US4826274A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical coupling arrangements including emitter and detector placed inside of a hollow closed end reflective waveguide
Assignee: Motorola Solutions Israel Ltd
•
Filing: 1987-12-21
•
Granted: 1989-05-02
•
Expires: 2007-12-21
Abstract
Abstract An arrangement for optically coupling separate modules forming part of a multiprocessor system comprises an air-filled substantially cylindrical optical waveguide 1 having a reflective inner wall and apertures 2 therein via which a photoemitter 3 and a photodetector 4 associated with each module can optically communicate with other photoemitters and photodetectors associated with other modules.
Inventors
- 👤 Menachem Diamantstein
- 👤 Paul Gran
- 👤 Marian Berinzon
- 👤 Zvi Eckstien
- 👤 Uri Gal
- 👤 Julie Greenberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 19:11
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B10/00; H04B10/80; H04B10/801
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
An optical coupling arrangement for an electronic multi-module system, said multi-module system having a plurality of separate modules in communication with each other, said optical coupling arrangement comprised of: a substantially cylindrical, hollow, optical waveguide having a plurality of openings in the wall thereof and having at least one end covered by an internally highly reflective material; and a photoemitter and photodetector associated with each of said separate modules for emitting and receiving, respectively, light signals via the waveguide; wherein the photoemitter is positioned within the waveguide for emitting light signals in one direction along the waveguide towards said one end thereof, and the photodetector is also positioned within the waveguide for receiving light signals passing in the other director along the waveguide after having been reflected from said one end, both the photoemitter and photodetector being coupled to a respective module via respective openings in the wall of the waveguide.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
An optical coupling arrangement for an electronic multi-module system, said multi-module system having a plurality of separate modules in communication with each other, said optical coupling arrangement comprised of: a substantially cylindrical, hollow, optical waveguide having a plurality of openings in the wall thereof and having at least one end covered by an internally highly reflective material; and a photoemitter and photodetector associated with each of said separate modules for emitting and receiving, respectively, light signals via the waveguide; wherein the photoemitter is positioned within the waveguide for emitting light signals in one direction along the waveguide towards said one end thereof, and the photodetector is also positioned within the waveguide for receiving light signals passing in the other director along the waveguide after having been reflected from said one end, both the photoemitter and photodetector being coupled to a respective module via respective openings in the wall of the waveguide.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optical coupling arrangement according to claim 1 comprising one photoemitter and one photodetector associated with each module.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
An optical coupling arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the waveguide is air-filled.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optical coupling arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said waveguide is covered with an internally highly reflective material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optical coupling arrangement according to claim 2 wherein each photodetector comprises a photodiode coupled to a detector amplifier.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
An optical coupling arrangement according to claim 5 wherein said photodiode and said detector amplifier are shielded from electromagnetic interference.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
An optical coupling arrangement according to claim 5 wherein each photodetector further comprises a high-pass filter and a zero-cross detector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optical coupling arrangement according to claim 2 wherein each photoemitter comprises a source and a source driver.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
An optical coupling arrangement according to claim 8 wherein said source is a light emitting diode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
148 words
An electronic multi-module system comprising of a plurality of separate modules in communication with each other by means of an optical coupling arrangement, said optical coupling arrangement comprising: a substantially cylindrical, hollow, optical waveguide, having a plurality of openings in the wall thereof and having one end covered by an internally highly reflective material; and a photoemitter and photodetector associated with each of said separate modules for emitting and receiving respectively, light signals via the waveguide; wherein the photoemitter is positioned within the waveguide for emitting light signals in one direction along the waveguide toward said one end thereof, and the photodetector is also positioned within the waveguide for receiving light signals passing in the other direction along the waveguide after having been reflected from said one end, both the photoemitter and photodetector being coupled to a respective module via respective openings in the wall of the waveguide.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
148 words
An electronic multi-module system comprising of a plurality of separate modules in communication with each other by means of an optical coupling arrangement, said optical coupling arrangement comprising: a substantially cylindrical, hollow, optical waveguide, having a plurality of openings in the wall thereof and having one end covered by an internally highly reflective material; and a photoemitter and photodetector associated with each of said separate modules for emitting and receiving respectively, light signals via the waveguide; wherein the photoemitter is positioned within the waveguide for emitting light signals in one direction along the waveguide toward said one end thereof, and the photodetector is also positioned within the waveguide for receiving light signals passing in the other direction along the waveguide after having been reflected from said one end, both the photoemitter and photodetector being coupled to a respective module via respective openings in the wall of the waveguide.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
An electronic multimodule system according to claim 10 wherein said plurality of modules are enclosed within a cage.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
An electronic multimodule system according to claim 11 wherein one of said modules further comprises at least one fiber optic link for coupling the module to a similar module in a different cage.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
An electronic multimodule system according to claim 10 wherein at least one of the modules comprises a printed circuit board.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3583786A
Cited
US3756688A
Cited
GB2027546A
Cited
JPS57148437A
Cited
US4450461A
Cited
JPS58142303A
Cited
GB2140576A
Cited
US4763398A
Cited
US4762381A
Cited
US4765706A
Cited
US4781426A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-05-01 | 1992-10-31 | 1993-05-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-05-01 | 1996-10-31 | 1997-05-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-05-01 | 2000-10-31 | 2001-05-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |