Including Specific Optical Elements Patents (Class 398/201)
  • Patent number: 7738793
    Abstract: For conventional cipher communications based on the principles of quantum mechanics, the photon number per signal needs to be controlled below 1 or to a mesoscopic level in order to make quantum-mechanical properties remarkable. This invention is intended to provide a quantum-mechanical communications' method that is practical even with a macroscopic number of photons. Antisqueezed light is transmitted using a random sender basis. The legitimate recipient can use a secret key to know the random sender basis, and thus to receive the information accurately without being affected by antisqueezing. However, because eavesdroppers unknowing of the sender basis must use haphazard bases in an attempt to receive the signals, the eavesdroppers are significantly affected by antisqueezing and the respective signal bit-error-rates are increased. This makes eavesdropping impossible, thus ensuring secure communications between the legitimate senders and recipients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsuya Tomaru
  • Patent number: 7738797
    Abstract: An optical module socket includes a base on which an optical module is mounted; descend/ascend means which is ascendably and descendably provided in the base and on which the optical module is mounted; holding means for holding the optical module in a predetermined state; pogopins provided in the base to connect with leads of the optical module; and positioning means of optical transmission means which are provided in the holding means and the descend/ascend means and which position, to the optical module, an optical connector to be connected to the optical module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Advantest Corp.
    Inventors: Yusuke Hayase, Atsushi Ono
  • Patent number: 7738795
    Abstract: An example of an optical source includes a VCSEL and a filter. The filter is positioned on the VCSEL and is configured and arranged such that an input to the filter from the VCSEL comprises a directly modulated optical data signal, and a corresponding output of the filter comprises an amplitude and/or phase modulated optical data signal, optimized for long-distance transmission in the optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventors: Hongyu Deng, Yuri V Vandyshev
  • Patent number: 7734190
    Abstract: A system and method for generating an optical return-to-zero signal. The system includes an electro-optical conversion system. The electro-optical conversion system is configured to receive an input electrical non-return-to-zero signal, process information associated with the input electrical non-return-to-zero signal, and generate a first electrical signal and a second electrical signal based on at least information associated with the input electrical non-return-to-zero signal. Additionally, the electro-optical conversion system is configured to delay a second electrical signal with respect to the first electrical signal by a predetermined period of time, process information associated with the first electrical signal and the delayed second electrical signal, and generate an output optical return-to-zero signal based on at least information associated with the first electrical signal and the delayed second electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: FutureWei Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Yu Sheng Bai
  • Patent number: 7734189
    Abstract: An optical transmitter includes a drive laser, a 1×N splitter, and an array of modulators. The 1×N splitter is coupled to split a beam from the drive laser into separated beams, and the modulators modulate the respective beam to represent respective data signals that are transmitted in parallel. Embodiments of the transmitter can provide high data rate communications at low cost by eliminating the need for an array of isolators and eliminating the need for high quality AR coatings. Additionally, an integrated optical circuit containing the modulator array does not require an array of lasers and can be fabricated at higher yields and lower costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Avago Technologies Fiber IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Tirumala R. Ranganath
  • Patent number: 7715732
    Abstract: A bias-control circuit that provides operating point control for a Mach-Zehnder modulator experiencing optical absorption at their interferometric arms. The bias control circuit generates compensation signals that are used to counter the thermally induced index shifts as a result of absorption. In addition, an operating point with desirable transmitter characteristics can also be arbitrarily chosen by over-compensating or under-compensating thermal effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: JDS Uniphase Corporation
    Inventors: Ping-Chiek Koh, Michael C. Larson
  • Patent number: 7711269
    Abstract: The infrared LED of an IrDA module transmits IR energy with a peak wavelength (for example, 875 nm) appropriate for IrDA communication. This peak wavelength is lower than is the wavelength (for example, 940 nm) used in ordinary IR remote controls (RC). The IrDA LED does, however, transmit some energy at the wavelength of the peak sensitivity of an RC receiver. When making an IrDA transmission, the IrDA LED is driven with a lower amount of current. When making an RC transmission, the IrDA LED is driven with an increased amount of current such that higher wavelength emissions received by the RC receiver are of adequate power to realize RC communication. A passive circuit is disclosed for automatically increasing IrDA LED current during RC transmissions. The circuit involves an inductor that shunts current around a current-limiting resistor used to limit LED drive current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: ZiLOG, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Grace
