Abstract: A method of allocating upstream bandwidth to at least a first upstream traffic flow and a second upstream traffic flow in a passive optical access network includes: a) associating a first timer to the first upstream traffic flow; and b) associating a second timer to the second upstream traffic flow.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of transmitting data of different bit rates in a simple manner and, if positive minimal multiples whose multiple operation values on the bit time lengths 1/Ai for a plurality of communication bit rates Ai become common are minimal multiples ai respectively, an optical line terminal constitutes a time division multiplex signal composed of a first data area having a bit rate Ai/ai and including frame synchronization information and a second data area in which packets addressed to each optical network unit of the bit rate Ai are time division multiplexed, and transmits the time division multiplex signal to a plurality of optical network units via a branching/multiplexing means.

Abstract: A transimpedance amplifier for a burst mode optical communication converts a burst current signal into differential output voltage signals. Using a multi-level digital AGC mechanism, the transimpedance amplifier is rapidly adapted to a burst signal whose amplitude varies in a wide range. By using an adaptive level detection method, a multi-level digital AGC can be implemented without using ADC. In addition, because the transimpedance amplifier uses a selective reset generation scheme that performs a reset operation for itself after a high power burst, a burst mode operation can be performed without external reset signals. Accordingly, the transimpedance amplifier can be integrated with an optical detector within a TO-can. Furthermore, the transimpedance amplifier can have the burst mode capability and the best sensitivity.

Abstract: An optical communication system which constructs, at low cost, a network that uses Time Division Multiplexing in at least one direction of the communication. The optical communication system includes an optical multiplexer/demultiplexer that mediates communication between a network unit and a plurality of terminal units. The optical multiplexer/demultiplexer regenerates a synchronization clock from a downstream signal light. In addition, the optical multiplexer/demultiplexer adjusts, using the regenerated synchronization clock, the delay times of a plurality of upstream signal lights received from the terminal units. The network unit and the terminal units do not need to control the timing of the upstream signal lights. Thus, the construction costs of the optical communication system are reduced.

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.

Abstract: A transmission system for a passive optical network comprises a shared optical transmission apparatus, a shared electrical interface apparatus and a plurality of transmission convergence termination units. The shared optical transmission apparatus is configured for being coupled to an optical line termination unit via an optical fiber. The shared electrical interface apparatus is coupled to the shared optical transmission apparatus. The plurality of transmission convergence termination units is coupled to the shared electrical interface apparatus. Each one of the transmission convergence termination units is configured for selectively controlling the shared electrical interface apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus automatically maintains bi-directional communication between an optical network unit (ONU) and a central office (CO) in a passive optical network (PON) when the CO changes from a first PON mode to a second PON mode. The apparatus senses a PON mode relating to downstream data flow from the CO to the ONU; and upon detecting a change in the PON mode from the first PON mode to the second PON mode, synchronizes the ONU to operate according to the downstream and upstream configurations of the second PON mode.

Abstract: An optical communication system includes an optical ring that couples a hub node and a plurality of local nodes. The hub node is capable of receiving traffic over the optical ring from the plurality of local nodes on a transmitting wavelength and transmitting traffic over the optical ring to the local nodes on a receiving wavelength. At least one local node is capable of adding traffic to the optical ring by determining whether any other local node is transmitting at the transmitting wavelength and, in response to determining that no other local node is transmitting at the transmitting wavelength, transmitting a request message to the hub node requesting use of the transmitting wavelength. The local node adding traffic is further capable of receiving a grant message from the hub node and, in response to receiving the grant message from the hub node, transmitting traffic at the transmitting wavelength.

Abstract: A channel switching function is added to a wavelength division multiplexing passive optical network (WDM-PON) system, which is an access optical network system, and the potential transmission rate is increased by combining wide wavelength tunable lasers and a time division multiplexing (TDM) data structure and properly using the necessary optical components. In addition, when the wavelength of a light source or an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) changes, the wavelength is traced and the magnitude of a transmitted signal is maximized without an additional detour line using a loop-back network structure. Furthermore, fewer thermo-electric controllers (TECs) are required for stabilizing the temperature of an optical line terminal (OLT) using wavelength tunable lasers, each laser electrically changing its wavelength.

