Bi-directional Patents (Class 359/341.2)
  • Patent number: 11923907
    Abstract: Devices, methods for analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) that perform high-dynamic range measurements based on optical techniques are disclosed. In one example aspect, an optical encoder includes a polarization rotator configured to receive a train of optical pulses, and an electro-optic (EO) modulator coupled to an output of the polarization rotator. The EO modulator is configured to receive a radio frequency (RF) signal and to produce a phase modulated signal in accordance with the RF signal. The optical encoder also includes a polarizing beam splitter coupled to the output of the EO modulator; and an optical hybrid configured to receive two optical signals from the polarizing beam splitter and to produce four optical outputs that are each phase shifted with respect to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Peter Thomas Setsuda DeVore, Apurva Shantharaj Gowda, David Simon Perlmutter, Alexander Thomas Wargo, Jason Thomas Chou
  • Patent number: 11888525
    Abstract: A full duplex communication network includes an optical transmitter end having a first coherent optics transceiver, an optical receiver end having a second coherent optics transceiver, and an optical transport medium operably coupling the first coherent optics transceiver to the second coherent optics transceiver. The first coherent optics transceiver is configured to simultaneously transmit a downstream optical signal and receive an upstream optical signal. The second coherent optics transceiver is configured to simultaneously receive the downstream optical signal from the first coherent optics transceiver and transmit the upstream optical signal first coherent optics transceiver. At least one of the downstream optical signal and the upstream optical signal includes at least one coherent optical carrier and at least one non-coherent optical carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Cable Television Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhensheng Jia, Luis Alberto Campos, Jing Wang, Mu Xu, Haipeng Zhang, Curtis Dean Knittle
  • Patent number: 11108208
    Abstract: An optical amplification system includes: three or more nodes; a multi-core fiber having a plurality of cores, the multi-core fiber being used in at least a partial segment of the connection between the nodes; an amplification light input unit configured to input amplification light to a core of the plurality of cores of the multi-core fiber; an amplification unit configured to amplify communication light transmitted through at least one core of the plurality of cores of the multi-core fiber using the amplification light, the amplification unit being provided in the nodes or between the nodes; and an amplification light coupling unit configured to couple the amplification light input by the amplification light input unit to the amplification unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuya Oda, Tetsuro Inui, Akira Hirano, Wataru Imajuku, Shoukei Kobayashi, Takafumi Tanaka, Yutaka Miyamoto, Hidehiko Takara
  • Patent number: 10826611
    Abstract: The systems, apparatuses and methods of the present invention set forth improvements to the problems of the current pairing or duplex paradigm, resulting in a dramatic increase in fiber transmission efficiency, accomplished explicitly by restructuring presently-aligned C-Band wavelengths into innovative DWDM transmit and receive formats, and through implementing photonic-wave changes, which directs Ethernet data flow onto new path adaptations. These improvements could reduce line haul expenses significantly, believed to reach a projected 50% less requirement/deployment of fiber strands. This saving would offer owner-operators substantial fiber strand cost reductions, affecting transportation rates of high-bandwidth digital payloads traversing over DWDM networks, and lower usage rates of cross-connections amid multiple equipment inter-exchanging throughout large data centers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Inventor: Marvin W. Ward
  • Patent number: 10469169
    Abstract: The systems, apparatuses and methods of the present invention set forth improvements to the problems of the current pairing or duplex paradigm, resulting in a dramatic increase in fiber transmission efficiency, accomplished explicitly by restructuring presently-aligned C-B and wavelengths into innovative DWDM transmit and receive formats, and through implementing photonic-wave changes, which directs Ethernet data flow onto new path adaptations. These improvements could reduce line haul expenses significantly, believed to reach a projected 50% less requirement/deployment of fiber strands. This saving would offer owner-operators substantial fiber strand cost reductions, affecting transportation rates of high-bandwidth digital payloads traversing over DWDM networks, and lower usage rates of cross-connections amid multiple equipment inter-exchanging throughout large data centers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: NOVEC SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Marvin W. Ward
  • Patent number: 10439733