  • Patent number: 7697186
    Abstract: An optical system comprising a frequency modulated laser source adapted to produce a frequency modulated optical beam, an optical spectrum reshaper (OSR) adapted to receive the frequency modulated optical beam from the laser source and convert it into an amplitude modulated optical beam, a focusing lens adapted to receive the amplitude modulated optical beam from the OSR and focus the same, and an optical fiber adapted to receive the amplitude modulated optical beam from the focusing lens and transmit an optical signal; characterized in that the OSR has a central axis, the focusing lens has a central axis, and the optical fiber has a central axis, with the central axis of the optical fiber being laterally offset from at least one of the central axis of the OSR and the central axis of the focusing lens so as to effect spatial filtering and thereby generate the desired optical transmission characteristics for the resulting optical signal in the optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin McCallion, Daniel Mahgerefteh, Michael Deutsch, Parviz Tayebati
  • Patent number: 7697847
    Abstract: An optical transmitter is disclosed including an optical signal source generating a frequency modulated signal encoding data. An optical spectrum reshaper is positioned to receive the frequency modulated signal and converts the frequency modulated signal into a reshaped signal having increased amplitude modulation relative to the frequency modulated signal. A third-order dispersive element is positioned to receive the reshaped signal and is adapted to impose third-order dispersion on the reshaped signal to generate a compensated signal having third-order dispersion effective to compensate for second-order dispersion caused by an optical fiber positioned between the optical transmitter and a receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Matsui, Xueyan Zheng
  • Patent number: 7697848
    Abstract: A wireless communication system, a wireless transmitting apparatus, and a wireless receiving apparatus which can be applied to all types of light sources and can be applied to a variety of fields, provided with a medium forming an information transmission source, a general light source made of for example a lamp or the sun or another natural light source or artificial light source, a wireless transmitting apparatus for making the polarization of the light from the light source uniform and controlling the polarization plane of an infrared ray, visible ray, UV ray, or other light (modulating the light in polarization) so as to superimpose other information invisible to the human eye on visual information due to general reflected light and transmitting the same as an optical wireless signal, and a wireless receiving apparatus for receiving the optical wireless signal transmitted from the wireless transmitting apparatus and able to determine a change in orientation of the polarization plane of the light as inform
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventors: Tohru Sunaga, Yasuyuki Irie
  • Patent number: 7697846
    Abstract: In a radio optical fusion communication system with the integration of an optical fiber transmission path and a radio propagation path, wherein by first and second light sources, an intermediate-frequency signal generating means for generating a modulating signal at an intermediate frequency band, a modulator for modulating an optical signal from the first light source into an SSB modulated optical signal using the intermediate-frequency signal, and an optical mixer for mixing the modulated optical signal with the optical signal from the second light source to obtain an optical transmission signal in a base station, the frequency of either of the optical signals is controlled such that the difference in frequency between the optical signals is a desired frequency of a modulated radio signal, thus switching the frequency channel of the modulated radio signal in the radio propagation path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignees: National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Incorporated Administrative Agency, Sumitomo Osaka Cement Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yozo Shoji, Hiroyo Ogawa, Yoshihiro Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20100073995
    Abstract: A nano device includes an array of cells disposed in rows and columns and constructed over a substrate, and an optical circuit disposed over the substrate, wherein the optical circuit is formed by nano elements in a self-assembled process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventor: Bao Tran
  • Publication number: 20100067919
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to providing anew illuminating light communication system capable of transmitting large-capacity data at high speed. A transmitting device 1 emits light modulated depending on data to be transmitted from an organic EL light source 4. A receiving device 2 receives the modulated light emitted from the organic EL light source 4 and converts the received modulated light into an electric signal, and demodulates the data from the electric signal obtained by the conversion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventor: Yoshinobu Ono
  • Patent number: 7676159
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Inventors: Alexander Ping-Kong Wai, Lixin Xu, Lai Yin Chan, Luen Fu Lui, Hwa Yaw Tam
  • Patent number: 7672598