Abstract: A method and system for ensuring confidentiality of signal transmission in a point-to-multi point data transmission network like Ether net passive optical network, including at least one hub, at least one transmission medium and at least one station connected to the hub via the transmission medium. When an upstream signal is transmitted from a first station, the upstream signal is reflected by at least one disturbing reflector for producing a disturbing reflection. The disturbing reflection combines with a second reflection of the upstream signal and renders the second reflection undependable by a second station.

Abstract: Provided is a passive optical network (PON) based on a reflective semiconductor optical amplifier (RSOA). In the PON, seed-light-injection RSOAs are used in an optical line terminal (OLT) to achieve the color-less management of the wavelengths of OLT optic sources, and wavelength reuse RSOAs are used to achieve the color-less management of the wavelengths of ONTs. Therefore, problems related to ONT wavelength management can be eliminated by the wavelength reuse RSOAs, and problems related to OLT wavelength management can be eliminated by the seed-light-injection RSOAs.

Abstract: A space-time division multiple-access (STDMA) laser communications (lasercom) system and related techniques. The STDMA system includes a plurality of remote nodes and an STDMA access node which uses precise electronic beam steering and beacons to provide access to each of a plurality of remote access nodes by means of both space and time-division multiple access.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for implementing carrier suppressed data format on conventional OTDM modules is provided. Adaptive phase shifting of optical signals traversing one of the tributaries of an OTDM module is performed with feedback loop control. A tapped portion of the input carrier signal is phase modulated at a frequency fc, and is combined with a tapped portion of the output from the OTDM. A phase shifter controller fed with this combined signal photodetects and band-pass filters the signal around fc to extract the amplitude of the AC component of the envelope of the combined signal, which depends upon the phase difference between successive pulses of the OTDM output. This signal is used to control a phase shifter coupled along one of the tributaries of the OTDM to adjust the phase difference of the signals of the two tributaries so that carrier suppression results.

Abstract: An optical line terminal receives an optical signal transmitted by time division multiple access from plural optical network units among which are an optical network unit performing communications at a first bit rate and an optical network unit performing communications at a second bit rate. The optical line terminal includes a branching unit, a first receiving unit, and a second receiving unit. The branching unit branches the optical signal into branches, at an asymmetrical branching ratio. The first receiving unit receives a branch having the first bit rate, among the branches of a greater branched proportion. The second receiving unit receives a branch having the second bit rate, among the branches of a lesser branched proportion.

Abstract: A system and method for management of bandwidth in a fiber optic, ethernet-based, TDMA communications system. A request/grant process is used to control the use of upstream bandwidth. A sense of time must therefore be shared by a headend and remote end-user devices. The invention provides for a gigabit media-independent interface in a media access controller to detect start-of-frame delimiters in incoming data. This allows for synchronization of a headend and end-user devices. The invention also allows for phase locking a transmit bit rate, at a headend, to the headend's clock. Transmitted data can the be used downstream to derive a local clock. Synchronization can also be maintained by the use of synchronization bytes in MPEG frames and/or variable length frames. Efficient bandwidth usage can also be facilitated by the use of maximum data units in allocating bandwidth in unsolicited grants, and by allowing flexible fragmentation and/or prioritization of internet protocol (IP) packets.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of controlling Wireless LAN (WLAN) medium access using Pseudo-Time Division Multiplexing (PTDM) to improve the Quality of Service (QoS) of the WLAN. The method includes the first step of a Mobile Terminal (MT) acquiring QoS information, which relates to a voice frame to be transmitted, from an upper layer; the second step of the MT exchanging a frame, including the QoS information, with the AP and being allocated QoS slot (QSLOT) information by the AP; the third step of dividing an RF link section between the MT and the AP by the creation period of the voice frame; and the fourth step of transmitting the voice frame in the creation period of the voice frame using the allocated QSLOT information.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media provide for ranging a device in a point-to-multipoint network. According to embodiments, a method for ranging a device in a point-to-multipoint network is provided. According to the method, a device identifier representing a drop in the point-to-multipoint network where the device is installed is received. The device identifier is associated with the device. The device identifier and a unique identifier associated with the device are transmitted over the point-to-multipoint network to a central unit for ranging the device in the point-to-multipoint network.

