A first optical splitter splits a light source to obtain a first optical signal, a second optical signal, and a third optical signal. A first MZ modulator modulates the first optical signal to output a fourth optical signal. A second MZ modulator modulates the second optical signal to output a fifth optical signal. A first optical coupler couples the fourth optical signal and the fifth optical signal to output a sixth optical signal and a seventh optical signal. A power regulator and a phase shifter respectively perform power adjustment and phase shifting on the third optical signal to output an eighth optical signal. A second optical splitter splits the eighth optical signal into a ninth optical signal and a tenth optical signal. A second optical coupler combines the sixth optical signal and the ninth optical signal. A third optical coupler combines the seventh optical signal and the tenth optical signal.

A telecommunications access network comprises a primary aggregation point in the form of an exchange, a plurality of optic fiber to metallic pair interface aggregation points which may be in the form of Distribution Point Units (DPUs) each of which is connected to the primary aggregation point by a respective optical fiber connection, and a plurality of terminating devices which may be in the form of customer premises equipment (CPE) devices, each of which is connected to a respective one of the optic fiber to metallic pair interface aggregation points by a respective twisted metallic pair connection. The access network further includes a plurality of metallic, interface-interface connections between one or more pairs of the optic fiber to metallic pair interface aggregation points. Each metallic, interface-interface connection preferably comprises three or more twisted metallic pairs of wires.

Described are various configurations of reduced crosstalk optical switches. Various embodiments can reduce or entirely eliminate crosstalk using a coupler that has a power-splitting ratio that compensates for amplitude imbalance caused by phase modulator attenuation. Some embodiments implement a plurality of phase modulators and couplers as part of a dilated switch network to increase overall bandwidth and further reduce potential for crosstalk.

A method and apparatus for controlling an optical switch. The switch includes a switching fabric and optical amplifiers for amplifying optical signals. A configuration for the switching fabric is generated and implemented. The configuration indicates a set of optical paths between switching fabric input ports and the output ports. Optical path losses through the switching fabric vary based on the configuration. An amplifier control signal for controlling gains of the optical amplifiers, is also provided. The configuration for the switching fabric is generated based on the gains of the optical amplifiers, the amplifier control signal is generated based on the configuration for the switching fabric, or both.

An optical switch fabric comprises two or more optical switch elements. The optical switch elements are configured in a topology. A switch control has a plurality of bias control signals. The switch control can address one or more of the optical switch elements and can apply one of the bias control signals to bias of the addressed optical switch element to establish a switch setting. The topology and switch settings determine how each of one of the inputs is connected to each of one of the outputs of the optical switch fabric. The switch settings are determined by a machine learning process which includes a model creation. The model can be made to adapt dynamically during optical switch fabric operation.

In order to provide an optical transmission device capable of implementing the spectral control of WDM signals while taking into account optical component characteristics, an optical transmission device is provided with: a WSS; a wavelength monitor that outputs a signal expressing a first spectrum, which is the spectrum of the WSS optical output; an optical processing unit that subjects the WSS optical output to prescribed processing; a temperature monitor that outputs a signal indicating the temperature of an optical processing means; and a control unit that receives the input of the signal expressing the first spectrum and the signal indicating the temperature, and controls the transmission characteristics of the WSS on the basis of the first spectrum and the temperature.

A first optical splitter splits a light source to obtain a first optical signal, a second optical signal, and a third optical signal. A first MZ modulator modulates the first optical signal to output a fourth optical signal. A second MZ modulator modulates the second optical signal to output a fifth optical signal. A first optical coupler couples the fourth optical signal and the fifth optical signal to output a sixth optical signal and a seventh optical signal. A power regulator and a phase shifter respectively perform power adjustment and phase shifting on the third optical signal to output an eighth optical signal. A second optical splitter splits the eighth optical signal into a ninth optical signal and a tenth optical signal. A second optical coupler combines the sixth optical signal and the ninth optical signal. A third optical coupler combines the seventh optical signal and the tenth optical signal.

A network and power sharing device is for being connected to first optical network equipment and second optical network equipment that are built in an optical network, so as to establish power supply architecture for the optical network. The network and power sharing device includes: a power input port and a first power port wherein the first power port is connected to the first optical network equipment; and a power control unit received in the casing, for detecting if the power input port and the first power port output power signals and for controlling a power switch unit to switch power supply transmission paths of the power input port and first power port.

A network and power sharing device is for being connected to first optical network equipment and second optical network equipment that are built in an optical network, so as to establish power supply architecture for the optical network. The network and power sharing device includes: a power input port and a first power port wherein the first power port is connected to the first optical network equipment; and a power control unit received in the casing, for detecting if the power input port and the first power port output power signals and for controlling a power switch unit to switch power supply transmission paths of the power input port and first power port.

Optical switches and methods of switching include a first hybrid coupler configured to accept an input and to provide two branches. A phase tuner on a first branch includes a Mach-Zehnder phase shifter configured to shift a signal on the first branch by a selected phase. A loss compensator on a second branch is configured to match a loss incurred on the first branch. A second hybrid coupler is configured to recombine the two branches such that the phase shift generated by the phase tuner determines which output of the second hybrid coupler is used.