Stephen C Harmon

US Patent:

6341025, Jan 22, 2002

Filed:

Jan 8, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/756159

Inventors:

Victor Mizrahi - Columbia MD
Stephen R. Harmon - Severn MD

Assignee:

Ciena Corporation - Linthicum MD

International Classification:

H04J 1402

US Classification:

359130, 385 37

Abstract:

The present invention provides a wavelength division multiplexed optical communication system with dynamically stabilized wavelength selectors. To accurately correlate the wavelength of a wavelength selector to the wavelength emitted by an optical transmission source, the present invention uses an optical detector and feedback loop to optimize the wavelength of an optical selection element in accordance with a wavelength of an incident optical channel. In one embodiment, the optical selection element is a Bragg grating associated with a grating wavelength controller, such as a temperature regulator or strain tuning system, to adjust the wavelength band of maximum reflectivity of the grating. The feedback loop communicates with the optical detector and the wavelength controller to modify the gratings reflection wavelength band in accordance with the wavelength of an incident optical channel.

US Patent:

6466346, Oct 15, 2002

Filed:

Jan 8, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/756158

Inventors:

Victor Mizrahi - Columbia MD
Stephen R. Harmon - Severn MD

Assignee:

CIENA Corporation - Linthicum MD

International Classification:

H04J 1402

US Classification:

359130, 385 37

Abstract:

The present invention provides a wavelength division multiplexed optical communication system with dynamically stabilized wavelength selectors. To accurately correlate the wavelength of a wavelength selector to the wavelength emitted by an optical transmission source, the present invention uses an optical detector and feedback loop to optimize the wavelength of an optical selection element in accordance with a wavelength of an incident optical channel. In one embodiment, the optical selection element is a Bragg grating associated with a grating wavelength controller, such as a temperature regulator or strain tuning system, to adjust the wavelength band of maximum reflectivity of the grating. The feedback loop communicates with the optical detector and the wavelength controller to modify the gratings reflection wavelength band in accordance with the wavelength of an incident optical channel.

US Patent:

6850708, Feb 1, 2005

Filed:

Dec 1, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/728150

Inventors:

Keith A. Condict - Gambrills MD, US
Stephen R. Harmon - Severn MD, US
Wesley R. Jones - Gambrills MD, US
Michael B. Peters-Rodbell - Dayton MD, US

Assignee:

Ciena Corporation - Linthicum MD

International Classification:

H04J 1400
H04B 1020

US Classification:

398 57, 398 43, 398 47, 398 49, 398 58, 398 69

Abstract:

The present invention is directed toward a distributed intelligence fiber-optic communication network in which node control processors (NCPs) associated with each network element periodically transmit identification and status information to the other NCPs in the network. Various faults in the network can thus be readily identified, and appropriate tasks for modifying the network in response to the fault (such as rerouting around a defective network element) can be carried out. Further, information continues to be distributed among the NCPs even if a break occurs in a segment of fiber in the network.

US Patent:

7039312, May 2, 2006

Filed:

Jun 13, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/170734

Inventors:

Keith A. Condict - Gambrills MD, US
Stephen R. Harmon - Severn MD, US
Wesley R. Jones - Gambrills MD, US
Michael B. Peters-Rodbell - Dayton MD, US

Assignee:

Ciena Corp - Linthicum MD

International Classification:

G02F 1/00
G01R 31/08
H04L 1/00

US Classification:

398 5, 398 3, 398 4, 370223

Abstract:

The present invention is directed toward a distributed intelligence fiber-optic communication network in which node control processors (NCPs) associated with each network element periodically transmit identification and status information to the other NCPs in the network. Various faults in the network can thus be readily identified, and appropriate tasks for modifying the network in response to the fault (such as rerouting around a defective network element) can be carried out. Further, information continues to be distributed among the NCPs even if a break occurs in a segment of fiber in the network.

US Patent:

59431520, Aug 24, 1999

Filed:

May 8, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/848423

Inventors:

Victor Mizrahi - Columbia MD
Stephen R. Harmon - Severn MD

Assignee:

CIENA Corporation - Linthicum MD

International Classification:

H04B 1004

US Classification:

359187

Abstract:

A laser control system is disclosed including a microprocessor, which precisely adjusts the wavelength of light output from the laser by monitoring the transmissivity of an in-fiber Bragg grating coupled to the output of the laser. The Bragg grating is fabricated to have a minimum transmissivity at the desired output wavelength of the laser. The microprocessor continually adjusts the wavelength of the laser output to obtain substantially minimal transmissivity through the grating. At which point, the laser is locked to the desired wavelength. Alternatively, the microprocessor can monitor light reflected from the grating, and continually adjust the wavelength of the laser output to lock the laser at a wavelength providing substantially maximum reflectance by the grating.

US Patent:

59781157, Nov 2, 1999

Filed:

May 27, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/085356

Inventors:

Keith A. Condict - Gambrills MD
Stephen R. Harmon - Severn MD
Wesley R. Jones - Gambrills MD
Michael B. Peters-Rodbell - Dayton MD

Assignee:

CIENA Corporation - Linthicum MD

International Classification:

H04J 1402

US Classification:

359124

Abstract:

A network communication system comprising an optical communication path and a plurality of network elements disposed along the optical communication path. A first network element coupled to the optical communication path includes a first processor and a first optical component. The status of the first optical component being monitored by the first processor. The first processor generates a first electrical signal in accordance with the status of the first optical component. The first network element also includes a service channel transmitter coupled to the first processor and emits a second optical signal to the optical communication path at a second wavelength different than the first plurality of wavelengths in response to the first electrical signal. The second optical signal being modulated in accordance with the second electrical signal. A second network element is coupled to the optical communication path and includes a second processor, a second optical component coupled to the second processor and a service channel receiver coupled to the first processor and to the optical communication path.

US Patent:

61633925, Dec 19, 2000

Filed:

May 23, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/862864

Inventors:

Keith A. Condict - Gambrills MD
Stephen R. Harmon - Severn MD
Wesley R. Jones - Gambrills MD
Michael B. Peters-Rodbell - Dayton MD

Assignee:

Ciena Corporation - Linthicum MD

International Classification:

H04J 1402
H04B 1020
H04B 1002

US Classification:

359124

Abstract:

The present invention is directed toward a distributed intelligence fiber-optic communication network in which node control processors (NCPs) associated with each network element periodically transmit identification and status information to the other NCPs in the network. Various faults in the network can thus be readily identified, and appropriate tasks for modifying the network in response to the fault (such as rerouting around a defective network element) can be carried out. Further, information continues to be distributed among the NCPs even if a break occurs in a segment of fiber in the network.

US Patent:

61116815, Aug 29, 2000

Filed:

May 8, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/848422

Inventors:

Victor Mizrahi - Columbia MD
Stephen R. Harmon - Severn MD

Assignee:

Ciena Corporation - Linthicum MD

International Classification:

H04B 1004

US Classification:

359187

Abstract:

The present invention provides a wavelength division multiplexed optical communication system with dynamically stabilized wavelength selectors. To accurately correlate the wavelength of a wavelength selector to the wavelength emitted by an optical transmission source, the present invention uses an optical detector and feedback loop to optimize the wavelength of an optical selection element in accordance with a wavelength of an incident optical channel. In one embodiment, the optical selection element is a Bragg grating associated with a grating wavelength controller, such as a temperature regulator or strain tuning system, to adjust the wavelength band of maximum reflectivity of the grating. The feedback loop communicates with the optical detector and the wavelength controller to modify the grating's reflection wavelength band in accordance with the wavelength of an incident optical channel.