    Abstract: An optical circuit breaker includes a main optical transmission path including an optical coupler, a delay line and a protection device, and a parallel protection path configured to receive a tapped portion of a signal provided to the main optical transmission path and generate a reference signal based on the tapped portion. The protection device may be configured to be triggered to prevent an overpower condition from passing through the optical circuit breaker responsive to the reference signal exceeding a user selectable threshold. The delay line may be configured to have a longer delay than a time it takes for the protection device to be triggered via the parallel protection path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Joseph E. Sluz, Michael L. Dennis, Eric J. Adles, Raymond M. Sova, Chun-Huei Bair, Darrell A. Zinn, Edward H. Darlington
  • Patent number: 10114185
    Abstract: Submarine optical fiber communications are described. A submarine optical fiber communications system can be configured to transmit optical signals within a first band of the electromagnetic spectrum in a first direction, and to transmit optical signals within a second band of the electromagnetic spectrum in a second direction. The bands can be C band, L band, or both bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventors: Herve Albert Pierre Fevrier, Gayathrinath Nagarajan, Stephen Gregory Grubb
  • Patent number: 9983374
    Abstract: Techniques for WDM Mux/DeMux on cable and methods of making the same are described According to one aspect of the present application, a unit designed to provide multiplexing or demultiplexing (Mux/Demux) functions is implemented on cable. In other words, the Mux/Demux unit is coupled by a multi-fiber cable to a system (e.g., a system rack for router or switch that has multiple pluggable transceiver slots).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Alliance Fiber Optic Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Yao Li, Charlie Xiao
  • Patent number: 9871590
    Abstract: An optical transceiver that installs an optical modulator with the Mach-Zehnder type and made of primarily semiconductor materials, and an Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier (EDFA) is disclosed. The EDFA and the MZ modulator, in addition to a wavelength tunable laser diode, an intelligent coherent receiver, and a polarization maintaining splitter, are installed within a compact case following the standard of CFP2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Matsui
  • Patent number: 9853763
    Abstract: Proposed is an OLT for a passive optical wavelength division multiplex network. The network contains optical transmitters for generating downstream signals of an L-Band, as well as optical receivers for receiving upstream signals of a C-Band. Furthermore, the OLT contains a bi-directional SOA and an optical interface. The optical interface, the SOA, the transmitters and the receivers are optically coupled such that an upstream signal received at the optical interface is firstly provided to the bi-directional SOA and subsequently from the SOA to one of the receivers, and such that a downstream signal generated by one of the transmitters is firstly provided to the bi-directional SOA and then subsequently to the optical interface. The bi-directional SOA has a gain function that is not constant with respect to a wavelength of an optical signal to be amplified. Furthermore, the gain function is maximal for a wavelength located within the C-band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventors: Rene Bonk, Harald Schmuck, Wolfgang Poehlmann
  • Patent number: 9847838
    Abstract: The systems, apparatuses and methods of the present invention set forth improvements to the problems of the current pairing or duplex paradigm, resulting in a dramatic increase in fiber transmission efficiency, accomplished explicitly by restructuring presently-aligned C-Band wavelengths into innovative DWDM transmit and receive formats, and through implementing photonic-wave changes, which directs Ethernet data flow onto new path adaptations. These improvements could reduce line haul expenses significantly, believed to reach a projected 50% less requirement/deployment of fiber strands. This saving would offer owner-operators substantial fiber strand cost reductions, affecting transportation rates of high-bandwidth digital payloads traversing over DWDM networks, and lower usage rates of cross-connections amid multiple equipment inter-exchanging throughout large data centers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative
    Inventor: Marvin W. Ward
  • Patent number: 9762020
    Abstract: A bi-directionally pumped PM fiber amplifier includes an amplifier input coupled to a first WDM coupler and a second WDM coupler providing an amplifier output. A doped fiber is between the WDM couplers. A first pump light source emitting at a first wavelength along a first polarization axis is coupled to the WDM coupler through a polarization beam combiner/splitter and a polarization rotator is for downstream pumping of the doped fiber with rotated light relative to the first polarization. The fiber is upstream pumped with light having the first polarization using a second pump light source emitting at the first wavelength/first polarization, by an output of an optical power splitter with its input coupled to the first pump light source, or by a fiber-coupled rotator mirror coupled to the second WDM coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Gooch and Housego PLC
