Method and apparatus for encoding optical power and non-payload data in an optical signal

An apparatus for extracting non-payload data from an optical signal carrying payload data, said optical signal modulated with a dither modulating signal said dither modulating signal being modulated by a binary phase shift keyed signal carrying non-payload data, the apparatus comprising:

• a) an optical to electrical signal converter for converting said optical signal into an electrical signal;
• b) a first demodulator for demodulating said electrical signal to extract said binary phase shift keyed (BPSK) signal from said electrical signal;
• and
• c) a BPSK demodulator for demodulating said binary phase shift keyed signal to obtain said non-payload data.

A method of measuring optical power in individual optical signals of a composite optical signal, the method comprising:

• a) converting the composite optical signal into a composite electrical signal;
• b) demodulating the composite electrical signal to produce a composite dither signal comprised of a plurality of dither modulating signals;
• and
• c) squaring the individual dither modulating signals to produce a composite squared signal including a plurality of tone signals representing optical power in respective individual optical signals.

An apparatus for measuring optical power in individual optical signals of a composite optical signal, the apparatus comprising:

• a) an optical to electrical signal converter for converting the composite optical signal into a composite electrical signal;
• b) a demodulator for demodulating the composite electrical signal to produce composite dither signal comprised of a plurality of dither modulating signals;
• and
• c) a squarer for squaring the individual dither modulating signals to produce a composite squared signal including a plurality of tone signals representing optical power in respective individual optical signals.