    Abstract: A carrier signal extraction system for suppressing and extracting a carrier signal component and transmitting a double sideband component includes a polarized light source for transmitting a polarized light signal output; a polarization modulator with a first input coupled to the polarized light signal output and a second input for adding a modulation signal to the polarized light signal, thereby generating a polarization modulated light output; and a polarizing element having an input coupled to the polarization modulated light output for suppressing and extracting the carrier signal component and preferentially transmitting a double sideband component of the polarization modulated light output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Anthony L Campillo
  • Publication number: 20100046964
    Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is provided, comprising a portion of semiconductor comprising an optical transmitter and an optically sensitive structure, wherein the semiconductor is covered with an interference filter at least in a first area comprising at least part of the optical transmitter and a second area comprising at least part of the optically sensitive structure, and wherein the interference filter of the first area is substantially optically separate from the interference filter of the second area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: NOKIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jakke Sakari Makela, Niko Santeri Porjo
  • Patent number: 7661889
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for multiplexing a plurality of light waves with different wavelengths. The apparatus includes a laser sub-assembly, a multiplexer sub-assembly, and a receptacle sub-assembly. The laser sub-assembly includes a plurality of lasers for radiating a plurality of light waves of different wavelengths. The plurality of light waves are multiplexed in the multiplexer sub-assembly. The multiplexed light waves are coupled to an optical fiber by the receptacle sub-assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Beam Express Inc
    Inventors: Lijun Zhu, Jignesh H. Shah, Hairo Hu, Yaogeng Ding, Joseph Vanniasinkam
  • Patent number: 7654752
    Abstract: An optoelectronic package that employs a spacer tool system to properly align an optical component within the device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the package includes a mounting surface, and an optical component positioned on the mounting surface at a predetermined distance from a reference point. The optical component is positioned at the predetermined distance by a spacer tool, wherein the spacer tool is interposed between the optical component and a spacer tool mount during optical component positioning. The spacer tool is of a length that corresponds with the predetermined distance between the optical component and the reference point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventor: Paul K. Rosenberg
  • Patent number: 7657188
    Abstract: A disclosed apparatus comprises a guiding element and a nonlinear element. The guiding element guides optical input signals, at least one of which is phase-modulated, to an interference area where such signals meet and interfere. The resulting interference signal is nonlinearly discriminated by the nonlinear element to produce an optical output signal that can be amplitude- or phase-modulated according to the phase modulation of the input signals. The invention also includes related methods and photonic logic gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: CoveyTech LLC
    Inventor: John Luther Covey
  • Publication number: 20100021184
    Abstract: An apparatus for handling an optical signal includes: an optical transmitting unit transmitting the optical signal from an input locus to an output locus. The optical transmitting unit includes a plurality of optical transmitting sections. Each respective optical transmitting section of the plurality of optical transmitting sections has a respective length and a respective attenuation gradient to establish a respective length-and-attenuation gradient configuration. Each respective optical transmitting section effects attenuation of the optical signal according to its respective length-and-attenuation gradient configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: BOEING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE
    Inventors: James D. Franklin, Luis Kil
  • Patent number: 7653317
    Abstract: A first light feedback element is arranged at an optical distance L1 from a front facet of a semiconductor laser from which an output light is emitted on an optical path of the output light. An i-th light feedback element is arranged at an optical distance Li from the front facet on the optical path of the output light, where i=2 to n, n is a positive integer not less than 2, and Li>L1. L1 and Li satisfies ((M?1)+0.01)<(Li/L1)<(M?0.01), where M is a positive integer not less than 2, satisfying (M?1)<(Li/L1)?M.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Ohki, Naoki Tsukiji, Hidehiro Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 7646991
    Abstract: An optical transmitter produces electromagnetic radiation (e.g., light) of at least one frequency (e.g., at a particular color frequency) by utilizing a resonant structure that is excited by the presence a beam of charged particles (e.g., a beam of electrons) where the electromagnetic radiation is transmitted along a communications medium (e.g., a fiber optic cable). In at least one embodiment, the frequency of the electromagnetic radiation is higher than that of the microwave spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Virgin Island Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson
  • Patent number: 7634200
