US3574439A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiple beam transmission system
Assignee: AT&T Inc
•
Filing: 1968-09-24
•
Granted: 1971-04-13
•
Expires: 1988-09-24
Abstract
Abstract Special multiplexing of a plurality of N beams in a beam transmission system comprising a sequence of confocally spaced lenses is accomplished by directing the beams such that p separate groups of q beams are formed at odd lenses in said sequence of lenses, and q separate groups of p beams are formed at even lenses in said sequence, where p and q are integers greater than one and p X q N. The beams are resolved at the output end into N separate beams. A similar arrangement can be employed using nonconfocally spaced lenses or a continuously focusing waveguide.
Inventors
- 👤 Detlef C Gloge
- 👤 Enrique A J Marcatili
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 18:54
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B10/00; H04B10/25; H04B10/2581; G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
In an optical beam guidance system, the combination comprising: a waveguide having a plurality of longitudinally spaced focusing members; and means for spacially multiplexing a plurality of N beams for propagation along said waveguide; said multiplexing means comprising: means for directing p groups of q beams each onto p separate common regions lying in a first nodal plane along said waveguide; said beams thereafter reforming under the focusing influence of said waveguide into q groups of p beams each at the second and successive even nodal planes along said waveguide, and into p groups of q beams each at successive odd nodal planes along said waveguide; and means located at the last nodal plane along said waveguide for resolving said grouped beams into N independently directed beams, where N p X q, and p and q are integers greater than one; characterized in that beam guidance is obtained by focusing members common to all of said beams.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
In an optical beam guidance system, the combination comprising: a waveguide having a plurality of longitudinally spaced focusing members; and means for spacially multiplexing a plurality of N beams for propagation along said waveguide; said multiplexing means comprising: means for directing p groups of q beams each onto p separate common regions lying in a first nodal plane along said waveguide; said beams thereafter reforming under the focusing influence of said waveguide into q groups of p beams each at the second and successive even nodal planes along said waveguide, and into p groups of q beams each at successive odd nodal planes along said waveguide; and means located at the last nodal plane along said waveguide for resolving said grouped beams into N independently directed beams, where N p X q, and p and q are integers greater than one; characterized in that beam guidance is obtained by focusing members common to all of said beams.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said waveguide comprises a plurality of spaced lenses.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system according to claim 2 wherein said lenses are confocally spaced.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
155 words
In an optical beam guidance system, the combination comprising: a waveguide providing continuous focusing along its entire length; means for spacially multiplexing a plurality of N beams for propagation along said waveguide; said multiplexing means comprising: means for directing p groups of q beams each onto p separate common regions lying in a first nodal plane along said waveguide; and said beams thereafter reforming under the focusing influence of said waveguide into q groups of p beams each at the second and successive even nodal planes along said waveguide, and into p groups of q beams each at successive odd nodal planes along said waveguide; means located at the last nodal plane along said waveguide for resolving said grouped beams into N independently directed beams, where N p X q, and p and q are integers greater than one; characterized in that beam guidance is obtained by focusing means common to all of said beams.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
155 words
In an optical beam guidance system, the combination comprising: a waveguide providing continuous focusing along its entire length; means for spacially multiplexing a plurality of N beams for propagation along said waveguide; said multiplexing means comprising: means for directing p groups of q beams each onto p separate common regions lying in a first nodal plane along said waveguide; and said beams thereafter reforming under the focusing influence of said waveguide into q groups of p beams each at the second and successive even nodal planes along said waveguide, and into p groups of q beams each at successive odd nodal planes along said waveguide; means located at the last nodal plane along said waveguide for resolving said grouped beams into N independently directed beams, where N p X q, and p and q are integers greater than one; characterized in that beam guidance is obtained by focusing means common to all of said beams.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-04-12 | 1974-10-12 | 1975-04-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-04-12 | 1978-10-12 | 1979-04-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-04-12 | 1982-10-12 | 1983-04-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |