Abstract:
An optical-power-distribution (OPD) subsystem that provides means for supplying optical local-oscillator signals and optical-carrier signals to various optical line cards, without the need for each optical line card to have a corresponding individual laser source. In one embodiment, a single laser coupled to the OPD subsystem provides optical local-oscillator signals and/or optical-carrier signals to multiple optical line cards. In another embodiment, multiple lasers coupled to the OPD subsystem provide multiple optical local-oscillator signals and/or optical-carrier signals to a single line card. An OPD subsystem may provide significant power savings in the operation of the corresponding optical transport system, a reduction in the required equipment-cooling capacity, and/or an increase in the device-packing density within optical line cards and/or inside equipment cabinets that house optical line cards.
Abstract:
An optical line card includes a plurality of coherent receivers and a plurality of optical modulators. The coherent receivers are each configured to receive a corresponding channel of a received optical superchannel. The optical modulators are each configured transmit a corresponding channel of a transmitted optical superchannel. Each of a plurality of optical splitters is configured to receive a corresponding one of a plurality of unmodulated optical signals from an optical source external to the line card. Each splitter directs a first portion of light received by that splitter to a corresponding one of the coherent receivers, and a second portion of light received by that splitter to a corresponding one of said optical modulators.
Abstract:
An optical-power-distribution (OPD) subsystem that provides means for supplying optical local-oscillator signals and optical-carrier signals to various optical line cards, without the need for each optical line card to have a corresponding individual laser source. In one embodiment, a single laser coupled to the OPD subsystem provides optical local-oscillator signals and optical-carrier signals to multiple optical line cards. In another embodiment, multiple lasers coupled to the OPD subsystem provide multiple optical local-oscillator signals and optical-carrier signals to a single line card. An OPD subsystem may provide significant power savings in the operation of the corresponding optical transport system, a reduction in the required equipment-cooling capacity, and an increase in the device-packing density within optical line cards and inside equipment cabinets that house optical line cards.
Abstract:
A wavelength-selective cross-connect (WSXC) device configured to route any set of carrier wavelengths from a corresponding input port to any selected output port. The WSXC device comprises a diffraction grating and a beam-steering device optically coupled to one another and to the input/output ports using astigmatic optics. The astigmatic optics includes one or more cylindrical lenses configured to image one beam-steering surface onto another beam-steering surface to enable a continuous spectral response. The astigmatic optics may further include (i) a cylindrical Fourier lens that enables the WSXC device to convert a change in the angular beam steering performed by the beam-steering device into a corresponding image-spot displacement at the output ports and/or (ii) one or more cylindrical lenses configured to image the active surface of the beam-steering device onto the diffraction grating. Various unfolded configurations of the various embodiments of the WSXC device are also disclosed.
Abstract:
The optical demuxplixer/multiplexer architecture includes an anamorphic optical system that decouples first characteristics of a beam passing through the anamorphic optical system from at least second characteristics of the beam.
Abstract:
A wavelength-selective cross-connect (WSXC) device having N input ports and M output ports and configured to route any set of one or more carrier wavelengths from a corresponding input port to any selected output port. In one embodiment, the WSXC device includes a diffraction grating and a beam-steering device optically coupled to each other and to the input/output ports so that each of the carrier wavelengths traverses the diffraction grating and the beam-steering device two or more times en route from the respective input port to a designated output port. Various unfolded configurations of the WSXC device are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A passive arrayed-waveguide-grating (AWG) router that can be used to implement the dual functionality of a wavelength router and a 3-dB power splitter for one of its wavelength channels while functioning as a conventional wavelength router for the other wavelength channels. The passive AWG router can advantageously be used, e.g., in a WDM-PON system to reduce the insertion-loss disparity between the various wavelength channels that are being used to broadcast optical signals from an optical line terminal located at the service provider's central office, through the passive AWG router, to a plurality of optical network units located near the end users.
Abstract:
A wavelength-selective cross-connect (WSXC) device configured to route any set of carrier wavelengths from a corresponding input port to any selected output port. The WSXC device comprises a diffraction grating and a beam-steering device optically coupled to one another and to the input/output ports using astigmatic optics. The astigmatic optics includes one or more cylindrical lenses configured to image one beam-steering surface onto another beam-steering surface to enable a continuous spectral response. The astigmatic optics may further include (i) a cylindrical Fourier lens that enables the WSXC device to convert a change in the angular beam steering performed by the beam-steering device into a corresponding image-spot displacement at the output ports and/or (ii) one or more cylindrical lenses configured to image the active surface of the beam-steering device onto the diffraction grating. Various unfolded configurations of the various embodiments of the WSXC device are also disclosed.
Abstract:
An optical photonic device comprising a planar semiconductor substrate having a light-guiding layer thereon, a primary laser light source in said light-guiding layer and a vertical coupler optically coupled to the primary laser light source by waveguide portions of the light-guiding layer. The vertical coupler is configured to receive a light beam from the primary laser light source and redirect the light beam in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to a surface of the planar substrate.
Abstract:
Optical components that are designed to be coupled together in modular fashion to form an optical network. The components are shaped so that a plurality of components can be coupled together to form a light cube. The components are provided with mating means to permit easy coupling. The preferred form of component is a right-angled triangular prism that can be coupled together with a similar prism to form a cube.