Abstract: There is disclosed an optical fiber wherein an absolute value of the fourth order dispersion ?4 of fourth derivative ?4 of propagation constant ? with respect to angular frequency ? at a mean zero dispersion wavelength ?0 in an overall length is not more than 5×10?56 s4/m and wherein a fluctuation of a zero dispersion wavelength along a longitudinal direction is not more than ±0.6 nm.

Abstract: Disclosed are an improved system and a related method for compensating the chromatic dispersion of a given length of a transmission fiber over a given spectral band by employing at least two chromatic dispersion compensating fibers that, with respect to the slope of the slope of the chromatic dispersion (SSi), have values of opposite signs.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical transceiver that enables to reduce the crosstalk from the optical transmitter to the optical receiver. The regenerator of the optical transceiver includes two main amplifiers, a selector, a selector control, and a re-shaper for shaping the receiving signal selected by the selector. The first main amplifier provides a first amplifier and a delay circuit connected in upstream to the first amplifier. The second main amplifier provides a second amplifier and a delay circuit connected in downstream to the second amplifier. The selector selects, based on the phase difference between the receiving signal Rx and the transmitting signal Tx, the output from the first main amplifier or that from the second main amplifier.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a multi-wavelength pulse train use a technique referred to as time-lens compression. The time-lens is formed of a phase modulator in series with a dispersion element. In addition to pulse compression, this time-lens simultaneously displaces the pulses according to their center wavelengths, resulting in a temporally evenly spaced multi-wavelength pulse train. An aberration correction technique, based on the temporal analog of a spatial correction lens, can also be employed improve the quality of the compressed pulses. Through use of CW DFB lasers and electrooptic phase modulators, the all-fiber system allows complete tunability of temporal spacing, spectral profile and repetition rate.

Abstract: An optical receiving apparatus sets, efficiently and optimally, a delay interferometer and a variable wavelength dispersion compensator in the apparatus.

Abstract: An optical waveguide has a surface. An array of separately actuated bodies is disposed proximal to the exposed surface, and an actuator separately actuates at least some of the bodies to change a spectral characteristic of a wave propagating through the waveguide. Preferably, the bodies are metal striplines, an electro-optical material is disposed between the striplines and the exposed surface, and the actuator is a CMOS chip that imposes a voltage to some or all of the lines. The voltage changes the refractive index at the interface with the surface, changing an index of refraction profile of the waveguide and effectively imposing a grating. Alternatively, the bodies are micro-beams and the actuator, also controlled by a CMOS chip, separately moves each micro-beam into and out of proximity to the surface. The grating is programmable via the CMOS chip.

Abstract: In order to compensate for chromatic dispersion ad dispersion slope over an entire wavelength band of the optical signal, the wavelength band is split into a plurality of bands, and chromatic dispersion compensation is made to make chromatic dispersion in a central wavelength of each of the bands zero.

Abstract: A control method, which is applicable to a variety of network configurations, controls an optical transmission system to determine optimum optical input power to a transmission path for increased optical transmission quality. The optical transmission system has terminal stations, repeaters, dispersion compensation modules, and a dispersion compensation controller. The terminal stations transmit and receive an optical signal through an optical fiber transmission path. The repeaters are disposed in the optical fiber transmission path for amplifying the optical signal. The dispersion compensation modules are disposed in the terminal stations and the repeaters for compensating for dispersion of the optical signal.

Abstract: At the transmit end of an optical transmission link, a main signal and a control signal are multiplexed into an optical multiplex signal and forwarded to the link. The frequency of the control signal is much lower than the frequency of the main signal so that the control signal is not affected by the wavelength dispersion effect of the transmission link. A the receive end of the link, the optical multiplex signal is demultiplexed, recovering the main signal and the control signal. An amount of compensation necessary to compensate for the wavelength dispersion of the recovered main signal is detected and used in combination with the dispersion-free control signal to compensate for the wavelength dispersion of the optical main signal. The main signal and the control signal may either be frequency division multiplexed or wavelength division multiplexed into the optical multiplex signal.