Abstract: A multicast transmission method in GEM mode in Gigabit-capable passive optical network and a method of processing frames. The multicast transmission method includes the steps of: (a) setting a multicast connection; and (b) transmitting multicast messages in a GEM mode, wherein said step (a) includes a first sub step (i), in which predetermined ONTs are registered to a multicast group by means of IGMP frames in the first step, and a second sub step (11), in which an OLT assigns a multicast port ID to the multicast group and the ONTs registered to the multicast group. In addition, step (b) includes a first substep (i), in which the OLT assigns a multicast port ID to a message transmitted from a router to the multicast group, and transmits the message, and a second sub-step (ii), in which an ONT, which belongs to the OLT, filters the message, to which the multicast port ID is assigned, by means of a port ID assigned to the ONT.

Abstract: This invention provides a new architecture for a communication system between head-ends and end-users which expands bandwidth and reliability of the communication system. A mux-node receives communication signals from a head-end and forwards the received communication signals to one or more mini-fiber nodes. The connection to the head-end is via a small number of optical fibers and the connections to each of the mini-fiber nodes may be via one or more optical fibers that may provide full duplex communication. The head-end may communicate with the mux-node using digital or digital and analog signals. The mini-fiber nodes may combine the signals received from the head-end with loop-back signals used for local media access control prior to forwarding the signals to the end-users. Upstream data are received by the mini-fiber nodes and transmitted to the mux-node.

Abstract: Disclosed is a upstream data transmission method in a gigabit Ethernet-passive optical network (GE-PON) system. In the GE-PON system including an optical line termination having a scheduler and optical network units connected to the optical line termination, the optical line termination receives bandwidth allocation request signals from the optical network units at a start of a first cycle, allocates transmission bandwidths to the respective optical network units in accordance with the bandwidth allocation request signals, and transmits the allocated transmission bandwidths to the respective optical network units before a second cycle that follows the first cycle.

Abstract: A method for transmitting a packet in a wireless access network based on a wavelength identification code scheme. The method comprises the steps of connecting n number of RNCs (Radio Network Controllers) to one sub-ring where the “n” is a positive integer, and assigning a unique wavelength to each RNC; identifying a packet to be transmitted between the RNCs located within a same sub-ring using the assigned unique wavelength, and transmitting the packet through an SRC (Sub-Ring Controller); connecting m number of SRCs to one main-ring where the “m” is a positive integer, and assigning a unique wavelength to each SRC; and detaching a wavelength identification code from the packet to be transmitted between the RNCs located within different sub-rings, and transmitting the packet having the encapsulated wavelength identification code through an MRC (Main-Ring Controller).

Abstract: A fiber to the home FTTH network for convergence of broadcasting and communication is disclosed. The network includes: an OLT for receiving and converting a first predetermined number of broadcast signals and an Ethernet signal into a plurality of converted optical signals, combining the converted optical signals into converged optical signals for subsequent transmission by an optical wavelength division multiplexing method; and an optical network unit (ONU) for classifying the optical signal transmitted from the OLT into the first predetermined number of broadcast signals and the Ethernet signal, switching a second predetermined number of broadcasting signals of the first predetermined number of broadcasting signals according to each SIU by channel selection information contained in upstream Ethernet information, and switching the Ethernet signal to be transmitted to the SIU according to each SIU so as to transmit the switched signal.