    Abstract: A single wavelength fiber-optic communication system that mixes an Ethernet signal with a radio frequency signal is disclosed. The system includes an Ethernet signal module, a radio frequency signal module, a mixer module and a receiver module. The Ethernet signal module provides an Ethernet signal. The radio frequency signal module provides a radio frequency signal. The mixer module provides an optical mixed signal by means of mixing the Ethernet signal with the radio signal at a single wavelength. The receiver module transforms the optical mixed signal into the radio frequency signal and a digital signal that contains the Ethernet signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: National Central University
    Inventors: Yi-Jen Chan, Hsin-Pin Wang, Fan-Hsiu Huang, Dong-Ming Lin, Jia-Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 7623798
    Abstract: An optical transmitter for an optical communication system is provided. Included in the transmitter is a first optical delay element configured to generate a second optical signal from a first optical signal. A second optical delay element is configured to generate a fourth optical signal from a second optical signal. An optical multiplexer is configured to combine the third and fourth optical signals to produce a fifth optical signal. Also included is an optical modulator configured to alter a pulse width of the fifth optical signal to generate a sixth optical signal. An optical delay controller is configured to control the first optical delay element and the second optical delay element based on the sixth optical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventor: Youichi Akasaka
  • Patent number: 7620328
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an optical CDMA transmission system and method employing differential optical encoding and bipolar decoding. Differential encoding and bipolar decoding may be performed at the bit level, wherein differential phase encoding and decoding occurs on an entire composite signal. Differential encoding and bipolar decoding may also be performed at the chip level, wherein differential phase encoding and decoding occurs on individual spectral components of a given signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Telcordia Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Toliver
  • Patent number: 7616902
    Abstract: This invention generally relates to an optical filter for a fiber optic communication system. An optical filter may be used, following a directly modulated laser source, and converts a partially frequency modulated signal into a substantially amplitude modulated signal. The optical filter may compensate for the dispersion in the fiber optic transmission medium and may also lock the wavelength of the laser source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Mahgerefteh, Parviz Tayebati
  • Patent number: 7613401
    Abstract: A fiber optic communication system comprising: an optical signal source adapted to receive a binary base signal having a bit period T, and generate a first signal, wherein the first signal is frequency modulated; and an optical spectrum reshaper (OSR) adapted to reshape the first signal into a second signal, wherein the second signal is amplitude modulated and frequency modulated; characterized in that: the optical signal source is a laser in which frequency modulation is generated by modulating the loss of the laser cavity. A method for transmitting a signal, comprising: receiving a binary base signal having a bit period T, and generating a first signal, wherein the first signal is frequency modulated; and reshaping the first signal into a second signal, wherein the second signal is amplitude modulated and frequency modulated; characterized in that: the first signal is frequency modulated by using a laser in which frequency modulation is generated by modulating the loss of the laser cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Matsui, Parviz Tayebati, Daniel Mahgerefteh
  • Patent number: 7609977
    Abstract: A fiber optic communication system is disclosed having an optical signal source adapted to produce an amplitude and frequency modulated signal encoding binary data wherein high intensity 1 bits are red shifted relative to lower intensity 0 bits. The amplitude and frequency modulated signal is transmitted through a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA), which may operate in saturation. An optical spectrum reshaper (OSR) is adapted to reshape the output of the SOA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Matsui, Daniel Mahgerefteh, Xueyan Zheng, Kevin McCallion, Parviz Tayebati
  • Patent number: 7596325
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for pulse-amplitude equalization of rational harmonic mode-locked optical pulses provides modulation voltages greater than a switching voltage of a dual-electorde Mach-Zehnder modulator to electrodes of the Mach-Zehnder modulator, so that rational harmonic mode-locked optical pulses experience the same transmission coefficient through the Mach-Zehnder modulator, to thereby achieve amplitude-equalized rational harmonic mode-locked optical pulse trains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Chang Soo Park, Yun Jong Kim, Chung Ghiu Lee
  • Patent number: 7593647
    Abstract: An optical transmitter has a resonance wavelength characteristic that varies with the refractive index of the optical transmitter. The optical transmitter receives a narrow band injected wavelength signal from an incoherent light source. The controller substantially matches a resonant wavelength of the optical transmitter to the wavelength of the injected wavelength signal by changing the refractive index of the optical transmitter to substantially match the resonant wavelength of the optical transmitter and the wavelength of the injected wavelength signal. A detector measures a parameter of the optical transmitter to provide a feedback signal to a controller to determine when the resonant wavelength of the optical transmitter and the wavelength of the injected wavelength signal are substantially matched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Novera Optics, Inc.
