Joseph R Ford

US Patent:

6337935, Jan 8, 2002

Filed:

Aug 16, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/375305

Inventors:

Joseph Earl Ford - Oakhurst NJ
David Thomas Neilson - Plainsboro NJ

Assignee:

Lucent Technologies - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

G02B 628

US Classification:

385 24, 385 15, 385 31, 385 33, 359115, 359127, 359131

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for multiplexing and demultiplexing light signals of multiple wavelengths using two canceling dispersion stages with a stage between them which transforms the angular positions of the beams, the lateral positions of the beams, or both the angular and lateral positions of the beams. Light of multiple wavelengths is introduced through an input waveguide. The light then enters the first stage of the invention which disperses the signal. The dispersed signals then enter a second stage in which they are transformed. The transformed signals then enter a third stage where they are subject to the inverse of the dispersion performed in the first stage. In other words, if the third stage were placed immediately after the first stage, the third stage would nullify the dispersion of the first stage. However, adding the intervening transformation step results in only the simple linear dispersion being canceled in the system while the transformed part of the dispersion is retained. In specific examples of the invention, the intervening transformation step causes the resulting signals which are outputted from the third stage to remain coplanar with the input waveguide despite any displacement of the input waveguide in a direction orthogonal to both the direction of dispersion and the optical axis.

US Patent:

6567195, May 20, 2003

Filed:

Jun 17, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/335334

Inventors:

Joseph Earl Ford - Oakhurst NJ
Wayne Harvey Knox - Holmdel NJ
Ashok V. Krishnamoorthy - Middletown NJ
Martin C. Nuss - Fair Haven NJ

Assignee:

Lucent Technologies Inc. - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

H04B 1024

US Classification:

359118, 359159

Abstract:

An optical local area network uses modified remote network interface cards (NICs) to provide an optical carrier signal for signaling use by a centralized optoelectronic switch unit. The NIC optical transceiver is modified so that instead of being normally âoffâ during the standby mode, the data signal is logically inverted to be âon. â Light from each NIC is used to provide optical power for a corresponding optical modulator on the switch unit.

US Patent:

6577420, Jun 10, 2003

Filed:

Oct 27, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/427682

Inventors:

Joseph E. Ford - Oakhurst NJ
Ashok V. Krishnamoorthy - Middletown NJ

Assignee:

Lucent Technologies Inc. - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

H04B 1000

US Classification:

359152, 359154, 359173, 385 14, 385 27, 385 28, 385 89, 385115

Abstract:

A step-index fiber bundle utilized in communicating optical Gigabit Ethernet signals from multiple Gigabit Ethernet optical transceiver interfaces directly to an array of Gigabit Ethernet receivers and lasers integrated on an optoelectronic-VLSI chip, with the step-index fibers in the bundle having core sizes between 50 um and 60 um to facilitate the fabrication of the bundles. The step-index fiber is selected to exhibit a numerical aperture between 0. 19 and 0. 25 to cooperate with a standard Gigabit Ethernet 50 um graded-index fiber jumper between each individual transmitter interface and the fiber bundle, and with a standard Gigabit Ethernet 62. 5 um graded-index fiber jumper between each individual receiver interface and the corresponding integrated laser in ensuring that substantially all of the light coupled from each transmitter interface is collected by the corresponding step-index fiber and delivered to the corresponding detectors on the optoelectronic-VLSI chip and so that substantially all of the light coupled into the step-index fiber from the integrated lasers is collected and delivered to the corresponding individual receiver interface.

US Patent:

6631246, Oct 7, 2003

Filed:

Jun 14, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/332677

Inventors:

Joseph Earl Ford - Oakhurst NJ
Keith Wayne Goossen - Aberdeen NJ
Christi Kay Madsen - South Plainfield NJ
James Albert Walker - Howell NJ

Assignee:

Lucent Technologies Inc. - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

G02B 626

US Classification:

398158, 398 81, 398 85, 385 24, 385 37, 385 27, 385 32

Abstract:

In accordance with the invention, a WDM optical communication system includes a new tunable multi-channel dispersion compensating filter having low loss, low polarization dependence and capable of compensating many channels over a large wavelength range. In essence, the filter comprises an optical cavity with a near 100% reflector on one side and a variable partial reflector on the other side. The device acts as a tunable all-pass filter.

US Patent:

6634810, Oct 21, 2003

Filed:

Oct 8, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/414622

Inventors:

Joseph Earl Ford - Oakhurst NJ
David Thomas Neilson - Plainsboro NJ

Assignee:

Lucent Technologies Inc. - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

G02B 628

US Classification:

398 88, 398 82, 398 84, 398 79, 385 24, 385 15, 385 31, 385 33

Abstract:

A free space multiport wavelength router for directing channels of a received WDM optic signal to a plurality of output ports. The inventive router includes a lens which receives an incoming WDM signal and focuses the signal on a grating for angular displacement, as a function of wavelength, of the individual channels in the WDM signal. The angularly displaced channels are then collimated by the lens and provided to an array of optical elements. The array is oriented relative to the lens so that each element in the array receives and imparts an orthogonal displacement to a corresponding channel relative to the dispersement direction provided by the grating. The othogonally-dispersed channels are then reflected back to the grating and are output to select output optic fibers.

US Patent:

6647010, Nov 11, 2003

Filed:

Apr 7, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/287533

Inventors:

Joseph Earl Ford - Oakhurst NJ
Ashok V. Krishnamoorthy - Middletown NJ

Assignee:

Lucent Technologies Inc. - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

H04L 1228

US Classification:

370391, 370398, 370384

Abstract:

Method and apparatus are disclosed for an optoelectronic network interface device allowing reconfiguration of ports in a Local Area Network (LAN). More particularly, the optoelectronic interface device is integrated to include optical ports for communicating with a network, electronic circuits for providing an interface to end-users and a controllable electronic switch between the optical ports and electronic circuits. In response to a control signal, the switch dynamically reconfigures the connection between selected optical ports and selected electronic circuits.

US Patent:

6704130, Mar 9, 2004

Filed:

Oct 8, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/415581

Inventors:

Joseph Earl Ford - Oakhurst NJ
Gerard Edmond Henein - Chatham NJ
David Andrew Ramsey - Annandale NJ
James Albert Walker - Howell NJ

Assignee:

Agere Systems Inc. - Allentown PA
Lucent Technologies Inc. - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

G02B 2710

US Classification:

359245, 372 20, 385 14, 356519

Abstract:

In accordance with the invention, a electromechanical optical modulator comprising an optical membrane, a substrate and Fabry-Perot air gap between them is provided with an improved structure for controlling light transmitted into the substrate. Specifically, an etched and coated cavity is formed in the backwall of the substrate underlying the air gap to receive transmitted light and redirect it onto controllable paths within the substrate. Advantageously the substrate is silicon, and the cavity is produced by anisotropic etching.

US Patent:

6718086, Apr 6, 2004

Filed:

Feb 10, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/501199

Inventors:

Joseph E. Ford - Oakhurst NJ
Keith W. Goossen - Aberdeen NJ
James A. Walker - Howell NJ

Assignee:

Agere Systems, Inc. - Allentown PA
Triquint Technology Holding Co. - Hillsboro OR

International Classification:

G02B 626

US Classification:

385 27, 385 15, 385 24, 359124

Abstract:

An article comprising a tunable filter includes an optical cavity, a tuning device and a filter-disabling device. The tuning device is operable to change the center transmission wavelength of the tunable filter. The filter-disabling device is operable to temporarily disrupt the finesse or otherwise affect the transmissibility of the optical cavity, thereby preventing the transmission of any intervening wavelengths during tuning.