A system comprising an optical link (250) comprising (i) an optical fiber (204) configured to transport optical signals between first and second endpoints or terminals and (ii) an amplifier (210) configured to amplify the optical signals; and a pumping link comprising a pumping optical fiber (215) configured to transport pumping light from the first endpoint or terminal to the amplifier (210).
An optical communication link that includes two nodes interconnected by an optical channel that comprises optical fiber(s), and that is used to communicate an optical signal comprising multiple optical signal wavelengths. The first node provides an optical signal onto the optical channel towards the second node, or receives an optical signal from the optical channel from the second node. A Raman pump provides Raman pump power into the optical fiber of the optical channel to thereby perform Raman amplification of the optical signal in the optical fiber. The second node determines a quality measurement of at least of optical wavelength signals transmitted by the first node to the second node. The second node also transmits information from the quality measurement back to the first node. A controller at the first node controls at least one parameter of the Raman pump in response to this transmitted information.
H04B 10/077 - Dispositions pour la surveillance ou le test de systèmes de transmissionDispositions pour la mesure des défauts de systèmes de transmission utilisant un signal en service utilisant un signal de surveillance ou un signal supplémentaire
H01S 3/094 - Procédés ou appareils pour l'excitation, p. ex. pompage utilisant le pompage optique par de la lumière cohérente
H01S 3/30 - Lasers, c.-à-d. dispositifs utilisant l'émission stimulée de rayonnement électromagnétique dans la gamme de l’infrarouge, du visible ou de l’ultraviolet utilisant des effets de diffusion, p. ex. l'effet Brillouin ou Raman stimulé
H04B 10/291 - Répéteurs dans lesquels le traitement ou l’amplification est effectuée sans conversion de la forme optique du signal
3.
MULTI-SPAN OPTICAL COMMUNICATIONS LINK HAVING REMOTE OPTICALLY PUMPED AMPLIFIER
A remote optically pumped amplifier in a multi-span optical communications link. A backwards Raman pump module performs backwards Raman amplification in an optical communications span that contains the remote optically pumped amplifier. A residual amount of backwards Raman pump power is then used to power the remote optically pumped amplifier. The remote optically pumped amplifier may be located 40 to 120 kilometers in optical distance from the backwards Raman pump module such that at least three milliwatts of residual Raman pump power is received by the remote optically pumped amplifier. The Raman pump module may be a multi-pump Raman pump module. A controller controls pump power provided by at least one of the pumps of the backwards Raman pump module, so as to at least partially compensate for optical signal strength versus wavelength variation introduced by the remote optically pumped amplifier and the backwards Raman pump module.
A submarine optical repeater includes a submarine amplifier module, which further includes a pumping laser module and an optical detector module. The pumping laser module generates optical amplifications within an optical cable, and, in the case of a fault in the optical cable, the optical detector module detects at least one characteristic of an optical signal caused by the fault in the optical cable. This configuration then identifies a particular signal characteristic that indicates a fault within the optical cable. The optical signal caused by the fault in the optical cable may be a reflected signal, the optical detector module may comprise an OTDR detector, and the pumping laser module may be adapted to generate an OTDR pulse. The repeater may comprise Raman and/or Erbium doped optical amplification means.
H04B 10/071 - Dispositions pour la surveillance ou le test de systèmes de transmissionDispositions pour la mesure des défauts de systèmes de transmission utilisant un signal réfléchi, p. ex. utilisant des réflectomètres optiques temporels [OTDR]
H04B 10/077 - Dispositions pour la surveillance ou le test de systèmes de transmissionDispositions pour la mesure des défauts de systèmes de transmission utilisant un signal en service utilisant un signal de surveillance ou un signal supplémentaire
5.
NETWORK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE OF A TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORK
Network management of a telecommunications network. An external system, such as a cloud computing environment, receives network element data from the network management system of the telecommunications network over a channel that may be encrypted. The network element data are parameter samples that the network management system has collected from one or more network elements within the telecommunications network. The external system then processes at least some of the received network element data. The external system might also receive network element data from other network management systems of other telecommunications networks also. Furthermore, the external system might also have external information not received from the network management system. The external system may perform processing on all of this information in conjunction with the received network element data in order to perform sophisticated analytics.
