Randy Clinton Giles

Light core and intelligent edge for a flexible, thin-layered, and cost-effective optical transport network

We present a new optics-based transport architecture that emulates fast switching in the network core via emerging fast tunable lasers at the network edge, and bypasses the need for fast optical switching and buffering. The new architecture is capable of handling both asynchronous and synchronous traffic, for dealing with various bandwidth granularities and responding to dynamic changes in end-to-end traffic demands. The architecture also reduces the amount of layering in the transport network by eliminating packet and TDM switching, keeps the network core light (lightweight and transparent), and pushes intelligence to the network edge. We discuss technical challenges that arise in the new architecture and describe possible approaches to address them.

Wavelength conversion in a 1550-nm multifrequency laser

Wavelength conversion of input signals at data rates of 622 and to 1250 Mb/s was as demonstrated using an integrated multifrequency laser having 8 channels with 1.6-nm channel spacing.

Low-loss channelized WDM spectral equalizer using lightwave micromachines and autonomous power regulation

A 16-channel 100-GHz spacing WDM spectral equalizer having athermal grating multiplexer/demultiplexers and MEMS variable attenuators was demonstrated with <9.1 dB excess loss, >50 dB dynamic range and autonomous power regulation using self-powered optical limiters incorporating InGaAs photogenerators.

Silicon micromachines for lightwave networks: can little machines make it big?

Silicon micromechanics is an emerging field which is beginning to impact upon almost every area of science and technology. In areas as diverse as the chemical, automotive, aeronautical, cellular and optical communications industries, silicon micromachines are becoming the solution of choice for many problems. In this paper, we describe what they are, how they are built and show how they have the potential to revolutionize lightwave systems. Devices such as optical switches, variable attenuators, active equalizers, add/drop multiplexers, optical crossconnects, gain tilt equalizers, data transmitters and many others are beginning to find ubiquitous application in advanced lightwave systems. We show examples of these devices and describe some of the challenges in attacking the billions of dollars in addressable markets for this technology.

Optical monitoring for transparent and all-optical networks

Optical monitoring methods need to evolve from simple optical power and spectra measurements as transparent and all-optical networks begin to be deployed. End-to-end verification of signal integrity and definitive fault localization will need to be assured by in-network monitoring of the noise, jitter and distortion of optical channels affected by optical amplifier impairments, optical nonlinearities, chromatic dispersion, polarization dispersion, and local effects of filtering, crosstalk and multipath interference in network elements. Several novel measurement techniques are described, illustrating the opportunities ahead for advanced optical monitoring.

Enhanced sensitivity in WDM optical monitoring using a MARS optical chopper

A MARS optical chopper is implemented with lock-in detection to enhance the sensitivity of a 1550-nm band wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) optical monitor and improve its immunity of 1/f noise and dc drift. The high chopping rate, 1.02 MHz, it ideally suited for rapid-scanning optical monitors, allowing <100 /spl mu/s filter time constants for high-rate data acquisition.