Abstract: A random acoustic phase scrambler device is installed in-line with a telecommunications fiber link to prevent voice detection via fiber links. The device includes a transducer to produce vibrations; a length of optical fiber positioned to receive the vibration from the transducer; and a random acoustic phase driver configured to control the intensity and frequency of the vibrations. The transducer produces randomized vibrations within an acoustic bandwidth. The device is configured to introduce device-induced phase changes to signals within the telecommunications fiber link. The bandwidth of the device-induced phase changes is greater than the bandwidth of voice-induced phase changes, and the device-induced phase changes are greater in intensity than the voice-induced phase changes. The device-induced phase changes mask voice-induced phase changes through the telecommunications fiber link that are otherwise detectable by voice detection equipment tapped to the telecommunications fiber link.

Abstract: A method of providing a hybrid distributed fiber optic sensing system (DFOS) that extends an existing fiber optic telecommunications network thereby providing that existing fiber optic telecommunications network with DFOS capabilities.

Abstract: A random acoustic phase scrambler device is installed in-line with a telecommunications fiber link to prevent voice detection via fiber links. The device includes a transducer to produce vibrations; a length of optical fiber positioned to receive the vibration from the transducer; and a random acoustic phase driver configured to control the intensity and frequency of the vibrations. The transducer produces randomized vibrations within an acoustic bandwidth. The device is configured to introduce device-induced phase changes to signals within the telecommunications fiber link. The bandwidth of the device-induced phase changes is greater than the bandwidth of voice-induced phase changes, and the device-induced phase changes are greater in intensity than the voice-induced phase changes. The device-induced phase changes mask voice-induced phase changes through the telecommunications fiber link that are otherwise detectable by voice detection equipment tapped to the telecommunications fiber link.

Abstract: A random acoustic phase scrambler device is installed in-line with a telecommunications fiber link to prevent voice detection via fiber links. The device includes a transducer to produce vibrations; a length of optical fiber positioned to receive the vibration from the transducer; and a random acoustic phase driver configured to control the intensity and frequency of the vibrations. The transducer produces randomized vibrations within an acoustic bandwidth. The device is configured to introduce device-induced phase changes to signals within the telecommunications fiber link. The bandwidth of the device-induced phase changes is greater than the bandwidth of voice-induced phase changes, and the device-induced phase changes are greater in intensity than the voice-induced phase changes. The device-induced phase changes mask voice-induced phase changes through the telecommunications fiber link that are otherwise detectable by voice detection equipment tapped to the telecommunications fiber link.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure describe distributed fiber optic sensing (DFOS) systems, methods, and structures that advantageously enable anomaly detection resulting from construction—or other activity based on image processing that may advantageously detect/notify/prevent damage to a fiber optic network infrastructure before such damage occurs.

Abstract: A random acoustic phase scrambler device is installed in-line with a telecommunications fiber link to prevent voice detection via fiber links. The device includes a transducer to produce vibrations; a length of optical fiber positioned to receive the vibration from the transducer; and a random acoustic phase driver configured to control the intensity and frequency of the vibrations. The transducer produces randomized vibrations within an acoustic bandwidth. The device is configured to introduce device-induced phase changes to signals within the telecommunications fiber link. The bandwidth of the device-induced phase changes is greater than the bandwidth of voice-induced phase changes, and the device-induced phase changes are greater in intensity than the voice-induced phase changes. The device-induced phase changes mask voice-induced phase changes through the telecommunications fiber link that are otherwise detectable by voice detection equipment tapped to the telecommunications fiber link.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure describe hybrid distributed fiber optic sensing systems, methods, and structures that advantageously are extensions of existing fiber optic infrastructure and provide distributed fiber optic sensing (DFOS) functionality to the existing infrastructure.

Abstract: A random acoustic phase scrambler device is installed in-line with a telecommunications fiber link to prevent voice detection via fiber links. The device includes a transducer to produce vibrations; a length of optical fiber positioned to receive the vibration from the transducer; and a random acoustic phase driver configured to control the intensity and frequency of the vibrations. The transducer produces randomized vibrations within an acoustic bandwidth. The device is configured to introduce device-induced phase changes to signals within the telecommunications fiber link. The bandwidth of the device-induced phase changes is greater than the bandwidth of voice-induced phase changes, and the device-induced phase changes are greater in intensity than the voice-induced phase changes. The device-induced phase changes mask voice-induced phase changes through the telecommunications fiber link that are otherwise detectable by voice detection equipment tapped to the telecommunications fiber link.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure describe optical fiber sensing systems, methods and structures disclosing a distributed fiber sensor network constructed on an existing, live network, data carrying, optical fiber telecommunications infrastructure to detect temperatures, acoustic effects, and vehicle traffic—among others. Of particular significance, sensing systems, methods, and structures according to aspects of the present disclosure may advantageously identify specific network locations relative to manholes/handholes and environmental conditions within those manholes/handholes namely, normal, flooded, frozen/iced, etc.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure describe optical fiber sensing systems, methods and structures disclosing a distributed fiber sensor network constructed on an existing, live network, data carrying, optical fiber telecommunications infrastructure to detect temperatures, acoustic effects, and vehicle traffic—among others. Of particular significance, sensing systems, methods, and structures according to aspects of the present disclosure may advantageously identify specific network locations relative to manholes/handholes and environmental conditions within those manholes/handholes namely, normal, flooded, frozen/iced, etc.

