Abstract: One or more phase modulators in an optical gyroscope operate on two counter-propagating beams to introduce a phase shift between the beams before the beams are interferometrically combined to generate a rotation signal. A signal generator generates first and second modulation frequencies to drive the phase modulators. The first modulation frequency in isolation biases the rotation signal at an operating point sensitive to rotation, and the second modulation frequency in isolation biases the rotation signal at an operating point insensitive to rotation. One or more control integrated circuits (ICs) isolate a first portion of the rotation signal associated with the first modulation frequency and a second portion of the rotation signal associated with the second modulation frequency. The control ICs determine a difference between the first and second portions of the rotation signal to remove one or more bias instabilities from the first portion of the rotation signal.

Abstract: A feedback module is formed with modules comprising a schedule hardware register module and a computation circuit module. The schedule hardware register module receives a modulation signal and a sensing signal, and schedules and temporarily stores signal values of the sensing signal in successive half modulation cycles in sequence by taking a half modulation cycle as a time interval to obtain a temporarily stored sensing signal which has been scheduled. In each half modulation cycle, the computation circuit module calculates a differential signal value of the temporarily stored sensing signal between the previous two half modulation cycles, and outputs the differential signal value as a signal value of the feedback signal. The schedule hardware register module temporarily stores the feedback signal, and the feedback module feedbacks the feedback signal to an integrated optics chip of the photoelectric sensing system integrated optics chip.

Abstract: A novel and useful electronic gyroscope exploits the Sagnac resulting in a detectable phase or frequency shift when an electromagnetic wave travels inside a rotating medium. These shifts in phase or frequency are measured and used to determine the angular velocity of the rotating medium. Three such media can be positioned in mutually perpendicular planes to detect 3D rotational movement. At least one loop acts as an RF transmission media that accommodates simultaneous bidirectional propagation of RF signals while being capable of separating between signals counter propagating in two opposite directions through the use of a switching matrix. A switching matrix and loop buffer function to sample pulses, amplify them, and reinject them back into one of the loops. A time measurement unit functions to detect the time difference between the counter propagating pulses which is used to calculate the rotation rate of the loop.

Abstract: The A/D converter includes a D/A conversion circuit configured to perform a D/A conversion on a DAC input digital value to output a DAC output signal, a difference output circuit for outputting difference signals based on a difference between the input signal and the DAC output signal, an A/D conversion circuit for performing an A/D conversion on the difference signals to output an ADC output digital value, and a control circuit for outputting the DAC input digital value based on the ADC output digital value. The control circuit outputs a first DAC input digital value and a second DAC input digital value different from the first DAC input digital value, and obtains ADC result data based on a first ADC output digital value obtained in accordance with the first DAC input digital value, a second ADC output digital value obtained in accordance with the second DAC input digital value, and the DAC input digital value.

Abstract: A fiber-optic interferometer is designed to receive and propagate a first single-mode wave along a first optical path and, respectively, a second single-mode wave along a second optical path, the second optical path being the reverse of the first optical path, and to form a first output wave and, respectively, a second output wave, having a modulated phase difference ??m(t). According to the invention, the modulated phase difference ??m(t) is equal to sum of a first periodic phase difference ???(t) having a level equal to ±?, a second periodic phase difference ??alpha(t) having a level equal to ±alpha and a third periodic phase difference ??beta(t) having a variable level between ?beta and +beta, said modulated phase difference ??m(t) comprising per modulation period T at least eight modulation levels among twelve modulation levels and said modulated phase difference between such that: ??m(t+T/2)=???m(t).

Abstract: A full-polarization Faraday magnetic field sensor based on a Sagnac interference system and a modulation method are provided. The full-polarization Faraday magnetic field sensor includes a light source, an optical fiber coupler, a polarizer, a polarization beam splitter, a polarization controller, a magnetic field sensing unit, a detector and a polarization maintaining optical fiber. An optical signal is emitted by the light source, passes through the optical fiber coupler and the polarizer in sequence, and is divided into a clockwise path and an anticlockwise path by the polarization beam splitter. Angles between fast axis directions of the two polarization maintaining optical fiber loops and a polarization direction of the polarizer are respectively clockwise 45° and anticlockwise 45°. The two polarization maintaining optical fiber loops has opposite winding directions, a same diameter, and a same number of winding turns.