Abstract: A GE-PON (Gigabit Ethernet Passive Optical Network) system and media access control method for the same are disclosed. In the GE-PON system, by employing MAC attributes of the gigabit Ethernet frames, an OLT (Optical Line Termination) transmits a downstream window containing both a control frame having timeslot position and size information in association with at least two ONUs and Ethernet frames to an ODN (Optical Distribution Network). The OLT analyzes contents of RAUs in an upstream window transmitted from the ONUs in a TDMA method and received from the ODN, and permits timeslot position and size corresponding to each of the ONUs. A plurality of ONUs, connected to the ODN, have their respective timeslot position and size allocated in response to their respective information contained in the control frame of the downstream window. RAU frames are transmitted having queue information and Ethernet frames associated with the allocated timeslots.

Abstract: An optical modulator using a thin plate including a portion having 20 ?m or less thickness, capable of selecting a specific polarized wave from a light wave which propagates in an optical waveguide in the modulator without reduced productivity. The modulator includes an X-cut or Y-cut thin plate of a material having an electrooptic effect; an optical waveguide formed in a top or bottom surface of the plate; and a control electrode on the top surface of the plate to modulate light which propagates in the waveguide. An attenuating means which absorbs light having a specific polarization plane of a light wave which propagates in the waveguide is disposed in the vicinity of the waveguide. The attenuating means includes light absorbing members disposed at a gap L which is 0.5 to 2 times the mode-field diameter of the light wave which propagates in the waveguide with the waveguide interposed therebetween.

Abstract: An optical transmitter including a multi-lambda source to output injection light consisting of a plurality of injection wavelengths in channels, a circulator having a first port, a second port, and a third port, the circulator receiving the injection light at the first port, and outputting the received injection light to the second port, and further receiving signal light at the second port, and outputting the received signal light to the third port, an arrayed waveguide grating having a multiplexing port connected to the second port of the circulator, and a plurality of demultiplexing ports, spectrum-slicing injection light received from the circulator at the multiplexing port into a plurality of injection channels, and outputting the injection channels to the demultiplexing ports and further receiving and multiplexing a plurality of signal channels at the demultiplexing ports, into a signal light, and outputting the signal light to the multiplexing port, and a plurality of reflective semiconductor optical a

Abstract: A wavelength access server (WAS) architecture provides aggregation of traffic streams of diverse data communication protocols as well as provision of wavelength resources in an optical transport network. The WAS provides functions such as service traffic adaptation, traffic aggregation and segmentation, traffic classification, optical inter-working and system management. In particular, system management includes aspects such as signaling, connection management, resource co-ordination, protection prioritization and access policy management.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical wavelength-division multiple access system and a corresponding optical network unit. A wavelength band Da (wavelengths ?d1 to ?dn) for downlink optical signals corresponding to the n ONUs, a wavelength band Ua (wavelengths ?u1 to ?un) for uplink optical signals corresponding to the n ONUs, a wavelength band Db (wavelengths ?dn+1 to ?dn+m) for downlink optical signals corresponding to the m ONUs, and a wavelength band Ub (wavelengths ?un+1 to ?un+m) for uplink optical signals corresponding to the m ONUs are set different from one another, the wavelength bands Ua and Ub are set adjacent to each other, and the wavelength bands Ua and Da or the wavelength bands Ub and Db are set adjacent to each other.

Abstract: The network comprises an optical ring link (F) and a concentrator (HUB) that sends via one end of the link “downlink” optical signals carried by respective wavelengths and receives “uplink” optical signals via the other end of the link. The link is divided into a plurality of segments (FS1-FS4) separated by access nodes (AN1-AN3) for receivers (RX) of downlink optical signals and for senders (TX) of uplink optical signals. Each access node comprises coupling means that are not wavelength-selective for coupling the segment on the upstream side of the node to the segment on the downstream side and to the receivers and to couple the senders (TX) to the segment on the downstream side. The downlink optical signals are carried by wavelengths belonging to a set of predefined wavelengths. To optimize the use of spectral resources, a rejection filter (NF) is inserted into a segment to reject a portion of the wavelengths of said set of wavelengths.

