Abstract: The invention relates to a goods stocking system comprising a goods shelving unit (10), in which at least one goods storage compartment (12) is provided, a sheet-like sensor element (16), which is removably arranged on the bottom (14) of the goods storage compartment (12), an energy supply (54, 56) for the sensor element (16), a controller (52), which can evaluate a signal of the sensor element (16), and a data link (50) between the sensor element (16) and the controller (52).

Abstract: A self-clocked photoreceiver device and a method of operating. The self-clocked photoreceiver device includes a light detector connected between a power supply node and a first node, and first to third switching elements. The light detector is configured to detect an incident optical data signal, and to output photocurrent corresponding to a magnitude of the optical data signal through the first node. The first switching element is connected between the first node and a ground node. The second switching element is connected between the power supply node and a second node. The third switching element is connected between the second node and the ground node. The third switching element has a control node connected to the first node.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for point-to-point network service provisioning and mesh network transitioning are provided. A system includes a fiber injection node, host mesh network radio, and a first node. The first node may comprise a remote wireless transceiver in communication with the host wireless transceiver, a first mesh network node transceiver configured to communicate with other mesh network node transceivers, a processor, and non-transitory computer readable media comprising instructions executable by the processor. The first node may be configured to establish a point-to-point wireless connection to the host wireless transceiver of the fiber injection node, and provision access to the service provider network to the first customer premises. The first node may further be configured to establish a mesh connection to a secondary mesh network node associated with a second customer premises, and provision access to the service provider network to the second customer premises.

Abstract: A method, a controller, and an optical network element are configured to perform steps of monitoring one or more optical links each formed by optical transceivers which are configured to provide variable capacity via a plurality of modulation formats; based on the monitoring, causing corresponding optical transceivers for the one or more optical links to operate at a first modulation format different from a second modulation format providing excess capacity; and mapping the excess capacity to bandwidth useable by one or more services managed by the one or more of the management system, the management plane, and the control plane.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for point-to-point network service provisioning and mesh network transitioning are provided. A system includes a fiber injection node, host mesh network radio, and a first node. The first node may comprise a remote wireless transceiver in communication with the host wireless transceiver, a first mesh network node transceiver configured to communicate with other mesh network node transceivers, a processor, and non-transitory computer readable media comprising instructions executable by the processor. The first node may be configured to establish a point-to-point wireless connection to the host wireless transceiver of the fiber injection node, and provision access to the service provider network to the first customer premises. The first node may further be configured to establish a mesh connection to a secondary mesh network node associated with a second customer premises, and provision access to the service provider network to the second customer premises.

Abstract: Devices and methods for bypassing a defective component in a combining network relaying respective upstream and downstream signals between a head end and a plurality of subscribers. The devices and methods may preferably redirect the upstream signal without redirecting the downstream signal using a wavelength-dependent filter.

Abstract: A method, a network element, and a network include determining excess margin relative to margin needed to ensure performance at a nominal guaranteed rate associated with a flexible optical modem configured to communicate over an optical link; causing the flexible optical modem to consume most or all of the excess margin, wherein the capacity increased above the nominally guaranteed rate includes excess capacity; and mapping the excess capacity to one or more logical interfaces for use by a management system, management plane, and/or control plane. The logical interfaces can advantageously be used by the management system, management plane, and/or control plane as one of restoration bandwidths or short-lived bandwidth-on-demand (BOD) connections, such as sub-network connections (SNCs) or label switched paths (LSPs).

Abstract: Embodiments of a computing device and optical data switching circuitry are generally described herein. A processing element of the optical data switching circuitry may generate a plurality of optical data signals, and may send the optical data signals to an optical switch of the optical data switching circuitry. The optical switch may transmit the optical signals to a fiber optic router for relay to different destinations. The optical switch may switch between transmission directions for transmission of the optical signals to different receiving ports of the fiber optic router. The receiving ports of the fiber optic router may be mapped to the different destinations, in some cases.

Abstract: A method, implemented in a hybrid network element supporting switching at a plurality of layers, for multilayer resource management between the plurality of layers, includes operating a control plane at Layer N between a plurality of network elements in a network, wherein control plane signaling at the Layer N is processed at each network element in a path for a service in the network; and operating a resource management protocol at Layer N+1 with another network element in the network by injecting and extracting messages from and to the control plane into a data path in the Layer N+1, wherein a service at the Layer N+1 operates over the Layer N, and wherein the resource management protocol messages are processed at an originating network element and a terminating network element and not at intermediate network elements in the path.

