A method includes determining a first power level by performing a first series of measurements based on a first series of burst transmissions from an optical transmitter of an optical network unit (ONU) in an optical network. Bursts in the first series of burst transmissions include a first modified preamble. A second power level is determined by performing a second series of measurements based on a second series of optical burst transmissions. Bursts in the second series of burst transmissions include a second modified preamble. A first power level (Po) and a second power level (P.sub.1) are determined based on the first power level and the second power level and one or more additional parameters associated with transmissions from the optical transmitter are determined based on P.sub.0 and P.sub.1. Based on the additional parameters, it is determined whether the optical transmitter complies with specifications of the optical network.

A method includes determining a first power level by performing a first series of measurements based on a first series of burst transmissions from an optical transmitter of an optical network unit (ONU) in an optical network. Bursts in the first series of burst transmissions include a first modified preamble. A second power level is determined by performing a second series of measurements based on a second series of optical burst transmissions. Bursts in the second series of burst transmissions include a second modified preamble. A first power level (P.sub.0) and a second power level (P.sub.1) are determined based on the first power level and the second power level and one or more additional parameters associated with transmissions from the optical transmitter are determined based on P.sub.0 and P.sub.1. Based on the additional parameters, it is determined whether the optical transmitter complies with specifications of the optical network.

An optical communication system comprises an optical communication device and an optical power supply configured to generate a sequence of optical frame templates directed to the optical communication device. The optical communication device may use the received optical frame templates as a light source for generating data-loaded optical frames and/or may extract from the optical frame templates control information encoded therein using one or more headers thereof.

A method includes determining a first power level by performing a first series of measurements based on a first series of burst transmissions from an optical transmitter of an optical network unit (ONU) in an optical network. Bursts in the first series of burst transmissions include a first modified preamble. A second power level is determined by performing a second series of measurements based on a second series of optical burst transmissions. Bursts in the second series of burst transmissions include a second modified preamble. A first power level (P.sub.0) and a second power level (P.sub.1) are determined based on the first power level and the second power level and one or more additional parameters associated with transmissions from the optical transmitter are determined based on P.sub.0 and P.sub.1. Based on the additional parameters, it is determined whether the optical transmitter complies with specifications of the optical network.

A method includes determining a first power level by performing a first series of measurements based on a first series of burst transmissions from an optical transmitter of an optical network unit (ONU) in an optical network. Bursts in the first series of burst transmissions include a first modified preamble. A second power level is determined by performing a second series of measurements based on a second series of optical burst transmissions. Bursts in the second series of burst transmissions include a second modified preamble. A first power level (P.sub.0) and a second power level (P.sub.1) are determined based on the first power level and the second power level and one or more additional parameters associated with transmissions from the optical transmitter are determined based on P.sub.0 and P.sub.1. Based on the additional parameters, it is determined whether the optical transmitter complies with specifications of the optical network.

A method includes determining a first power level by performing a first series of measurements based on a first series of burst transmissions from an optical transmitter of an optical network unit (ONU) in an optical network. Bursts in the first series of burst transmissions include a first modified preamble. A second power level is determined by performing a second series of measurements based on a second series of optical burst transmissions. Bursts in the second series of burst transmissions include a second modified preamble. A first power level (P.sub.0) and a second power level (P.sub.1) are determined based on the first power level and the second power level and one or more additional parameters associated with transmissions from the optical transmitter are determined based on P.sub.0 and P.sub.1. Based on the additional parameters, it is determined whether the optical transmitter complies with specifications of the optical network.

An optical communication system comprises an optical communication device and an optical power supply configured to generate a sequence of optical frame templates directed to the optical communication device. The optical communication device may use the received optical frame templates as a light source for generating data-loaded optical frames and/or may extract from the optical frame templates control information encoded therein using one or more headers thereof.

A method includes determining a first power level by performing a first series of measurements based on a first series of burst transmissions from an optical transmitter of an optical network unit (ONU) in an optical network. Bursts in the first series of burst transmissions include a first modified preamble. A second power level is determined by performing a second series of measurements based on a second series of optical burst transmissions. Bursts in the second series of burst transmissions include a second modified preamble. A first power level (P.sub.0) and a second power level (P.sub.1) are determined based on the first power level and the second power level and one or more additional parameters associated with transmissions from the optical transmitter are determined based on P.sub.0 and P.sub.1. Based on the additional parameters, it is determined whether the optical transmitter complies with specifications of the optical network.

An apparatus includes an optical transmitter and/or an optical receiver configured to use one or more artificial neural networks (ANNs) for geometric constellation shaping, the determination of constellation symbols to be transmitted, and/or the determination of the transmitted bit-word(s) or codewords. Each ANN has a plurality of bit-level processing portions connected to a symbol-level processing portion in a manner that enables bitwise processing of constellation-point labels.

An apparatus includes an optical transmitter and/or an optical receiver configured to use one or more artificial neural networks (ANNs) for geometric constellation shaping, the determination of constellation symbols to be transmitted, and/or the determination of the transmitted bit-word(s) or codewords. Each ANN has a plurality of bit-level processing portions connected to a symbol-level processing portion in a manner that enables bitwise processing of constellation-point labels.