    Inventors: Leontios Stampoulidis, Efstratios Kehayas
  • Patent number: 9332323
    Abstract: An optical switching system is described. The system includes a plurality of interconnected wavelength selective switching units. Each of the wavelength selective switching units is associated with one or more server racks. The interconnected wavelength selective switching units are arranged into a fixed structure high-dimensional interconnect architecture comprising a plurality of fixed and structured optical links. The optical links are arranged in a k-ary n-cube, ring, mesh, torus, direct binary n-cube, indirect binary n-cube, Omega network or hypercube architecture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Inventors: Yueping Zhang, Lei Xu
  • Patent number: 9184849
    Abstract: A bidirectional submarine transmission using unidirectional amplification transmits first and second communication signals bidirectional to each other over a repeater path with common end-to-end points, the repeater path includes a single unidirectional amplifier, the repeater path has a first branch path for the first communication signal through the single amplifier and a second branch path for the second communication signal through the single unidirectional amplifier, the first and second communication signals originating and leaving opposite ends of the repeater path, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: NEC Laboratories America, Inc.
    Inventor: Ming-Fang Huang
  • Patent number: 9083142
    Abstract: For the purpose of reducing the cost and power consumption of an optical amplification system provided with an optical amplifier, an excitation light distribution device of the present invention comprises an excitation light source output unit which outputs excitation light, an optical branching unit with variable branching ratio which branches and outputs the excitation light, and a control unit which, on the basis of information on an optical signal to be amplified by the excitation light outputted by the optical branching unit, controls at least either the branching ratio of the optical branching unit or the optical output power of the excitation light source output unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masahiro Sakauchi
  • Publication number: 20150109605
    Abstract: An optical circuit can include a bidirectional amplifier connected so as to amplify source light prior to emission through an output device such as a telescope as well as amplification of reflected light received by the telescope. Such an optical circuit can be used in laser doppler velocimeter applications as well as other applications. The optical circuit can also include passive splitters or active switches to provide for advantageous multiplexing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Jo Stephen Major, JR., Hans Jurgen Hofler, Bradley D. Gaiser
  • Publication number: 20150063767
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and corresponding devices for reducing mode instability in an optical waveguide (1), a light signal becoming unstable in the optical waveguide (1) beyond an output power threshold and energy being transformed from a basic mode into higher order modes. The invention proposes a reduction in temperature variation (2) along the optical waveguide (1) and/or a reduction in changes in the optical waveguide (1) that are caused by spatial temperature variation as a result of mode interference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicants: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FÖRDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG e.V., FRIEDRICH-SCHILLER-UNIVERSITÄT JENA
    Inventors: César Jáuregui Misas, Hans-Jürgen Otto, Fabian Stutzki, Florian Jansen, Tino Eidam, Jens Limpert, Andreas Tünnermann
  • Patent number: 8958692
    Abstract: An optical transmission system includes a first node and a second node, the first node includes a first optical amplifier which outputs a signal to the second node through a first transmission line and a first monitoring unit, the second node includes a monitor which monitors a signal from the first transmission line, a second optical amplifier which outputs a signal to the first node through a second transmission line and a second monitoring unit, upon detecting disconnection from the first transmission line, the second monitoring unit transmits a notification for making power of the first optical amplifier reduced, upon receipt of the notification, the first monitoring unit reduces power of the first optical amplifier, and transmits a completion notification to the second monitoring unit, and upon not receiving the completion notification even after expiration of an allowed time, the second monitoring unit reduces power of the second optical amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Yutaka Yano
  • Patent number: 8928863
