EP0106505A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Fiber optic word generator
Assignee: Leland Stanford Junior University
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Filing: 1983-09-08
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2003-09-08
Abstract
Abstract A digital word generator (10) uses a tapped fiber optic delay line (14) to generate a sequence of pulses. The pulses are weighted and combined to produce a digital word.
Inventors
- 👤 Herbert John Shaw
- 👤 Steven A. Newton
- 👤 John E. Bowers
- 👤 Kenneth P. Jackson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 03:23
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; H; H04; H04B; H04B10/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/2804; G02B6/2861
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A fiber optic digital word generator, comprising: a fiber optic delay line (14) having an array of separate fiber optic strands (16, 17, 18, 19) for removing portions of signals propagating in said fiber optic delay line (14), the output of said fiber optic strands (16, 17, .18, 19) being a sequence of pulsed signals; a light source (11) for introducing a pulsed optical signal input into said fiber optic delay line (14); and a weighting device (28, 29, 30, 31) for weighting the pulsed signal output of selected fiber optic strands (16, 17, 18, 19) to produce digital signals to form a binary word.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
A fiber optic digital word generator, comprising: a fiber optic delay line (14) having an array of separate fiber optic strands (16, 17, 18, 19) for removing portions of signals propagating in said fiber optic delay line (14), the output of said fiber optic strands (16, 17, .18, 19) being a sequence of pulsed signals; a light source (11) for introducing a pulsed optical signal input into said fiber optic delay line (14); and a weighting device (28, 29, 30, 31) for weighting the pulsed signal output of selected fiber optic strands (16, 17, 18, 19) to produce digital signals to form a binary word.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A fiber optic digital word generator according to Claim 1 wherein said tapped delay line .(14) comprises a single mode optical fiber (12).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A fiber optic digital word generator according to Claims 1 or 2 wherein said delay line (14) comprises a fiber optic coupler (38, 40, 42, 44).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
82 words
A fiber optic digital word generator according to any of Claims 1 to 3 wherein said delay line (14) comprises: a single strand (12) of fiber optic material formed in a coil, said array of separate strands(16, 17, 18, 19) of fiber optic material in proximity to the coils of said single fiber optic strand (12) so that optical signals propagating in said single strand (12)of fiber optic material are coupled to said separate strands (16, 17, 18, 19)of fiber optic material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
73 words
A fiber optic digital word generator according to any of Claims 1 to 3 wherein said delay line (14) comprises: a single strand (12) of fiber optic material formed into a plurality of coils, each of said coils having.a tap location (63a, 63b, 63c, 63d); and a device (64a, 64b, 64c, 64d) for selectively applying a tensile force at each said tap location (63a, 63b, 63c, 63d) to control emission of light therefrom.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
90 words
A fiber optic digital word generator according to Claim 5 wherein said device (64a, 64b, 64c, 64d) for selectively applying a tensile force at said tap locations (63a, 63b, 63c, 63d) includes: an electrically controlled actuator (64a, 64b, 64c, 64d) placed adjacent each said tap location (63a, 63b, 63c, 63d): and a tap control unit 36 for selectively applying tap control signals to each said actuator (64a, 64b, 64c, 64d) to control the tension which each said actuator (64a, 64b, 64c, 64d) applies to said tap location'(63a, 63b, 63c, 63d).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
A fiber optic digital word generator according to Claim 6 further including: a lens (68) for collecting and focusing light emitted from said tap locations; and a detector (70) for detecting light output by said lens (68) and for producing an electrical signal in response to light output by said lens (68).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
87 words
A fiber optic digital word generator according to any of Claims 1 to 6 further including: a detector (22, 23, 24, 25) for producing signals' in response to the output of said array of fiber strands (16, 17, 18, 19), said weighting device selectively converting the signals output from said detector (22, 23, 24, 25) into either a digital logic low signal or a digital logic high signal; and a summing device (34) for combining the signals output from said weighting device to produce said binary word.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
A fiber optic digital word generator according to any of Claims 1 to 6 wherein said weighting device comprises a liquid crystal cell for controlling transmission of optical signals from said array of strands (16, 17, 18, 19).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
A fiber optic digital word generator according to any of Claims 1 to 6 wherein said weighting device comprises a transmission mask (54) for controlling transmission of optical signals from said array of fiber stands (16, 17, 18, 19).
Claim 12
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for generating a digital word comprising steps of: introducing a pulsed optical signal into a tapped fiber optic delay line (14) to produce a sequence of optical pulses; detecting the optical pulses; digitally weighting each optical pulse to produce a sequence of digital logic signals; and combining the sequence of digital logic signals to produce a binary word.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for generating a digital word comprising steps of: introducing a pulsed optical signal into a tapped fiber optic delay line (14) to produce a sequence of optical pulses; detecting the optical pulses; digitally weighting each optical pulse to produce a sequence of digital logic signals; and combining the sequence of digital logic signals to produce a binary word.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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