Optical waveguides – With optical coupler – Particular coupling structure
Patent
1989-01-23
1991-11-26
Lee, John D.
Optical waveguides
With optical coupler
Particular coupling structure
385 24, G02B 628
Patent
active
050677870
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
INTRODUCTION
This invention relates to electro-optical converters employing fiber-optic components.
BACKGROUND
Electro-optical systems such as fiber communication systems or fiber sensor systems typically require the system builder to connect the small optical fiber to an electro-optical device. This is recognized as a demanding task.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The invention features an electro-optical converter having at least three optical or electrical external ports available to the user, at least one of which is optical and one of which is electrical, the converter comprising an essentially rigid support means, a fiber-optic coupler secured to the support means and comprising at least two optical fibers juxtaposed along a portion of their length in a manner to provide lateral transfer of optical energy therebetween, an electro-optical device also secured to the support means in close relationship to the fiber-optic coupler, the device having at least one optical port and at least one electrical port, one of the optical fibers of the coupler communicating within the converter with the optical information port of the electro-optical device, to serve as an internal signal link therebetween, the length of this internal link being of the order of 10 centimeters or less, and protective means associated with the optical fibers, the electro-optical device and the internal link, serving to protect the components from outside physical disturbance.
Preferred embodiments of the invention include the following features. The optical fiber of the electro-optical converter serving as the internal link extends continuously from the coupler to the electro-optical device, i e. without interruption or splice. The electro-optical converter has a multiplicity of electro-optical devices, each secured to the support means in close relationship to the fiber-optic coupler, and each communicating with the coupler over an internal fiber-optic link of length of the order of 10 centimeters or less. In the form of a transceiver, a converter of the invention incorporates at least two electro-optical devices, one of which is an optical emitter and the other of which is an optical detector, both of the electro-optical devices being secured to the support means close to the fiber-optic coupler, a different fiber end of the coupler communicating internally, respectively, with each of the electro-optical devices. In the form of a dual detector, the converter incorporates at least two optical detectors and the converter has at least three external ports comprising at least one optical port and at least two electrical ports. In the form of a dual emitter, the converter incorporates at least two optical emitters and the converter has at least three outputs comprising at least one optical port and at least two electrical ports. The electro-optical converter in a form useful for connecting a bus line with a photo-optic device has at least two external optical fiber ports. In the form of a signal tap off, the converter includes a photo-optic detector as its electro-optical device. In the form of a signal injector, the converter includes a photo-optic emitter as its electro-optical device.
In its broadest aspects the invention encompasses the use of any of the coupler types that achieve lateral transfer of optical energy, e.g. couplers of the etched, polished or fused types.
In certain preferred embodiments, the rigid support is a unified structural element such as a single molding which supports and extends continuously between the coupler and the electro-optical device(s) and the internal fibers extending between coupler and electro-optical device are generally straight or gently curved and of length of 5 centimeters or less. A telephone receiver-transmitter, according to the invention, incorporates the transceiver mentioned above, the electrical output port of the detector of the transceiver being connected to drive a speaker of the telephone set and a microphone of the telephone set being connected to control the emitter of the telephone s
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Gillham Frederick J.
Stowe David W.
Aster Corporation
Heartney Phan T.
Lee John D.
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