Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing the task scheduling efficiency of firmware and/or software associated with optoelectronic transceiver devices. In one example, a scheduling module executes microcode that schedules tasks based on the operational parameters. The scheduling module compares operational parameters with their last known values and then flags necessary tasks to be initiated. The scheduling module flags only those tasks that rely on a particular operational parameter and only if the operational parameter has changed in value since the most recent time that it has been measured. Specifically, the scheduling module identifies leading tasks and dependent tasks and flags tasks only if data that relies on the operating parameter has changed since a previous task scheduling determination.

Abstract: A method, system and computer-usable medium are disclosed for visually indicating the remaining life of a small form factor pluggable (SFP) optical transceiver module. The total number of optical light pulse signals processed by an SFP are compared to a predetermined lifecycle number of signals that can be processed before the SFP enters a failed operating state. The remaining life of the SFP is calculated. A first display visually indicates that the total number of processed signals has not exceeded the lifecycle number of signals. A second display located on the SFP enclosure visually indicates the SFP has reached the end of its lifecycle.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed that allows for the monitoring, analyzing and reporting on performance, availability and quality of optical network paths. The correlation of PM parameter metrics to client connections, coupled with threshold-based alarm generation provides a proactive and predictive management, reporting and analyzing of the health and effectiveness of individual path connections to alert Operational Support (OS) staff and/or customers to signal degradation and impending Network Element (NE) failures. The system and method performs in real-time processing intervals required for alarm surveillance in a telecommunications network.

Abstract: A communication network access device is adapted for duplex communication and provides transmit and receive signal paths. A controllable socket is coupled to the transmit and receive signal paths and linked to a control interface for activating/deactivating the control interface. A pluggable module is coupled to the transmit and receive signal paths via the controllable socket in an activated status and to a transmission path carrying uni-directional signals. The module includes a first optical device and a splitter in the transmission path and is coupled to a second optical device via the splitter. The second optical device responds to a portion of uni-directional signals provided by the splitter for placing the communication access device in a link up condition for uni-directional signals provided by the first optical device to the transmission path serving an optical local area network.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods, apparatus, and systems for cable monitoring. One embodiment includes a method that receives data from an optical transceiver coupled to a cable and a RFID (radio frequency identification) device mounted to the cable. The data from the optical transceiver and RFID device is used to determine an operational status of the cable.

Abstract: In a passive optical network system, a parent station includes a reception circuit that receives an optical signal from each of child stations using a threshold used to identify if the optical signal is 0 or 1; a bandwidth setting unit that determines a time at which each child station sends an optical signal; a storage unit that stores thresholds and intensities of optical signals received from the child stations; and a control unit that sets a threshold, stored corresponding to a sending time, in the reception circuit to control a reception of an optical signal. The control unit has a function that compares an intensity of a signal received from each child station at an optical signal reception time with information stored in the storage unit to detect and determine a fault in the child station or in the optical fiber connected to the child station.

Abstract: An optoelectronic device uses microcode to perform an end of life calculation for the optoelectronic device. In a disclosed example, the optoelectronic device senses environmental and operational parameters under changing conditions during device operation. The optoelectronic device then calculates the end of life for itself based on one or more of the sensed environmental and/or operational parameters. The calculation can be done in real time and using digital logic. The calculation can provide a result in a format which is useful to a host system with which the device is connected. The optoelectronic device may automatically shut itself down upon reaching its calculated end of life.

Abstract: The invention relates to a protection device for removing signal interference in a passive optical network and to a corresponding passive optical network and to a method for removing signal interference in a passive optical network.

Abstract: A system, method and computer readable medium comprising instructions for sending a message from an Optical Network Terminal (ONT) to an Optical Line Terminal (OLT), if the ONT does not receive an expected OLT action or an expected OLT response to the message within a period, considering the non-receipt of the expected OLT action or the expected OLT response a failure, and if a certain number of consecutive failures have occurred, considering by the ONT that it has entered an uncontrolled state.