    Abstract: A system for providing a sliced optical pulse is disclosed. The system can comprise a master oscillator (MO) configured to generate an optical pulse at a first spectral bandwidth. The system can also comprise a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) configured to slice the optical pulse to generate a sliced optical pulse that has a second spectral bandwidth. The second spectral bandwidth can be smaller than the first spectral bandwidth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Peter A. Thielen, Eric Cheung, Timothy McComb
  • Patent number: 8867124
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a relay station and a method for adjusting output optical signals of the relay station. The relay station includes: a detection control unit, an output light stabilization unit, a reply stabilization unit, an adjustable gain amplification unit, and a pump light output unit. The method for adjusting output the optical signals of the relay station includes: adjusting a drive current which drives generation of pump light; adjusting a pilot tone modulation depth of an Alternating Current (AC) signal on which a replay signal is modulated; and finally, outputting a stable output optical signal through disturbed pump light. Adjusting the output optical signals and the pilot tone modulation depth of the AC signal on which the replay signal is modulated, the reply signals are stably output, thereby achieving the purpose of fixing the pilot tone modulation depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Juan Qi, Xiaozhong Shi, Sen Zhang
  • Patent number: 8848284
    Abstract: A bidirectional optical amplifier (1) is arranged to be passed through in one direction by a downstream optical signal (SDS) and in an opposite direction by an upstream optical signal (SUS), and comprises: a first optical circulator (2) having three ports, a first port of the first optical circulator defining a first connector (8) at one end of the bidirectional optical amplifier, a second optical circulator (3) having three ports, a first port of the second optical circulator defining a second connector (9) at an opposite end of the bidirectional optical amplifier, a downstream unidirectional optical amplifier (4) connected between a second port of the first optical circulator and a second port of the second optical circulator so as to define a downstream amplification path (5) for the downstream optical signal, and an upstream unidirectional optical amplifier (6) connected between a third port of the first optical circulator and a third port of the second optical circulator so as to define an upstream ampli
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventors: Christian Simonneau, Dominique Chiaroni, Gema Buforn Santamaria, Sophie Etienne
  • Patent number: 8837885
    Abstract: The inventive concept provides optic couplers, optical fiber laser devices, and active optical modules using the same. The optic coupler may include a first optical fiber having a first core and a first cladding surrounding the first core, a second optical fiber having a second core transmitting a signal light to the first optical fiber and a third cladding surrounding the second core, third optical fibers transmitting pump-light to the first optical fiber in a direction parallel to the second optical fiber; and a connector connected between the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber, the connector extending the third optical fibers disposed around the second optical fiber toward the first optical fiber, the connector comprising a third core connected between the first core and the second core and a fifth cladding surrounding the third core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Hong Seok Seo, Bong Je Park, Joon Tae Ahn, Jung-Ho Song
  • Patent number: 8837948
    Abstract: In the method for processing a signal light from free-space by amplifying said signal for free-space optical communications, wherein the improvement includes the steps of (a) pre-amplifying said signal light with low noise; and (b) coupling said signal light into a multimode filter which reduces coupling losses compared to single mode filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. Carlson, Daniel J. Creeden
  • Patent number: 8644707
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bidirectional optical amplifier array (VA) which is preferably used in a passive optical network (PON) system, is disposed between a first line termination (OLT) and a second line termination (ONU), and is penetrated by an optical downstream signal (OSD) in one direction and an optical upstream signal (OSD) in the opposite direction. Said optical amplifier array is composed of a first part with two branching and combining units (D1 and D2), a unidirectional optical amplifier (E1), and a transponder (T) in which the optical downstream signals and upstream signals (OSU and OSD) are separately amplified. The two signals (OSU and OSD) that run in opposite directions are amplified in a bidirectional amplifier (E2) in a second part. A constant gain is maintained in the bidirectional optical amplifier (E2) by means of the continuous downstream signal (OSD) such that the amplifier can be operated in stable conditions for the upstream signal (OSU) regardless of occurring bursts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Nokia Siemens Networks GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Gianordoli, Lutz Rapp, Michael Rasztovits-Wiech, Andreas Stadler