Abstract: A method and a system for providing an external optical data packet to a destination node of a packet optical network are described. The packet optical network includes a plurality of nodes and a first optical data channel for optically communicating local optical data packets between the plurality of nodes. The external optical data packet is optically converted for a transmission to the destination node over a second optical data channel of the packet optical network, the first and second optical data channels being independent of each other, the converted external optical data packet is optically transferred to the packet optical network, and the converted external optical data packet is transmitted to the destination node over the second optical data channel.

Abstract: An optical transmission system includes an optical emitting device and a plurality of optical receiving devices. The optical receiving devices are optically connected in series and one of the optical receiving devices is optically connected to the optical emitting device. Each of the optical receiving devices includes a control module, an optical receiving terminal, and an optical fiber amplifier. The optical emitting device emits out first optical signals or second optical signals. The control module transmits the first optical signals to the optical receiving terminal or transmits the second optical signals to the optical fiber amplifier. The optical fiber amplifier amplifies the second optical signals and sends the amplified second optical signals to the next optical receiving device.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure a method for shared mesh protection in an optical transport network comprises provisioning a route for each of a plurality of working demands through the optical transport network. The method further comprises provisioning a route for backup demands corresponding to each of the plurality of working demands. The method additionally comprises packing into a single optical data unit a first backup demand corresponding to a first of the plurality of working demands and a second backup demand corresponding to a second of the plurality of working demands, wherein the first and second of the plurality of working demands share at least one common link in the optical transport network. The method also comprises unpacking the first and second backup demands from the optical data unit.

Abstract: An optical fiber transmission system includes a light emitting source, a plurality of light receiving terminals, and a plurality of optical fibers connecting the light emitting source to the light receiving terminals. The optical fiber transmission system further includes a plurality of controlling modules positioned between the light receiving terminals and the optical fibers. Each of the plurality of controlling modules includes a controller, a signal analyzer, and a reflective member. The signal analyzer and the reflective member are connected to the controller and analyze and reflect optical signals respectively.

Abstract: A transport apparatus includes a plurality of transport processing units. The transport processing unit transports optical signals on an optical network which controls, by transmitting or receiving the optical signals including control information, apparatuses that are managed on the basis of areas. The transport processing unit includes a setting-information storage unit that stores therein setting information indicating a group to which a plurality of apparatuses within the area belongs, a frame generating unit that, upon receiving the optical signal, determines on the basis of the setting information whether the control information is to be terminated or to be passed through itself, sets a destination depending on the result of the determination, and generates a frame including the control information, and a path switching unit that switches a path of the frame on the basis of the destination of the frame.

Abstract: An optical measurement instrument comprises operational modules (101-107) that are interconnected via a digital communication network (110). Each operational module comprises a transceiver (111-117) connected to the digital communication network and arranged to support a pre-determined digital communication protocol employed in the digital communication network. Those operational modules that include a detector further comprise an analog-to-digital converter (118) for converting a detected signal into a digital form and a digital circuitry (119) for providing digital information based on the detected signal with address data related to a particular operational module to which the digital information is to be delivered via the digital communication network.

Abstract: A path is established through an optical communications network. One or more partial paths are evaluated according to a first criterion, and candidate end-to-end paths are then evaluated according to a second criterion. The end-to-end path evaluation disregards candidate end-to-end paths that include partial paths not meeting the first criterion. A path is established by selecting one of the candidate end-to-end paths on the basis of the second criterion.

Abstract: In a passive optical network, power consumption of the ONU can be reduced by communicating a transmission schedule from the OLT to the ONU that indicates time slots in which the ONU is scheduled to receive payload transmissions from the OLT. Components of the ONU that would normally operate continuously, including processing payloads addressed to other ONUs, are placed in a reduced power state outside of the ONU's allocated time slots.

Abstract: An optical switching and delay system for optical encryption and/or optical decryption may comprise a switch bank, a set of optical delay lines, a combiner, and a processor. The switch bank may be configured to receive an optical signal in a first arrangement and route the optical signal to the set of optical delay lines according to a switching arrangement key. The set of optical delay lines may be configured to provide delays to the optical signal. The combiner may be configured to receive the optical signal with delays from the set of optical delay lines and combine the optical signal into a second arrangement. The processor may be configured to receive the switching arrangement key and control the switch bank according to the switching arrangement key. The switching arrangement key may comprise a set of instructions for routing the optical signal.

