Abstract:
A 10 Gbit/s XFP transceiver module comprises a receive optical sub-assembly (ROSA) for receiving a modulated optical signal transmitted along an optical fibre, and a transmit optical sub-assembly (TOSA) for modulating an optical output signal from a laser with the data signal to produce a modulated optical signal to be transmitted along an optical fibre to a remote receiver. The transceiver module also incorporates a receiver CDR circuit for receiving the output signal from the ROSA, and a transmitter CDR circuit for transmitting a conditioned data input signal to the TOSA. Each of the CDR circuits incorporates a limiting input amplifier 10 (LIA), a retiming circuit 11, and a phase detector 12 for supplying an output signal to a voltage controlled oscillator 15 (VCO) by way of an amplifier 13 and a loop filter 14' comprising two possible control paths 20, 21. The control path 20 incorporates a resistor R1, a switching transistor Q1A and a capacitor C2 whereas the control path 21 incorporates a resistor R2, a switching transistor Q1B and a capacitor C3. Furthermore separate control lines 23 and 24 are coupled to the switching transistors Q1A and Q1B to effect switching so that either the control path 20 only is activated to provide a first control status, or the control path 21 only is activated to provide a second control status, or both the control paths 20 and 21 are activated to provide a third control status. Any one of the three possible control statuses may be selected to provide a required loop bandwidth so that jitter can be optimised over a range of possible data transmission rates.
Abstract:
A mover assembly (16) that moves or positions an object (12) includes a mover output (32), a gear (238), and an assembly output (28) that is coupled to the object (12). The mover output (32) is rotated. The gear (238) engages the mover output (32) so that rotation of the mover output (32) results in rotation of the gear (238). The assembly output (28) is coupled to the gear (238) so that rotation of the gear (238) results in movement of the assembly output (28) along an axis (28A). The mover assembly (16) can include a rotation inhibitor (30) that inhibits rotation of the assembly output (28) and allows for movement of the assembly output (28) along the axis (28A). The mover output (32) can include a worm (236) that engages the gear (238) so that rotation of the worm (236) about a worm axis (236A) results in rotation of the gear (238) about a gear axis (238A) that is different than the worm axis (236A).
Abstract:
A multistage optical amplifier is controlled to compensate for the effect of amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) by a method comprising the following steps. Optical input and output signals to a first gain stage are detected, and the drive current to the first gain stage is controlled in dependence on the optical input signal to the first gain stage. Optical input and output signals to a last gain stage are detected, and the drive current to the last gain stage is controlled to maintain the output power of the last gain stage substantially constant. The effect of ASE in the first gain stage is compensated for by applying a correction factor based on the ASE of the first gain stage and the output power of the first gain stage. The drive current supplied to the first gain stage is controlled to zero in on an error signal of the general form: (Total Power at B - Stage 1 ASE) - (A + Stage 1 Gain) where Total Power at B is the power of the output signal from the first gain stage, and A is the input signal of the first gain stage. Furthermore the drive current supplied to the last gain stage is controlled to zero in on an error signal of the general form: (Total Power at E - Stage 2 ASE) - (D + Stage 2 Gain) where Total Power at E is the power of the output signal from the last gain stage, and D is the input signal of the last gain stage. In this method the correction factor is calibrated in the gain control mode and is subsequently applied in the power control mode, and this therefore simplifies the calibration procedure.
Abstract:
The present invention is a combination of in-situ etching using a grating mask that is formed in semiconductor material only and the subsequent overgrowth of additional semiconductor material to enclose the grating structure prior to exposure to the atmosphere and the contaminants therein. The present invention is based on a two-stage process. First the grating pattern is defined in a semiconductor material, which is the grating mask. This grating mask is created at a position above the material that is to ultimately contain the grating pattern. Upon the completion of the fabrication of the grating mask, the semiconductor structure is moved to a reactor, where in the second stage, the grating pattern defined by the grating mask is transferred into the underlying semiconductor layers by in-situ etching. The grating is subsequently overgrown with additional semiconductor material while in the same reactor, thereby not exposing the etched grating pattern to the atmosphere thereby reducing the contaminants in the grating structure of the semiconductor laser.
Abstract:
An optical assembly includes a photodetector for detecting light signals. An optical fiber receives an input signal and has a light-emitting portion extending in front of the photodetector. A MEMS actuator is located between the light-emitting portion of the optical fiber and the photodetector. The MEMS actuator is controllably deflectable to partially obscure the photodetector and thereby vary the amount of light received.
Abstract:
An EDF amplifier comprises two EDF loops (1) and (2) separated by optical isolators (3) and pumped with light by pump laser diodes (5) and (6) under the control of an output power control system (7). To achieve the required output power the current supplied to the pump supplying light to the input loop (1) is set to the maximum drive current I max for the pump laser, and the pump currents of all pumps not supplying light to the input loop (1), that is the pumps supplying light to the further loop or loops (2), are adjusted to achieve the required output power. To avoid a very high MPI, the inversion of all loops is never so low that the gain in the first loop (1) has to compensate for loss in the following loop or loops. This is done by providing a minimum pump power to the second loop (2) and any following loops. This ensures that the loops are always inverted enough, and that they do not exhibit too much loss. The required minimum pump current is obtained by modelling and experimental verification.
Abstract:
Coupled-power adjusting apparatus is disclosed in conjunction with optoelectronic modules. The apparatus includes a receptacle assembly with an elongated optical fiber receiving opening having a longitudinal axis and an optoelectronic device. Variable optical power coupling apparatus is mounted in the optical fiber receiving opening and rotateable about the longitudinal axis without moving along the longitudinal axis. Relative rotation of the variable optical power coupling apparatus varies the amount of optical power coupled between the optoelectronic device and an optical fiber positioned in the optical fiber receiving opening. The variable optical power coupling apparatus includes either a polarized isolator or a beveled optical fiber stub.
Abstract:
An Optical communications apparatus, comprising: (a) an optical integrated device comprising an input, one or more integrated optical component(s) and an output, arranged such that light received by the input is propagated by the optical component(s) and exits the device as an output light beam; (b) a light beam diverter arranged to divert a sample portion only of the power of the output light beam; (c) a light detector arranged to detect the sample portion of the output light beam; and (d) a polariser located between the light beam diverter and the light detector and/or between the output of the optical integrated device and the light beam diverter, the polariser being arranged such that if light of a predetermined polarisation is received by the optical integrated device, the polariser propagates light of that polarisation only, thereby substantially to prevent light other than of the predetermined polarisation being detected by the light detector.
Abstract:
A monolithic photodetector array comprising a plurality of monolithic photodiodes formed in a light conducting substrate and positioned in an array (10, 11, 12) across the substrate so that each photodiode receives a different light signal or different portion of a light signal propagating through the substrate.
Abstract:
A self-aligned laser structure with an integral active and guiding layer is disclosed. It is comprised of a continuous active region and a current blocking region forming a lateral waveguide. The blocking region has an index of refraction n1 and a continuous guiding layer has an index of refraction n2, wherein n2 is greater than n1. The blocking region has a real refractive index step to form a transverse optical mode.