Abstract: A passive optical network which employs multiple wavelengths to increase overall system bandwidth, with each wavelength being shared by multiple optical network units (ONUs) according to a time division multiple access (TDMA) protocol. The upstream TDMA traffic therefore includes multiple TDMA data streams at different wavelengths. An optical line terminal (OLT) preferably receives the multiple TDMA data streams and separates them to different detectors before ultimately combining all data into a single data stream using a multiplexer after performing clock and data recovery functions. In this manner, the upstream bandwidth in a passive optical network can be markedly increased without requiring an increase in data transmit speeds, and while using low cost/low speed detectors in the OLT, and low cost/low speed transceivers in the ONUs. System bandwidth can be further improved by using higher cost, higher speed components.

Abstract: An Ethernet-PON integrates broadcast/communication through time division multiplexing, which provides users with high-speed, high-volume communication data and high-quality, real-time digital broadcast/image data. An OLT performs a switching operation on a plurality of digital broadcast/image data received from an external broadcaster according to respective broadcast/image selection information from users, time-division-multiplexes the data into a broadcast/image signal, multiplexes the signal and communication data from an IP network into a frame, and electro-optically converts the frame and transmits to the frame to ONTs through an optical splitter. Each ONT receives and photoelectrically converts the signal from the OLT, and performs frame & time-slot demultiplexing to output the entire received communication signals and broadcast/image information contained in a time-slot assigned to the ONT to a corresponding user.

Abstract: A termination device for use in a WDM-SCM PON system can effectively support a multi-channel integration function of a WDM/SCM PON system.

Abstract: An Ethernet passive optical network (EPON) ring for providing protection against fiber failures. The optical network unit (ONU) is coupled to the ring fiber by a three-port passive optical splitting module that has three two-way optical passages. By the three two-way optical passages, the OUN receives/transmits data from/to the two ends of the optical line termination (OLT) to provide protection while the fiber failure. Moreover, it provides better authorization of users and simpler collision detection by the two-way transmission of the three-port passive optical splitting module to prevent hackers from invading and to reduce collisions.

Abstract: An optical network terminator of the present invention includes an optical wavelength division multiplexer for receiving an optical signal and incoherent light. An optical detection unit converts a downstream high speed and low speed optical signals into electrical signals. A laser diode converts an upstream signal into an optical signal. A high speed driving unit is supplied with power from a power supply unit to drive a forward-biased laser diode and establish a data and video channel. A high speed reception unit is supplied with the power to receive a downstream data and video channel. A charging unit outputs charged power at the time of a power failure. A low speed driving unit is supplied with the charged power to reverse-bias the laser diode to establish a voice channel. A low speed reception unit is supplied with the charged power to receive a voice channel.

Abstract: A method and a system in which selected wavelengths of a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) signal are modulated with multicast data for multicasting data services on an optical network. The WDM signal is received from a hub node of the optical network, such as a unidirectional ring network or a bi-directional ring network. A four-port wavelength crossbar switch (4WCS) selectably switches selected wavelengths from the optical network to a modulator loop. The modulator loop includes a multicast modulator that modulates the selected plurality of wavelengths with the multicast data. Each modulated wavelength is then switched back to the optical network by the 4WCS switch, and sent to a plurality of subscriber nodes of the optical network. This architecture allows a facility provider to be physically separated from a content provider, and affords the flexibility of selectively delivering multicast content to individual subscribers.

Abstract: An optical power converting apparatus is provided that may be used with remote sensors. A plurality of remote sensors may be coupled to a backbone optical fiber with each sensor having an optical power converter that receives an optical signal from a head end of that fiber. The optical power converters may store electrical energy derived from that optical signal and use that energy to power the remote sensors. The head end's optical signal may also include a clock signal, and each remote sensor may be set to sense a measurable parameter after a given number of clock cycles have been counted. In a further example, each of the optical sensors may be synchronized before counting these clock signals via a synchronization signal from the optical power converter. The remote sensors may individually and separately uplink their sensed data to the head end on the optical fiber. The apparatus may be implemented in a vehicle health management system, for example.