Abstract: In an optical switch comprising a wavelength spatially dispersive optical element for spatially dispersing a wavelength-multiplexed beam according to wavelengths, a plurality of output ports and a plurality of mirrors onto which beams dispersed by the element are irradiated, and each of which is able to direct a reflected beam to any one of the plural output ports, when an incident position of a reflected beam irradiated onto any one of the output ports is changed, the angle of the reflecting surface of a corresponding mirror among the plural mirrors is changed in a direction other than a direction in which the mirrors are arranged, whereby a protuberance in the vicinity of the out-band (side lobe) of the transmission band characteristic of the optical switch can be suppressed.

Abstract: A wavelength converter for binary optical signals includes an interferometer structure (110) for generating an output signal by modulating a received local signal (LS) according to the modulation of a fUrther received first input signal (IS 1). When such interferometer structures (110) are operated in a standard mode it is known in the art to control the power of the input signal such that the extinction ratio of the output signal is kept minimal. The invention also controls the power of the input signals to achieve the minimal extinction ratio when the wavelength converter and in particular the interferometer structure (110) is operated in a differential mode receiving two input signals.

Abstract: A cable management system is provided that is configured to be located between adjacent equipment racks, while being vertically oriented to extend upward along a narrow space between the adjacent equipment racks. The cable management system comprises a main panel extending along a vertical longitudinal axis, the main panel having a series of module cutouts provided therein and oriented to extend along the longitudinal axis. The system further includes inter-bay functional modules secured in at least two of the module cutouts. The inter-bay functional modules include at least two of a fiber spool module, a patch panel module and a dispersion compensation module. The main panel includes a front wall having the module cutouts formed therein. The front wall is integrally joined with side flanges extending rearward therefrom to form a channel cross-section.

Abstract: The automatic dispersion compensation device of the present invention comprises a unit measuring the transmission quality of incoming optical signals for one or more channels input from a transmission line and a unit separating and detecting the transmission quality degradation due to chromatic dispersion, in the measurement result of the unit from degradation due to other factors and controlling a variable chromatic dispersion compensator (VDC) in such a way as to compensate for that degradation.

Abstract: A small-sized, high-functionality optical pulse compressor capable of generating a low-power, high-repetition-frequency ultrashort pulse train used for ultrafast optical communication and photometry, and a simple-structure optical function generator for realizing an arbitrary time waveform. The optical pulse compressor comprises and optical Fourier transform device (F) having an optical phase modulator (9) driven by the repetition-frequency of an input optical pulse train and a dispersive medium (8), for converting the shape of an input optical pulse frequency spectrum into its time waveform, and an optical filter (3) inserted ahead of the optical Fourier transform device (F), for reducing the spectrum width of an input optical pulse, wherein the optical Fourier transform device (F) converts a small-spectrum-width optical pulse output from the optical function generator generates an optical pulse.

Abstract: With this scheme, there is provided an optical communication system and a dispersion-compensating optical fiber with which a long-haul optical signal transmission is possible by making use of the low optical nonlinearity and the low transmission loss characteristic of the photonic bandgap optical fiber.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for reducing Raman crosstalk in a wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) optical fiber transmission system that transmits a multiplex of channels. Idle data is sent over one or more of the channels of the WDM system in order to maintain the optical link when user data is not being sent. The idle data has an idle data pattern, which can be controlled such that a power spectral density of a signal carried by at least one channel is shifted in order to reduce Raman crosstalk between the channels. For example, the power spectral density may be shifted away from lower frequencies of the channel, and toward the higher frequencies, by controlling the idle data pattern. Alternatively, the power spectral density may be shifted towards unused frequencies of the channel, by controlling the idle data pattern.

