Provided is an optical transceiver including: a controller configured to output firmware update data for updating firmware of another optical transceiver connected to the optical transceiver through an optical cable; and a transmitter configured to generate an optical signal by superposing input payload data and the firmware update data, and to transmit the optical signal to the other optical transceiver. According to embodiments, the firmware of a remote optical transceiver at a remote location is automatically updated without affecting payload data, which is information to be transmitted.

In order to improve reception sensitivity of a response signal at a terminal station, an optical transmission device includes a reception unit that receives a control signal including a predetermined instruction and a main signal, via an optical transmission path connected to the terminal station, a control unit that performs the predetermined instruction of the received control signal, an extraction unit that extracts light in a band of the control signal, a response signal generation unit that modulates the extracted light in the band of the control signal, and outputs a response signal, and a multiplexing unit that multiplexes and outputs the response signal and the main signal. The control unit controls modulation by the response signal generation unit according to the control signal.

A method for configuring hardware-configured optical links includes generating a first optical signal comprising a slow scan of wavelength channels where the slow scan has a dwell time on a particular wavelength channel. A second optical signal is generated comprising a fast scan of wavelength channels, where the fast scan has a dwell time on a particular wavelength channel and a complete channel scan time where the slow scan dwell time is greater than or equal to complete channel scan time. The first optical signal is transmitted over a link and a portion is then detected. A pulse of light having a duration that is less than the dwell time on the particular wavelength channel of the fast scan is then detected. Client data traffic is then sent over the link in response to the detected pulse of light and the detected portion of the first optical signal.

A method for configuring hardware-configured optical links includes generating a first optical signal comprising a slow scan of wavelength channels where the slow scan has a dwell time on a particular wavelength channel. A second optical signal is generated comprising a fast scan of wavelength channels, where the fast scan has a dwell time on a particular wavelength channel and a complete channel scan time where the slow scan dwell time is greater than or equal to complete channel scan time. The first optical signal is transmitted over a link and a portion is then detected. A pulse of light having a duration that is less than the dwell time on the particular wavelength channel of the fast scan is then detected. Client data traffic is then sent over the link in response to the detected pulse of light and the detected portion of the first optical signal.

In order to improve reception sensitivity of a response signal at a terminal station, an optical transmission device includes a reception unit that receives a control signal including a predetermined instruction and a main signal, via an optical transmission path connected to the terminal station, a control unit that performs the predetermined instruction of the received control signal, an extraction unit that extracts light in a band of the control signal, a response signal generation unit that modulates the extracted light in the band of the control signal, and outputs a response signal, and a multiplexing unit that multiplexes and outputs the response signal and the main signal. The control unit controls modulation by the response signal generation unit according to the control signal.

A method for configuring hardware-configured optical links includes generating a first optical signal comprising a slow scan of wavelength channels where the slow scan has a dwell time on a particular wavelength channel. A second optical signal is generated comprising a fast scan of wavelength channels, where the fast scan has a dwell time on a particular wavelength channel and a complete channel scan time where the slow scan dwell time is greater than or equal to complete channel scan time. The first optical signal is transmitted over a link and a portion is then detected. A pulse of light having a duration that is less than the dwell time on the particular wavelength channel of the fast scan is then detected. Client data traffic is then sent over the link in response to the detected pulse of light and the detected portion of the first optical signal.

An optical network element for a hardware configured optical network includes a first optical port that receives an input optical signal comprising receive control information from the hardware configured optical network. A demodulator optically coupled to the first optical port decodes the receive control information for configuring the optical network element. A modulator having an electrical modulation input that receives transmit control information imparts a modulation onto an optical carrier thereby generating a transmit optical control signal representing the transmit control information. A second optical port transmits the transmit optical control signal representing the transmit control information to the hardware configured optical network.

There is provided mechanisms for utility communications. A method is performed by a transmitter. The method includes superimposing a control and protection signal for utility communications on top of an existing optical signal transmitted over an optical fiber to form a composite signal, wherein the control and protection signal has lower bit rate than the existing optical signal. The method includes obtaining feedback by draining a portion of the composite signal from the optical fiber. The method includes adjusting amplitude of the control and protection signal according to the portion of the composite signal.

An optical network element for a hardware configured optical network includes a first optical port that receives an input optical signal comprising receive control information from the hardware configured optical network. A demodulator optically coupled to the first optical port decodes the receive control information for configuring the optical network element. A modulator having an electrical modulation input that receives transmit control information imparts a modulation onto an optical carrier thereby generating a transmit optical control signal representing the transmit control information. A second optical port transmits the transmit optical control signal representing the transmit control information to the hardware configured optical network.

There is provided mechanisms for utility communications. A method is performed by a transmitter. The method includes superimposing a control and protection signal for utility communications on top of an existing optical signal transmitted over an optical fiber to form a composite signal, wherein the control and protection signal has lower bit rate than the existing optical signal. The method includes obtaining feedback by draining a portion of the composite signal from the optical fiber. The method includes adjusting amplitude of the control and protection signal according to the portion of the composite signal