Abstract: A system comprises a transmitter including a laser configured to generate a laser beam directed at a spot on a surface, and a laser driver connected to the laser and configured to modulate input data onto the laser beam. The system may further comprise a receiver including an optical detector configured to decode received light into raw data, a signal processor configured to decode the raw data into the original input data, and telescope optics configured to receive light reflected from the spot on the surface, collimate the light and converge the light onto the optical detector.

Abstract: In one implementation, a system detects that a fiber within a fiber optic cable has failed and automatically causes a location of a faulty portion of the fiber to be identified in response to the detecting. In another implementation, a central office includes a first optical patch panel operably coupled to an optical fiber and a second optical patch panel configured to couple the first optical patch panel to a test device. The optical fiber is automatically coupled to the test device in response to one or more signals from a remote management device.

Abstract: A first user contacts a verification host and claims that an item of the first user's information is in a predefined range with relevant information submitted. The verification host verifies the first user's claim, and provides a code generator to the first user if the claim is valid. The first user generates a code by running the code generator with an input only known to the first user. The code generator combines an input determined by the verification host and the input by the first user into a combined input, encrypts the combined input, and generates a code based on the encrypted combined input. The generated code contains a first portion, which is determined by the verification host and contains no any first user's information, and a second portion, which is related to the first user's input when running the code generator. Only the first user knows that the generated code belongs to the first user.

Abstract: A first node receives a first phase modulated optical signal at a first wavelength from a master node. The first node also transmits a first amplitude modulated optical signal to the master node at the first wavelength using a portion of the first phase modulated optical signal as a light source.

Abstract: In one implementation, a system detects that a fiber within a fiber optic cable has failed and automatically causes a location of a faulty portion of the fiber to be identified in response to the detecting. In another implementation, a central office includes a first optical patch panel operably coupled to an optical fiber and a second optical patch panel configured to couple the first optical patch panel to a test device. The optical fiber is automatically coupled to the test device in response to one or more signals from a remote management device.

Abstract: A method is provided for distributing quantum cryptographic keys. The method includes receiving a first quantum signal from an initial quantum key generating transmitter. Following correspondence with the initial quantum key generating transmitter, a first quantum key is generated. A second quantum signal is transmitted to a recipient quantum key generating transmitter. Following correspondence with the recipient quantum key generating receiver, a second quantum key is generated. The first quantum key is encoded using the second quantum key. The encoded first quantum key is transmitted to the recipient quantum key generating receiver using the second quantum key.

Abstract: A method for implementing a truly hitless tunable filter for use in adding and/or dropping channels in a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) network is disclosed. An exemplary method for filtering an optical signal may include providing a composite optical signal having several wavelengths including a first wavelength, a second wavelength and other wavelengths. The method may include passing the first wavelength through a filter and reflecting the second wavelength and the other wavelengths with the filter. The method may include making the first wavelength available to a drop port, and making the second wavelength and the other wavelengths available to an output port.

Abstract: A method for implementing a truly hitless tunable filter for use in adding and/or dropping channels in a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) network is disclosed. An exemplary method for filtering an optical signal may include providing a composite optical signal having several wavelengths including a first wavelength, a second wavelength and other wavelengths. The method may include passing the first wavelength through a filter and reflecting the second wavelength and the other wavelengths with the filter. The method may include making the first wavelength available to a drop port, and making the second wavelength and the other wavelengths available to an output port.

Abstract: A method for implementing a truly hitless tunable filter for use in adding and/or dropping channels in a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) network is disclosed. An exemplary method for filtering an optical signal may include providing a composite optical signal having several wavelengths including a first wavelength, a second wavelength and other wavelengths. The method may include passing the first wavelength through a filter and reflecting the second wavelength and the other wavelengths with the filter. The method may include making the first wavelength available to a drop port, and making the second wavelength and the other wavelengths available to an output port.

Abstract: Devices and methods for equalizing the gain of an optical amplifier are described. For devices including harmonic filters that are controllable by amplitude control voltages and phase control voltages, techniques for controlling the amplitude control voltages and phase control voltages are presented. Additionally, device architectures are described by which an incoming optical signal is equalized to compensate for uneven gain in prior amplifiers or other optical components, and in which the incoming optical signal is received at a beam displacer and separated into orthogonal component beams, wherein the beams are counter-propagated through the equalizer in opposite directions through the same spatial path so as to minimize or eliminate the effects spatially dependent imperfections in the equalizer.