Abstract: Information from optical modules can be combined with information from network switches to help detect and pinpoint problems along a network communications path. A control path between a network switch and a microcontroller of an optical module can be used to obtain monitoring and debugging data from a digital signal processor (DSP) of the optical module. The DSP data can be used with performance data from the network switch to separately determine the health of the electrical and optical sections of the communications link. The ability to pinpoint problems with the communications link enables appropriate remedial actions to be determined and taken automatically.

Abstract: A wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing optical transceiver module is provided that is suitable for use in single mode optical fiber (SMF) and multimode optical fiber (MMF) optical communications links. When used in an MMF optical communications link, the optical transceiver module allows the length and bandwidth of the link to be increased significantly. The optical transceiver module can be used advantageously in an MMF link that includes existing MMF infrastructure to increase the bandwidth of the MMF link while avoiding the costs associated with pulling new higher-bandwidth fiber.