Corvis Corporation

Jds Uniphase Corporation

Michael Bortz

Bernard G Fidric

David G Mehuys

John deAndrea

William J Brown

The optical systems of the present invention include optical switching device generally configured to control signal characteristic profiles over the pluralities of signal channels, or wavelengths, to provide desired signal characteristic profiles at the output ports of the device. Various signal characteristics that can be controlled include power level, cross-talk, optical signal to noise ratio, etc. The optical switching devices can include balanced demultiplexer/multiplexer combinations and switches that provide for uniform optical loss through the devices. In addition, low extinction ratio switches can be configured to provide higher extinction ratios.

Optical transmission systems including optical switching devices, control apparatuses, and methods

Devices, such as node and network elements for use in communications systems, which include a plurality of ports, each having an input and an output, a plurality of splitters corresponding to the port inputs, a plurality of combiners corresponding to the port outputs, a plurality of signal paths between the splitters and the combiners, wherein each of the signal paths includes a signal varying device, and a plurality of protection devices connected between the splitters and the combiners, wherein each of the plurality of protection devices includes a signal varying device and provides a protection path corresponding to a plurality of the signal paths, and wherein at least one splitter has at least one unused output after the signal paths and the protection paths are connected, and wherein at least one combiner has at least one unused input after the signal paths and the protection paths are connected.

Optical communications systems, devices, and methods

The negative effects of kinking in the L-I characteristics of laser diode operation with respect to feedback control for laser diode current control is suppressed by either (1) combining the output of a plurality of laser diodes together or (2) by imparting a current modulation superimposed on the direct driving current of the laser diode in conjunction with a limited feedback bandwidth, or a combination of both approaches (1) and (2).

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Columbia, MD, United States of America

Michael Bortz