Tropic Networks Inc.

Dongxing Jin

Ping Wai Wan

Derrick Remedios

Patrick Chilufya Chimfwembe

Leonard Marziliano

Channels in an optical WDM network are each identified by at least two dither tones with which the channel is modulated, the dither tones alternating with a predetermined periodicity so that at any instant each channel is modulated by only one dither tone. The dither tones are continuously generated at precise frequencies. Channel detection by detecting the dither tones, for channels having optical powers over a wide dynamic range, makes use of an FFT process which can detect dither tones for high power channels in a single operation. Coherent averaging of FFT results over time is used to detect dither tones for low power channels over multiple FFT operations.

Channel identification in communications networks

A method and apparatus for performing a fast Fourier transform (FFT) computation on large data sizes in real time is provided. The speed at which a FFT is performed is increased by reducing the number of times a Direct Memory Access (DMA) unit must transfer data between an internal memory and an external memory. This is achieved through an algorithm in which data is imported from the external memory into the internal memory and having the CPU perform several calculations on the imported data before it is exported back to the external memory. The imported data in the internal memory has a structure that results in a reduction of the number of times the imported data is swapped between different layers of the internal memory during the FFT computation. Furthermore, the DMA unit import/exports data between the internal memory and the external memory while at the same time having the CPU perform calculations on other data in the internal memory.

Real-time method and apparatus for performing a large size fast fourier transform

A digital signal processor DSP for bit-reversal of a large data array of a size has a direct memory access (DMA) controller for performing in-place bit reversal routines on an external memory during a first stage, and a central processing unit (CPU) for swapping small sub-arrays on internal memory in a second stage. The two stage method according to the invention importantly reduces the real-time implementation for sorting large size data arrays on uni-processor DSP platforms, by extensively using the external memory and avoiding a random access to the internal memory. As well, the invention provides for improved dense integration and reduced costs when used in dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) systems.

Real-time method for bit-reversal of large size arrays

Various methods and apparatuses are provided for performing a radix-M FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) upon N time domain samples to produce N/S frequency domain samples for detecting tones of dithers impressed on channels of a WDM (wavelength Division Multiplexed) optical signal. Successive tones have a tone frequency spacing, &Dgr;f , and a sampling frequency, f , is chosen so that f &equals;N&Dgr;f /S. S is a spacing given by S&equals;M with w being an integer. The radix-M FFT is performed in k&equals;log (N) stages and within the stages a reduced number of radix-M computations, when compared to the number of radix-M computations of a conventional radix-M FFT, are performed on data points associated with the N time domain samples. This is possible because successive frequency domain samples of the N/S frequency domain samples differ by &Dgr;f &equals;S&Dgr;f where &Dgr;f is a frequency bandwidth.

Method and apparatus for computation reduction for tone detection

Provided is a signal detector and method for spectrum analysis and for measuring power of one or more channels of an electrical or optical signal. Each channel may carry a unique modulation tone. A DSP (digital-signal processor) performs DFTs (discrete Fourier transforms) on the signal. Frequency bands of interest which contain a tone that requires detection are processed. Higher layers of coherent integrations are performed on bands which have not detected a tone with a resolution that is suitable for power measurement. The higher layers of coherent integrations are performed by collecting additional data and performing a coherent integration. Further higher layer coherent integrations are performed until all modulation tones have been detected with a suitable resolution or up to a maximum detection latency.

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Ottawa, Canada

Dongxing Jin