Abstract: A method of controlling communication between transceivers includes transmitting payload data from a transmitter of a first transceiver in a data channel of a physical link to a receiver of a second transceiver, the second transceiver further including an equalizer, varying equalizer settings in the equalizer, analyzing effects of varying equalizer settings to determine transmitter diagnostic settings for the first transceiver, and transmitting the transmitter diagnostic settings from a transmitter of the second transceiver in an out-of-band channel of a physical link to a receiver of the first transceiver a second transceiver in a data channel.

Abstract: A fire alarm network fiber optic multiplex modem includes plural local interfaces, a fiber optic interface, a multiplexor, a fiber optic modem, and a demultiplexor. The multiplexor combines data received at the local interfaces into an outgoing data stream. The fiber optic modem transmits, at a first wavelength, the outgoing data stream to the fiber optic interface and receives, at a second wavelength, an incoming data stream via the fiber optic interface. The demultiplexor separates the incoming data stream into separate data streams, and forwards each of the separate data streams to its corresponding local interface.

Abstract: Optical fiber-based wireless systems and related components and methods are disclosed. The systems support radio frequency (RF) communications with clients over optical fiber, including Radio-over-Fiber (RoF) communications. The systems may be provided as part of an indoor distributed antenna system (IDAS) to provide wireless communication services to clients inside a building or other facility. The communications can be distributed between a head end unit (HEU) that receives carrier signals from one or more service or carrier providers and converts the signals to RoF signals for distribution over optical fibers to end points, which may be remote antenna units (RAUs). A microprocessor-based control system or systems may also be employed.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to an analyzer device configured to interface with an optical transceiver module having a diagnostic communications port, wherein the port is configured to access diagnostic and other data contained within the transceiver controller via a backdoor interface. Controller data, including operational parameter values and module setup values, is accessible while the transceiver operates in conjunction with an external host and may be retrieved, and sometimes modified, in real time without interrupting normal transceiver operation or suspending the transmission of data over optical fibers. The analyzer device accesses the data via the diagnostic communications port on the outside of the transceiver module.

Abstract: Methods and systems for an optical line termination including instructions stored on a computer-readable medium, the instructions including a digital diagnostic table, and a plurality of entries within the diagnostic table, wherein a first entry is associated with a first optical network unit, the first entry including at least one setting for performing burst mode digital diagnostic processes using a first burst mode transmission received from the first optical network unit.

Abstract: The embodiments of the invention provide a method of routing convergence in a control plane of an intelligent optical network, which includes: a function unit perceiving a service link state transmitting an alarm notification message indicating a failure in a service link to a routing protocol unit when the service link is in failure; the routing protocol unit confirming a service link failure in the control plane according to the alarm notification message. The embodiments of the invention also provide an apparatus of routing convergence in a control plane of an intelligent optical network. According to the embodiments of the invention, the establishment of a new service or re-routing may be implemented within several seconds or even hundreds of milliseconds after the service link failure in the control plane occurs.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to an optical transceiver module having a status indicator assembly, wherein the status indicator assembly is configured to visually display the operational status of the transceiver transmitter and receiver components. The operational status is accessible while the transceiver operates in conjunction with an external host and may be ascertained in real time without interrupting normal transceiver operation or suspending the transmission of data over optical fibers.

Abstract: An all-optical carrier sense multiple access collision detection apparatus and method for checking by using mutual gain saturation whether distortion occurs in two or more optical signals due to mutual interference when the optical signals pass through a semiconductor optical amplifier.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium for rogue Optical Network Unit (ONU) detection via photonic mixing, comprises a first Wavelength Division Multiplexer (WDM), a second WDM communicably coupled to the first WDM, a non-linear medium communicably coupled to the second WDM, and a photodetector communicably coupled to the non-linear medium, wherein the first WDM transmits a first upstream beam and a second upstream beam to the second WDM, wherein the first upstream beam is a normal upstream beam and wherein the second upstream beam is a rogue upstream beam, wherein the second WDM transmits the normal upstream beam and the rogue upstream beam to the non-linear medium, wherein the non-linear medium mixes the normal upstream beam and the rogue upstream beam resulting in a mixed beam, wherein the non-linear medium transmits the mixed beam to the photodetector, and wherein the photodetector analyzes the mixed beam to indicate the presence of a rogue ONU.