Abstract: An integrated photonics optical gyroscope fabricated on a silicon nitride (SiN) waveguide platform comprises (SiN) waveguide-based optical components that constitute a front-end chip to launch light into and receive light from the rotation sensing element, that can be a fiber spool. The SiN waveguide-based components can be distributed between multiple layers that are stacked together to have a multi-layer configuration vertically and evanescently coupled with each other. External elements (e.g., laser, detectors, phase shifter) may be made of different material platform than SiN and can be hybridly integrated or otherwise coupled to the SiN waveguide platform. The phase shifters can be made of electro-optic material, or piezo-electric material or can be thermal phase shifters.

Abstract: Disclosed is a Sagnac interferometer with a looped or an in-line optical fiber. The interferometer includes an hybrid integrated optical circuit having at least a first, electro-optic, substrate and a second, transparent, substrate with a common interface, the first substrate including a first optical waveguide, a second optical waveguide, the first optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide being connected to at least one end of the fiber-optic coil, and an input-output optical waveguide connected to a light source and to a detection system, the second substrate including at least one U-shaped optical waveguide and the hybrid integrated optical circuit including a planar waveguide Y-junction with a common branch and two secondary branches.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a phase sensitivity calibration method based on a phase generated carrier (PGC) technology, which is characterized in that in the operation process of a PGC algorithm, an additional calibration signal with a phase of known magnitude is applied through a phase modulator. This signal is demodulated through an arctangent algorithm or a differential cross multiplication algorithm, and a demodulated output value corresponding to a unit phase in the algorithm is obtained. The phase of known magnitude can be obtained by converting a carrier modulation depth parameter according to a certain ratio.

Abstract: A multifunctional photonic integrated circuit (PIC) suitable for the manufacture of fiber optic gyroscopes (FOG) is described. The PIC is constructed and arranged to exhibit a scale factor of substantially high stability and accuracy. The PIC may comprise, for example, a high optical birefringence and low propagation loss waveguide, a low wavelength-dependent split-ratio Y-junction, a high extinction ratio linear polarizer, and high efficiency fiber-to-waveguide mode-size converters. Considerations for ensuring high-level FOG performance are addressed by, for example, optimization of waveguide structure, functional requirements for individual components, and combined effects of the circuit layout. A high-end, tactical grade FOG may be built using the disclosed PIC, after connecting to polarization maintaining optical fiber coil, a light source, and a photodetector.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detecting a positional change amount due to a movement of a moving body by reading, with a sensor, a plurality of gradations disposed along the direction of the movement.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system that facilitates receiving electromagnetic waves having polarized modes propagating along a transmission medium, detecting according to an analysis of the electromagnetic waves that the transmission medium is birefringent thereby causing a differential delay between the polarized modes, and adjusting a configuration of a receiver receiving the electromagnetic waves to mitigate the differential delay between the polarized modes. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Techniques and devices for optical sensing of rotation based on measurements and sensing of optical polarization or changes in optical polarization due to rotation without using optical interferometry.

Abstract: A method for measuring a speed of a fluid includes transmitting an ultrasonic measurement signal; acquiring and digitizing a measurement portion of an ultrasonic measurement signal received after traveling a defined length to obtain measurement samples; estimate, from the samples, an amplitude of the measurement portion; access reference samples forming a reference curve which is an interpolation of the measurement samples; produce adjusted measurement samples by multiplying the samples by ratio between an amplitude of the reference curve and the amplitude of the measurement portion; determine a unit time delay between the adjusted measurement sample and the reference curve; estimate a zero-crossing time of the measurement portion from the unit time delay and from the reference samples, estimate, from an average of the zero-crossing times, the time it takes the ultrasonic measurement signal to travel the defined length; estimate the speed of the fluid from the travel time measurement.

Abstract: In order to measure a voltage, an electro-optic element is placed in an electrical field generated by the voltage, and light is passed from a light source through a Faraday rotator and the electro-optic element onto a reflector and from there back through the electro-optic element and the Faraday rotator, thereby generating a voltage-dependent phase shift between two polarizations of the light. The interference contrast as well as a principal value of the total phase shift between said polarizations are measured and converted to a complex value having an absolute value equal to the contrast and a phase equal to the principal value. This complex value is offset and scaled using calibration values in order to calculate a compensated complex value. The voltage is derived from the compensated complex value.

