EP0107017A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fiber optic data transmission system
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
•
Filing: 1983-09-15
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2003-09-15
Abstract
Abstract An optical data is transmitted from station to station through an optical T-coupler (2) attached to each station. The optical T-coupler (2) splits the data signals into two paths with identical data being transmitted to the attached station and also the succeeding station. An optical to electric conversion takes place as the data enters a station interface unit (3). Electronic digital switching within each station interface unit (3) selects a "normal" mode of receiving data from the preceding station when data is valid, or a "bypass" mode of receiving data from the station which precedes the preceding station when the data is invalid. Switching from normal to bypass mode is performed by electronic switching and requires no optical switches.
Inventors
- 👤 Layton Balliet
- 👤 Richard Allen Wantshouse
- 👤 Thomas James Wylie
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 04:52
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B1/00; H04B1/74
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
242 words
A fiber optic data transmission system having at least three stations connected in a loop or series configuration characterized in that each station (1) has an optical T-coupler (2), and a station interface unit (3) including a first receiver (4) and a second receiver (5); the optical T-coupler (2) providing a separation of a digital optical input signal transmitted from the preceding station into two output paths (13 and 14), one of which (14) is directed to the first receiver (4) within the attached station interface unit (3) and the other of which (13) is directed to the second receiver (5) in the next succeeding station interface unit (3); the first receiver (4) for accepting a digital optical signal from the optical T-coupler (2) attached to its station interface unit (3) and converting the optical signal into an electronic digital signal; the second receiver (5) for accepting a digital optical signal from the optical T-coupler (2) at the preceding station interface unit (3) and converting the optical signal into a digital electronic signal; signal selection means (7) at each station interface unit (3) being provided for effecting normal mode or bypass mode operation dependent upon the validity of the digital electronic signal at the output of its first receiver (4); whereby a station (1) operates in a normal mode by accepting signals only from its first receiver (4) or in a bypass mode by accepting signals only from its second receiver (5).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
242 words
A fiber optic data transmission system having at least three stations connected in a loop or series configuration characterized in that each station (1) has an optical T-coupler (2), and a station interface unit (3) including a first receiver (4) and a second receiver (5); the optical T-coupler (2) providing a separation of a digital optical input signal transmitted from the preceding station into two output paths (13 and 14), one of which (14) is directed to the first receiver (4) within the attached station interface unit (3) and the other of which (13) is directed to the second receiver (5) in the next succeeding station interface unit (3); the first receiver (4) for accepting a digital optical signal from the optical T-coupler (2) attached to its station interface unit (3) and converting the optical signal into an electronic digital signal; the second receiver (5) for accepting a digital optical signal from the optical T-coupler (2) at the preceding station interface unit (3) and converting the optical signal into a digital electronic signal; signal selection means (7) at each station interface unit (3) being provided for effecting normal mode or bypass mode operation dependent upon the validity of the digital electronic signal at the output of its first receiver (4); whereby a station (1) operates in a normal mode by accepting signals only from its first receiver (4) or in a bypass mode by accepting signals only from its second receiver (5).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
130 words
A transmission system according to Claim 1 wherein the station interface unit (3) further includes a phase lock loop unit (17) which performs a synchronization test on data accepted by the first receiver (4) to determine if said data is tracking in synchronization; a code validity check unit (18) which performs a parity test on data accepted by the first receiver (4) to determine if the data is valid; a valid data latch (19) which is set by both the phase lock loop unit (17) indicating that the received data is in synchronization and the code validity check unit (18) indicating that the received data is valid; whereby the valid data latch (19) not being set indicates that the received data is either not in synchronization or is not valid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
159 words
A transmission system according to Claim 2 wherein the station interface unit (3) further includes a signal select gate (7) which receives data signals from the first receiver (4), data signals from the second receiver (5), and a signal from the valid data latch (19); the signal select gate (7) having switching logic for selecting data signals from the first receiver (4) or from the second receiver (5) to send data signals to a memory buffer (47) in said station (1); the switching logic selecting data signals from the first receiver (4) if the signal from the valid data latch (19) is positive, and selecting data signals from the second receiver (5) if the signal from the valid data latch (19) is negative; whereby selection of data signals from the first receiver (4) places the station in the normal mode and selection of data signals, and selection from the second receiver (5) places the station in the bypass mode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
71 words
A transmission system according to Claim 1 wherein the station interface unit (3) further includes a driver (15) which includes electronics for modulating and amplifying electronic data signals from the station (1), and a light emitting device (51) operating a fiber optic cable (12), whereby electronic data signals at a station (1) are converted to optical data signals for transmission on a fiber optic cable (12) to the next succeeding station.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
Maintenance schedule is calculated for granted US utility patents.