An assembly (100, 220, 300) that includes a laser diode (110, 310) and a driver circuit (120) that operates to give the assembly an (100, 220, 300) adjustable impedance. The driver circuit (120) adjusts impedance by repeatedly alternating between two operational phases (131,132). In one operational phase (131), current is primarily or fully supplied through the laser diode (110, 310) using a first current path (151) being from the first supply node (121), to the laser diode (110, 310), and into the second supply node (122). In the other operational phase (132), current is supplied through the laser diode (110, 310) using a recirculating second current path. The current through the laser diode increases during the first operational phase (131), and decays during the second operational phase (132). For a given applied voltage level between the first and second supply nodes (121, 122), the duty cycle (D1, D2) of the first and second operational phases (131, 132) may be adjusted so that the current through the laser diode (110, 310) is approximately a target current.
H03K 3/57 - Générateurs caractérisés par le type de circuit ou par les moyens utilisés pour produire des impulsions par l'utilisation d'un élément accumulant de l'énergie déchargé dans une charge par un dispositif interrupteur commandé par un signal extérieur et ne comportant pas de réaction positive le dispositif de commutation étant un dispositif à semi-conducteurs
The system-level control (300) of a repeatered optical communications system (100). In a repeatered optical communications system (100), two terminals (101, 102) are optically coupled via an optical communications span having one or more repeaters (115, 125). One of the terminals (101, 102) may perform the control by monitoring (301) quality metrics of optical signals received over the communication span. Based on this monitoring, certain adjustments are determined to be performed (303), and the repeater controllers of the respective optical repeaters (115, 125) are instructed (304) to perform the adjustments. In some case, the optical repeater adjustments cannot be made without impacting the performance of the optical signals traveling in the opposite direction. In that case, the system-level control uses monitored quality metrics from both terminals (101, 102) to determine the adjustments to be made. The system level adjustment may be automated by software or the like thereby making optimization of the optical communications span easier..
H04B 10/079 - Dispositions pour la surveillance ou le test de systèmes de transmissionDispositions pour la mesure des défauts de systèmes de transmission utilisant un signal en service utilisant des mesures du signal de données
H04J 14/02 - Systèmes multiplex à division de longueur d'onde
8.
TILT CONTROL THROUGH OPTICAL PUMP POWER ADJUSTMENT
The adjustment of tilt in an optical signal path of a repeater (115, 125, 610). The repeater includes an optical pump (222, 622)that optically powers a rare-Earth doped fiber amplifier (211, 611), which amplifies the optical signa1 (210). The optical signal path also includes Raman gain stage (212, 612) implemented in a previous optical fiber span in the optical signal path, and which contributes tilt with respect to wavelength. Adjusting the Raman gain (212, 612) and/or the rare-Earth doped gain (211, 611) also adjusts the combined tilt contributed by these gain stages. However, the rare-Earth doped gain (211, 611) operates at least partially in the saturated regime, thereby stabilizing the gain at the output of the rare-Earth doped amplifier (211, 611). Thus tilt control may be employed by adjusting optical pump power (231, 232, 631, 632) with reduced effect on overall gain.
H04B 10/291 - Répéteurs dans lesquels le traitement ou l’amplification est effectuée sans conversion de la forme optique du signal
H01S 3/30 - Lasers, c.-à-d. dispositifs utilisant l'émission stimulée de rayonnement électromagnétique dans la gamme de l’infrarouge, du visible ou de l’ultraviolet utilisant des effets de diffusion, p. ex. l'effet Brillouin ou Raman stimulé
An integrated assembly (100, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800) for switching optical signals. The integrated assembly might be a rack assembly in which shelf assemblies (110, 20, 130, 300, 410, 420, 510-530, 610-640, 710-750, 810-860) are connected. Each of the subassemblies (110, 120, 130, 300, 410, 420, 510-530, 610-640, 710-750, 810-860) includes optical interfaces (111, 121) configured to support communication of optical channels (101, 102, 202) to and from the integrated assembly (100, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800) using the corresponding subassembly. Each subassembly might also include multiple switch fabric assemblies (112, 122) each including a switching mechanism (113, 123). An inter-subassembly communication interface (115, 125) is provided between each subassembly. An optical signal may be switched from one of the subassemblies (e.g., one of the shelves) to another even though there is no intervening switching circuitry in between the different subassemblies. Instead, the switching operation is distributed between the subassemblies.
