Patent US4856864A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4856864A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Optical fiber distribution network including non-destructive taps and method of using same
Assignee: Raychem Corp
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Filing: 1988-08-31
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Granted: 1989-08-15
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Expires: 2008-08-31
Abstract
Abstract An optical fiber distribution network includes non-destructive read taps disposed in series which create extremely small attenuations of an optical signal being tapped, and which increase the bandwidth of an optical fiber being tapped. The network further includes non-destructive write taps disposed in another series which each inject an optical signal into a second optical fiber while inducing minimal attenuation of a preexisting optical signal in the second fiber.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce D. Campbell
- 👤 Joseph Zucker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 19:22
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B5/00; G02B5/20; G02B5/26; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4286; G02B6/4287; G02B6/4289
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
An apparatus for reducing a magnitude of an optical signal excess loss created by a light read tap which withdraws part of an optical signal representative of information out of an optical fiber through a side thereof, comprising: N means for modifying an energy distribution of an optical signal within an optical fiber upstream of a first location so as to reduce an integrated energy ratio between an outermost and an innermost section of a core of the optical fiber in a vicinity of the first location, N being an integer; a first light read tap for withdrawing a first part of the optical signal at the first location through a side of an optical fiber section, an optical signal excess loss created by the first light read tap being less than an optical signal excess loss which would be created if the integrated energy ratio was not modified; and means for detecting the first part of the optical signal so as to detect information represented by the optical signal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
170 words
An apparatus for reducing a magnitude of an optical signal excess loss created by a light read tap which withdraws part of an optical signal representative of information out of an optical fiber through a side thereof, comprising: N means for modifying an energy distribution of an optical signal within an optical fiber upstream of a first location so as to reduce an integrated energy ratio between an outermost and an innermost section of a core of the optical fiber in a vicinity of the first location, N being an integer; a first light read tap for withdrawing a first part of the optical signal at the first location through a side of an optical fiber section, an optical signal excess loss created by the first light read tap being less than an optical signal excess loss which would be created if the integrated energy ratio was not modified; and means for detecting the first part of the optical signal so as to detect information represented by the optical signal.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
161 words
An apparatus for multiplexing an optical signal at a first location into an optical fiber using a first light write tap so as to reduce an attenuation of a pre-existing optical signal in the optical fiber caused by the first light write tap, comprising: N means for modifying an energy distribution of a pre-existing optical signal within an optical fiber upstream of a first location so as to reduce an integrated energy ratio between an outermost and an innermost section of a core of the optical fiber in a vicinity of the first location, N being an integer; and a first light write tap for injecting a first optical signal into a first optical fiber section through a side of the first optical fiber section at the first location, an attenuation of the pre-existing optical signal created by the first light write tap being less than an attenuation of the pre-existing optical signal if the integrated energy ratio was not modified.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
161 words
An apparatus for multiplexing an optical signal at a first location into an optical fiber using a first light write tap so as to reduce an attenuation of a pre-existing optical signal in the optical fiber caused by the first light write tap, comprising: N means for modifying an energy distribution of a pre-existing optical signal within an optical fiber upstream of a first location so as to reduce an integrated energy ratio between an outermost and an innermost section of a core of the optical fiber in a vicinity of the first location, N being an integer; and a first light write tap for injecting a first optical signal into a first optical fiber section through a side of the first optical fiber section at the first location, an attenuation of the pre-existing optical signal created by the first light write tap being less than an attenuation of the pre-existing optical signal if the integrated energy ratio was not modified.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
158 words
A method of increasing bandwidth of an optical fiber capable of transmitting information by supporting light pulses in a plurality of modes, the fiber including a core, a cladding, and a buffer, comprising the steps of: injecting light pulses into the optical fiber; withdrawing a portion of the light pulses through the fiber buffer at a first location with a non-destructive light read tap; detecting light withdrawn by the light read tap using a detector thereby obtaining a detected first power level and a first signal on-to-off ratio; the light pulses being injected into the optical fiber at a modulation frequency in excess of a saturation modulation frequency, the saturation modulation frequency being that frequency whereby the detector would incur a second signal on-to-off ratio which is less than the first signal on-to-off ratio if the light pulses were detected by the detector at an end of the fiber at the first location at the first power level.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
158 words
A method of increasing bandwidth of an optical fiber capable of transmitting information by supporting light pulses in a plurality of modes, the fiber including a core, a cladding, and a buffer, comprising the steps of: injecting light pulses into the optical fiber; withdrawing a portion of the light pulses through the fiber buffer at a first location with a non-destructive light read tap; detecting light withdrawn by the light read tap using a detector thereby obtaining a detected first power level and a first signal on-to-off ratio; the light pulses being injected into the optical fiber at a modulation frequency in excess of a saturation modulation frequency, the saturation modulation frequency being that frequency whereby the detector would incur a second signal on-to-off ratio which is less than the first signal on-to-off ratio if the light pulses were detected by the detector at an end of the fiber at the first location at the first power level.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-08-14 | 1993-02-13 | 1993-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-08-14 | 1997-02-13 | 1997-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-08-14 | 2001-02-13 | 2001-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |