Optical subcarriers may be transmitted over such connections, each carrying a data stream. The subcarriers may be generated by a combination of a laser and a modulator, such that multiple lasers and modulators are not required, and costs may be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 25, 2021
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Applicant: Infinera Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Rahn, Kuang-Tsan Wu, Steven J. Hand, David F. Welch
  • Patent number: 11502771
    Abstract: An example system includes a hub transceiver and a plurality of edge transceivers. The hub transceiver is operable to determine a plurality of optical subcarriers available for assignment by the hub transceiver to the plurality of the edge transceivers for use in communicating over an optical communications network, and assign, to each of the edge transceivers, a respective subset of the optical subcarriers. Each of the subsets of the optical subcarriers includes a respective data optical subcarrier for transmitting data over the optical communications network. At least one of the subsets of the optical subcarriers includes one or more respective idle optical subcarriers. The hub t transceiver is also operable to transmit to each of the edge transceivers, an indication of the respective subset of the optical subcarriers assigned to the edge transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Infinera Corporation
    Inventor: Steven J. Hand
  • Patent number: 11489613
    Abstract: An example system includes a hub transceiver, a plurality of edge transceivers, and a control module. The control module is operable to receive, from one or more of the edge transceivers or the hub transceiver, telemetry data regarding at least one of a transmission or a receipt of data over the optical communications network, and determine, based on the telemetry data, performance characteristics regarding the optical communications network. Further, the control module is operable to transmit, based on the performance characteristics, a command to one or more of the edge transceivers or the hub transceiver to modify an operation with respect to the optical communications network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Infinera Corporation
    Inventor: Steven J. Hand
  • Patent number: 11483257
    Abstract: In an example method, network traffic transmitted between a plurality of network nodes via a communications network is monitored. Subsets of the network traffic are ranked according to one or more ranking criteria. A mesh network is deployed between the plurality of network nodes based on the ranking of the subsets of the network traffic. The mesh network includes a plurality of network links, where each network link communicatively couples a respective network node from among the plurality of network nodes to another respective network node from among the plurality of network nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Infinera Corporation
    Inventor: Steven J. Hand
  • Patent number: 11483066
    Abstract: A network or system in which a hub or primary node may communicate with a plurality of leaf or secondary nodes. The hub node may operate or have a capacity greater than that of the leaf nodes. Accordingly, relatively inexpensive leaf nodes may be deployed to receive data carrying optical signals from, and supply data carrying optical signals to, the hub node. One or more connections may couple each leaf node to the hub node, whereby each connection may include one or more spans or segments of optical fibers, optical amplifiers, optical splitters/combiners, and optical add/drop multiplexer, for example. Optical subcarriers may be transmitted over such connections, each carrying a data stream. The subcarriers may be generated by a combination of a laser and a modulator, such that multiple lasers and modulators are not required, and costs may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Infinera Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Rahn, Kuang-Tsan Wu, Steven J Hand, David F. Welch
  • Patent number: 11476966
    Abstract: An example system includes an optical gateway, plurality of hub transceivers, and a plurality of edge transceivers. The optical gateway is operable to receive a plurality of signals from an optical communications network at a plurality of ports of the optical gateway, where each port of the optical gateway comprises one or more respective photodiodes. Further, the optical gateway is operable to determine, for each port, a respective link of the optical communications network communicatively coupling the port with at least one hub transceiver of the plurality of hub transceivers or with at least one edge transceiver of the plurality of edge transceivers, and an identity of the at least one hub transceiver or the at least one edge transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Infinera Corporation
    Inventor: Steven J. Hand