Abstract: An optical keyless entry sensor system and method includes an optical sensor in association with a mirror that reflects light transmitted from the optical sensor, wherein reflected light is detectable by the optical sensor. An attenuation filter can be located between the mirror and the optical sensor, wherein the attenuation filter is configured to simulate a contamination of the optical sensor in order to determine an exact level of attenuation representative of contamination that causes a performance failure of the optical sensor, thereby providing data which is indicative of a dynamic range of the optical sensor, such that the dynamic range is utilized to enhance the performance of the optical keyless entry sensor system.

Abstract: Provided are an optical output power control method that provides optical communication without harming the human body even when a transmission line is cut or no optical network unit (ONU) accesses a communication system, and a passive optical network (PON) system using the method. In the method, an optical signal having a predetermined period is transmitted when an optical communication system is in an abnormal state, wherein the predetermined period includes a laser-on time interval in which the optical signal has a normal power level and a laser-off time interval in which the optical signal is off or has a power level lower than the normal power level, so that the optical communication system performs optical communication without harming the human body even during the abnormal state.

Abstract: Optical test apparatus. A test apparatus for testing transmitter or receiver devices. The test apparatus includes a transmitter source configured to connect to an optical transmitter. A wide band, wide area optical detector is adapted to optically couple to the optical transmitter powered by the transmitter source. A filter is connected to the optical detector. The filter is configured to separate AC and DC portions of a signal received from the optical detector. A true RMS converter is connected to the filter. The filter is configured to convert an AC noise signal received from the filter to a function of an RMS value of the AC noise signal received from the optical detector. A data acquisition system is connected to the true RMS converter. The data acquisition system is configured to characterize noise characteristics of the transmitter source.

Abstract: An optical transmitting and receiving apparatus 1 has a transmitting circuit unit 20 including a light emitting element 2 and a driving circuit 3 which drives the light emitting element 2, a receiving circuit unit 30 including a light receiving element 5 and amplification circuit 6 which amplifies a signal received from the light receiving element 5, a judging unit 8 which judges an abnormality or failure of either or both of the transmitting circuit unit 20 and the receiving circuit unit 30 based on a measured data value provided from the transmitting circuit unit 20 and/or the receiving circuit unit 30, and a measured value storing unit 9 which stores the measure data value in the case that the judging unit 8 judges the abnormality or failure occurs in the transmitting circuit unit 20 and/or the receiving circuit unit 30.

Abstract: Component malfunctions in passive optical networks (PON) can increase bit error rates and decrease signal-to-noise ratio of communications signals. These faults may cause the receivers of the signals, either the optical line terminal (OLT) or optical network terminals (ONTs), to experience intermittent faults and/or may result in misinterpreted commands that disrupt other ONT's communication, resulting in a rogue ONT condition. Existing PON protocol detection methods may not detect these types of malfunctions. An embodiment of the present invention identifies faults in a PON by transmitting a test series of data patterns via an optical communications path from a first optical network node to a second optical network node. The test series is compared to an expected series of data patterns. An error rate may be calculated as a function of the differences between the test series and expected series. The error rate may be reported to identify faults in the PON.

Abstract: An optical transmission system includes more optical channels than electrical channels. If an optical channel is not functioning, the signals may be diverted to another optical channel since there are more optical channels than electrical channels. Embodiments of the present invention also relate to switches for switching the electrical channels to particular optical channels on either or both of the transmission and reception side. The switches include switching elements and selector elements for routing the electrical signals between the electrical channels and optical channels. In one embodiment, the multiple optical channels are incorporated into a single cable. The single cable may have the electrical interface for a number of electrical channels exposed for mechanical and electrical coupling with an external port, whereas the optical channels may be hidden within the cable coating.

Abstract: An optoelectronic device uses microcode to perform an end of life calculation for the optoelectronic device. In a disclosed example, the optoelectronic device senses environmental and operational parameters under changing conditions during device operation. The optoelectronic device then calculates the end of life for itself based on one or more of the sensed environmental and/or operational parameters. The calculation can be done in real time and using digital logic. The calculation can provide a result in a format which is useful to a host system with which the device is connected. The optoelectronic device may automatically shut itself down upon reaching its calculated end of life.