A repeater amplifier assembly that includes at least two chassis containing optics and electronics. The chassis are connected with a size-adjustment mechanism that can adjust a size of the repeater amplifier assembly by reversibly adjusting the positions of the chassis with respect to each other. To insert the repeater amplifier assembly into a repeater housing, the repeater amplifier assembly is accessed in a contracted position. The amplifier is inserted into the housing, and then a control of the size adjustment mechanism is actuated to urge the chassis outwards until the chassis push against the repeater housing. To remove the repeater amplifier assembly from the repeater housing, the control is actuated to cause the size adjustment mechanism to pull the chassis inwards with respect to each other until the chassis no longer push against the repeater housing. The repeater amplifier assembly may then be freely removed from the repeater housing.
An optical transmission system or its constituent repeater disposed optically between two terminals. The system includes at least two parallel optical paths between a first node and the repeater (one optical path being used as a backup for another), and another at least two parallel optical paths between a second node and the repeater (again, one optical path being used as a backup for another). The first nodes may, but need not, be terminals, but could also be repeaters, or other optical elements. For a signal traveling from the first terminal to the second terminal, the optical switching mechanism detects which of the at least two parallel optical paths an optical signal is being received from the first node, and channels the optical signal to at least one of the parallel optical paths leading from the repeater to the second node.
H04B 10/00 - Systèmes de transmission utilisant des ondes électromagnétiques autres que les ondes hertziennes, p. ex. les infrarouges, la lumière visible ou ultraviolette, ou utilisant des radiations corpusculaires, p. ex. les communications quantiques
12.
POLARIZATION MULTIPLEXED SIGNALING USING TIME SHIFTING IN RETURN-TO-ZERO FORMAT
Polarization multiplexing by encoding data using a return-to-zero format, and by interleaving the constituent orthogonal polarization components such that the data- carrying portion of the bit window from one orthogonal polarization component occupies the zero portion of the bit window for the other orthogonal polarization component.
A polarization mode dispersion compensator that includes two stages, one for reducing or eliminating first order polarization mode dispersion of an optical signal, and second stage for reducing or eliminating higher order polarization mode dispersion of the optical signal. In each stage, the polarization is adjusted so as to reduce polarization mode dispersion. Based on the power levels of various polarization states generated at the second polarization controller, the optical signal to noise ratio may be estimated. Furthermore, based on the amount of adjustment used to control the polarization controllers and the differential group delay, the polarization mode dispersion may be estimated.
The mixing of coherent optical wavelength channels with non-coherent optical wavelength channels. Before mixing, a dispersive element introduces dispersion into the coherent optical wavelength channels and/or into the non-coherent optical wavelength channels such that the dispersion map of the coherent optical wavelength channels is different than the dispersion map of the non-coherent optical wavelength channels. By allowing the coherent channels to have a different dispersion map, the dispersion map may be moved further from the zero dispersion point, which can degrade coherent detection. Accordingly, coherent optical channels and non-coherent optical channels may be transmitted effectively over the same optical link.
An optical assembly in an optical link coupling two optical terminals. The optical assembly receives and demultiplexes two groups of optical wavelength channels which are each treated separately as far as dispersion compensation and discrete amplification are concerned. The optical assembly then multiplexes the two groups back into the same fiber for further transmission. For instance, one group of optical wavelength channels may each be coherent channels, and subject to no dispersion in the optical assembly, while the other group may contain non-coherent channels, which are subject to dispersion compensation in the optical assembly.
A feedforward controller for controlling the polarisation state of an optical signal, the feedforward controller comprising: an optical input for receiving an optical input signal having an input polarisation state; an optical output for transmitting an optical output signal having an output polarisation state; a polarisation controller coupled to the optical input and the optical output; a transfer function determiner for determining a characteristic polarisation transfer function of the feedforward controller from the input and output polarisation states; wherein the polarisation controller is adapted to modify the polarisation state of light passing therethrough in dependence on the characteristic polarisation transfer function of the feedforward controller.
