Connectors for a networking device may be provided. A networking device may comprise a first plurality of switch bars each comprising a first switch type arranged parallel to one another, a second plurality of switch bars each comprising a second switch type arranged parallel to one another, and a third plurality of switch bars each comprising a third switch type arranged parallel to one another. The first plurality of switch bars, the second plurality of switch bars, and the third plurality of switch bars may be arranged orthogonally. A first one of the first plurality of switch bars may be connected to a first one of the second plurality of switch bars via a retractable mechanical connector mechanism.

A performance monitor configured to unify at least two different signal-quality estimates into a single performance metric such that a systematic error associated with the performance metric can be approximately constant or smaller than a specified fixed limit over a significantly wider range of data-link conditions than that of a conventional performance metric of similar utility. In an example embodiment, the performance metric can be based on a weighted sum of two different SNR estimates, obtained from an error count of the receiver's FEC decoder and from a constellation scatter plot generated using the receiver's symbol decoder, respectively. Different weights for the weighted sum may be selected for different data-link conditions, e.g., using SNR thresholding, analytical formulas, or pre-computed look-up tables. The performance metric may be supplied to a control entity and considered thereby as a factor in a possible decision to trigger protective switching and/or a transponder-mode change.

A monitoring system. The monitoring system may include an optical receiver configured to receive an optical signal, the receiver comprising a plurality of equalizers to partition the optical signal over a plurality of optical channels corresponding to a plurality of optical wavelengths. The monitoring system may also include an analysis component, coupled to the receiver, comprising logic, where the logic is configured to construct a plurality of sensor matrices, corresponding to the plurality of optical channels, based upon the optical signal, after reception at the receiver; determine, using the plurality of sensor matrices, a correlation between at least one pair of sensor matrices corresponding to at least one pair of optical channels of the plurality of optical channels; and determine a location of a perturbation, external to the transmission system, based upon the correlation.

A monitoring system. The monitoring system may include an optical receiver configured to receive an optical signal, the receiver comprising a plurality of equalizers to partition the optical signal over a plurality of optical channels corresponding to a plurality of optical wavelengths. The monitoring system may also include an analysis component, coupled to the receiver, comprising logic, where the logic is configured to construct a plurality of sensor matrices, corresponding to the plurality of optical channels, based upon the optical signal, after reception at the receiver; determine, using the plurality of sensor matrices, a correlation between at least one pair of sensor matrices corresponding to at least one pair of optical channels of the plurality of optical channels; and determine a location of a perturbation, external to the transmission system, based upon the correlation.

MicroLEDs may be used for short-range optical communications. Signal equalization may be used to decrease distortion in transmitted and/or received information, including with the use of multi-level modulation formats.

MicroLEDs may be used for short-range optical communications. Signal equalization may be used to decrease distortion in transmitted and/or received information, including with the use of multi-level modulation formats.

A plurality of electromagnetic radiation capture units are positioned under a focusing unit such as a dome, such that incoming electromagnetic radiation incident on the dome is deflected by it, to reach each of the capture units with a different timing and intensity. The profile for the timings and intensities can be determined for a given transmitter using a calibration signal, and the profile is then used to extra data from data signals transmitted by the transmitter.

A plurality of electromagnetic radiation capture units are positioned under a focusing unit such as a dome, such that incoming electromagnetic radiation incident on the dome is deflected by it, to reach each of the capture units with a different timing and intensity. The profile for the timings and intensities can be determined for a given transmitter using a calibration signal, and the profile is then used to extra data from data signals transmitted by the transmitter.

The present invention provides an apparatus for facilitating a photovoltaic device to provide a wireless communication channel. The apparatus comprises a switch connected in parallel with the photovoltaic device and configured for driving the photovoltaic device to produce optical signals carrying sensed data to be transmitted; and a control module connected with the switch and configured for receiving electrical sensing signals and generate a control signal to control the switch. The apparatus provided by the present invention is extremely durable. Compared to existing communication technologies which require extra hardware, the apparatus provided by the present invention is simpler and can be integrated into a single component.

An optical transmission apparatus (1_1) according to the present invention includes a first transmission unit (11_1) that transmits a first optical transmission signal (21_1), a second transmission unit (11_2) that transmits a second optical transmission signal (21_2), and an output unit that outputs, when the first optical transmission signal (21_1) and the second optical transmission signal (21_2) share a set of information, both the first optical transmission signal (21_1) and the second optical transmission signal (21_2) to a first path (26_1) and outputs, when the first optical transmission signal (21_1) and the second optical transmission signal (21_2) do not share the set of information, one of the first optical transmission signal (21_1) and the second optical transmission signal (21_2) to a second path (26_2).