  • Patent number: 8605762
    Abstract: Laser apparatus (1) comprising a reference source (2), a reference fiber (3), and at least one laser diode (4), wherein the reference fiber (3) comprises a core (5) having a refractive index n1 and a first cladding (6) having a refractive index n2, the first cladding (6) is surrounded by a second cladding (7) having a refractive index n3, the refractive index n1 is greater than the refractive index n2, the refractive index n2 is greater than the refractive index n3, the laser diode (4) emits laser radiation (8) that is guided through the first cladding (6) of the reference fiber (3), the reference source (2) emits reference radiation (9) that has a predetermined wavelength ?R (10), the reference radiation (9) is guided through the core (5) of the reference fiber (3) to the laser diode (4), and the reference radiation (9) that is guided through the core (5) of the reference fiber (3) to the laser diode (4) has a power (11) at the predetermined wavelength ?R (10), which power is greater than an injection lockin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: SPL Lasers UK Limited
    Inventors: Michael Kevan Durkin, Malcolm Paul Varnham, Mikhail Nickolaos Zervas
  • Patent number: 8493653
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical fiber amplifying module equipped with a structure for stably attaining a high gain even when amplifying light having a low duty cycle. The optical fiber amplifying module comprises at least three amplification optical fibers successively arranged from an input connector to an output collimator. A bandpass filter is arranged between the first- and second-stage amplification optical fibers. Control means having a structure constituted by optically passive components alone or a feedback structure functions so as to render an upper limit to a gain for input light in the first-stage amplification optical fiber, thereby preventing the deterioration in performances such as destruction of the bandpass filter from occurring in optical components positioned on the upstream side of the final-stage amplification optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Megaopto Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Motoki Kakui
  • Publication number: 20130063809
    Abstract: An optical amplifier includes a pump light source that outputs pump light, and a multicore fiber that includes at least one pumping core, the pump light being input to the at least one pumping core by coupler, at least two signal light cores doped with an active substance for optical amplification, at least one signal light being input to at least one of the signal light cores, and a cladding, wherein the pump light propagating the at least one pumping core and exciting the active substance in the signal light cores, so as to amplify the at least one signal light propagating through the at least one of the signal light cores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Masato Nishihara, Takeshi Hoshida
  • Publication number: 20130057948
    Abstract: A bidirectional optical amplifier (1) is arranged to be passed through in one direction by a downstream optical signal (SDS) and in an opposite direction by an upstream optical signal (SUS), and comprises: a first optical circulator (2) having three ports, a first port of the first optical circulator defining a first connector (8) at one end of the bidirectional optical amplifier, a second optical circulator (3) having three ports, a first port of the second optical circulator defining a second connector (9) at an opposite end of the bidirectional optical amplifier, a downstream unidirectional optical amplifier (4) connected between a second port of the first optical circulator and a second port of the second optical circulator so as to define a downstream amplification path (5) for the downstream optical signal, and an upstream unidirectional optical amplifier (6) connected between a third port of the first optical circulator and a third port of the second optical circulator so as to define an upstream ampli
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: ALCATEL LUCENT
    Inventors: Christian Simonneau, Dominique Chiaroni, Gema Buforn Santamaria, Sophie Etienne
  • Patent number: 8098426
    Abstract: A two-way optical amplifier system amplifies upstream and downstream optical signals in a passive optical network (PON). The downstream optical amplifier system includes an optical amplifier (EDFA), configured and arrange to amplify the downstream optical transport signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Inventors: George BuAbbud, Cristiano Momatta
  • Patent number: 8018936
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is shown for communicating Fibre Channel frames between distinct fabrics. A proxy zone is established in each fabric with a physically present local device and a remote fabric device. A router creates a proxy device in each fabric for every device not physically connected to the fabric. The proxy devices appear to be directly attached to the router. The router handles all address translations between proxy and physical addresses. When multiple routers are encountered, the ingress router does all address translation. No routing or encapsulation headers are used except when routing between two routers. The source ID and the originator exchange identifier are stored at the egress router for all link requests that require special handling. When replies pass through that router, the destination ID and originator exchange identifier are compared with the stored information. On a match, the reply is specially handled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: David Peterson