Abstract: An optical wavelength multiplexing frequency shift keying modulation system. The system includes an optical wavelength multiplexing signal acquisition unit for outputting an optical wavelength multiplexing signal. A n optical frequency shift keying modulation unit acquires an optical frequency shift keying signal, including an upper side band signal and a lower side band signal, by performing frequency modulation to the optical wavelength multiplexing signal output from the optical wavelength multiplexing signal acquisition unit. An optical frequency shift keying signal separation unit separates the optical frequency shift keying signal output from the optical frequency shift keying modulation unit into an upper side band signal and a lower side band signal.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a control technique for reducing wavelength dependence of wavelength dispersion values and also for suppressing a change in wavelength transmission characteristic with a temperature variation or the like, in a VIPA-type wavelength dispersion compensator.

Abstract: A wavelength division multiplexing system according to the present art adjusts the amount of dispersion compensation (the amount of dispersion compensation of an NZ-DSF and a DCF) every all spans on the basis of the time slot when an intensity modulation signal transmitter outputs an intensity modulation signal and the wavelength interval when a wavelength coupler multiplexes a phase modulation signal (output from a phase modulation signal transmitter) and the intensity modulation signal.

Abstract: A passive optical network component comprising a model-locked laser, a dispersive nonlinear fiber coupled to the model-locked laser, and a modulator coupled to the dispersive nonlinear fiber, wherein the model-locked laser provides wavelengths for downstream modulations and enables upstream transmissions from a colorless optical network unit (ONU). Also disclosed is a colorless ONU comprising an optical circulator coupled to an incoming optical path and an outgoing optical path, and an optical injection-locking component coupled to the optical circulator, wherein the colorless ONU uses downstream optical signals from a model-locked laser as seed light to enable colorless upstream transmissions.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for compensating for first-order Polarization Mode Dispersion in an optical transmission system. An apparatus has a polarization controller for transforming polarization components of an optical signal carried by the optical fiber into orthogonal polarization states, a variable delay line for introducing a variable differential time delay between the polarization states and for producing an output optical signal that is compensated for PMD in the optical fiber, and a feedback unit for adjusting the polarization controller and the variable delay line to compensate for variations in the PMD of the optical fiber, the feedback unit including apparatus for generating a plurality of independent control signals to independently control actuators of the polarization controller and the variable delay line. The invention provides for a reduction in response time of the actuators and a reduction in complexity of an algorithm used to control the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides an all optical system for correcting optical dispersions including at least one optical chopping device having an input terminal for receiving a first signal, which has been broadened by optical dispersions and corresponds to an optical information channel, and at least one output terminal, wherein the optical chopping device is arranged to produce in the at least one output a second signal that is narrower than the first signal. The second signal may be detectable more reliably than the first signal.

Abstract: In a dispersion compensation quantity setting technique for use in a WDM transmission system, a transmitting terminal node transmits CW light and modulated light obtained by modulation using a modulation pattern signal, while a receiving terminal node detects a physical quantity stemming from cross phase modulation occurring between the transmitting terminal node and the receiving terminal node on the basis of a variation of an intensity of the transmitted CW light and sets a dispersion compensation quantity on the basis of a variation of the detected physical quantity. Moreover, this optimizes the crosstalk, suppresses the output power of transmitted light, eliminates the nonlinear optical effect of the transmitted light, and carries out dispersion compensation superior in cost performance.

Abstract: The dispersion monitoring device of the present invention detects a change in dispersion caused in a system by performing the decision process of a received signal using a data flip-flop in which required decision phase and decision threshold are set, averaging the output signal of the data flip-flop using an integration circuit and determining a received waveform, based on a change in a level of an output signal from the integration circuit. In another preferred embodiment, a signal is inputted to a chromatic dispersion change sign monitor. If a chirping parameter is correctly set, residual chromatic dispersion shifts in the negative direction when the peak value of a received signal is large, and it shifts in the positive direction when the peak value of a received signal is small. Using this fact, optimum dispersion compensation is conducted.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a design method of wavelength dispersion compensation of a desired link that is extracted from an optical network, the link including two or more spans, and two or more nodes (N1, N4) that are equipped with an add/drop function, as shown in FIG. 2. All residual dispersion ranges of paths that reach corresponding nodes are adjusted to fall within predetermined tolerable residual dispersion ranges that are set up for all the paths of the link by adjusting wavelength dispersion compensators provided to each of the spans.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for managing chromatic dispersion in an NRZ-based WDM long-haul optical transmission system so that nonlinearities are reduced, especially those at the edge channels of the band. The method includes using between 500 ps/nm and 2000 ps/nm of residual dispersion and a 40%/60% pre/post DCU split ratio when the channel wavelengths are shorter than the zero dispersion wavelength. Using these dispersion compensation rules, the nonlinear propagation effects in NRZ-based WDM systems is reduced, thus allowing for higher optical power per channel and/or longer transmission distances.