Abstract: An optical WDM-TDM network includes a plurality of devices, each of the devices including at least one optical add/drop device adapted to drop optical signals of at least one channel of a plurality of received channels and pass through the remaining channels, at least one receiver, for receiving the at least one dropped channel from the at least one optical add/drop device, an aggregation device for assembling optical signals from the at least one receiver into original data formats, at least one transmitter for transmitting wavelength division multiplexed optical signals on the plurality of channels, a de-aggregation device for disassembling input data into blocks of data to be transmitted as optical signals by the at least one transmitter, and a controller for processing a global timing schedule.

Abstract: An optical network unit (ONU) interconnected by passive optical network (PON) equipment to an optical line terminal (OLT) is identified using secondary modulation of the optical carrier to impress an identifier of the ONU onto the carrier. This resolves a recurring ONU failure mode detection problem caused by failure of a laser driver that causes the ONU to be stuck in an on state.

Abstract: An optical transmission system accomplishes optical transmission over a long distance by combining a multiplexing line terminal with optical amplifiers, linear repeaters, and regenerators with optical amplifiers combined together. The system also accomplishes the optical transmission over a short distance by directly connecting the linear terminals therebetween, with an electric-to-optic converter replaced by an electric-to-optic converter having a semiconductor amplifier, with an optic-toelectric converter by an optic-to-electric converter having an avalanche photodiode as light receiver, and with no use of any optical booster amplifier and optical preamplifier in multiplexing line terminal. With these, the optical transmission system can be easily constructed depending on the transmission distance required.

Abstract: A transmitter and transceiver for an optical communication channel may include a data encoder, a partial response (PR) precoder, a pulse filter, and an electrical-to-optical converter to transmit a spread pulse signal over an optical communication channel. The data encoder to encode the transmit data into coded data. The precoder to correlate bits of the coded data together into a precoded signal at the output of the precoder. The pulse filter to spread out the pulses in the precoded signal into a spread-pulse signal at the output of the pulse-shaping filter. The electrical-to-optical converter to convert an electrical spread-pulse signal into light pulses at its optical output. A transceiver may further include an optical-to-electrical converter, an automatic gain controller, a matched filter, a PR finite impulse response equalizing filter, a maximum likelihood sequence estimation detector, and a data decoder in order to decode and recover the data.

Abstract: There is disclosed an optical pickup device having semiconductor laser light sources for first, second, and third wavelengths different from each other. After optical paths of laser beams outgoing from the first and second semiconductor laser light sources are synthesized by a first prism, an optical path of a laser beam outgoing from the third semiconductor laser light source is synthesized, through a magnification change lens, to raise light efficiency. At this time, each of the laser beams is synthesized by a second prism.

Abstract: A passive optical network. The optical network has an optical fiber ring with ends terminating at an optical line terminal. The optical line terminal transmits signals through the fiber ring to optical network units passively connected to the fiber ring. The optical network units receive signals from the optical line terminal through the fiber ring. In one embodiment, the optical line terminal transmits redundant signals in opposite directions through the fiber ring and the optical network units receive the redundant signals from opposite directions through the fiber ring. In another embodiment, the optical network units receive TDM signals from and transmit TDMA signals to the optical line terminal through a fiber line. A first WDM coupler passively connected to the fiber line multiplexes an overlay signal with at least one of the TDM signals and the TDMA signals for transmission through the fiber line. The overlay signal has a wavelength different than the signals with which it is multiplexed.

Abstract: An optical power converting apparatus is provided that may be used with remote sensors. A plurality of remote sensors may be coupled to a backbone optical fiber with each sensor having an optical power converter that receives an optical signal from a head end of that fiber. The optical power converters may store electrical energy derived from that optical signal and use that energy to power the remote sensors. The head end's optical signal may also include a clock signal, and each remote sensor may be set to sense a measurable parameter after a given number of clock cycles have been counted. In a further example, each of the optical sensors may be synchronized before counting these clock signals via a synchronization signal from the optical power converter. The remote sensors may individually and separately uplink their sensed data to the head end on the optical fiber. The apparatus may be implemented in a vehicle health management system, for example.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bandwidth allocation method for an optical line termination (OLT) in a Gigabit Ethernet passive optical network (GE-PON) having one OLT and a plurality of optical network units (ONUs) connected to the OLT. The method includes the steps of transmitting a registration request grant message for granting an opportunity for transmitting a registration request signal from the OLT to the ONUs; determining the number of ONUs that transmitted registration request messages in response to the registration request grant message; and segmenting a single time slot into a plurality of minislots, segmenting a partial bandwidth of each of the segmented minislots so as to accommodate the ONUs, and allocating the segmented bandwidths to the ONUs that transmitted the registration request messages as voice bands.