    Inventors: Chang-Hee Lee, Kwang-Uk Chu, Bong-Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 7583894
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for modulating an optical signal using electroabsorption in conjunction with an optical interferometer. Phase-shift keying modulation can be achieved with lower amplitude modulator drive signals than conventional methods by splitting the signal to be modulated into multiple optical modes and interferometrically combining the modes after modulating at least one of the modes with an EAM. Using the present invention, the extinction ratio performance of ASK can be significantly improved for a given drive voltage or a desired extinction ratio can be achieved with a substantially lower drive voltage. Hence, the elecro-optic bandwidth of EAMs can be enhanced by overcoming the trade-off relationship between extinction ratio and bandwidth. Furthermore, the present invention can be used to generate other modulation formats, such as QPSK or QAM, with much lower drive voltages, thereby reducing the cost and power consumption of the high-speed drive electronics for the modulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc.
    Inventor: Inuk Kang
  • Patent number: 7577369
    Abstract: A transmitter on an integrated circuit chip is disclosed that employs a laser, modulator, and a dispersion compensator module and a modulator for overcoming chromatic dispersion and polarization dependent loss effects. With the present invention, the dispersion compensator module is placed on a chip, either integrated or monolithic, for operation with a laser and a modulator without the need to compensate for dispersion within a separate unit that is not part of the chip. The dispersion compensator module can be implemented, for example, with a ring resonator, an etalon or a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. In a first aspect of the invention, the optical transmitter module of the present invention provides a cost-effective solution for upgrading from an existing optical network to a faster optical network, such as upgrading from a 2.5 Gbps to a 10 Gbps network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Avanex Corporation
    Inventors: Giovanni Barbarossa, Roger A. Hajjar
  • Publication number: 20090196631
    Abstract: Monolithic single and/or dual detector structures are fabricated on the emitting surface of a VCSEL and/or on a lens or glass substrate configured to be positioned along the axis of emission of an optical light source. Each monolithic detector structure includes one or two PIN detectors fabricated from amorphous silicon germanium with carbon doping or amorphous germanium with hydrogen doping. The monolithic detectors may additionally include various metallization layers, buffer layers, and/or anti-reflective coatings. The monolithic detectors can be grown on 1550 NM VCSELs used in optical transmitters, including lasers with managed chirp and TOSA modules, to reduce power and real estate requirements of the optical transmitters, enabling the optical transmitters to be implemented in long-reach SFP+ transceivers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: FINISAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Henry M. Daghighian, Kevin J. McCallion
  • Patent number: 7565084
    Abstract: A robustly stabilized communication laser can output a multimode optical signal remaining aligned to a coordinate of a dense wavelength division multiplexing (“DWDM”) grid while responding to a fluctuating condition or random event, such as, without limitation, exposure to a temperature fluctuation, stray light, or contamination. Responsive to the fluctuating condition, energy can transfer among individual modes in a plurality of aligned longitudinal modes. Modes shifting towards a state of misalignment with the DWDM coordinate can attenuate, while modes shifting towards a state of alignment can gain energy. Fabrication processes and systems and light management, such as beam steering, epoxy scaffolds, spectral adjustments, mode matching, thermal expansion control, alignment technology, etc. can facilitate nano-scale control of device parameters and can support low-cost fabrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Inventor: Michael L. Wach
  • Patent number: 7561803
    Abstract: A signal interface comprises a non-reciprocal device having a first port that accepts a first electrical signal and a second port that accepts a second electrical signal. The non-reciprocal device passes the second electrical signal through the first port without a phase shift and passes the first electrical signal through the second port with a 180 degrees phase shift. An optical modulator receives an optical signal at an optical input port, a second signal at a first and a second electrical input port, the first electrical signal at a third electrical input port, and the phase-shifted first electrical signal from the non-reciprocal device at a fourth electrical input port. The optical modulator transmits the second electrical signal to the first port of the non-reciprocal device without a phase shift and modulates the first electrical signal on the optical signal and providing the modulated optical signal at an optical output port of the optical modulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Photonic Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: William K. Burns, Charles H. Cox, III, Rod Waterhouse
  • Patent number: 7561811
    Abstract: An optical device for regenerating an optical clock, including an optical path provided between an input port to which signal light modulated at a frequency fs is supplied and an output port, and an optical loop optically coupled to the optical path. The optical loop includes an optical amplifier for compensating for a loss in the optical loop so that laser oscillation occurs in the optical loop, an adjuster for adjusting the optical path length of the optical loop so that the frequency fs becomes equal to an integral multiple of the reciprocal of a recirculation period of the optical loop, and a nonlinear optical medium for mode-locking the laser oscillation according to the signal light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Shigeki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7561805
