Abstract
A full characterization of reversible long-period fibre gratings produced through the wind of a string around a fibre/grooved tube set is presented. This technique enables a good control over the gratings isolation loss-peaks and has high repeatability. The tunability of the resonant wavelengths through the etching of the fibres cladding, prior to perform the gratings, have been investigated. These mechanically induced long-period fibre gratings have shown high sensitivity to loads.

Abstract
A new scheme based on four-wave mixing is presented using a ring erbium-doped fibre laser and tuneable fibre Bragg gratings that can effectively perform wavelength conversion in a wide wavelength range. An application of this wavelength-conversion architecture to optical communications is also presented.

Abstract
Two different architectures of multiplexers/demultiplexers based on 4 x 1 and 1 x 4 configurations are discussed. These architectures are implemented using apodized fibre Bragg gratings as optical filters and optical circulators. The spectral characteristics of the devices for channel separations of 100 GHz and 50 GHz are analysed and their performance is evaluated. Optical switch and cross-connect configurations are also demonstrated.

Abstract
In this paper we present and evaluate the spectral response of uniform gratings written in different tapered core sections of single mode fibre. This combination of uniform gratings and tapers leads to three, types of Chirped Fibre Bragg Gratings with different reflection spectra and different mechanical properties. These devices are characterized in function of the applied strain, showing interesting chirp tunability.

Abstract
The use of formal probabilistic modelling together with advanced statistical inference in communications engineering, has the potential of providing a powerful workbench for deriving conclusions about the behaviour of systems and sources of data and therefore developing innovative and efficient control and management strategies of communication systems. Targeting the efficient dimensioning of systems and resources in order to make possible the provision of high-quality and larger-choice services to the end-users, this paper proposes the use of a Bayesian framework in video broadband communications. In the context of the combined transmission of several good-quality video sources, such as a digital television broadcast service, using VBR video encoding algorithms and based on prior beliefs and statistical models, an intelligent multiplexer is capable of predicting the probable amount of free space and fill it with extra services or increase the quality of the transmitted channels. © 2003 IEEE.

Abstract
The use of formal probabilistic modelling together with advanced statistical inference in communications engineering, has the potential of providing a powerful workbench for deriving conclusions about the behaviour of systems and sources of data and therefore developing innovative and efficient control and management strategies of communication systems. Targeting the efficient dimensioning of systems and resources in order to make possible the provision of high quality and larger-choice services to the end-users, this paper proposes the use of a Bayesian framework in video broadband communications. In the context of the combined transmission of several good-quality video sources, such as a digital television broadcast service, using VBR video encoding algorithms and based on prior beliefs and statistical models, an intelligent multiplexer is capable of predicting the probable amount of free space and fill it with extra services or increase the quality of the transmitted channels.