Abstract: A data processing device is connectable to a communication network and operable to receive data associated with an attenuation characteristic of a transmission line of a cable in a cable communication subsystem, the subsystem comprising a transmitter and/or receiver coupled to the cable. The data processing device is responsive to the received data to initiate a security procedure.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and program, for evaluating an optical network node. The method comprises providing at least one communication path of the node with a capability by which lasing can occur in the communication path, and detecting whether lasing has been established in the communication path to determine whether the optical node is operational. If no lasing is detected in the detecting, a fault exists in the communication path. The method further comprises determining an insertion loss in the communication path, and determining whether the insertion loss is comparable to a predetermined insertion loss, to confirm whether the node is configured correctly.

Abstract: A light-powered data acquisition and control system immune to electromagnetic interference employs smart sensors in a network configuration capable of decentralized communication. A smart sensor with integral transducer encloses a microprocessor, fiber optic transceiver, and photovoltaic converter within a Faraday cage. Optical fibers link plural sensors for duplex communication with a fiber optic splitter, which transmits high intensity light to the converter for powering the sensors. The sensor converts analog input from the transducer into bit packets for fiber optic transmission to the network via the splitter. Firmware in the splitter converts the bit packets to network protocol and vice versa enabling data communication among sensors, splitters, and control receivers. Verification algorithms for testing sensors are run automatically by the microprocessor or through commands issued via the network. Mnemonics stored in the sensors provide automatic updating of system configuration.

Abstract: An integrated optical transceiver includes an optical receiver that produces a first electrical signal at a reception electrical interface in response to a first optical signal, an optical transmitter that emits a second optical signal in response to a second electrical signal received at a transmission electrical interface, a first optical branching device that receives the first optical signal at an reception optical interface and to direct at least a portion of the first optical signal to the optical receiver, and a second optical branching device that directs the second optical signal to an transmission optical interface. The first optical branching device directs at least a portion of the first optical signal to the second optical branching device. The second optical branching device directs the portion of the first optical signal received from the first optical branching device to the transmission optical interface.

Abstract: A fiber-optic communications interface (110) and method of operation that operates with a paired fiber-optic communications interface (112) in a redundant communications termination point (101). The fiber-optic communications interface (110) has a paired card interface (122) that exchanges at least a first subset of status data between a local bearer processor (124) and a paired bearer processor (144) located within a different card cage (112). The local bearer processor (124) processes bearer data channels communicating with a remote site (102) through a remote site fiber-optic line (106). A local data interface (128) exchanges data contained in the bearer data channels between the local bearer processor (124) and a local user data network (114). The local data interface (128) also exchanges at least a second subset of the status data with the paired bearer processor (144) through the local user data network (114).

Abstract: An optical transceiver is disclosed in which the optical output thereof is controlled without degrading the signal quality. The optical transceiver of the invention includes a plurality of transmitter units and a controller that adjusts the bias current of respective transmitter units. The controller, receiving information to decrease/increase the output of the optical transceiver, decides a unique unit that has a largest margin to increase/decrease the bias current and provides a control signal only to the unique unit to increase/decrease the bias current.

Abstract: In a point-to-multipoint network of an optical line terminal (OLT) and multiple optical network units (ONUS) wherein each ONU is enabled to send a signal only within a time period enabled for the ONU, the OLT (or a system installed therein) identifies a defective one of the ONUs. For each of a given series of time periods, the OLT measures an optical reception level of an optical fiber signal in the time period. The OLT stores, in advance, in a table at least the reception level of a received signal from each ONU in association with the ONU. The reception level is measured in a normal state where signals from the ONUs are exclusively received. For each of the given series of time periods, the OLT decides whether a signal from one of the ONUs associated with the time period is exclusively received with no collision with any other signal.

Abstract: An optical network transmission channel failover switching device is proposed, which is designed for use in conjunction with an optical network for providing a transmission channel failover switching function, which is characterized by the provision of a two-to-two (2×2) type of optical switch, a one-to-two (1×2) type of optical switch, and a monitoring beam generating module for providing a backup channel monitoring function that can be used to activate the switching action. This feature allows the utilization of the optical network system to have enhanced reliability, serviceability, and security.

