Abstract: Methods, algorithms, architectures, circuits, and/or systems for dynamically allocating memory for storing parametric data in optical transceivers are disclosed. The optical transceiver can include an optical receiver configured to receive optical data; an optical transmitter configured to transmit optical data; a microprocessor configured to access data for each of a plurality of parameters that are related to operation of at least one of the optical receiver and the optical transmitter; one or more memories configured to store the data at a plurality of locations that are dynamically allocated by the microprocessor; and an interface configured to receive a request for data for one or more of the parameters from a host and provide the data in response to the request. In the present disclosure, the host is unaware of the locations at which the parametric data are stored.

Abstract: Methods, algorithms, architectures, circuits, and/or systems for determining the status of parameters associated with optical transceiver operation are disclosed. The optical transceiver can include an optical receiver to receive optical data; an optical transmitter to transmit optical data; one or more memories to store data (and, optionally, thresholds) for each of a plurality of parameters that are related to operation of at least one of the optical receiver and the optical transmitter; a microprocessor that compares the parametric data against the threshold(s) to calculate one or more flags to indicate whether a corresponding parameter has exceeded the first or second threshold; and an interface that receives a flag request from a host, and provides the one or more flags in response to the request. In the present disclosure, the microprocessor may calculate the one or more flags only in response to the flag request from the host.

Abstract: Methods, algorithms, architectures, circuits, and/or systems for dynamically allocating memory for storing parametric data in optical transceivers are disclosed. The optical transceiver can include an optical receiver configured to receive optical data; an optical transmitter configured to transmit optical data; a microprocessor configured to access data for each of a plurality of parameters that are related to operation of at least one of the optical receiver and the optical transmitter; one or more memories configured to store the data at a plurality of locations that are dynamically allocated by the microprocessor; and an interface configured to receive a request for data for one or more of the parameters from a host and provide the data in response to the request. In the present disclosure, the host is unaware of the locations at which the parametric data are stored.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an optical power monitoring circuit including an automatic power control (APC) loop and a microcontroller unit (MCU), and a method for monitoring the same. The APC loop comprises a laser diode (LD) and a feedback loop to maintain a laser optical power. The MCU is configured to (i) monitor a bias current using a current sense circuit, (ii) monitor a rate of change of the bias current with time, and (iii) adjust a target power of the APC loop. By monitoring the bias current and the rate of change, and comparing them against thresholds, the target power can be adjusted by the MCU, to prevent roll-over in the laser diode, damage to the laser, and/or a hard failure in the data links that use the laser.

Abstract: Methods, architectures, circuits, and/or systems for monitoring operating parameters and/or generating status indications associated with electronic device operation are disclosed. The method can include (i) monitoring a first operating parameter related to operation of the electronic device to determine a first parameter value, (ii) calculating a difference between the first parameter value and a predetermined value for the first operating parameter, (iii) monitoring a second operating parameter on which thresholds for operational warnings and/or alarms are based to determine a second parameter value, (iv) updating or changing the thresholds based on a predetermined change or event in the second parameter value, (v) comparing the difference to the updated or changed thresholds, and (vi) generating a corresponding one of the operational warnings and/or alarms when the difference crosses at least one of the thresholds in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: Methods, architectures, circuits, and/or systems for monitoring operating parameters and/or generating status indications associated with electronic device operation are disclosed. The method can include (i) monitoring a first operating parameter related to operation of the electronic device to determine a first parameter value, (ii) calculating a difference between the first parameter value and a predetermined value for the first operating parameter, (iii) monitoring a second operating parameter on which thresholds for operational warnings and/or alarms are based to determine a second parameter value, (iv) updating or changing the thresholds based on a predetermined change or event in the second parameter value, (v) comparing the difference to the updated or changed thresholds, and (vi) generating a corresponding one of the operational warnings and/or alarms when the difference crosses at least one of the thresholds in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: Methods, algorithms, architectures, circuits, and/or systems for determining the status of parameters associated with optical transceiver operation are disclosed. The method can include (a) accessing and/or monitoring parametric data for each of a plurality of parameters that are related to operation of the optical transceiver; (b) storing the parametric data in one or more memories; (c) comparing the parametric data for each of the plurality of parameters against at least one of a corresponding plurality of predetermined thresholds; and (d) generating one or more states indicating whether the parametric data for a unique one of the parameters has crossed one or more of the corresponding plurality of predetermined thresholds. The invention also relates to an optical triplexer, comprising the described optical transceiver.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an optical power monitoring circuit including an automatic power control (APC) loop and a microcontroller unit (MCU), and a method for monitoring the same. The APC loop comprises a laser diode (LD) and a feedback loop to maintain a laser optical power. The MCU is configured to (i) monitor a bias current using a current sense circuit, (ii) monitor a rate of change of the bias current with time, and (iii) adjust a target power of the APC loop. By monitoring the bias current and the rate of change, and comparing them against thresholds, the target power can be adjusted by the MCU, to prevent roll-over in the laser diode, damage to the laser, and/or a hard failure in the data links that use the laser.

Abstract: Methods, circuits, architectures, apparatuses, and algorithms for determining a DC level in an AC or AC-coupled signal. The method generally includes disabling the AC or AC-coupled signal; sampling the disabled AC or AC-coupled signal to obtain sampled DC values of the AC or AC-coupled signal; and calculating the DC level using the sampled DC values of the AC or AC-coupled signal. The present transmitter generally includes an electro-absorption modulated laser (EML); a photodetector; a signal source configured to provide an AC or AC-coupled signal to the EML; and a microcontroller or microprocessor configured to (i) control the signal source, (ii) receive information from the photodetector, and (iii) deactivate the signal source for a predetermined length of time. The circuits, architectures, and apparatuses generally include those that embody one or more of the inventive concepts disclosed herein.

Abstract: Methods, algorithms, architectures, circuits, and/or systems for determining the status of parameters associated with optical transceiver operation are disclosed. The optical transceiver can include an optical receiver to receive optical data; an optical transmitter to transmit optical data; one or more memories to store data (and, optionally, thresholds) for each of a plurality of parameters that are related to operation of at least one of the optical receiver and the optical transmitter; a microprocessor that compares the parametric data against the threshold(s) to calculate one or more flags to indicate whether a corresponding parameter has exceeded the first or second threshold; and an interface that receives a flag request from a host, and provides the one or more flags in response to the request. In the present disclosure, the microprocessor may calculate the one or more flags only in response to the flag request from the host.

Abstract: Methods, algorithms, architectures, circuits, and/or systems for dynamically allocating memory for storing parametric data in optical transceivers are disclosed. The optical transceiver can include an optical receiver configured to receive optical data; an optical transmitter configured to transmit optical data; a microprocessor configured to access data for each of a plurality of parameters that are related to operation of at least one of the optical receiver and the optical transmitter; one or more memories configured to store the data at a plurality of locations that are dynamically allocated by the microprocessor; and an interface configured to receive a request for data for one or more of the parameters from a host and provide the data in response to the request. In the present disclosure, the host is unaware of the locations at which the parametric data are stored.

Abstract: Methods and devices for effecting the protocol-independent transmission of data and other communications over fiber-optic interfaces are provided. The present invention includes devices and methods for providing a special communication channel for management, by way of an optical fiber interface, while co-operating with the normal high-speed data-carrying channel, while over the same fiber, and using the same optical wavelength. Thus the management and control of optical interfaces across the fiber-optic medium can be provided without any additional connection, and without interfering with the data signal, such that information can reliably be passed back and forth between the optical transceivers at either end of the fiber.