3m Innovative Properties Company

Stephen Paul LeBlanc

Curtis L Shoemaker

Jeffrey A Tostenrude

Gregory L Abraham

Vicki L Richmond

Kurt Herloff Petersen

Anthony William Gatica

Ronald Phillip Pepin

Stephen C King

Paul H Benson

Laylonie L Le Van-Etter

Christopher Bland Walker, Jr

Bing Hao

William Vogel Dower

Dwayne L LaBrake

Brian J Gates

Brian Kenneth Nelson

Bryon J Cronk

Changbao Ma

John T Cowher

Boon K Lee

Constand E Yemelong

An optically transparent antenna stack includes at least two stacked optically transparent antennas. Each antenna includes an electrically conductive metal mesh including a plurality of interconnected electrically conductive metal traces defining a plurality of enclosed open areas. The metal mesh of each antenna and each lead has a percent open area greater than about 50%. The at least two stacked optically transparent antennas includes a first antenna configured to operate over a first, but not a second, frequency band and a second antenna configured to operate over the second, but not the first, frequency band. The optically transparent antenna stack has an optical transmission of at least about 50% for at least one wavelength in a wavelength range from about 450 nm to about 600 nm.

Transparent antenna stack and assembly

A repeater device comprises a periodic array of alternating metallic phase shifting elements, the array being periodic in at least one axis, formed on a first surface of a dielectric substrate, with an opposite surface of the dielectric substrate having a ground plane formed thereon, wherein each phase shifting element provides from 0&#xb0; to 360&#xb0; phase shifting in the microwave frequency range. The repeater device can be utilized in a microwave network.

Passive repeater device, microwave network, and method of designing a repeater device

An optical connector includes a housing with a bottom wall defining a window therein, and an optical ferrule disposed in the housing and comprising opposing major top and bottom surfaces. The major bottom surface of the optical ferrule faces the bottom wall of the housing. The major top surface includes a groove and a light redirecting surface configured to receive light along a first direction from an optical fiber received and secured in the groove, and redirect the received light along a different second direction. The redirected light exits the optical ferrule though the bottom surface and exits the housing through the window, such that, when the optical connector mates with a mating optical connector including a mating optical ferrule, the mating optical ferrule prevents any of the light exiting the optical ferrule from exiting the housing of the optical connector.

Optical connectors for light-turning ferrules

A converged network is described. The converged network includes a distributed antenna system hub coupled to the communication lines for wireless communications, horizontal cabling to carry communication lines for wired communications and wireless communications and a remote socket. The horizontal cabling is a duct that carries the wired and wireless communication lines to convey the telecommunication signals within the building. The remote socket connects the wireless communication lines with a remote electronics unit. In addition, one or more antennas can also be coupled to the remote socket to convey analog RF electrical radiation from the remote socket over adhesive backed coaxial cabling to the indoor environment.

Converged in-building network

A remote socket apparatus comprises a socket to receive a remote electronics unit. The socket is configured to house multiple media to connect to remote electronics housed in the remote electronics unit. The socket includes a socket interface configured to mate with a remote electronics unit interface. At least one of the socket and remote electronics unit further includes an actuation mechanism configured to connect the multiple media simultaneously. The remote socket apparatus can be utilized in a network that provides in-building wireless (IBW) communications and in a converged network that also provides wired in-building telecommunications.

Remote socket apparatus

A hybrid network for in-building wireless (IBW) applications that provides a forward link path and a reverse link path, each on separate media. In particular, a hybrid cabling system for providing wireless coverage in a building comprises a forward link comprising at least one optical fiber to couple a first signal generated at an RF input bank with an RF antenna node, and a reverse link comprising coaxial cable, wherein a portion of the reverse link includes radiating coaxial cable configured to receive a second signal transmitted by a wireless user equipment in the building and pass the second signal to the RF input bank.

Hybrid cabling system and network for in-building wireless applications

A method for manufacturing an optical fiber refractive index grating. The method comprises the steps of, providing a substantially twist-free length of an optical fiber between a first spool and a second spool before attaching the first spool and the second spool to a support having a first surface opposite a second surface. The support and spools provide a filament organizer including the first spool as a lockable spool and the second spool as a rotary spool. The filament organizer further comprises a tensioner coupled to the rotary spool to apply tension to at least a central portion of the length of an optical fiber disposed between the lockable spool and the rotary spool. After removing a buffer coating from the central portion of an optical fiber and applying a controlled tension to the central portion of the optical fiber, changes are made to the refractive index characteristics of the central portion during exposure to an interference pattern of high intensity actinic radiation, to produce the refractive index grating.

Refractive index grating manufacturing process

A filament holding fixture having a closed position for applying substantially equal pressure to a plurality of points around the circumference of a filament. The holding fixture comprises a first jaw having a planar surface and an open-ended channel formed in the first jaw opening to the planar surface, and a second jaw having a structured surface including an open-ended groove of substantially rectangular cross section. Both the channel and the groove are sized for even application of pressure to a filament placed between them when there is axial alignment of the channel with the groove. An angular compensator may be included to facilitate positioning of the groove for even application of pressure to a filament when the planar surface lies adjacent to the structured surface, and the filament holding fixture is in the closed position.

Growing community of inventors

Austin, TX, United States of America

Stephen Paul LeBlanc