Data processing: generic control systems or specific application – Generic control system – apparatus or process – Sequential or selective
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-16
2001-07-31
Grant, William (Department: 2786)
Data processing: generic control systems or specific application
Generic control system, apparatus or process
Sequential or selective
C385S014000, C385S016000, C385S031000, C385S050000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06269273
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
This invention relates to optical-signal processing.
Systems for optical-signal processing, such as Motorola's OPTOBUS™ link, send bit streams (e.g., channels of information) encoded as light pulses from one computer to another in a multiplexed fashion. The OPTOBUS™ link includes two integrated circuits for, respectively, sending and receiving multiplexed light pulses. The first integrated circuit has ten laser diodes which receive bit streams from the first computer and emit corresponding streams of light pulses. The light pulses pass through an optical cable to the second integrated circuit, which contains ten light detectors for converting the light pulses into a series of demultiplexed bit streams.
SUMMARY
In general, in one aspect, the invention features receiving, on a single integrated circuit, electrical signals corresponding to sets of digital data, and, on the same integrated circuit, delivering output optical signals, corresponding to the digital data, on at least two optical channels corresponding to different sets of the digital data, using light from a single light source.
Implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following. The electrical signals may represent separate sets of the digital data which then may be carried on corresponding sets of the optical channels. The output optical signals may be delivered by an optical processor that includes an optical switch for switching light from the single light source to the optical channels selectively. The optical channels may include waveguides that receive light switched from the single light source, which may deliver light continuously. The waveguides may be formed in a polymeric substrate, including a material that undergoes capacitively induced changes in index of refraction. The single light source may include a source waveguide and a diode. Each of the optical channels may include an end adjacent and parallel to the single light source for receiving the switched light. The optical switch may include an electro-optical switching device that receives electrical control signals corresponding to the digital data and causes corresponding optical switching from the single light source to the optical channels. The electro-optical switching device may include plates of a capacitor adjacent a region in which the first end of each of the optical channels is in close proximity to the single light source. The control circuitry may be formed on the integrated circuit.
The optical processor may include at least ten optical channels, or any number of channels limited by the size of the integrated circuit, the driving power, and the optical source power. The single light source may also be formed on the integrated circuit. An optical transmission medium (e.g., a multiple fiber optical ribbon cable) may be coupled to outputs of the optical channels.
In another aspect, the invention features forming at least a portion of the single light source and the control circuitry on a single integrated circuit, and integrating the optical switch with the optical transmission medium.
In another aspect, the invention features an optical transmission cable having an input optical waveguide extending from an input end of cable for connection to a source of light; separate output optical waveguides extending along the length of the cable from the input optical waveguide to an output end of the cable; and an optical switch for switching light from the input optical waveguide selectively to the output optical waveguides; the input and output waveguides and the optical switch are configured to form a freestanding cable.
In other aspects, the invention includes a computer having a CPU, a memory, peripheral devices, and either the optical device for use with signals being processed in the computer, or the optical transmission cable.
Among the advantages of the invention may be one or more of the following. The optical signal transmitter need include only a single light source, and may therefore be relatively easy and inexpensive to make. The transmitter's switching device can switch light from the single laser into a large number (e.g., greater than 10) of waveguides.
Other advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and from the claims.
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patent: 5568575 (1996-10-01), Sato
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Compaq Computer Corporation
Conley & Rose & Tayon P.C.
Gain Edward F.
Grant William
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