A coherent passive optical network extender apparatus includes an extender transceiver for communication with an associated optical headend. The extender transceiver includes at least one receiving portion, at least one transmitting portion, and an extension processor. The apparatus further includes a signal adaptation unit configured to convert a downstream electrical transmission lane into a plurality of individual wavelengths. Each of the converted individual wavelengths are for transmission to one of an optical node and an end user. The apparatus further includes a plurality of transceivers, disposed within the signal adaptation unit, and configured to process and transmit the converted individual wavelengths as a bundle for retransmission to the respective end users.

According to an aspect of an embodiment, operations may include receiving a light wave and generating a pumping wave by performing polarization modulation on the light wave based on a bit stream. The pumping wave may include a first polarization component having a first polarization and a second polarization component having a second polarization and having a same wavelength as the first polarization component. The operations may also include emitting the pumping wave in an optical medium such that the pumping wave amplifies an optical signal propagating within the optical medium.

[PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED] To uninterruptedly change a band of an optical transmission path in a line IF section, which relays a signal transmitted to an optical transmission path in a client IF section to which a communication terminal is connected, to the same band as a changed band in the client IF section without suspending the communication in the line IF section. [SOLUTION] An optical transmission system 10A performs processing for changing a band of an optical fiber 15 in a line IF section (L section) that relays a signal from an optical fiber 12 in a client IF section (C section) to the same band as that in the C section. Line IF units 24A and 24B provided on both sides of the L section set a temporary evacuation lane p as an optical lane having a band different from those of a plurality of optical lanes 0 to n in the optical fiber 15 in the L section, selects either a change-target optical lane (for example, the optical lane 0) or the temporary evacuation lane p, the change-target optical lane being provided in the optical fiber 15 in the L section and having a band to be changed to a same band as a band in the C section, while causing a buffer unit 46 to absorb a delay difference between a signal received by the change-target optical lane and a signal received by the temporary evacuation lane p, and sets the optical lane not selected to have the same band as the band in the C section.

[PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED] To uninterruptedly change a band of an optical transmission path in a line IF section, which relays a signal transmitted to an optical transmission path in a client IF section to which a communication terminal is connected, to the same band as a changed band in the client IF section without suspending the communication in the line IF section. [SOLUTION] An optical transmission system 10A performs processing for changing a band of an optical fiber 15 in a line IF section (L section) that relays a signal from an optical fiber 12 in a client IF section (C section) to the same band as that in the C section. Line IF units 24A and 24B provided on both sides of the L section set a temporary evacuation lane p as an optical lane having a band different from those of a plurality of optical lanes 0 to n in the optical fiber 15 in the L section, selects either a change-target optical lane (for example, the optical lane 0) or the temporary evacuation lane p, the change-target optical lane being provided in the optical fiber 15 in the L section and having a band to be changed to a same band as a band in the C section, while causing a buffer unit 46 to absorb a delay difference between a signal received by the change-target optical lane and a signal received by the temporary evacuation lane p, and sets the optical lane not selected to have the same band as the band in the C section.

An example apparatus includes a first communications module having a first transceiver. The first communications module is operable to transmit, using the first transceiver, a plurality of first groups of optical subcarriers to a plurality of second communications modules via free-space optical communication. The first groups of optical subcarriers carry first data, and each of the first groups of optical subcarriers is associated, respectively, with a different one of the second communications modules. The first communications module is also operable to receive, using the first transceiver, plurality of second groups of optical subcarriers from the second communications modules via free-space optical communication. The second groups of optical subcarriers carry second data and each of the second groups of optical subcarriers is associated, respectively, with a different one of the second communications modules.

An example apparatus includes a first communications module having a first transceiver. The first communications module is operable to transmit, using the first transceiver, a plurality of first groups of optical subcarriers to a plurality of second communications modules via free-space optical communication. The first groups of optical subcarriers carry first data, and each of the first groups of optical subcarriers is associated, respectively, with a different one of the second communications modules. The first communications module is also operable to receive, using the first transceiver, plurality of second groups of optical subcarriers from the second communications modules via free-space optical communication. The second groups of optical subcarriers carry second data and each of the second groups of optical subcarriers is associated, respectively, with a different one of the second communications modules.

An optical fiber connection is provided that includes a first optical fiber defining a first exterior surface and a first effective area. The first fiber defines a first tapered region tapering from a first nominal fiber diameter to a first tapered diameter. A second optical fiber has a second exterior surface and a second effective area less than the first effective area. The second fiber defines a second tapered region tapering from a second nominal fiber diameter to a second tapered diameter and a fiber splice optically coupling the first tapered region of the first fiber to the second tapered region of the second fiber. The first and second tapered regions taper such that the first and second exterior surfaces have a variance from a Gaussian function of less than 25% of the Gaussian function at each point along the first and second exterior surfaces.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to dual safety touch button systems for generating machine operation commands, according to predetermined safety guidelines, from status information received via an intercommunications link (ICL) operably connecting the dual safety touch buttons (STBs). In an illustrative example, each of a pair of STBs includes a processor configured to receive, via an intercommunications link port, status information from the other STB. In response to the received information and predetermined safety guidelines, the STBs may generate machine operation commands that operate a pair of relay switches. In some embodiments, each STB may be activated within a substantially simultaneous period (e.g., less than 0.5 seconds) to actuate corresponding relay switches for operating a potentially dangerous machine.

A subsea data transmission cable for providing data communication with a subsea device installed at the ocean floor is provided. The subsea data transmission cable includes a first section including at least one electrical data line and a second section including at least one fiber optic data line. An intermediate conversion assembly is provided. The at least one electrical data line and the at least one fiber optic data line are terminated at the intermediate conversion assembly. A conversion device is disposed in a chamber of the intermediate conversion assembly. The conversion device includes an electrical interface connected to the at least one electrical data line and an optical interface connected to the at least one fiber optic data line. The conversion device is configured to convert an electrical data signal received at the electrical interface to an optical data signal for transmission via the optical interface and vice versa.

A subsea data transmission cable for providing data communication with a subsea device installed at the ocean floor is provided. The subsea data transmission cable includes a first section including at least one electrical data line and a second section including at least one fiber optic data line. An intermediate conversion assembly is provided. The at least one electrical data line and the at least one fiber optic data line are terminated at the intermediate conversion assembly. A conversion device is disposed in a chamber of the intermediate conversion assembly. The conversion device includes an electrical interface connected to the at least one electrical data line and an optical interface connected to the at least one fiber optic data line. The conversion device is configured to convert an electrical data signal received at the electrical interface to an optical data signal for transmission via the optical interface and vice versa.