Abstract: A method for providing access to a passive optical network for services to homes or businesses from two or more telecommunications service providers and a billing means is described. A first service provider connects to a point of presence at one side of passive optical network. The provider transmits the appropriate services through this network to an authorization receiver. The authorization receiver is used to receive a periodic authorization code from the network provider to enable the appropriate services from the service provider to be transmitted to a subscriber at a home or business. The authorization receiver enables an optical fiber path to be established for the services to flow to and from the home or business.

Abstract: A device for connecting a plurality of assemblage-mounted optical transmitters to a plurality of assemblage-mounted optical receivers mounted on a selected side of an assemblage includes a planar frame configured to be coupled to the selected side of the assemblage. A plurality of first redirecting structures is affixed to the planar frame and each is configured to receive a first optical signal from a different assemblage-mounted optical transmitter. Each first redirecting structure transmits a second optical signal, corresponding to the first optical signal, along a preselected path. A plurality of second redirecting structures is affixed to the planar frame and each is configured to receive the second optical signal from a different one of the first redirecting structures. Each of the second redirecting structures transmits a third optical signal, corresponding to the second optical signal, to a different one of the assemblage-mounted optical receivers.

Abstract: A system which comprises point-to-multipoint connections and in which a portion of a downstream signal is extracted at a point located between a central network unit and a plurality of user network units, a header of the downstream signal is read and analyzed, and the header data obtained in this manner is used for controlling a regenerator provided in the upstream path for the data burst signals. The header data contains the beginning and end of the burst of the data burst signals, thus making it possible to reliably generate a temporal triggering signal for the regenerator.

Abstract: A terminal and an information relay apparatus allowing automatic setup for wireless connection without requiring setup operation by the user and capable of preventing information leakage when used at home are provided. A wireless LAN terminal communicates with a wireless access point relaying information to and from a communication apparatus constituting a communication network. Wireless LAN terminal includes an ROM, an optical communication block, a communication unit, and a CPU. The optical communication block is for optical communication. Communication unit is for communication by radio signal. CPU causes the optical communication unit to transmit a start request signal. After transmission of the start request signal, when the optical communication block receives an information request signal, CPU causes the optical communication block to transmit identification information stored in ROM.

Abstract: A data storage enclosure management system of a plurality of service processors is configured to communicate externally via a pair of FC-AL loops. Lead and subsidiary service processors are defined and lead service processors connect to ones of the FC-AL loops with an FC-AL address, and the lead and subsidiary service processors are connected by a secondary communication link. The lead service processor(s) employ an identifier unassociated with the FC-AL address to differentiate communications of the lead service processor from communications of an associated subsidiary service processor, the lead service processor serving as a proxy for the associated subsidiary service processor with respect to the FC-AL address and communicating with the associated subsidiary service processor via the secondary communication link.

Abstract: One embodiment of the disclosures made herein is a method for activating services in a Passive Optical Networking (PON) system. In accordance with such an embodiment, an Optical Line Terminal (OLT) within the PON system is pre-provisioned with PON services and with at least a portion of information required for facilitating automatic activation of the PON services. Pre-provisioning is defined herein to mean that such provisioning is performed prior to installing an ONT (i.e., a network interface device) that will serve such to services at the service subscriber's site and that is controlled by the OLT. After installation of the ONT is complete, the PON services served by the ONT are automatically activated using at least a portion of the pre-provisioned information and information discovered about the ONT during a post-installation discovery process.

Abstract: The current options for wireless communication have changed the way people work and the way in which networks can be deployed. However, there remains unresolved problems in the setup and configuration of wireless communication links. Both known cellular and ad hoc wireless networking protocols and systems are deficient in that the ability for users to communicate without a priori knowledge of MAC addresses (represented by phone numbers, IP addresses and the like) is limited or may be compromised in a hostile environment. In contrast, provided by aspects of the present invention are devices, systems and methods for establishing ad hoc wireless communication between users that do not necessarily have MAC addresses and the like for one another. In some embodiments, a first user visually selects a second user and points a coherent light beam at an electronic device employed by the second user.

