At&t Bell Laboratories

Bell Communications Research, Inc.

Frank H Levinson

Michael A Karr, Iii

John Ormond Limb

Rudolph Conrad Schweizer

Terry W Cline

An optical fiber coupler (10) is disclosed for interconnecting a tap cable (20) to a bus cable (30). Each cable has a portion of its sheath removed at the point of coupling to provide exposed cores (24,34). The cores are intertwined a number of times and the tension on the cables is adjusted to yield the desired loss. A cladding material fills the intertwined region, including the interstices of the cores, to provide a continuous sheath in the axial dimension.

Interconnection of optical fiber cables

An optical coupling device for diverting light among different transmission elements. The device includes at least one graded-index-of-refraction lens with transmission elements coupled to one surface. At the opposite surface of the lens is a reflecting element which is adapted for movement so as to vary the angle of reflection of the incoming light from one of the transmission elements.

Optical coupling device utilizing a mirror and cantilevered arm

A packaging scheme for apparatus including integrated optical components, such as transmitters, receivers and transceivers. The components are provided in the form of semiconductor chips bonded to a substrate such as ceramic. A glass cover which includes a light transmission path is mounted over the chips. Connectors to optical fibers are formed by molding a material over the substrate and cover. Alignment is effected by use of etched grooves in the cover which are matched to ridges in the mold.

Integrated optical circuit package

An m.times.n optical switch is formed on a semiconductor substrate. Grooves are etched at the edges of the substrate to accommodate input and output optical fibers so that the output fibers are placed orthogonal to the light paths of the input fibers. An array of photodetectors is provided at an edge opposite to that of the input fibers to receive the input signals. At each crosspoint defined by the input and output fibers is an electromechanically actuated mirror which in one state permits passage of light from its associated input fiber, and in another state deflects the light to its associated output fiber.

Optical matrix switch

An optical device which diverts light from one transmission element (e.g. 21) to another (e.g., 22, 23 and 24) and a method of manufacture are disclosed. The device includes a pair of focusing elements (10 and 11) such as graded index of refraction lenses separated by a pair of at least partially reflecting elements (12 and 13). Optical transmission elements are placed adjacent to the surfaces (17 and 20) of the focusing elements opposite the reflecting elements. The reflecting elements are placed at an angle to each other and the transmission elements positioned to achieve efficient light coupling. The reflecting elements can then be fastened to each other by an appropriate adhesive (14). In specific embodiments, the device may function as a multiplexer/demultiplexer for light having three or more wavelengths, or as an asymmetric four-port coupler.

Optical coupling devices

In order to control the transfer of packets of information among a plurality of stations, e.g., digital computers, the instant communications system, station and protocol contemplate first and second oppositely directed signal paths. At least two stations are coupled to both the first and the second signal paths. A station includes arrangements for reading (and writing) signals from (and on) each of the two paths. Signals are read from either path by an arrangement which electrically precedes the arrangement for writing signals on the path. If the station has a packet to transmit, it can overwrite a busy control field of a packet on either path. Also having read a packet signal from the path, a logical interpretation may be made within the station as to whether the path is busy or is not busy. If the path is not busy, the packet may be written on the path by overwriting any signal thereon. If the path is busy, the station may defer the writing until the path is detected as not busy e.g. by reading a busy control field of another packet. Here the two paths are coupled to form two ring structures so the packets flow down the path to a destination station. Eventually all packets will be transmitted and the busy control field loops around to a station which is designated as a control station. The control station, responsive to detecting that all packets have been transmitted on one of the paths, may transmit a start cycle packet on the one path, responsive to which event a new cycle may be started by initializing each station on the one path and by permitting each initialized station to transmit. In the event of an electrical open, the system, station and protocol are adapted to reconfigure the system so that the station electrically preceding the open functions as an end station while the station electrically succeeding the open functions as a head station.

Reconfigurable collision avoiding system, station and protocol for a two

An optical coupling device for diverting light among different transmission elements. A plurality of transmission elements (11, 12, 13) are coupled to one surface (32) of a focusing element (10). Positioned near the opposite surface (32) are first and second at least partially reflecting elements (15 and 16). The first element (15) may be affixed to the end surface of the focusing element and covers only a portion thereof. The second element is positioned further from the end surface and at an angle to the first element. The area of the first element is chosen to produce a desired splitting ratio, and the angle between elements can be adjusted to maximize coupling efficiency between the transmission elements. The device can be used, for example, as a three port coupler, an asymmetric four port coupler, or a four port power divider.

Growing community of inventors

Hanover Township, NJ, United States of America

Frank H Levinson