Abstract: Faded channels in a distributed acoustic sensing system can be mitigated using a phase modulator. A first pulse and a second pulse of an optical signal can be determined. A phase modulator can modulate the first pulse to have a different wavelength than the second pulse. The first pulse can be launched into a sensing fiber that extends into a wellbore. A first backscattered signal can be received from the sensing fiber in response to the first pulse being launched into the sensing fiber. The second pulse can be launched into the sensing fiber and a second backscattered signal can be received from the sensing fiber. Data about an environment of the wellbore can be determined by processing the first backscattered signal and the second backscattered signal to compensate for fading in the first backscattered signal or the second backscattered signal.

Abstract: Magnetic construction toy refers to engaging games and may be used to assemble three-dimensional figures. The magnetic construction toy contain elements in the form of polyhedrons with magnets placed inside each face and the elements are made in the form of tetrahedron, or octahedron, or cube, or other similar forms.

Abstract: Optical polarization control devices that include two pairs of squeezing plates oriented in mutually perpendicular directions are described. Compressive forces exerted by the two pairs of plates onto an optical fiber can be configured for low polarization mode dispersion. Various methods and systems in which the polarization control devices can be employed are also described.

Abstract: An optical gyroscope and a method for measuring an angular velocity of rotation are described. A closed-path optical cavity is configured for receiving at least a first optical signal circulating as at least one cavity mode of pre-determined orientation (inside the optical cavity. An extractor in optical communication with the optical cavity is configured for extracting a fraction of at least the circulating first optical signal from the optical cavity, wherein an amplitude of the extracted fraction increases when a resonance condition for the optical cavity in optical communication with the extractor is approached. A readout channel included in the optical gyroscope comprises an interferometric device adapted to spectrally modify the extracted fraction so as to produce a spectral Vernier effect. A difference between free spectral ranges of the interferometric device and the optical cavity is larger than the associated spectral widths.

Abstract: A waveguide optical gyroscope includes a multilayer waveguide rotation sensor fabricated on a substrate. The multilayer waveguide rotation sensor includes one or more overlaying non-intersecting, spiraling coils that are vertically separated to reduce or eliminate optical cross coupling. The waveguides are optically coupled by a vertical waveguide and are optically coupled to the other components of the optical gyroscope, including a light source and detector, which may be integrated or fabricated on the substrate. A lithium niobate phase modulator chip may be disposed on the substrate and optically coupled to the waveguides in the multilayer waveguide rotation sensor. The multilayer waveguide rotation sensor enables a small cross section for the guiding channels thereby achieving a high coil density in a small volume.

Abstract: A method for operating a fiber optic gyroscope to measure angular velocity uses a closed-loop modulation scheme. Two-state modulation voltages are applied to an optical modulator and continuously adjusted to maintain a null difference between corresponding demodulated voltages from a photodetector. If one of the modulation voltages reaches a threshold voltage, the continuous nulling adjustment is interrupted briefly while the two-state modulation voltages are reset to values that correspond to relative phases of ?/2 and ??/2 when the gyroscope is stationary, then the continuous adjustment is resumed. This reoccurring resetting, while the gyroscope accelerates or decelerates, substantially increases the dynamic range over which the gyroscope can precisely measure angular velocity.

Abstract: A ring-laser gyroscope which generates in an optical ring resonator and in response to a first pump beam, a first back-scattered beam propagating in a direction; generates in the optical ring resonator and in response to a second pumped beam, a second back-scattered beam propagating in an opposite direction; determines a first difference between the frequencies of the first and second back-scattered beams; reverses the directions of the first and second back-scattered beams; determines a second difference between the frequencies of the first and second back-scattered beams; determines a third difference between the first and second differences; and determines a rotation of the optical ring resonator in response to the third difference.

Abstract: Described are various configurations of optical structures having asymmetric-width waveguides. A photodetector can include parallel waveguides that have different widths, which can be connected via passive waveguide. One or more light absorbing regions can be proximate to the waveguides to absorb light propagating through one or more of the parallel waveguides. Multiple photodetectors having asymmetric width waveguides can operate to transduce light in different modes in a polarization diversity optical receiver.

Abstract: An interferometric measurement system measures a spun optical fiber sensor that includes multiple optical cores configured in the fiber sensor. A calibration machine includes a calibration fixture having known dimensions, one or more automatically controllable actuators for wrapping the fiber sensor starting at one end of the fiber sensor onto a calibration fixture having known dimensions, and an actuator controller configured to control the one or more actuators with actuator control signals. Interferometric detection circuitry, coupled to the actuator controller and to the other end of the fiber sensor, detects measured interferometric pattern data associated with each of the multiple cores when the fiber sensor is wrapped onto the calibration fixture.

