Abstract: A data transmission circuit of an image sensor includes first to Kth bus segments, and first to Kth data regeneration circuits respectively connected to the first to Kth bus segments and the first to (K?1)th data regeneration circuits respectively connected to the second to Kth bus segments. Each of the first to Kth data regeneration circuits may be embodied as one of a buffer, a logic gate, and a synchronous circuit operating in response to a clock signal.

Abstract: Messages may be provided to a source queue in serialized order, each message associated with a serialization context. The messages may be buffered in the source queue until a transmission time is reached, in turn, for each buffered message. Transmission-ready messages may be sent from the source queue according to the serialized order, using the serialization context, while continuing to store existing messages that are not yet transmission-ready. A queue assignment of the serialization context may be changed to a target queue. Subsequent messages may be provided with the serialization context to the target queue for buffering therein, while remaining transmission-ready messages may be continued to be sent from the source queue. The existing messages from the source queue associated with the serialization context may be determined to have been sent, and the subsequent messages may be sent from the target queue in serialized order, using the serialization context.

Abstract: A fiber optic-based communications network includes: a power insertion device, connected to multiple fiber links from a data source, configured to provide power insertion to a hybrid fiber/power cable connected to at least one fiber link of the multiple fiber links; the hybrid fiber/power cable, connecting the power insertion device to a connection interface device, configured to transmit data and power from the power insertion device to the connection interface device; and the connection interface device, configured to provide an interface for connection to an end device via a power over Ethernet (PoE)-compatible connection and to provide optical to electrical media conversion for data transmitted from the power insertion device to an end device via the hybrid fiber/power cable and the PoE-compatible connection.

Abstract: Systems and methods according to these exemplary embodiments provide for methods and systems that allow for either reducing signal loss or improving the optical signal strength in a PON for increasing optical signal range.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for line coding in a communications network are described. According to one embodiment of the invention, downstream communications traffic bits are received and mapped into downstream bit positions of a transmission structure. A pre-selected bit in each upstream bit positions of the transmission structure is provided to form a downstream transmission structure. A downstream optical signal carrying the downstream transmission structure is generated for transmission. Upstream communications traffic bits are also received and mapped into the upstream bit positions of the transmission structure to form an upstream transmission structure. An upstream optical signal carrying the upstream transmission structure is generated for transmission.

Abstract: An optical fiber transmission distribution assembly, wherein the assembly comprises at least a first splitter having a first split ratio of 1:x (where x is an integer) connected to optical drop cables leading to subscribers, and at least a second splitter having a second split ratio of 1:y (where y is an integer and is different from x), and transfer means whereby an optical drop cable connected to the first splitter can be transferred to receive split optical signals from the second splitter, thereby enabling the signal in the transferred drop cable to be further split by addition of a third splitter at a ratio of 1:p (where p is an integer), to provide p subscriber connection points each having a 1:p*y split ratio at the subscriber end of the transferred drop cable.

Abstract: A number of fiber optic networks, nodes, and methods are disclosed. One fiber optic network embodiment includes a network module including a star coupler for receiving a signal from a number of nodes and outputting a combined signal, including the received signals, to the number of nodes, and the number of nodes optically connected to the network module, the number of nodes including a transmit module including a first adjustable optical amplifier and a number of optical emitters, a receive module including a second adjustable optical amplifier and a number of receivers, and a controller coupled to the transmit and receive modules for adjusting the first and second optical amplifiers in response to the combined signal.

Abstract: A number of fiber optic networks, nodes, and methods are disclosed. One fiber optic network embodiment includes a network module including a star coupler for receiving a signal from a number of nodes and outputting a combined signal, including the received signals, to the number of nodes, and the number of nodes optically connected to the network module, the number of nodes including a transmit module including a first adjustable optical amplifier and a number of optical emitters, a receive module including a second adjustable optical amplifier and a number of receivers, and a controller coupled to the transmit and receive modules for adjusting the first and second optical amplifiers in response to the combined signal.

Abstract: An optical switch controller controls an optical interconnection network that variably connects at least one input data channel to a plurality of outputs channels via at least one switching element. An address reader module has at least one semiconductor optical amplifier optically processes an optical signal. The address reader module obtains information by reading a data tag from the input data channel, and outputs an address control signal based on the information. The address control signal can be used to control switching elements in the optical interconnection network.

