Optical waveguides – With optical coupler – Input/output coupler
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-29
2001-04-17
Healy, Brian (Department: 2874)
Optical waveguides
With optical coupler
Input/output coupler
C385S031000, C385S033000, C385S044000, C385S046000, C385S088000, C385S089000, C359S199200, C359S199200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06219477
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to couplers for fiber optic cables and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus for multiplexing on a single optic fiber.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is well known to use fiber optic systems to transfer, data, audio, video or other signals. Fiber optic systems have a number of features that make them superior, in some applications, to systems that use traditional copper cables, or the like. For example, fiber optic systems can have much larger information-carrying capability and are not subject to electrical interference. In addition, signals sent over long-distance optic fibers need less amplification than do signals sent over copper cables of equal length.
In a fiber optic system, it is typical for a transmitter assembly to convert an electrical signal to an optical signal that is introduced to one end of an optic fiber. A receiver assembly at the opposite end of the optic fiber receives and converts the optical signal to an electrical signal. In such a fiber optic system, it is common for optic fibers to be fused in a side-by-side arrangement for coupling purposes. An elongate section of one optic fiber is fused to an elongate section of another optic fiber so that optical signals flow between the fused fibers. Such a side-by-side fused interface, which can be characterized as a passive fusion coupler allows for good transfer of optical signals between the fused optic fibers, but provides no control over the amount of optical energy that is transferred, which can be disadvantageous in some applications.
It is also common for fiber optic systems to include powered couplers. A powered coupler includes an optical receiver, such as a photo detector, that receives an optical signal, converts the optical signal into electronic data, and supplies the electronic data to another powered coupler that transmits an optical signal. Whereas powered couplers can detect data on one optic fiber and transmit the data on another optic fiber, some aspects of the original optical signal may be lost in the transfer, such as the energy level or frequency level of the original optical signal, which can be disadvantageous in some applications.
Further, optical signals are often infrared and, therefore, not readily visible. As a result, technicians, or the like, that are troubleshooting, servicing or are otherwise in contact with an optic fiber carrying an infrared signal of certain characteristics may unknowingly be harmed by exposure to the infrared signal. This is a further disadvantage to the use of fiber optic systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention solves the above problems, and other problems, by providing methods and apparatus for facilitating the transmission of multiple signals along a single optic fiber, which can be characterized as multiplexing. More specifically, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a first optical signal is transmitted along an optic fiber in a first direction and a second optical signal, which is different from the first optical signal, such as by having a different wavelength, is contemporaneously transmitted along the same optic fiber in the first direction, such that a segment of the optic fiber contemporaneously contains both of the first and second signals. The first optical signal may be infrared, whereas the second optical signal may be visible, so as to provide a visible indication that optical energy is propagating through the optic fiber. Additionally, other different optical signals may contemporaneously be transmitted along the optic fiber in the first direction or a second direction that is opposite from the first direction.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the multiplexing is provided by way of an optic system that includes a transceiving optic device, a receiving optic device and a plurality of transmitting optic devices. Each of those optic devices is acceptably a gradient index lens, or the like. The transceiving optic device has opposite first and second ends, and is operative to collimate optical signals propagating therethrough and emitted via the first end thereof. The transceiving optic device is further operative to focus optical signals propagating therethrough and emitted via the second end thereof. The receiving optic device has opposite first and second ends, and is operative to focus optical signals propagating therethrough and emitted via the second end thereof. The first end of the receiving optic device is optically connected to the first end of the transceiving optic device such that the transceiving optic device is operative for directing collimated optical signals to the receiving optic device. Each of the transmitting optic devices also has opposite first and second ends and is operative to collimate optical signals propagating therethrough and emitted via the first end thereof. The first end of each of the transmitting optic devices is optically connected to the first end of the transceiving optic device such that the transceiving optic device is operative for receiving collimated optical signals from each of the transmitting optic devices. The first end of each of the transmitting optic devices is preferably substantially smaller than the first end of the receiving optic device such that substantially more optical energy is transferred from the transceiving optic device to the receiving optic device than from the transceiving optic device to any or all of the transmitting optic devices. Thus, control is maintained over the amount of optical energy that is transferred, such that a low loss is experienced in the transmission of one or more optical signals from the transceiving optic device to the receiving optic device.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, optical transducers are provided and operatively associated with the transmitting optical devices and the receiving optical device. One of the transducers receives optical signals from the receiving optic device, and in response at least one of the other transducers provides optical signals to at least one of the transmitting optic devices so that the system operates as a transceiver. Further, optic fibers may be operatively associated with each of the optical devices to provide optical connections therebetween.
The present invention provides for multiplexing on a single optic fiber, and one of the optical signals may be visible to provide an indication that the optic fiber is energized. Further, low optical energy losses are incurred at the location where multiple optical signals are introduced into the optic system that facilitates the multiplexing.
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Alston & Bird LLP
Healy Brian
The Boeing Company
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