  • Patent number: 7995921
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an array of semiconductor optical amplifiers, within a photonic integrated circuit (hereinafter, “PIC”), that apply a gain to one or more optical bands within a WDM signal. According to various embodiments of the invention this array of SOAs can function as both an amplifier and a ROADM by adjusting the gain characteristics of one or more of the SOAs within the array. A band within the WDM signal may be blocked by adjusting the SOA, corresponding to the particular band, to attenuate the band below a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Infinera Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen G. Grubb
  • Patent number: 7894128
    Abstract: A terahertz imaging system and method of use including a compact Yb-doped fiber laser-pumped ZGP crystal as a THz source and an uncooled microbolometer array as a detector. According to the present invention, semiconductor lasers are also drive current modulated to produce desired laser pulsewidth, repetition rate and wavelengths needed for DFG THz generation in various non-linear crystals. The fiber-coupled semiconductor lasers provide at least two wavelengths that will produce THz radiation by DFG in non-linear converter. These two wavelengths are combined and amplified in a single Yb fiber amplifier chain. Yb amplifier is staged in continually increasing core diameters to provide significant signal amplification while suppressing deleterious non-linear effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: John C. McCarthy, Daniel Creeden, Peter A. Ketteridge
  • Patent number: 7881752
    Abstract: A system and method for utilizing a multi link antenna array for wireless links in conjunction with fiber MAN's is disclosed. The fiber MAN's are coupled to one or more multi-link antenna arrays. Each multi-link antenna array forms a plurality of point-to-point wireless links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Harold W. Johnson, Bruce E. Hoffman, Walter F. Rausch
  • Publication number: 20100296156
    Abstract: A two-way optical amplifier system amplifies upstream and downstream optical signals in a passive optical network (PON). The downstream optical amplifier system includes an optical amplifier (EDFA), configured and arrange to amplify the downstream optical transport signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: IPG Photonics Corporation
    Inventors: George BuAbbud, Cristiano Momatta
  • Patent number: 7734180
    Abstract: The present invention provides a single fiber bidirectional optical transmission system capable of realizing the extension of a single fiber bidirectional long distance at a moderate price. An optical signal outputted from a second optical transmitter is incident on an optical amplifying portion passing through an optical circulator, a single fiber bidirectional transmission path, an optical circulator and an optical Blue/Red filter. The optical signal outputted from a first optical transmitter is incident on the optical amplifying portion passing through a dispersion compensator and the optical Blue/Red filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Wakako Maeda, Akio Tajima
  • Patent number: 7729588
    Abstract: An optical fiber includes: a first core portion doped with rare earth ions; a second core portion having a lower refractive index than that of the first core portion, provided along an outer circumference of the first core portion, and doped with the rare earth ions; and a clad portion having a lower refractive index than that of the second core portion and provided along an outer circumference of the second core portion, and is configured such that a concentration of the rare earth ions added to the second core portion is higher than that to the first core portion. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress an amount of FWM crosstalk in an optical amplification by decreasing the length of a fiber while alleviating efficiency deterioration due to concentration quenching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Masato Nishihara, Etsuko Hayashi, Shinya Inagaki
  • Patent number: 7725042
    Abstract: An automated optical transport system is provided which provides for automatic discovery of system components, automatic inventory of system components, automatic topology detection, automatic provisioning of channels, and automatic characterization and tuning of system components and fiber. The invention provides automation capability through inclusion of management card capabilities at each station which communicates through a reverse propagating service channel. Dynamic and propagation direction independent segments are provided in conjunction with a token-based scheme to repeatedly tune, update and monitor the transport system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Inventors: Marvin Ray Young, Michael H. Eiselt, Daniel Nooner, Jeffrey Pearlman, Michael L. Cooper
