The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 13, 1999
Filed:
Mar. 12, 1998
James C Baugh, Norcross, GA (US);
R James Bateman, New Milford, CT (US);
Lanhopper System, Inc., Atlanta, GA (US);
Abstract
In a frequency-controlled optical switching system, a first light source generates a data signal having a first wavelength. A second light source generates a control signal having a second wavelength, which is different from the first wavelength. A first wavelength division multiplexer, optically coupled to both the first light source and the second light source, couples an optical signal received from the first light source and an optical signal received from the second light source onto a single optical fiber. A second wavelength division multiplexer, optically coupled to the single optical fiber and spaced apart from the first wavelength division multiplexer, separates a signal having the first wavelength from a signal having the second wavelength. The second wavelength division multiplexer couples the signal having the first wavelength onto a second optical fiber and couples the signal having the second wavelength onto a third optical fiber. An optical sensor, optically coupled to the third optical fiber, and sensitive to light of the second wavelength, asserts an electrical signal when the optical sensor senses light of the second wavelength. A switch, that is responsive to the electrical signal, is in a first state when the electrical signal is not asserted and is in a second state when the electrical signal is asserted.