Abstract: A resonance fiber-optic gyro (RFOG) with quadrature error reducer is provided. The RFOG with quadrature error reducer includes a laser assembly, a fiber resonator assembly, a resonance tracking loop and a quadrature error reducer circuit. The resonance tracking loop, coupled to an output of the finder resonator assembly, is used to generate a resonance frequency signal that is coupled to an OPLL mixer in one of a CCW OPLL or the CW OPLL of the laser assembly. The quadrature error reducer circuit includes an amplitude control loop and a second harmonic phase control loop. The amplitude control loop is used to generate a common modulation signal. An output of the amplitude control loop is coupled to a common phase modulator in the laser assembly. The second harmonic phase control loop is used to selectively adjust a phase of a second harmonic modulation signal in the amplitude control loop at startup.

Abstract: An optical transmission system in which a transmitting station and a plurality of receiving stations are connected via an optical splitter, wherein the transmitting station includes: a controller configured to determine whether to perform intensity modulation or phase modulation on optical signals based on information on transmission distances to the receiving stations and modulation bands; an intensity modulator configured to perform intensity modulation on an optical signal; and a phase modulator configured to perform phase modulation on an optical signal, and wherein one of an intensity modulation signal and a phase modulation signal is transmitted from the transmitting station to each of the receiving stations.

Abstract: The control system for a fiber-optic gyroscope comprises a phase modulator for modulating a phase of a light signal and a control unit for producing a control signal, by the magnitude of which the phase is modulated and which is fed to the phase modulator. Moreover, the control system comprises an integration unit for determining an integral value of an integral over an input signal. Here, the control signal assumes a first value or a second value depending on the integral value.

Abstract: A read-out circuit of an image sensor includes a ramp signal generator, a bias voltage generator and a conversion circuit. The ramp signal generates a ramp signal that linearly varies at a constant slope. The bias voltage generator generates a bias voltage based on a power supply voltage having a first noise component. The conversion circuit generates a reference voltage based on the bias voltage and the ramp signal, and performs an analog-to-digital conversion on an analog signal from a pixel to generate a digital signal corresponding to the analog signal. The analog signal has second noise component. The bias voltage generator adjusts an alternating current component included in the bias voltage such that a magnitude of a third noise component added to the reference voltage is substantially the same as a magnitude of the second noise component.

Abstract: The optical fiber sensor system includes a light source unit including a light source and a polarization controller, a modulation unit having an optical path and a coil and configured to modulate light passing though the optical path according to stress applied to the coil, an optical coupler configured to branch the measured light into clockwise light and counterclockwise light, and output interference light, a polarization separator configured to separate the interference light into a first component and a second component having polarization states orthogonal to each other, and a detection unit having a first light detector and configured to detect stress by converting the first component into a first electrical signal. The polarization controller controls a polarization state of light output from the light source so that the first electrical signal is proportional to the stress.

Abstract: A control system includes a processor that operates one or more control loops that enable gyroscopic angular measurement for an inertial measurement unit (IMU). Each of the one or more control loops operates over a range of set points defined for each of the respective control loops. A dynamic loop adjuster receives environmental input data to determine environmental conditions for the IMU. The dynamic loop adjuster alters at least one of the set points for at least one of the one or more control loops operated by the processor based on the determined environmental conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control system (100) for a fiber optic gryoscope, comprising a phase modulator (110) for modulating a phase of a light signal (115) and a control unit (120) for producing a control signal (125), by the value of which the phase is modulated and which is fed to the phase modulator (110). The control signal changes statistically and does not have an average value.

Abstract: Back scattering in an optical waveguide at an operating wavelength is controlled by adjusting an optical phase of light propagating in the waveguide at one or more locations along the waveguide. A portion of the back scattered light is tapped off near an input port and coupled into a photodetector. A controller detects changes in the photodetector signal and adjusts an optical phase tuner configured to control the optical phase of light in the waveguide at the selected location or locations. The optical phase tuner may be configured to vary the refractive index of at least a portion of the waveguide.

Abstract: A system for converting digital data into a modulated optical signal, comprises an electrically controllable device having M actuating electrodes. The device provides an optical signal that is modulated in response to binary voltages applied to the actuating electrodes. The system also comprises a digital-to-digital converter that provides a mapping of input data words to binary actuation vectors of M bits and supplies the binary actuation vectors as M bits of binary actuation voltages to the M actuating electrodes, where M is larger than the number of bits in each input data word. The digital-to-digital converter is enabled to map each digital input data word to a binary actuation vector by selecting a binary actuation vector from a subset of binary actuation vectors available to represent each of the input data words.

