Asynchronous transfer of high speed data signals through an...

Details Asynchronous transfer of high speed data signals through an... Asynchronous transfer of high speed data signals through an...

2000-02-22

2002-05-28

Palmer, Phan T. H. (Department: 2874)

Optical waveguides

With optical coupler

Switch

C385S147000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06396970

ABSTRACT:

The invention relates to a communication system in which multiple signals, on multiple optical waveguides, arrive at a switch. The switch converts the optical signals into electronic signals and routes each electronic signal to a selected transmitter, which generates optical signals for transmission onto an output waveguide. However, in these processes, the invention performs no local recovery of a clock signal from the incoming signals.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In optical communication, a component called a “switch” is used. The switch performs a routing function. A given switch may receive signals from ten input optical fibers. That switch may connect to ten outgoing optical fibers.
The switch routes signals from each input fiber to a selected output fiber. For example, at a given point in time, the routing may be as shown in the following Routing Table.
Routing Table
Input Fiber
Connected to Output Fiber
1
10 
2
9
3
8
4
7
5
6
6
5
7
4
8
3
9
2
10 
1
The Table shows that input fiber number
1
is connected to output fiber number
10
, input
2
is connected to output
9
, and so on.
The signals carried by all fibers, input and output, are asynchronous: no clock signal accompanies them. For reasons which need not be explained here, the switch “recovers” a clock signal from the incoming signal on a fiber, and utilizes that recovered clock signal for its own internal purposes.
The circuitry involved in recovering the clock signal consumes large amounts of area within an integrated circuit, and also consumes large amounts of power.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one form of the invention, a switch accepts multiple input signals on multiple optical waveguides, and routes each signal to an output waveguide, but without recovering a clock signal from the input signals.


REFERENCES:
patent: 6058227 (2000-05-01), Wong
patent: 6229932 (2001-05-01), Fukashiro et al.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Asynchronous transfer of high speed data signals through an... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Asynchronous transfer of high speed data signals through an..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Asynchronous transfer of high speed data signals through an... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2853963