Electrical-optical interface network

Claim 2

A network (23) for interfacing between an optical circuit (20) and an electrical circuit (5,7,9) comprising: receiving means (31) for converting optical signals into electrical signals disposed between a first lightguide (21) in said optical circuit (20) and said electrical circuit (5,7,9); transmitting means (35) for converting electrical signals into optical signals disposed between said electrical circuit (5,7,9) and a second lightguide (22); and means (32,33,34), including a coincidence sensor, for preventing the transmission of signals between said two lightguides (21,22).

Claim 3

The network according to claim 1 wherein said coincidence sensor comprises an exclusive OR-gate having: one input terminal coupled to the output port of said receiving means; a second input terminal coupled to said electrical circuit; and having its output terminal coupled to the input port of said transmitting means.

Claim 4

The network according to claim 1 wherein said coincidence sensor is a Schmidt trigger having: one input terminal coupled to the output port of said receiving means; a second input terminal coupled to said electrical circuit; and having its output terminal coupled to the input port of said transmitting means.

Claim 5

The network according to claim 1 including an AGC refreshing circuit for injecting pulses into said optical circuit in the absence of a signal.

Claim 6

A network (23) for interfacing between an electrical circuit (5,7,9) and an optical link (20) comprising: a signal receiver (31) having an optical input port (1) and an electrical output port (1'); a signal transmitter (35) having an electrical input port (3') and an optical output port (3); first means, including a first electrical signal isolator (32), for coupling the output port (1') of said receiver (32) to a common electrical signal port (2); second means, including in cascade, a second electrical signal isolator (33) and a coincidence sensor (34), for connecting said common electrical signal port (2) to the input port (3') of said transmitter (35); the output port of said second isolator (33) being connected to one input port of said sensor (34); and the output port (1') of said receiver (31) being coupled to a second input port of said sensor (34).

Claim 7

A network (23) for interfacing between an electrical circuit (5,7,9) and an optical link (20) comprising: a signal receiver (31) having an optical input port (1) and an electrical output port (1'); a signal transmitter (35) having an electrical input port (3') and an optical output port (3); first means, including a first electrical signal isolator (32), for coupling the output port (1') of said receiver (32) to a common electrical signal port (2); second means, including in cascade, a second electrical signal isolator (33) and a coincidence sensor (34), for connecting said common electrical signal port (2) to the input port (3') of said transmitter (35); the output port of said second isolator (33) being connected to one input port of said sensor (34); and the output port (1') of said receiver (31) being coupled to a second input port of said sensor (34).

Claim 8

An optical communication system comprising at least two stations; means, comprising an optical bus, for connecting each of said stations to a common electrical junction; each of said buses comprising a pair of optical fibers terminated by means of a network for interfacing between said fibers and said common junction; said network comprising: receiving means for converting optical signals into electrical signals disposed between one of said fibers and said common junction; transmitting means for converting electrical signals into optical signals disposed between said common junction and the other of said fibers; and means including a coincidence sensor for preventing the transmission of signals between said pair of optical fibers.

Claim 9

An optical communication system comprising at least two stations; means, comprising an optical bus, for connecting each of said stations to a common electrical junction; each of said buses comprising a pair of optical fibers terminated by means of a network for interfacing between said fibers and said common junction; said network comprising: receiving means for converting optical signals into electrical signals disposed between one of said fibers and said common junction; transmitting means for converting electrical signals into optical signals disposed between said common junction and the other of said fibers; and means including a coincidence sensor for preventing the transmission of signals between said pair of optical fibers.