Abstract: Interferometric measurement device includes a light source emitting a source signal and optical coupling elements receiving the source signal, directing part of the latter towards a measurement pathway including a Sagnac ring interferometer, of frequency fp, producing a power output signal POUT polarized according to a first polarization direction, tapping off another part of the source signal towards a compensation pathway producing a return power compensation signal PRET, and directing the output and compensation signals towards detection elements.

Abstract: An integrated optical coupling device may include a substrate, a coating layer disposed on the substrate, and a prism disposed on the coating layer. The prism may include a first surface and a second surface. The integrated optical coupling device may also include a first lens disposed on the first surface of the prism, a second lens disposed on the second surface of the prism, and an anti-reflection coating layer disposed on the first lens and the second lens.

Abstract: The general field of the invention is that of passive resonator gyros comprising an injection laser emitting an initial optical beam at a first frequency and a fiber optic cavity. The gyro according to the invention operates with three optical beams at three different optical frequencies. A first beam is injected in a first direction of rotation, the second and the third beam are injected in the contrary direction. The gyro includes three slaving devices maintaining each optical frequency at a specific mode of resonance of the cavity. The gyro includes means for measuring the frequency differences existing between the different frequencies. Combined together, these differences are representative of the length of the cavity and the angular rotational velocity of the cavity along an axis perpendicular to its plane.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a time-based optical pickoff for MEMS sensors are provided. In one embodiment, a method for an integrated waveguide time-based optical-pickoff sensor comprises: launching a light beam generated by a light source into an integrated waveguide optical-pickoff monolithically fabricated within a first substrate, the integrated waveguide optical-pickoff including an optical input port, a coupling port, and an optical output port; and detecting changes in an area of overlap between the coupling port and a moving sensor component separated from the coupling port by a gap by measuring an attenuation of the light beam at the optical output port, wherein the moving sensor component is moving in-plane with respect a surface of the first substrate comprising the coupling port and the coupling port is positioned to detect movement of an edge of the moving sensor component.

Abstract: A fiber-optic measurement device (10) includes a SAGNAC ring interferometer (20) having a proper frequency fp, a detector (14) and a modulation chain (30) generating a phase-shift modulation ?m(t) between the two counter-propagating waves (24, 25) propagating in the ring interferometer. The device aims to reduce measurement faults due to the linearity defects in the modulation chain of such a measurement device with optical fiber. For this reason, the fiber-optic measurement device reduces the amplitude of the phase-shift modulation ?m(t) which is the sum of a first biasing phase-shift modulation component ?b1(t) and a first counter-reaction phase-shift modulation component ?cr1(t), the phase-shift modulation ?m(t) falling or rising by twice the amplitude of the first biasing phase-shift modulation component ?b1(t). A rate gyro including such a measurement device and an inertial stabilization or navigation unit including at least one such rate gyro are also described.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a communications system which, in one embodiment, includes a phase-correlated, orthogonally-polarized, light-stream generator (POLG) for preparing light into phase coherent light streams having defined states of polarization and spectral composition. In one embodiment, the POLG includes a light source configured to emit light having a predetermined wavelength and a polarization apparatus configured to prepare light from the light source into particular states of polarization. The POLG also includes a phase modulator configured to produce light having a plurality of wavelengths and configured to retard the phase of propagation of light with a first state of linear polarization while not retarding the phase of light with a state of linear polarization orthogonal to the first state of linear polarization when an external electric field is applied.

Abstract: There is described a distributed optical fiber sensor for detecting one or more physical parameters indicative of an environmental influence on a sensor optical fiber, as a function of position along the sensor fiber. The sensor uses probe light pulses of different wavelengths. At least some of the probe light pulses may also be of different pulse lengths. The relative phase bias between interferometric signals in backscattered probe light of different wavelength pulses may also be controlled.

Abstract: Optical gyroscope devices and methods based on optical interferometric configurations to minimize optical loss and enhance the device energy efficiency. In one implementation, optical polarization control is provided in an optical gyroscope to reduce the optical loss in routing light to and from an optical ring that senses the rotation.

Abstract: A system for converting digital data into a modulated optical signal, comprises an electrically controllable device having M actuating electrodes. The device provides an optical signal that is modulated in response to binary voltages applied to the actuating electrodes. The system also comprises a digital-to-digital converter that provides a mapping of input data words to binary actuation vectors of M bits and supplies the binary actuation vectors as M bits of binary actuation voltages to the M actuating electrodes, where M is larger than the number of bits in each input data word. The digital-to-digital converter is enabled to map each digital input data word to a binary actuation vector by selecting a binary actuation vector from a subset of binary actuation vectors available to represent each of the input data words.