    Abstract: An optical transmitter has a case. The case houses a laser beam generator, a lens, a cooler, and a high heat conductivity member. The lens concentrates the laser beam generated by the laser beam generator and leads the laser beam to an optical fiber. The high heat conductivity member is arranged between the laser beam generator and the lens and the cooler. The laser beam generator has higher heat conductivity than that of the case. The laser beam generator conveys the heat generated in the laser beam generator to the cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: FiBest, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroatsu Aoki, Seishi Notomi
  • Patent number: 7561807
    Abstract: A WDM communication system having two optical-frequency comb sources (OFCSs) that are substantially phase-locked to one another, with one of these OFCSs used at a transmitter to produce a WDM communication signal and the other OFCS used at a receiver to produce multiple local-oscillator signals suitable for homodyne detection of the WDM communication signal received from the transmitter. In one embodiment, the transmitter has (i) a first OFCS adapted to generate a first frequency comb and (ii) an optical modulator adapted to use the first frequency comb to generate a WDM communication signal having at least two beacon lines for transmission to the receiver. The receiver has a second OFCS adapted to produce a second frequency comb having the beacon frequencies, with the phases of the corresponding comb lines being locked to the phases of the beacon lines of the received WDM signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Richard Doerr, Peter J. Winzer
  • Patent number: 7558488
    Abstract: A fiber optic system comprising a modulated signal source coupled to a spectral filtering element characterized in that the bandwidth of the optical spectrum of the signal after the spectral filtering element is reduced relative to the optical bandwidth of the spectrum before the filtering element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Matsui, Parvis Tayebati, Kevin McCallion
  • Patent number: 7555225
    Abstract: An optical communication system which has an optical signal source adapted to receive a base binary signal and produce a first signal, said first signal being frequency modulated; and an optical spectrum reshaper adapted to reshape the first signal into a second signal, said second signal being amplitude modulated and frequency modulated in which the frequency characteristics of said first signal, and the optical characteristics of said optical spectrum reshaper, being such that the frequency characteristics of said second signal are configured so as to increase the tolerance of the second signal to dispersion in a transmission fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Mahgerefteh, Yasuhiro Matsui, Xueyan Zheng, Bart Johnson, Duncan Walker, Parviz Tayebati
  • Patent number: 7546037
    Abstract: Systems and methods for encoding information in the topology of superpositions of helical modes of light, and retrieving information from each of the superposed modes individually or in parallel. These methods can be applied to beams of light that already carry information through other channels, such as amplitude modulation or wavelength dispersive multiplexing, enabling such beams to be multiplexed and subsequently demultiplexed. The systems and methods of the present invention increase the number of data channels carried by a factor of the number of superposed helical modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: New York University
    Inventor: David G. Grier
  • Patent number: 7542683
    Abstract: A fiber optic communication system comprising: an optical signal source adapted to receive a binary base signal having a bit period T, and generate a first signal, wherein the first signal is frequency modulated; and an optical spectrum reshaper (OSR) adapted to reshape the first signal into a second signal, wherein the second signal is amplitude modulated and frequency modulated; characterized in that: the frequency excursion of the first signal is adjusted such that the frequency excursion is substantially equal to the ratio of the bit period of the digital base signal to total dispersion of the transmission fiber, whereby to increase the tolerance of the second signal to dispersion in a transmission fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Matsui, Daniel Mahgerefteh
  • Patent number: 7536113
    Abstract: A fiber optic communication system, comprising: an optical signal source adapted to produce a frequency modulated signal; and an optical spectrum reshaper adapted to receive the frequency modulated signal and output a substantially amplitude modulated signal; wherein the optical spectrum reshaper limits the bandwidth of the frequency modulated signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Matsui, Duncan Walker, Daniel Mahgerefteh, Parviz Tayebati
  • Patent number: 7526210
    Abstract: An optical demodulator and accompanying method(s) that demodulates a DQPSK signal employing a single optical delay interferometer comprising a free-space Michelson interferometer having two optical paths, connected to a 1×2 coupler. Positioned within an arm of the Michelson interferometer is a phase shifter that produces a phase difference of ?/2 between the two paths. The resulting demodulator is compact, reliable, and may be constructed to be substantially immune from undesirable thermal sensitivities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc.