Abstract: A number of fiber optic networks, nodes, and methods are disclosed. One fiber optic network embodiment includes a network module including a star coupler for receiving a signal from a number of nodes and outputting a combined signal, including the received signals, to the number of nodes, and the number of nodes optically connected to the network module, the number of nodes including a transmit module including a first adjustable optical amplifier and a number of optical emitters, a receive module including a second adjustable optical amplifier and a number of receivers, and a controller coupled to the transmit and receive modules for adjusting the first and second optical amplifiers in response to the combined signal.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a first optical transmitter configured to couple to a second optical transmitter, a first optical receiver, and a seed light source, wherein the first optical transmitter and the first optical receiver are part of a first passive optical network (PON) and the second optical transmitter and a second optical receiver are part of a second PON, and wherein at least one of the first optical transmitter and the second optical transmitter is an injection locked laser transmitter. Also disclosed is a method comprising feeding a seed light to a plurality of injection locked laser transmitters in a plurality of PONs using only one broadband light source (BLS), wherein each PON comprises an optical line terminal (OLT) transmitter and a plurality of optical network units (ONUs) transmitters.

Abstract: An optical network system is disclosed by which flexible wavelength path setting can be performed in accordance with tree-shaped and star-shaped network topology. A central node includes a multiplexing section for multiplexing optical signals transmitted from user nodes and inputted thereto, and a central node side branching section for branching the optical signal multiplexed by the multiplexing section and supplying the branched optical signals to the user nodes. Each of the user nodes includes a transmission section capable of outputting an optical signal to which transmission wavelengths different from those of the other user nodes are set, and a reception section for extracting selected optical wavelength components from the branched light supplied thereto from the central node side branching section and extracting optical signals from the extracted optical wavelength components.

Abstract: Communication is provided between at least two of a plurality of stations. A signal is received from a first one of the plurality of stations, and the signal is coded using a first code that is assigned to that station. The coded signal is converted to obtain a further coded signal that is decodable using a further code that is assigned to at least a second one of the plurality of stations. The further coded signal is transmitted for delivery to at least the second one of the plurality of stations.

Abstract: An optical network system is disclosed by which flexible wavelength path setting can be performed in accordance with tree-shaped and star-shaped network topology. A central node includes a multiplexing section for multiplexing optical signals transmitted from user nodes and inputted thereto, and a central node side branching section for branching the optical signal multiplexed by the multiplexing section and supplying the branched optical signals to the user nodes. Each of the user nodes includes a transmission section capable of outputting an optical signal to which transmission wavelengths different from those of the other user nodes are set, and a reception section for extracting selected optical wavelength components from the branched light supplied thereto from the central node side branching section and extracting optical signals from the extracted optical wavelength components.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for time-domain wavelength interleaved networking that reduce the need for complex time-slot scheduling and reduce the routing complexity. Substantially all communications in the time-domain wavelength interleaved network pass through a hub node. In addition, interior nodes in the time-domain wavelength interleaved network will forward substantially all communications received from the hub node that are destined for another node on all branches outward from the hub node. The central hub node can impose a timing reference. Thus, the transmission and reception of a message can be synchronized such that a message sent in a time-slot k by a node Ni will be received by a node Nj in the time-slot k. Further, the hub node can recover from a link failure by shifting transmission times of all nodes that are separated from the hub node by the failed link.

Abstract: A method and system includes at least one interconnect hub, connecting the at least one interconnect hub to a plurality of audio connection devices to form a network of audio connection devices with the interconnect hub at the center of the ring. The audio connection devices are connected to each other through the at least one interconnect hub, and data is synchronously transmitted between at least two of the audio connection devices through the at least one interconnect hub.

Abstract: An optical switch is provided with: an optical matrix switch; and an optical path decision section which divides input light into two branches, supplies the input light of one divided branch to the optical matrix switch, demultiplexes the input light of the other divided branch into the light of individual wavelengths, subjects the demultiplexed optical signals to photoelectric conversion and generates electric signals corresponding to individual wavelengths, outputs connection request signals to SW connection request adjustment circuits for O1 to O4 which are set beforehand for individual wavelengths by receiving the generated electric signals, supplies, to the optical matrix switch, input port information JP corresponding to connection request transmitters from which the connection request signals are output, and decides optical paths in the optical matrix switch.

