Optical waveguides – With optical coupler – Plural
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-16
2001-05-22
Font, Frank G. (Department: 2877)
Optical waveguides
With optical coupler
Plural
C385S022000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06236778
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the field of frustrated total internal reflection devices and more particularly to a frustrated total internal reflection bus.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Data is often communicated between components of a system via communication channels called buses. The capacity of a bus is defined by the number of bits of data that a bus can carry simultaneously. Data is communicated between buses or between buses and individual components of the system using switches. Electrical buses and switches are limited, however, in bandwidth capacity, speed, expandability, and susceptibility to cross-talk and interference.
Buses and switches are often integrated in a backplane bus architecture for various systems applications. An important attribute of a backplane bus architecture is the number of components that can be plugged into the backplane. The ability to interconnect individual components, sub-assemblies, processors, and systems, using a backplane, is an important aspect of systems integration. Many applications today require that the number of slot connections in a backplane bus architecture be expandable to facilitate the interconnection of additional components to perform functions conceived after the backplane was designed. The expandability of traditional backplane bus architectures is limited, however, by fixed bandwidth, fixed slot connections, and other electrical and mechanical constraints.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a frustrated total internal reflection bus is provided that substantially eliminates or reduces disadvantages and problems associated with previous bus architectures.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an optical bus for processing an optical signal includes an optical waveguide having a first reflecting surface and a second reflecting surface. A switchplate coupled to the optical waveguide has a first position spaced apart from the waveguide and a second position in proximal contact with the second reflecting surface of the waveguide to frustrate the total internal reflection of the optical signal such that the optical signal exits the waveguide at an output location on the first reflecting surface of the optical waveguide.
Another embodiment of the present invention is a method for processing an optical signal that includes reflecting the optical signal at a first reflecting surface of an optical waveguide. The method concludes by placing a switchplate in proximal contact with a second reflecting surface of the optical waveguide to frustrate the total internal reflection of the optical signal such that the optical signal exits the optical waveguide at an output location on the first reflecting surface of the optical waveguide.
Technical advantages of the present invention include a frustrated total internal reflection (FTIR) bus that includes, in one embodiment, an optical waveguide that propagates an optical signal by total internal reflection, and any number of switchplates coupled to the optical waveguide. The switchplates may be placed in proximal contact with reflecting surfaces of the optical waveguide to frustrate the total internal reflection of the optical signal such that it exits the optical waveguide at one or more selected output locations along the reflecting surfaces of the waveguide. The FTIR bus may also receive optical signals at one or more input locations along the reflecting surfaces of the waveguide. The present invention provides advantages over prior optical buses that are limited to inputting and outputting optical signals at an end of the bus. By supporting multiple input and output locations for an optical signal along the reflecting surfaces of an optical bus, the present invention provides scalable and expandable input/output capabilities. The input and output locations of the FTIR bus may be permanently configured, dynamically reconfigured, or both to provide a multitude of signal processing and routing capabilities. For example, switchplates may be added to the optical waveguide to expand the number of output locations along its reflecting surfaces.
Further technical advantages of the present invention include optical devices coupled to the optical waveguide at the input and output locations to facilitate enhanced switching, multiplexing, and processing of the optical signal. Since prior optical buses are limited to inputting and outputting the optical signal at an end of the bus, attempts to couple optical devices at these input/output locations are constrained by the limited surface area at either end of the bus. Providing optical devices at input and output locations along the reflecting surfaces of the FTIR bus yields a higher packing density of these devices. In one embodiment, the FTIR bus may perform a signal splitter function so that multiple optical devices coupled to the optical waveguide at different output locations may share the optical signal.
The present invention further includes any number of input FTIR buses and output FTIR buses that interface at selected locations to form an FTIR bus matrix. The interfaces between the FTIR buses of the matrix may be permanently configured, dynamically reconfigured, or both, to provide even more enhanced switching and multiplexing capabilities for processing the optical signal. Other technical advantages of the present invention are evident to one skilled in the art from the attached description, figures, and claims.
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Baker & Botts L.L.P.
Font Frank G.
Lauchman Layla
Optical Switch Corporation
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