Patent ID: 6819879
Filing Date: 2004-11-16
Classification: H04B,H04L

Abstract:
A method of encoding optical power and non-payload data in an optical signal, the method comprising:a) producing a dither modulating signal having an amplitude indicative of said optical power in said optical signal and having a phase representing said non-payload data; and b) modulating said optical signal with said dither modulating signal c) wherein modulating said optical signal comprises producing a depth of modulation in said optical signal, in response to said amplitude of said dither modulating signal; and d) wherein producing said depth of modulation comprises measuring optical mean power in said optical signal and varying said amplitude of said dither modulating signal in response to said optical mean power of said optical signal to maintain a constant depth of modulation; and e) wherein producing said depth of modulation comprises producing a representation of a measured depth of modulation of said optical signal; and f) wherein producing said representation of said measured depth of modulation comprises squaring a representation of said optical signal to produce a tone signal having a tone signal amplitude representing said measured depth of modulation.