  • Publication number: 20100103506
    Abstract: A reconfigurable optical amplifier including a first reversible optical circulator and an optical gain device is provided. The first reversible optical circulator has four I/O ports which are respectively referred to as a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, and a fourth terminal. The four I/O ports sequentially transmit an optical signal in a transmission direction of a forward circulation or a backward circulation according to a control signal. The first terminal is isolated from the adjacent fourth terminal. The optical gain device is connected between the first terminal and the adjacent fourth terminal. The second terminal and the third terminal are respectively connected to a first communication node and a second communication node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Chun-Liang Yang, Dar-Zu Hsu, San-Liang Lee, Jian-Ting Hong
  • Patent number: 7697842
    Abstract: An automated optical transport system is provided which provides for automatic discovery of system components, automatic inventory of system components, automatic topology detection, automatic provisioning of channels, and automatic characterization and tuning of system components and fiber. The invention provides automation capability through inclusion of management card capabilities at each station which communicates through a reverse propagating service channel. Dynamic and propagation direction independent segments are provided in conjunction with a token-based scheme to repeatedly tune, update and monitor the transport system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Inventors: Marvin Ray Young, Michael H. Eiselt, Daniel Nooner, Jeffrey Pearlman, Michael L. Cooper
  • Patent number: 7580640
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for extracting an optical clock signal are provided. The method includes splitting a predetermined polarization component from an input optical signal, selecting frequency components for clock signal extraction from the predetermined polarization component and amplifying the selected frequency components, rotating the amplified frequency components by a predetermined angle and then reflecting them, amplifying the reflected frequency components and removing noise from the amplified frequency components using a Fabry-Perot filter, and obtaining a beat frequency component from the frequency components from which noise has been removed using the Fabry-Perot filter to extract a clock signal. Accordingly, influence of the pattern of the input optical signal is reduced and the apparatus and method are provided at low price.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Jaemyoung Lee, Je Soo Ko
  • Publication number: 20090175626
    Abstract: Systems and devices for use as optical transceivers and amplifiers in optical networks. An optical transceiver/amplifier has two optical signal circulators, each of which receives one incoming signal and transmits one outgoing optical signal. Each circulator combines its incoming and outgoing signals on to a bidirectional optical connection internal to the transceiver amplifier. Between the two circulators are a pump laser, an optical coupler to couple the pump laser's power into the bidirectional connection, and an amplifying medium for amplifying the bidirectional signal's internal to the transceiver amplifier. The amplifying medium may be an Erbium doped fiber which would amplify any optical signal passing through it. In one embodiment, the transceiver amplifier is in a self-contained package that is pluggable into existing equipment using pre-existing ports and interfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventor: Dan Yang
  • Patent number: 7551857
    Abstract: An optical amplifier may be quickly returned from a shutdown state to a regular state after getting recovery information of a fault. Gain setting by ASE is conducted to the repeaters on the up-stream side during the shutdown state, by outputting ASE light with the same intensity as the WDM signal. Accordingly, before realizing the recovery of shutdown, the gain setting is completed with the light whose intensity is within the safe criterion. After realizing the recovery of shutdown, the optical transmission system can be returned quickly to the regular operating state after recovery of shutdown state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Tougo Fukushi, Hideaki Sugiya, Akira Yamamoto, Masanori Kondoh
  • Patent number: 7440168
    Abstract: An optical transmission system may include a combination of higher gain repeaters and lower gain repeaters, arranged to manage gain tilt. The higher gain repeaters and lower gain repeaters may be arranged to allow net gain to vary (e.g., above and below zero) within a predetermined acceptable net gain excursion. In one embodiment, the higher gain repeaters have a nominal gain value higher than a nominal span loss value and the lower gain repeaters have a nominal gain value lower than the nominal span loss value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Tyco Telecommunications (US) Inc.