Abstract: A control system includes a processor that operates one or more control loops that enable gyroscopic angular measurement for an inertial measurement unit (IMU). Each of the one or more control loops operates over a range of set points defined for each of the respective control loops. A dynamic loop adjuster receives environmental input data to determine environmental conditions for the IMU. The dynamic loop adjuster alters at least one of the set points for at least one of the one or more control loops operated by the processor based on the determined environmental conditions.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a Sagnac interferometer-type fiber-optic sensor includes a synchronous detection circuit to carry out synchronous detection of detected light signal with a phase modulation angular frequency of a phase modulator. A signal processing circuit calculates and outputs the magnitude of current to be measured using the signal detected in the synchronous detection circuit. A phase modulator driving circuit controls the driving of the phase modulator. The phase modulator driving circuit controls a phase modulation depth of the phase modulator so that the amplitude of the second-order harmonics and the fourth-order harmonics obtained by carrying out the synchronous detection of the detected light signal with the phase modulation angular frequency becomes the same.

Abstract: A digital integrated optical modulator, in particular for a fiber optical signal transmission or measuring device, having two waveguide arms and electrodes that are arranged along both waveguide arms in or on an optical substrate, wherein the arrangements of the electrodes along the two waveguide arms are different from each other.

Abstract: A fiber-optic measurement device (10) includes a SAGNAC ring interferometer (20) having a proper frequency fp. The aim is to improve response time while maintaining high precision across the measurement range. Biasing elements (130) are used to produce: a first biasing phase-differential modulation component ??b1(t) (34) which is periodic in time-slots, having levels +? and ??, at a first biasing modulation frequency fb1 such that fb1=(2k1+1) fp, k1 being a natural number; and a second periodic biasing phase-differential modulation component ??b2(t) (35), having extreme amplitudes +?/a and ??/a, a being a non-zero real number such that |a|>1, at a second biasing modulation frequency fb2 such that fb2=(2k2+1) fp, k2 being a non-zero natural number such that k2>k1. A gyrometer including such a measurement device and a navigation or inertial-stabilization system including at least one such gyrometer are also described.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a resonator fiber optic gyroscope (RFOG). The optical fiber resonator includes an optical fiber, one or more optical filters that suppresses the noise light in the resonator, one or more variable optical attenuators (VOAs) that can adjust the loss of the resonator with fast response, and one or more optical gain elements that provide amplification of light to offset part of the losses of the resonator. The RFOG also includes one or more pump lasers to produce one or more pump beams for the gain elements in the resonator and control electronics configured to control the one or more pump lasers and the one or more variable optical attenuators, such that the round-trip loss of the resonator is a substantially constant, positive value.

Abstract: A modulator device for converting digital data into modulation of an optical signal includes an electronic input for receiving an input data word of N bits and an electrically controllable modulator for modulating the intensity of an optical signal, the modulator including M actuating electrodes where M?N. An electrode actuating device, most preferably a digital-to-digital convertor, operates actuating electrodes so that at least one electrode is actuated as a function of values of more than one bit of the input data word. According to an alternative, or supplementary, aspect of the invention, the set of electrodes includes at least one electrode having an effective area which is not interrelated to others of the set by factors of two. In one preferred implementation, a Mach-Zehnder modulator also provides phase modulation to give QAM functionality. Another implementation employs a semiconductor laser.

Abstract: An optical detection system for monitoring a pipeline. The optical detection system includes a host node in the vicinity of, or remote from, a pipeline to be monitored. The optical detection system includes (a) an optical source for generating optical signals, and (b) an optical receiver.

Abstract: An analysis method for a signal time margin is provided. An input signal is received. The input signal is extracted to obtain a primary waveform, at least one first secondary waveform and at least one second secondary waveform of the input signal. The first secondary waveform and the second secondary waveform are respectively located before and after the primary waveform. Quantities of the first secondary waveform and the second secondary waveform are counted to respectively generate a first quantity and a second quantity. According to the first quantity, the primary waveform and the first secondary waveform, first bit combinations are generated, and according to the second quantity, the primary waveform and the second secondary waveform, second bit combinations are generated. The first and second bit combinations are integrated to generate third bit combinations. Signal analysis is performed on the third bit combinations to obtain a signal time margin.