Abstract: An optical access communication apparatus and an optical access communication system for the coexistence of two wideband PON systems without using an expensive optical device or module. A low-speed PON and a high-speed PON have a same upstream wavelength, and an OLT receives optical signals by a same optical receiver in the two systems, converts the optical signals into electric signals, amplifies the electric signals, branches the amplified electric signals, and processes the branched signals by clock and data recovery sections of bit rates corresponding to the two PON systems, thereby achieving an optical communication apparatus and an optical communication system for constructing a simple and low-cost triple-play service system of excellent transmission quality.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bidirectional optical amplifier array (VA) which is preferably used in a passive optical network (PON) system, is disposed between a first line termination (OLT) and a second line termination (ONU), and is penetrated by an optical downstream signal (OSD) in one direction and an optical upstream signal (OSD) in the opposite direction. Said optical amplifier array is composed of a first part with two branching and combining units (D1 and D2), a unidirectional optical amplifier (E1), and a transponder (T) in which the optical downstream signals and upstream signals (OSU and OSD) are separately amplified. The two signals (OSU and OSD) that run in opposite directions are amplified in a bidirectional amplifier (E2) in a second part. A constant gain is maintained in the bidirectional optical amplifier (E2) by means of the continuous downstream signal (OSD) such that the amplifier can be operated in stable conditions for the upstream signal (OSU) regardless of occurring bursts.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting optical defects in optical bus systems which use optical modules in communication with a plurality of nodes connected to each other. Deterioration of the optical transmission quality is detected as a resulting deterioration in an electrical output signal and noted deterioration is stored and read out.

Abstract: A method and system includes at least one interconnect hub, connecting the at least one interconnect hub to a plurality of audio connection devices to form a network of audio connection devices with the interconnect hub at the center of the ring. The audio connection devices are connected to each other through the at least one interconnect hub, and data is synchronously transmitted between at least two of the audio connection devices through the at least one interconnect hub.

Abstract: Erbium doped fiber amplifiers for dense wavelength division multiplexed (DWDM) metro area optical networks may be configured as either high gain amplifiers or power amplifiers. The erbium doped fiber type, length, and pump power level are selected so that the shape of the gain spectra is approximately the same for single channel or multi-channel operation. In one embodiment, the same erbium doped fiber type and length is used for both power amplifiers and high gain amplifiers, reducing manufacturing costs.

Abstract: A wavelength-selective routing capability is provided in a single network element by configuring the network element using a combination of add/drop network elements to route individual optical channels of WDM signals among a plurality of optical transmission paths coupled to the network element. Any optical channel of any WDM signal received at the network element can be selectively added, dropped, or routed among the multiple optical transmission paths within and external to the node.

Abstract: Communication apparatus includes a plurality of interface cards, including a central interface card and spoke interface cards, which are adapted to link communication lines to a network. A protection bus includes multiple spoke connections that link the central interface card to the spoke interface cards in a partial star configuration, such that on at least one of the spoke connections there are two of the spoke interface cards connected together to the central interface card.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting a bit interleaved optical data stream on an optical network is disclosed. In one embodiment, the network includes multiple transmitters that are enabled to transmit an optical bit during established time slots that correspond to each transmitter. This allows those transmitters to create a bit interleaved optical data stream.

Abstract: A passive optical star coupler, and associated method of operation arranged to transmit signals received at any input port to all output ports other than an output port associated with the input port. In this way all received signals are broadcast to all connected network equipment with the exception of the transmitting equipment.

Abstract: A data bus structure for cooperating with a plurality of nodes which are connected to each other. The data bus structure includes optical transmission modules associated with each node and a logical decision gate having inputs associated with each node. The logical decision output signal is provided in parallel to each node through the optical transmission modules. These modules serve to convert optical signals from the nodes to electrical signals and output to the logical decision gate and to convert electrical signals output from the logical decision gate to optical signals and output to the nodes. In order to separate a single node from the data bus, the transmission mode is monitored and an independently controlled switch is positioned between the logical decision gate and the optical transmission module. This arrangement functions to exclude a node from bus communication while leaving the remaining nodes uninterrupted.

Abstract: An optical superposition network that utilizes a time division multiplexing (TDM) protocol includes a first optical transmitter, a second optical transmitter and a receiver. The first optical transmitter transmits information in a tertiary mode during a time slot. The second optical transmitter transmits information in a tertiary mode during a different time slot. The information transmitted across the optical superposition network has an approximately constant average intensity such that the receiver can utilize a single decision threshold for the information received from the first and second optical transmitters.

Abstract: A method for checking a ring optical network line for data transmission between a plurality of network subscribers in a motor vehicle, wherein one network subscribers carries out a master function, wherein, apart from the optical network line, there is a further communication line which has a star structure. The network subscribers having the master function is arranged in the centre of the star structure and is connected directly via the communication line to every other network subscribers. The optical network line is checked by the network subscriber having the master function outputting a start signal to the individual network subscribers. The individual network subscribers acknowledge the start signal for the network subscribers the master function via the communication line. After the start signal, the network subscriber having the master function outputs an initialization signal via the optical network line.

Abstract: In a communication network, a logical connections is realized by defined connection paths, with each connection containing at least one connection segment path, whereby a working connection path routed by a “star point” network node and a geographically different substitute connection path routed by another “star point” network node are provided for each connection. In addition, through-switching means are provided in the “star point” network nodes for the switching through of the connections, respectively, by the working connection path and the substitute connection path.