    Inventor: Stuart M. Abbott
  • Patent number: 7355787
    Abstract: An optical amplifier assembly for submarine applications. The optical amplifier assembly comprises: a first and a second double stage fiber amplifier with respective first and second fiber amplifiers for amplifying optical signals (OS, OS?) each propagated on a respective optical fibre, said optical fibres being operated in opposite operating directions (W-E, E-W), and a common pump source comprising a plurality of pump light sources, the common pump source being coupled via a coupler as a co-propagating pump to the first and second fiber amplifiers of the first and second double stage fiber amplifiers. The proposed optical amplifier assembly further comprises a gain flattening filter between the two fiber amplifiers of the first and second double stage fiber amplifiers. Thus the proposed optical amplifier assembly presents an increased efficiency with respect to an output power at a constant pump power and allows to adjust the pump power for maintaining a given output power without excessive NF degradation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventors: Gabriel Charlet, Christian Simonneau, Loïc Becouarn
  • Patent number: 7349150
    Abstract: An optical terminal apparatus includes a plurality of signal light units that transmits and receives a signal light having a predetermined wavelength; at least one pumping light unit that emits a pumping light having a predetermined wavelength to perform Raman amplification for the signal light transmitted; and an optical multiplexer/demultiplexer that multiplexes/demultiplexes the signal light and the pumping light, the optical multiplexer/demultiplexer having one end connected to an optical transmission path and other end connected to the signal light units and the pumping light unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Tsukasa Takahashi, Hiroto Ikeda
  • Patent number: 7346280
    Abstract: A bi-directional configuration is employed to implement a hybrid ultra long haul (ULH)/long haul (LH) optical transmission system. The link carries ULH channels and LH channels in opposite directions in different bands. Raman amplification is employed for the ULH band while Erbium-doped fiber amplification (EDFA) is used for both the LH and ULH bands. Optical circulators are employed for multiplexing and demultiplexing. This solution does not incur the ripple penalty of prior art solutions based on interferential filters while providing excellent isolation between the ULH and LH channels and bi-directional communication within a single fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alessandro Sguazzotti, Fransisco Martinez Rodriguez, Marco Mazzini
  • Patent number: 7336414
    Abstract: An optical modulation apparatus is provided which implements a stable amplifying function by reducing the effect of reflected light rays form end faces of a bidirectional optical amplifier by imposing a numerical limitation on the relationship between the gain of the bidirectional optical amplifier and the loss of the optical modulator, or by inserting a polarization rotation section in a reflection type optical modulator including the bidirectional optical amplifier or in a multi-wavelength collective optical modulation system combining the multiple optical modulators. An optical modulation apparatus is provided which implements a stable amplifying function and cost reduction by reducing the effect of reflected light rays by interposing optical isolators at every alternate SOAs in a transmission-type optical modulation apparatus including a plurality of semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) connected in a multistage fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
    Inventors: Masamichi Fujiwara, Junichi Kani, Koji Akimoto, Katsumi Iwatsuki
  • Patent number: 7171123
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wavelength-division multiplexed passive optical network. In particular, it relates to a technology for minimizing the optical loss at a wavelength-division multiplexed passive optical network based on wavelength-locked light source Thereby it improves the transmission quality and increases the transmission distance. A 4-port optical path setting device of the present invention increases the amount of light injected into an optical transmitter and thereby improves the wavelength-locking characteristic of a light source. In addition, it can decrease the optical transmission loss in an optical transmission path, and by an optical amplifier being inserted therein; it can also compensate the optical loss in an optical transmission path. In the present invention, a 4-port optical path setting device having the characteristics described above and a method for fault recovery without an additional optical loss are presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Chang Hee Lee, Tae Won Oh, Kwang Uk Chu
  • Patent number: 7158698
    Abstract: A module for amplifying a signal light with a remote excitation-light, includes (a) a first optical input/output line through which a signal light is transmitted, (b) a second optical input/output line through which a signal light is transmitted, (c) an optical amplifier which amplifies a signal light on receipt of an excitation light transmitted through the first or second optical input/output line, (d) a bypass circuit which allows the signal light to bypass the optical amplifier, (e) a first optical connector which optically connects the first optical input/output line to the optical amplifier, and further optically connects the first optical input/output line to the bypass circuit, and (f) a second optical connector which optically connects the second optical input/output line to the optical amplifier, and further optically connects the second optical input/output line to the bypass circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiharu Ito
  • Patent number: 7123405
    Abstract: An optical amplifying and relaying system capable of easily and highly accurately monitor troubles in optical amplifiers provided in an up and a down optical fiber transmission line opposing each other is disclosed. Monitoring light signal folding-back lines including variable optical attenuators 4a and 4b and wavelength selective reflecting means 5a and 5b, respectively, are provided between optical transmission lines L1 and L2, which oppose each other and on which optical amplifiers 4a and 4b are disposed each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Ryu Yokoyama, Takaaki Ogata