Abstract: A tunable dispersion compensator in which a heater portion can be easily constructed to reduce cost. A tunable dispersion compensator includes: an optical fiber having a grating portion; a heating unit for heating the grating portion to apply a temperature distribution to the grating portion; and a control unit for controlling the temperature distribution applied by the heating unit to control the group delay time characteristic of the grating portion. The heating unit includes: a heater including a single conductor having electrical resistors and which extends in a longitudinal direction of the grating portion over at least the entire length of the grating portion; and wirings electrically connected with the heater in respective positions along the longitudinal direction. The control unit supplies a voltage to each of the wirings.

Abstract: The invention includes an apparatus for modulating an optical signal. The apparatus includes a spatial dispersion mechanism and a modulating mechanism. The spatial dispersion mechanism spatially disperses the optical signal. The spatially dispersed optical signal has a plurality of frequency components where each frequency component has an associated beam size. The modulating mechanism includes an array of modulating components where each modulating component has a pitch. The pitch of each modulating component is substantially equal to or less than the beam size of each frequency component.

Abstract: A dispersion compensator is provided that includes an input port 102 for receiving a WDM optical signal and a dispersion compensating element 110 coupled to the input port for substantially compensating the WDM optical signal for dispersion that has accumulated along an external transmission path. The dispersion compensator also includes an output port 104 for directing the dispersion compensated WDM optical signal to an external element and a dynamic power controller 106, 108, 112, 114, 116 for maintaining a total power of the WDM signal below a prescribed level prior to receipt of the WDM optical signal by the dispersion compensating element.

Abstract: An optical processing method includes: receiving an optical signal from an optical system, wherein the optical signal is distorted by frequency-dependent polarization effects in the optical system; spatially dispersing frequency components of the distorted optical signal on a spatial light modulator (SLM); and independently adjusting the polarization transfer matrix of multiple regions of the SLM to reduce the distortion of the optical signal. A related optical processing method includes: providing a precompensation signal indicative of frequency-dependent polarization effects in a downstream optical system; spatially dispersing frequency components of an optical signal on a spatial light modulator (SLM); and independently adjusting the polarization transfer matrix of multiple regions of the SLM to at least partially precompensate the optical signal for distortions caused by the frequency-dependent polarization effects in the downstream optical system.

Abstract: An orthogonal polarization multiplexing transmission apparatus capable of performing dispersion compensation considering a short wavelength side and a long wavelength side of a zero dispersion wavelength. A plurality of light signals of different wavelengths are divided into two orthogonal polarization multiplexing portions, and the light signals of an oddnumber array polarization multiplexing portion and an even-number array polarization multiplexing portion are orthogonal-polarization-multiplexed in each orthogonal polarization multiplexing portions. Adjacent light signals of the two orthogonal polarization multiplexing portions have their mutual planes of polarization rendered non-orthogonal when multiplexed by an optical multiplexer so that, for the purpose of deterring inter-symbol interference, a guard hand having the wavelength spacing rendered wider than that on orthogonal polarization multiplexing is provided in advance.