Abstract: A process for all-optically switching an incoming optical signal having at least a data packet is provided. The data packet including at least an address bit in its header, and the process includes receiving the data packet; processing the header optically; storing the decision made during the processing of the header; and switching the whole incoming data packet dependent upon the decision.

Abstract: An array of light beam emitter sections comprises: a substrate having a surface divided into an array of sections; and a grouping of light emitters disposed at each surface section and configured to emit light beams at different emission angles with respect to the surface. Also disclosed is apparatus for establishing optical communication channels between the array of light beam emitter sections and an array of light detectors. The apparatus comprises a controller coupled to the arrays of emitter sections and detectors for mapping at least one light emitter of each grouping with a light detector of the detector array to establish optical communication channels between the arrays based on the mappings.

Abstract: Transceivers, networks, and methods for providing data communication to electrical devices in a vehicle, and a vehicle comprising the transceiver and network. A transceiver of the network can include a receive optical subassembly including an opto-electronic transducer configured to receive a first incoming optical signal from an optical fiber having a silica based core. Signal extraction circuitry is configured to extract data intended for an electrical device from of the incoming optical signal and provide the extracted data to the electrical device, and a transmit optical subassembly comprising a laser, such as a VCSEL, configured to transmit an outgoing optical signal to a second optical fiber having a silica based core.

Abstract: Disclosed is a repeater including: a recognizing unit to recognize a destination address of an optical packet from the optical packet which includes the destination address assigned in unit of bit and a bit indicating whether or not a plurality of destination addresses are assigned; an optical splitting unit to split the optical packet into a plurality of optical packets; and selecting units to select transmission channels for the split optical packets on the basis of recognition results by the recognizing units, respectively.

Abstract: When entering an idling state, a master unit M transmits an optical signal for polling addressed to each slave unit S-1 to S-n. The slave unit S-n located at the lowest rank of a direct chain constituted by S-1 to S-n, when receiving the optical signal for polling for the self unit, responds by transmitting an optical signal representing a phase correction request signal to the other slave units. The slave units S-1 to S-(n?1) respond to the phase correction request signal, and initialize each clock signal to synchronize with the clock signal of the slave unit S-n at the lowest rank.

Abstract: A method for changing the host communication interface address for a number of individual optical transceivers sharing a single host communication interface. An optical transceiver host computing system is communicatively coupled to the transceivers using the single host communication interface. The host computing system implements the host interface address change by indicating to a first transceiver that an address change is pending. The host then informs the first transceiver that it is to have its address changed using a mechanism independent of the addressing mechanism used by the signal host communication interface. In response, the first transceiver makes the address change. The other optical transceivers may have their address changed using the same method, although this is not required.

Abstract: A Gigabit Ethernet passive optical network (GE-PON) having a double link structure is disclosed. The GE-PON includes an optical line terminal (OLT), a plurality of optical couplers, and a plurality of optical network units (ONUs). The OLT sets up an active link and a standby link in response to a registration request message received over an optical cable. Each of the ONUs is doubly connected with the OLT via the optical cable and is adapted to transmit the registration request message to the OLT, form the active link with the OLT via the optical cable if it receives an active registration message transmitted from the OLT in response to the registration request message, and form the standby link with the OLT via the optical cable if it receives a standby message from the OLT. The optical couplers are disposed between the OLT and each of the ONUs to doubly interconnect them via different optical cables.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a network hub having an active optical encoder where the network hub is to generate a plurality of addressed optical data signals, each having a common carrier wavelength and a different address corresponding to a network node coupled to the network hub. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: An optical packet exchanger is provided which prevents a transmittable capacity of an information signal from decreasing, and which facilitates the extracting an address signal even if a modulation speed for the information signal becomes high. An optical modulation section (102) outputs an optical packet obtained by subjecting output light from a light source (101) to an intensity modulation using an information signal and a phase modulation using an address signal corresponding to a transmission destination for the information signal. An optical splitter section (301) splits the optical packet into two optical packets. An address reading section (302) reads the address signal from the phase of one of the optical packets output from the optical splitter section (301). Based on the address signal output from the address reading section (302), a path switching section (303) determines an output port for the other optical packet output from the optical splitter section (301).