Abstract: An optical transmission control circuit includes: an analog input section which receives optical transmission states as an analog values; an A/D conversion section which converts the analog values into digital values; a value storage section which stores maximum value of the digital values provided by the A/D conversion section; an output register which outputs a value to a host apparatus; and a control section which controls the maximum value storage section to store the maximum value of the digital values therein and controls the output register to output the maximum value to the host apparatus.

Abstract: An optical transmission apparatus to which an optical module having optical module information stored therein is attachable, the optical module information being manufacturing information about the optical module, includes a certification rank table configured to a list, with respect to each of a plurality of optical modules, the optical module information regarding an optical module and a rank indicative of a range of guarantee for the corresponding optical module, and a ranking unit configured to refer to the certification rank table by use of the optical module information stored in an optical module attached to the optical transmission apparatus so as to determine the rank indicative of a range of guarantee for the attached optical module, wherein the determined rank is reported to an exterior of the apparatus.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for performing jitter measurements in a transceiver module. Accordingly, there is no need to use expensive test equipment that must be inserted into and removed from the network in order to obtain these measurements. In addition, because the measurements can be obtained at any time without any interruption in communications over the network, jitter performance can be monitored more closely and more frequently to facilitate better and earlier diagnosis of problems that can lead to failures in the network.

Abstract: A method and corresponding apparatus is disclosed for determining a particular Optical Network Terminal (ONT) in a Passive Optical Network (PON) is malfunctioning by sending a continuous stream of light up a shared fiber, which results in adversely affecting communications between the ONT and an Optical Line Terminal (OLT). The example embodiment verifies the failure is due to a faulty optical transmitter in the ONT and not a different network fault, such as a fiber optic line cut or power outage. Through the use of the example embodiment, a service provider can determine in an automated manner which specific ONT of a PON is malfunctioning.

Abstract: Alerts, such as laser driver current alarms, are triggered in an optoelectronic device based on dynamic digital diagnostics, such as operating temperature. Optoelectronic devices may execute microcode structured to represent a formulaic relation between a first parameter (e.g., temperature) and an indicator value for a second parameter (e.g., laser driver current). The microcode may further be structured to cause the optoelectronic device to access the first parameter, calculate an indicator value for the second parameter based on the accessed first parameter using the formulaic relation, access the second parameter, and compare the indicator value with the second parameter to determine whether to trigger an alert. If the second parameter exceeds the indicator value, the alert may be triggered, and may be indicative of potentially imminent optoelectronic device failure.

Abstract: A method for dynamically updating an optical transceiver (or optical transmitter or optical receiver) that has at least one processor, a persistent memory, and a microcode loader mechanism. The persistent memory includes microcode comprising instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, control at least one component of the optical transceiver, transmitter, or receiver. In order to implement the invention, data is written to the persistent memory of the optical transceiver to indicate that an updating of microcode currently stored on the persistent memory is to occur. The optical transceiver processes received microcode, which contains instructions that are structured such that when executed by the at least one processor of the optical transceiver, the execution of the instructions affects the operation of the optical transceiver. Then, the processed representation of the received microcode is written to the persistent memory.

Abstract: An optical communication system has two or more active interfaces, each controlling the transmission and reception of optical signals between a communication network and one or more subscriber terminals according to control information pertaining to the individual subscriber terminals. The control information used by all the active interfaces is stored in a memory. The optical communication system also has a standby interface that is functionally equivalent to the active interfaces, and an optical switching apparatus that switches data transmission paths among the network, the active and standby interfaces, and the subscriber terminals. If a fault is detected in an active interface, the standby interface extracts the control information of the faulty interface from the memory, and the optical switching apparatus switches the data transmission paths so that the standby interface replaces the faulty interface.

Abstract: An optoelectronic module for converting and coupling an information-containing electrical signal with an optical fiber including a housing having an electrical input for coupling with an external cable or information system device and for transmitting and receiving information-containing electrical signals over such input, and a fiber optic connector adapted for coupling with an external optical fiber for transmitting and receiving an optical signal; an electro-optic subassembly coupled to the information containing electrical signal and converting it to and/or from a modulated optical signal corresponding to the electrical signal; parametric data-collection means disposed in the housing acquiring environmental and/or operational data associated with the module; and a communication interface for wirelessly transferring the data to an external device, such as a portable terminal.