Abstract: A chromatic dispersion compensator whereby the amount of dispersion and the group delay time can be easily adjusted. A dispersion unit, a transmitting lens and a group delay generation unit are arranged along the optical axis of incident light. The dispersion unit separates the incident light into beams of respective different wavelengths. The transmitting lens is arranged across the optical paths of the beams of different wavelengths separated by the dispersion unit, and refracts the beams at different angles according to their respective incidence positions. The group delay generation unit is arranged across the optical paths of the beams of different wavelengths refracted by the transmitting lens, causes the beams to undergo propagation delay for periods corresponding to their respective incidence positions, and converges and emits the beams of different wavelengths. Consequently, the beams of different wavelengths are imparted group delay corresponding to the refracting angles of the transmitting lens.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for compensating polarization mode dispersion (PMD) in an optical communications system includes a controller designed to control a broadband PMD compensator to differentially delay light at each one of a plurality of selected wavelengths. At least one of the selected wavelengths lies between an adjacent pair of channel wavelengths of the optical communications system. A performance parameter value indicative of PMD is measured at each channel wavelength of the optical communications system. An estimated performance parameter value is then calculated at each selected wavelength, and an error function calculated as a function of wavelength based on the estimated performance parameter values. The broadband PMD compensator is then controlled to minimize the value of the error function.

Abstract: A dispersion management system for soliton or soliton-like transmission systems comprises a length of optical fiber (L) in which a plurality of sections (I) made up of components (N,A) of opposite sign dispersions are concatenated together. The duration of the dispersion compensation phase is short in comparison with the propagation interval in the remainder of the system and that the path average dispersion is anomalous.

Abstract: In an optical signal monitoring method in wavelength multiplexing and an optical network, an area corresponding to a characteristic pattern of an eye pattern of an optical signal to be monitored, which characterizes a deterioration, is extracted from a database storing a map which associates a quality deterioration factor and deterioration amount of the optical signal with the characteristic pattern of the area of the eye pattern of the optical signal. The extracted pattern is collated with the map stored in the database to monitor the quality deterioration factor and deterioration amount of the optical signal, an occurrence time of a deterioration, duration of a deterioration, a deterioration occurrence cycle, and a deterioration duration cycle. An optical signal monitoring apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A programmable optical add/drop multiplexer (OADM) implements add/drop function of optical signals from a number of cross-connected optical systems while treating issues of coherent cross-talk, chromatic dispersion, slope of dispersion and amplitude equalization. Input WDM (wavelength division multiplexed) optical signals from a number of optical systems are each de-multiplexed into a number of optical path signal that are routed through switches and then multiplexed into a number of output WDM optical signals. Problems with coherent cross-talk in optical path signals are eliminated by introducing equivalent optical path lengths between paths through which the optical path signals propagate and by introducing dead-bands between consecutive optical path signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the dispersion characteristics of minimum phase filters using substantially only an amplitude response of a minimum phase filter under test includes fitting an amplitude spectrum of the minimum phase filter with a substantially straight line curve, and determining the dispersion characteristics of the minimum phase filter using the straight line curve and the relationships determined by the inventors. Various inventive equations determined by the inventors representative of the relationship between an amplitude response of a minimum phase filter and the dispersion characteristics of the minimum phase filter are used for determining the dispersion characteristics of the minimum phase filter.

Abstract: Methods and systems for higher-order PMD compensation are implemented by developing an effective mathematical model and applying economical design techniques to the model. By assuming a constant precession rate for a narrow band of frequencies in an optical signal, a simplified model of a higher-order PMD compensator can be derived. The model can be used produce an economical compensator by making multiple uses of selected optical components.

Abstract: A radio relay system (1) comprises a wireless camera (11) and a signal receiving relay station (12). The wireless camera (11) wirelessly transmits signals to the signal receiving relay station (12) by using the OFDM modulation method. The wireless camera (11) and the signal receiving relay station (12) perform energy dispersion at the time of transmission-line-coding/decoding a transport stream. The PRBS seed (initial value) to be used for the energy dispersion can be externally modified and the user can arbitrarily select a value for the seed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mitigating intersymbol interference (ISI) from narrow-band optical filtering and improving transmission performance by filtering multichannel optical signals using an optical filter device that exhibits a desired loss ripple in the transmittance profile of the filter passband.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of chromatic dispersion compensating optical fibers for a wavelength multiplexing transmission network. A chromatic dispersion compensating optical fiber is provided having at least six core slices (1 to 6) and having a negative chromatic dispersion and chromatic dispersion slope.