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical device, apt to generate and process optical codes at least one wavelength, comprising P inputs s, with 1?s?P, and P?1, and N outputs k, with 1?k?N and N?1, characterized in that it is apt to simultaneously generate and process Nc?2, made of C chips with time interval ?, with C?2, characterized in that the transfer function Tsk(f) from the input s to the output k satisfies the following formula: where: Fv is a transfer function of an optical filter, for v=0, 1 . . . , V?1, av is a constant value, for v=0, 1, . . . , V?1 Ssk is an integer number (Ssk?Z), Nk is a constant value, for k=2, . . . N, and V is a positive integer number with 1?V?log2N. The invention further relates to a set of optical codes, apt to be generated, in particular, by such optical device, and to networks and apparatus comprising such optical device.

Abstract: An optical network provides a digital interconnect fabric allowing nodes to seamlessly communicate with each other. Each node is connected to a bi-directional optical bus through passive optical interface devices. The optical interface devices route signals from each node onto the bus in both directions and also route signals traveling along the bus in either direction to each node. The optical interface devices and optical bus are passive and do not involve any regeneration of the electrical signals. The nodes are assigned wavelengths of transmission and have tunable receivers for selecting a wavelength of reception. The digital interconnect fabric facilitates Ethernet, Fibre Channel, and other digital communication protocols.

Abstract: A high speed optical routing apparatus and method, in which data traffic, such as an IP packet, an Ethernet frame, etc., is switched in an optical frame unit at a high speed. The apparatus is provided with a plurality of input and output ports, and with one add port for adding data received from a lower IP router, and one drop port for dropping processed data toward the lower IP router. A header wavelength dividing unit extracts the header wavelength signals from among input optical signals inputted through the input ports and the add port. The header wavelength signals contain header information on data wavelength signals contained in the input optical signals. An optical signal inputting section demultiplexes optical signals having the data signals according to the wavelength, and for dividing and inputting the wavelength-based demultiplexed data wavelength signals according to a frame.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated circuit comprising a plurality of cores attached to at least one transmitter and receiver, an optical transmission network embedded within the wire levels of the integrated circuit, and wherein the transmitter and receivers send and receive data on the network. Also disclosed is a method of transmitting signals within an integrated circuit comprising an integrated circuit comprising a plurality of cores and optical paths, selecting an optical path from the plurality of optical paths for transmitting data, and transmitting the data on the selected optical path. Also disclosed is an integrated circuit comprising an optical transmission network, a plurality of cores, and a plurality of controllers, all three being operatively attached to each other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filtering data packets in a shared-medium or point-to-multipoint communications network. A filter unit is sent a data packet carrying a filter tag value in a packet addressed to the filter unit. The value is stored in the filter unit and subsequently received packets not addressed to the filter unit itself are forwarded only if they carry the stored filter tag. An embodiment of particular interest applies the method to Ethemet frames over a telecommunications access network (including optical or wireless networks), and uses the VLAN tag field to carry the filter tag information.

Abstract: An all-optical packet gating and routing system, comprising: first optical divider having first input and a plurality of outputs for receiving optical packets at the first input and directing the packets to each of the plurality of outputs, the optical packets having encoded headers and payloads, and each of the plurality of outputs of the first divider includes a packet gate; the packet gate, comprising: second optical divider having second input and first and second outputs for receiving the optical packets at the second input and directing the packets to each of the first and second outputs; the first output includes a decoding device for decoding one of the encoded headers of one of the optical packets and to produces a pulse in response to one of the encoded headers propagating in the first output and a copier for producing a plurality of images of the pulse, and an AND gate having third and fourth inputs and a third output; and the AND gate receives the plurality of images of the pulse at the third inpu

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical system for decoding, switching, demultiplexing, and routing of optical encoded data symbols, including: a plurality of optical paths having first and second terminals; a splitting mechanism for directing the encoded data symbols to each of the first terminals; a plurality of decoding devices for producing decoded signals in response to the encoded data symbols; and each of the optical paths includes, between the first and second terminals, at least one of the decoding devices to produce one of the decoded signals at one of the second terminals in response to one of the encoded data symbols.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method to perform central control of in-line element (Ei) in a tree-like network by a line terminator (LT). A plurality of network terminators (NT1, NT2, . . . , NTi, . . . , NTn) are coupled via one or more of such in-line elements (Ei) to the line terminator (LT) by dedicated branches and by a common branch, respectively.