Abstract: A system (50) includes a communication path (170) and transmits data on a network (103, 106). A transmitter (101) transmits data on the network and a receiver (112) receives data from the network. A component (102, 114) in the communication path has a transfer characteristic (C1, C2, C3) adjusted in response to errors in data transmitted over and received from the network in order to reduce the error rate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling the modulation current of a laser included as a component of an optical transmitter, such as an optical transceiver module, are disclosed. Control of the modulation current, which affects various laser operational parameters, including extinction ratio and optical modulation amplitude, enables operation of the laser to be optimized, thereby enabling reliable transceiver performance to be achieved. In one embodiment, a method for modifying the modulation current in an optical transceiver module includes first sensing analog voltage data that proportionally relates to an actual modulation current of the laser. Once sensed, the analog voltage data are converted to digital voltage data. Using the digital voltage data, the actual modulation current of the laser is determined, then a desired modulation current is determined. Should a discrepancy exist between the actual and desired modulation currents, the actual modulation current is modified to match the desired current.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media provide for notifying and determining a location of a fiber cut. According to embodiments, a method for determining a location of a fiber cut in a passive optical network (PON) including a plurality of optical network terminations (ONTs) is provided. According to the method, a plurality of base signatures are generated prior to the fiber cut. Each of the base signatures correspond to a known configuration of the plurality of ONTs. In response to the fiber cut, a current signature corresponding to a current configuration of the plurality of ONTs is generated. Whether the current signature matches one of the base signatures is determined. In response to finding a matching base signature, the location of the fiber cut is determined based on the known configuration of the plurality of ONTs corresponding to the matching base signature.

Abstract: A system according to embodiments of the invention may include a first communication path that converts an optically-modulated source signal to a radio signal based on a detected degradation in a quality of a received optical signal, and a second communication path that converts a radio-modulated source signal to an optical signal based on a detected degradation in a quality of a received radio signal. The system has the ability to automatically adapt to diverse weather conditions to improve the reliability of a communication link without user intervention while supporting multiple modulation schemes.

Abstract: An electro-optical transceiver module having at least one parallel optical transmit lane and at least one parallel optical receiver lane, the module comprising optical receiver lane signal detection circuitry to detect a loss of signal on one or more of the receive lanes, and optical transmit lane control circuitry to control a optical transmit lane corresponding to the receive lane, on which a loss of signal was detected to transmit a signaling mode optical signal indicating the loss of signal on the receive lane. In a multiple lane parallel optic embodiment, and by signaling a loss of a signal on a per lane basis, a break or fault in a sub-set of fibers of a parallel optical link will not result in the entire parallel optic link being lost.

Abstract: An optical network transmission channel failover switching device is proposed, which is designed for use in conjunction with an optical network for providing a transmission channel failover switching function, which is characterized by the provision of a pair of two-to-two (2×2) optical switches and an optical transceiver module for providing a backup channel monitoring function that can be used to activate the failover switching action. This feature allows the utilization of the optical network system to have enhanced reliability, serviceability, and security.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for sensing which faults have occurred in a laser control system, as well as trapping and identifying the first fault occurrence. The apparatus includes an integrated circuit in which a mask register is set by means of a micro-controller or a host system to select which fault sources are to be recorded. A status bit register in which the fault indications are stored can also be interrogated by the micro-controller or a host system. A settable first fault status register determines whether every fault or only the first fault gets recorded.

Abstract: An optical transceiver includes an electric terminal that can receive power from a host equipment and provide a power supply voltage to the optical transceiver, and a power failure monitor circuit that can detect an imminent loss of the power supply voltage. The power failure monitor circuit can produce a dying-gasp control signal when such imminent loss of power supply voltage is detected or when a disabling control signal is received from the host equipment. A driver can receive the dying-gasp control signal. An optical transmitter is powered by the power supply voltage and can emit a first optical signal under the control of the driver. The driver can modulate an envelope of the first optical signal in response to the dying-gasp control signal to produce a modulated envelope comprising a first dying gasp signal.

Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention, an optical device tester performs stressed eye testing on several optical receivers and transmission and dispersion penalty testing on optical transmitters at a variety of data rates wavelengths using single mode optical signals and multimode optical signals using a variety of supply voltages and temperatures.