Abstract: Optical transponders incorporating an optical dispersion compensator (“ODC”) to perform an adjustable, frequency dependent correction of an optical signal are described and claimed. The ODC is adjusted by a feedback controller that responds to information from at least one signal analyzer. Systems using similar ODC-equipped optical transponders are also described and claimed.

Abstract: An optical dispersion monitoring apparatus and an optical dispersion monitoring method are capable of monitoring dispersion accurately with a simple construction in an optical transmission system using the same. To this end, the optical dispersion monitoring apparatus includes a light receiving section converting an input optical signal into an electrical signal, a signal transition position detecting section detecting the voltage level of a waveform of the output signal from the light receiving section, at a crossing point of a rising edge and a falling edge, and a cumulative dispersion information extracting section comparing the voltage level at the crossing point with a reference signal to extracts cumulative dispersion information.

Abstract: The invention shows a transmission system with a transmitter function, a transmitting fiber and a receiver function where the transmitter function comprising lightsources (1), modulators (2) and a multiplexer (3), and the receiver comprising at least a demultiplexer (5), filters and electrical receivers where the channels for left side filtering are modulated with modulators with a negative chirp and for right side filtering with modulators with positive chirp.

Abstract: The invention is the novel use of dispersion compensation in a long haul wavelength division multiplexed high capacity optical transport system which has very many channels packed extremely closely together, in order to greatly reduce the deleterious effects of four-wave mixing. Four-wave mixing is an exchange of energy between nominally independent channels, arising from the fundamental fiber non-linearity, which has the effect of degrading transmission quality. Conventional systems make use of fiber dispersion compensating modules to overcome the effects of fiber dispersion. In such systems, it has been discovered that the exact distribution of fiber dispersion along the optical link (the ‘dispersion map’) strongly influences the degree of four-wave mixing, and hence the degradation in transmission quality.

Abstract: A channel allocation method of channels having different transmission speeds in a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) system is provided. The channel allocation method in a multirate optical transmission system includes selecting a channel having the lowest transmission speed from not allotted channels, allotting the selected channel to the longest wavelength band of empty wavelength bands, and determining whether not allotted channels exist in order to repeatedly perform selecting the channel having the lowest transmission speed from the not allotted channels and allotting the selected channel to the longest wavelength band of the empty wavelength bands, until all the channels are allotted.

Abstract: A optical communications network including at least one optical phase conjugator for compensating for non-linear effects. The optical communications network includes at least one dispersion compensation module before the optical phase conjugator and at least one dispersion compensation module after the optical phase conjugator. The dispersion compensation modules compensate for linear effects of the transmission path such as dispersion and dispersion slope. This allows the optical phase conjugator to be designed to compensate for non-linear effects such as self-phase modulation and cross-phase modulation. The separate compensation of linear and non-linear effects provides enhanced control of these effects.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical component provided with a demultiplexing function capable of reducing an insertion loss and downsizing, and a wavelength dispersion compensator using such an optical component.

Abstract: A method of measuring polarization mode dispersion (PMD) of an optical fiber, includes estimating PMD when an optical fiber is formed as an optical cable, from a beat length when the optical fiber is wound around a bobbin, and an average coupling length when the optical fiber is formed as the optical cable.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an optical circulator. The circulator may have, for example, a first port, a second port, and a third port. The first port may be configured to introduce light into the optical circulator. The system may also include a tunable fiber filter Bragg grating connected to the second port of the circulator and a tunable dispersion-compensating fiber Bragg grating connected to the third port of the optical circulator. The tunable dispersion compensating fiber Bragg grating and the tunable fiber filter Bragg grating may be configured to be tuned by a single actuator. This tuning may be either compression or strain tuning.