G02F 1/01 - Dispositifs ou dispositions pour la commande de l'intensité, de la couleur, de la phase, de la polarisation ou de la direction de la lumière arrivant d'une source lumineuse indépendante, p. ex. commutation, ouverture de porte ou modulationOptique non linéaire pour la commande de l'intensité, de la phase, de la polarisation ou de la couleur
H04B 10/2569 - Dispositions spécifiques à la transmission par fibres pour réduire ou éliminer la distorsion ou la dispersion due à la dispersion modale de polarisation [PMD]
Cross-distribution of the output pump power from optical pump units amongst multiple amplifier gain stages even in a single direction of an optical link in an optical communications system. For example, an optical pump unit may output optical pump power that is shared amongst a discrete optical amplification unit and a distributed optical amplification unit (such as a forward and/or backward Raman amplifier). Such sharing has the potential to increase reliability and/or efficiency of the optical communications system.
H01S 3/00 - Lasers, c.-à-d. dispositifs utilisant l'émission stimulée de rayonnement électromagnétique dans la gamme de l’infrarouge, du visible ou de l’ultraviolet
A submarine optical repeater that shares optical pump power in multiple gain stages such that approximately the same wavelengths of optical pump is provided to each of the gain stages. Also, tilt control mechanism may adjust gain dependency on wavelength by adjusting the amount of optical pump power delivered to the optical gain stages. Residual optical pump power from both forward and backward Raman amplification may be used to power corresponding optically pumped amplifiers.
H01S 3/00 - Lasers, c.-à-d. dispositifs utilisant l'émission stimulée de rayonnement électromagnétique dans la gamme de l’infrarouge, du visible ou de l’ultraviolet
19.
OPTICAL COMMUNICATION USING COUPLED OPTICALLY PUMPED AMPLIFIERS
Coupling of optically pumped amplifiers between two nodes of an optical communications system. Optical pump power from one direction of the bi-direction communication is diverted to power optically pumped amplifiers in the opposite direction of the bi-directional communication. The optical link in the optical communications system may include both forward and backward Raman amplifiers, as well as forward and backward optically (for example, remote optically) pumped amplifiers for any given optical communication direction. Such coupling has the potential to increase reliability and/or efficiency of the optical communications system.
H04B 10/00 - Systèmes de transmission utilisant des ondes électromagnétiques autres que les ondes hertziennes, p. ex. les infrarouges, la lumière visible ou ultraviolette, ou utilisant des radiations corpusculaires, p. ex. les communications quantiques
20.
PRESENTING NETWORK PERFORMANCE DATA IN THE CONTEXT OF A MAP OF PATH MODEL OBJECTS
Methods and systems for improved visual presentation and organization of network performance data are provided. According to one embodiment, a method is provided for displaying performance data. Information is received regarding a selected path of multiple paths associated with network elements that are part of a service provider network (e.g., a DWDM network). A map of the selected path is displayed responsive to receipt of the information regarding the selected path. The map of the selected path includes (i) graphical representations of participating network elements of the network elements that are associated with the selected path and (ii) graphical representations of client ports, line ports and port connections associated with the participating network elements. Along with the map, information regarding performance data associated with the participating network elements is also displayed. The performance data includes optical power levels upon entry to and exit from each of the participating network elements.
G06F 15/173 - Communication entre processeurs utilisant un réseau d'interconnexion, p. ex. matriciel, de réarrangement, pyramidal, en étoile ou ramifié
Embodiments described herein relate to an optical fiber stretch that may experience forward Raman amplification in which the peak optical signal power occurs at some distance from the transmitter. Smaller effective area optical fiber is used at a portion of the optical fiber stretch in which the optical signal power is increasing, while larger effective area optical fiber is used at a more remote stretch of the optical fiber stretch that experiences the peak optical signal power. Thus, the quality of the signal is better preserved since the larger effective area fiber reduces maximum optical signal density thereby reducing non-linear degradations on signal quality.
G02B 6/10 - Guides de lumièreDétails de structure de dispositions comprenant des guides de lumière et d'autres éléments optiques, p. ex. des moyens de couplage du type guide d'ondes optiques
22.