Abstract: A method of the grooming traffic signals through a composite switch is disclosed that enables a traffic signal that is being transmitted between any two constituent switches to be re-routed through the composite switch without a hit (i.e., the dropping, replacing, inserting, or repeating of at least one bit in the traffic signal). This applies whether the constituent switches are adjacent in the composite switch or not. The composite switch in accordance with the illustrative embodiment comprises multiple routes between adjacent constituent switches and incorporates a mechanism that compensates for differential propagation delays along the routes. And still furthermore, the composite switch in accordance with the illustrative embodiment comprises alternative routes through different constituent switches and incorporates a mechanism that compensates for differential propagation delays through the constituent switches.

Abstract: A host station apparatus (10) generates band allocation information including identifications of slave station apparatuses (20-1 through 200-n) and types of data to be transmitted by the slave station apparatuses and posts the information to the plural slave station apparatuses (20-1 through 20-n). The plural slave station apparatuses (20-1 through 20-n) identify as to whether or not the band allocation information is band allocation information about the data types of the slave station apparatuses respectively, and when the band allocation information is band allocation information about the data types of the slave station apparatuses, they control to transmit data to the host station apparatus (10) according to the data types represented by the band allocation information.

Abstract: A novel optical time division multiplexing (OTDM) module based on hybrid-integrated optical chips is disclosed. An integrated modulator chip generates optical RZ signal streams which are then interleaved in an integrated time-delay chip to produce an OTDM signal. The integrated modulator chip is coupled and secured to the integrated time-delay chip via a suitable optical index-matching layer or collimating lenses. Such an approach alleviates the stability problems offered by conventional fiber-based OTDM technology and aids in reducing the size and complexity as well as lowering the cost for the assembly. Furthermore, the time-delay chip of the present invention offers fine tuning capabilities thereby allowing for slight adjustments in the interleaving of optical signal streams when non-standard data transmission rates are required.

Abstract: A system and method for configuring lightpaths within an optical circuit wherein the source node stores requests for a lightpath between the source node and the destination node. Upon receipt of a token at the source node indicating an available space within a wavelength, the source node selects a request stored within the queue based upon a best fit window protocol. A lightpath is then established between the source node and the destination node responsive to a selected request.

Abstract: A protocol for an optical network can control the time at which subscriber optical interfaces of an optical network are permitted to transmit data to a transceiver node. The protocol can prevent collisions of upstream transmissions between the subscriber optical interfaces of a particular subscriber group. With the protocol, a transceiver node close to the subscriber can allocate additional or reduced upstream bandwidth based upon the demand of one or more subscribers. That is, a transceiver node close to a subscriber can monitor (or police) and adjust a subscriber's upstream bandwidth on a subscription basis or on an as-needed basis. The protocol can account for aggregates of packets rather than individual packets. By performing calculation on aggregates of packets, the algorithm can execute less frequently which, in turn, permits its implementation in lower performance and lower cost devices, such as software executing in a general purpose microprocessor.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for performing, by optical code division multiplex access, at least one of encoding and decoding of wavelength-division-multiplexed light. The apparatus includes: an optical input/output section 203 for handling input/output of the wavelength-division-multiplexed light; and N fiber gratings (where N is an integer equal to or greater than two) 101 to 103, which are in a series connection to the optical input/output section 203. Each of the N fiber gratings has a sampled grating structure having an alternating array of first regions (11 to 14; 21 to 24; and 31 to 34) which provide a refractive index modulation with a relatively large amplitude and second regions (201) which provide a refractive index modulation with a relatively small amplitude, the first and second regions being disposed with a constant period P.

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.