    Inventor: Xiang Liu
  • Patent number: 7522846
    Abstract: A method and system is provided that is capable of controlling transmit power to achieve a desired OSNR at a receive endpoint. The system utilizes the fact that the aggregate power for a plurality of channels is controllable between a transmission point and a receive point in the network, and uses this characteristic to coarsely adjust transmission powers in the network to achieve desired OSNR results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: Stephen Lewis, Nigel Bragg
  • Patent number: 7515833
    Abstract: An all optical network for optical signal traffic has at least a first ring with at least one transmitter and one receiver. The first ring includes a plurality of network nodes. At least a first add/drop broadband coupler is coupled to the first ring. The broadband coupler includes an add port and a drop port to add and drop wavelengths to and or from the first ring, a pass-through direction and an add/drop direction. The first add/drop broadband coupler is configured to minimize a pass-through loss in the first ring and is positioned on the first ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: OpVista Incorporated
    Inventor: Winston I. Way
  • Patent number: 7509057
    Abstract: The infrared LED of an IrDA module transmits IR energy with a peak wavelength (for example, 875 nm) appropriate for IrDA communication. This peak wavelength is lower than is the wavelength (for example, 940 nm) used in ordinary IR remote controls (RC). The IrDA LED does, however, transmit some energy at the wavelength of the peak sensitivity of an RC receiver. When making an IrDA transmission, the IrDA LED is driven with a lower amount of current. When making an RC transmission, the IrDA LED is driven with an increased amount of current such that higher wavelength emissions received by the RC receiver are of adequate power to realize RC communication. A passive circuit is disclosed for automatically increasing IrDA LED current during RC transmissions. The circuit involves an inductor that shunts current around a current-limiting resistor used to limit LED drive current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: ZiLOG, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Grace
  • Patent number: 7509052
    Abstract: An optical receiver includes a first light receiving element to convert an optical signal to an electric signal and to output the electric signal from one end. A light receiving element row is connected to the other end of the first light receiving element to supply electric power to the first light receiving element. The light receiving element row includes a plurality of second light receiving elements connected in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Shimada, Asako Ikeda, Shigeyuki Sakura
  • Patent number: 7505694
    Abstract: A fiber optic communication system for receiving an electronic digital data signal and transmitting the same, comprising an optical signal source adapted to receive the digital data signal and to produce a frequency modulated optical signal from a directly modulated semiconductor laser; an optical spectrum reshaper adapted to convert the frequency modulated optical signal into an amplitude modulated optical signal; and compensation apparatus for compensating for the adverse effects of the thermal chirp normally induced in the frequency modulated optical signal by modulating the semiconductor laser with the electronic digital data signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventors: Bart Johnson, Daniel Mahgerefteh, Kevin McCallion, Zhencan (Frank) Fan, David Piede, Parviz Tayebati
  • Patent number: 7502566
    Abstract: A light-emitting module outputting laser beam emitted from a semiconductor light-emitting element via a lens, the light-emitting module includes a first main plane, a mount portion on the first main plane that mounts the semiconductor light-emitting element, a lens holding portion that holds the lens so that a light axis of the lens corresponds to a reference line crossed at right angles to the first main plane, a semiconductor light-receiving element that receives the laser beam reflected by the lens out of the laser beam emitted from the semiconductor light-emitting element. The semiconductor light-receiving element is positioned on the light axis of the lens and the semiconductor light-emitting element is provided away from the light axis of the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuaki Kuwata, Hideo Nakayama, Akemi Murakami, Ryoji Ishii, Naotaka Mukoyama