UNREPEATERED OPTICAL SEGMENT FOR USE WITH REPEATERED SERIES OF OPTICAL SEGMENTS
An optical communications network that includes an unrepeatered optical segment that optically couples a remote terminal to a branching unit optically coupled within a series of repeatered optical segments. The unrepeatered optical segment may be quite long through the use of Raman amplification and/or remote optical pumped amplifiers thereby extending the reach of the unrepeatered optical segment. The branching unit or one of the repeaters may optionally be configured, perhaps remotely, to perform Raman amplification.
There is provided a method and apparatus for tuning an optical discriminator to the carrier frequency of an optical signal to allow superior reception of said signal. The carrier frequency of the signal is dithered during a test phase in order to provide information that allows a subsequent tuning phase to optimise the reception of the optical signal, as measured by a signal quality metric. The tuning phase may comprise adjustment of one or both of the carrier frequency and the optical discriminator.
An optical amplification mechanism that introduces optical pump(s) into one port of an optical circulator. The optical circulator directs the optical pumps from that port into another port that is coupled to the output of a gain stage. The optical pump(s) then pass from the output to the input of the gain stage while amplifying an optical signal passing from the input to the output of the gain stage. A residual amount of optical pump(s) that exits the input of the gain stage is reflected back into the input of the gain stage. The reflected optical pump(s) then further assists in the amplification of the optical signal. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
H01S 3/10 - Commande de l'intensité, de la fréquence, de la phase, de la polarisation ou de la direction du rayonnement, p. ex. commutation, ouverture de porte, modulation ou démodulation
25.
OPTICAL AMPLIFIER CAPABLE OF AMPLIFYING OPTICAL SIGNALS THAT TREVERSE SEPARATE TRANSMISSION FIBERS
Optical amplification by combining two or more optical signals from separate optical fibers, amplifying the combined signal using an optical fiber, and separating the amplified signals into their constituent optical signals. The separated optical signals may then be sent further in the direction they had been heading before combination. This allows multiple optical signals to be amplified using a single optical amplifier, perhaps even in a single optical fiber. Although not required, the two optical signals may even be travelling in different directions.
H01S 3/00 - Lasers, c.-à-d. dispositifs utilisant l'émission stimulée de rayonnement électromagnétique dans la gamme de l’infrarouge, du visible ou de l’ultraviolet
The alteration of the bandwidth of an optical amplifier. Before alteration, optical signals having a first set of wavelengths are provided through a gain medium of the optical amplifier. In addition, a first pump having a set of pump wavelengths is propagated through the gain medium to thereby amplify the optical signals. After alteration, optical signals having at least a partially different set of wavelengths are able to be optically amplified by coupling a second pump into the optical medium. The second pump is at least partially distinct from the first pump in that the second pump includes at least one pump wavelength that was not included in the first pump.
H01S 3/30 - Lasers, c.-à-d. dispositifs utilisant l'émission stimulée de rayonnement électromagnétique dans la gamme de l’infrarouge, du visible ou de l’ultraviolet utilisant des effets de diffusion, p. ex. l'effet Brillouin ou Raman stimulé
27.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPLEMENTING A HIGH CAPACITY UNREPEATERED OPTICAL COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
A method of communicating an optical signal includes generating an optical signal at a bit rate of at least 2.5 Gb/s. The optical signal including at least thirty optical channels. In one particular embodiment, at least some of the thirty optical channels reside within a 1567- 1620 nanometer wavelength range. The method also includes receiving the optical signal at a ROPA that includes a rare-earth doped optical fiber. In addition, the method includes introducing a pump signal to a communication span of the unrepeatered optical communication system. The pump signal operable to amplify the optical signal by Raman amplification within the communication span and including at least one pump signal wavelength operable to excite the rare-earth doped fiber. The method further includes receiving the optical signal after the optical signal has traversed at least 200 kilometers of the communication span.
An optical communication system includes a transmission fiber that is operable to receive at least one optical signal and at least one pump signal. The optical signal includes one or more optical signal wavelengths and a power level at approximately a minimum threshold/power level. The pump signal co-propagates with at least a portion of the optical signal over at least a portion of the transmission fiber. In one particular embodiment, the pump signal operates to amplify the optical signal to approximately a maximum threshold power level as the pump signal and the optical signal traverse the portion of the transmission fiber.
brevets