Abstract: An optical signal transmitter of direct modulation, a method for transmitting optical signals, and an optical network are provided. The optical signal transmitter includes a laser diode operating at a bias current above a lasing threshold of the laser diode; a modulating device applies a modulation signal to the diode to produce a first output optical signal having first and second signal power levels; and a power level discriminator. The power level discriminator, from the received first output optical signal, generates a second output signal of significantly improved extinction ratio by reducing power of one of the first and second signal power levels of the first output optical signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a series of amplified optical pulses from a series of input optical pulses. The method includes creating a set of local optical pulses from a series of input optical pulses, the set of local optical pulses being applied to the input of an optical amplifier and having different amplitudes arranged in a graded order. The set of local optical pulses are amplified by an optical amplifier to have a significantly amplified first local optical pulse that is removed from the set of local optical pulses and output as a part of the series of amplified optical pulses. After removing the significantly amplified first local optical pulse, the set of local optical pulses is recreated by adding a new optical pulse from the series of input optical pulses to the end of the set of local optical pulses; and the recreated set of local optical pulses is routed back to be applied to the input of the optical amplifier to continue producing the series of amplified optical pulses.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical power level discriminating device and method for discriminating optical power levels. The optical discriminating device includes a splitter for receiving an optical signal having first and second signal states, and splitting the received optical signal into a first and a second branch optical signal. A first optical fiber for transporting the first branch optical signal is provided that is made of a material having a high non-linear refractive index providing a different non-linear phase shift to the first and second signal states of the first branch optical signal. A second optical fiber is provided for transporting the second branch optical signal with little or no non-linear effect. The discriminating device also includes a combiner for combining the first branch optical signal and second branch optical signal to produce an output optical signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a series of amplified optical pulses from a series of input optical pulses. The method includes creating a set of local optical pulses from a series of input optical pulses, the set of local optical pulses being applied to the input of an optical amplifier and having different amplitudes arranged in a graded order. The set of local optical pulses are amplified by an optical amplifier to have a significantly amplified first local optical pulse that is removed from the set of local optical pulses and output as a part of the series of amplified optical pulses. After removing the significantly amplified first local optical pulse, the set of local optical pulses is recreated by adding a new optical pulse from the series of input optical pulses to the end of the set of local optical pulses; and the recreated set of local optical pulses is routed back to be applied to the input of the optical amplifier to continue producing the series of amplified optical pulses.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a series of amplified optical pulses from a series of input optical pulses including creating a set of local optical pulses from a series of input optical pulses, the set of local optical pulses having different amplitudes arranged in a graded order. The set of local optical pulses are amplified by an optical amplifier to form a significantly amplified first local optical pulse that is removed from the set of local optical pulses and output. The method successively removes the significantly amplified first local optical pulse, re-creates the set of local optical pulses by adding a new optical pulse to the end of the set of local optical pulses; and routes the recreated set of local optical pulses back to the input of the optical amplifier to continue producing the series of amplified optical pulses.

Abstract: An optical signal transmitter of direct modulation, a method for transmitting optical signals, and an optical network are provided. The optical signal transmitter includes a laser diode operating at a bias current above a lasing threshold of the laser diode; a modulating device applies a modulation signal to the diode to produce a first output optical signal having first and second signal power levels; and a power level discriminator. The power level discriminator, from the received first output optical signal, generates a second output signal of significantly improved extinction ratio by reducing power of one of the first and second signal power levels of the first output optical signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical power level discriminating device and method for discriminating optical power levels. The optical discriminating device includes a splitter for receiving an optical signal having first and second signal states, and splitting the received optical signal into a first and a second branch optical signal. A first optical fiber for transporting the first branch optical signal is provided that is made of a material having a high non-linear refractive index providing a different non-linear phase shift to the first and second signal states of the first branch optical signal. A second optical fiber is provided for transporting the second branch optical signal with little or no non-linear effect. The discriminating device also includes a combiner for combining the first branch optical signal and second branch optical signal to produce an output optical signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a series of amplified optical pulses from a series of input optical pulses. The method includes creating a set of local optical pulses from a series of input optical pulses, the set of local optical pulses being applied to the input of an optical amplifier and having different amplitudes arranged in a graded order. The set of local optical pulses are amplified by an optical amplifier to have a significantly amplified first local optical pulse that is removed from the set of local optical pulses and output as a part of the series of amplified optical pulses. After removing the significantly amplified first local optical pulse, the set of local optical pulses is recreated by adding a new optical pulse from the series of input optical pulses to the end of the set of local optical pulses; and the recreated set of local optical pulses is routed back to be applied to the input of the optical amplifier to continue producing the series of amplified optical pulses.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus for interconnecting an electrical signal from a first electronic device to a second electronic device. The apparatus includes at least one optical signal path and first and second terminals integrally integrated with the optical signal path. The first and second terminals having respective first and second electrical interfaces and being separated by a distance in a range, up to the length of the optical signal path, adapted to connect the first and second electronic devices at respective first and second locations. The first electrical interface adapted to receive the electrical signal from the first electronic device and to convey the electrical signal to the second terminal via the optical signal path, and the second electrical interface adapted to transfer the electrical signal to the second electronic device. A method for performing the same is also provided.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of transmitting an optical signal. This signal is transmitted through an optical fiber 12 (24) and is amplified by an optical amplifier 14 (22). The signal is then provided to an arrayed waveguide grating 16 (20). The arrayed waveguide grating 16 (20) has a wavelength-dependent optical amplitude response characterized in that the wavelength having the peak optical amplitude is different than the center channel wavelength of the signal. In some instances, this may result in a situation where the total tilt effect for the optical fiber 12 (24), the optical amplifier 14 (22) and the arrayed waveguide grating 16 (20) is less than the total tilt effect for the optical fiber 12 (24), the optical amplifier 14 (22) and an arrayed waveguide grating with a standard wavelength-dependent optical amplitude response where a signal at the center channel wavelength corresponds to the peak optical amplitude of the arrayed waveguide grating.