Abstract: Optical communication systems include a central station that encodes data transmitted to multiplexing (mux) stations or user stations. The central station also decodes data received from the mux stations or user stations. Encoding and decoding are performed using codes, such as composite codes, that designate sources and destinations for data. The mux stations, user stations, and the central station have address encoders and decoders that use, for example, fiber Bragg gratings to encode or decode optical signals according to a code such as a composite code derived by combining codes from one or more sets of codes. A passive optical network comprises one or more levels of mux stations that use such address decoders and encoders to receive, decode, and encode data for transmission toward a central station or a user station.

Abstract: A system for managing signals in an optical network is provided. When a signal is originated by a source node for transmission to a destination node, the source node generates a message. Upon receiving this message, the destination node responds by sending an acknowledgment. Intermediate nodes examine these messages, allowing the nodes to obtain information which is used to take appropriate actions. A node is able to detect a switching event and the output power levels of signals leaving the node are maintained at a predetermined level. When transmission components transmitting a signal are powered up, a sequence of messages is exchanged, allowing the nodes to activate their transmission components in a sequential manner, avoiding signal level interference. Another sequence of messages is exchanged during protection line switching, allowing the nodes to adjust their respective transmission components in a sequential manner so as to avoid a “ringing” effect.

Abstract: A method for facilitating wavelength-specific and packet-switched routing comprises the steps of demultiplexing wavelengths propagating on a primary metropolitan fiber ring, determining a destination address for the wavelength, accessing a look-up table, determining if the destination address matches a local address contained in the look-up table and switching the wavelength based on a result of the determining step. A method for providing local metropolitan switching and routing and broadband local access distribution described in terms of the functions of the layers comprises the steps of interfacing with a primary fiber metropolitan ring and a local customer primary distribution/aggregation node via transport bran ches of a mesh architecture, routing specific wavelengths and newly assigned wavelengths to and from a customer's premises and handling customer specific wavelength and packet routing via one of fiber, millimeter wave radio and free space optical communications.

Abstract: There is disclosed an internet protocol over WDM (IPOW) network structure which can directly route/transmit packets via a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) optical communication network, and a packet transmission system in the network structure and method using the network structure.

Abstract: A technique for verifying fiber connectivity via an optical supervisory channel in a photonic network is disclosed. In one embodiment, the technique is realized by sending a first message from the first node to the second node, wherein the first message includes an address of an intended port of the second node; receiving a second message at the first node from the second node in response to the first message, wherein the second message contains an address of a receiving port of the second node; and comparing the intended port of the second node and the receiving port of the second node for verifying fiber connectivity between the first node and the second node.

Abstract: A system and method for remotely waking up a Fibre Channel attached device. A Fibre Channel attached device is set in a quasi-open mode wherein the device summarily rejects most requests and allocates a minimal set of resources to operate the adapter. One request that is not rejected is an activation request received from another Fibre Channel attached device. When an activation request is received, an optional authentication process can be invoked to insure that only authenticated devices issue the activation command. An additional security feature can be used to restrict the devices authorized to activate a device. A list of devices can be stored on nonvolatile storage or in memory. When a requesting device has been authenticated, its address is checked against the list of approved devices before the device adapter is activated.

Abstract: In a WDM network, a plurality of the channels are grouped together to form a packet. The format of one of the channels within the packet includes a packet header for providing routing or forwarding information for data on all of the channels of the group. The packet is routed or forwarded by a single port of a switching device in the nodes. This reduces usage of the ports of the switching device, and the invention enables an increase in the data transfer rate without altering the line equipment, as the individual channels still carry data at the same rate.

Abstract: An optical packet header identifier having a simplified configuration and being superior in reliability, stability, and economical efficiency, an optical router incorporating the identifier therein, and a routing method using the optical router are provided.

Abstract: A wheelchair back system provides height adjustability of the back, adjustment of the tilt and a lumbar support for a user. The back system is removably-affixed to vertical wheelchair posts by pairs of upper and lower channels at the lateral edges of the back. One of the channels on each side is open to the rear and the other of said channels is open to the front, whereby the channels engage the wheelchair posts. A clip, affixed to the rear side of the wheelchair posts, releasably engages the front opening channels to secure the back in engagement with the wheelchair post.