US4957340A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Synchronous multifrequency optical network
Assignee: STC PLC
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Filing: 1989-11-06
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Granted: 1990-09-18
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Expires: 2009-11-06
Abstract
Abstract A multi wavelength optical network including a plurality of wavelength multiplexed nodes each having a single frequency optical signal transmitting means (13) and a multi wavelength optical signal receiving means (15), an optical transmission network including a passive optical coupling means (12) interconnecting said nodes whereby single frequency signals transmitted from each node are propagated via the coupling means to all the nodes, each node also including wavelength demultiplexing means (14) through which received signals are applied to the multi wavelength receiving means and timing and control means (17, 18, 19) arranged to control the timing of signals transmitted by the node over the network so that the signals from all the nodes are synchronous at the coupler.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul A. Kirkby
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 07:46
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04J; H04J14/00; H04J14/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
45 words
A multi wavelength optical network comprising a plurality of nodes interconnected via a single common passive optical coupler wherein all signals transmitted over the network are synchronous at the coupler, each node receiving signals from all the nodes and each node including wavelength demultiplexing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
45 words
A multi wavelength optical network comprising a plurality of nodes interconnected via a single common passive optical coupler wherein all signals transmitted over the network are synchronous at the coupler, each node receiving signals from all the nodes and each node including wavelength demultiplexing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
111 words
A multi wavelength optical network including a plurality of wavelength multiplexed nodes each having a single wavelength optical signal transmitting means and a multi wavelength optical signal receiving means, an optical transmission network including a passive optical coupling means interconnecting said nodes whereby single wavelength signals transmitted from each node are propagated via the coupling means to all the nodes, each node also including wavelength demultiplexing means through which received signals are applied to the multi wavelength receiving means and timing and control means arranged to control the timing of signals transmitted by the node over the network so that the signals from all the nodes are synchronous at the coupler.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
111 words
A multi wavelength optical network including a plurality of wavelength multiplexed nodes each having a single wavelength optical signal transmitting means and a multi wavelength optical signal receiving means, an optical transmission network including a passive optical coupling means interconnecting said nodes whereby single wavelength signals transmitted from each node are propagated via the coupling means to all the nodes, each node also including wavelength demultiplexing means through which received signals are applied to the multi wavelength receiving means and timing and control means arranged to control the timing of signals transmitted by the node over the network so that the signals from all the nodes are synchronous at the coupler.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
76 words
A network according to claim 2 wherein each node includes means for selecting received signals being the node's own transmitted signals received back from the coupling means, means for selecting received signals from another node, means for extracting clock and timing signals from both selected signals and means for comparing the two extracted clock and timing signals to derive control signals for the control means to control the timing of the signals transmitted from the node.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A network according to claim 2 wherein each node includes means for synchronously retiming and regenerating the demultiplexed received signals from all the nodes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A network according to claim 3 wherein each node includes means for synchronously retiming and regenerating the demultiplexed received signals from all the nodes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
74 words
A network according to claim 1 wherein message or data transfers across the network are effected in frames which are timed to be synchronous at the coupler, the frames having a common format comprising a number of time slots wherein each frame includes frame timing signals, message or data destination signals, acknowledgement signals and message or data signals, wherein the destination and acknowledgement signals are time distributed within the frame to provide node identity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
74 words
A network according to claim 2 wherein message or data transfers across the network are effected in frames which are timed to be synchronous at the coupler, the frames having a common format comprising a number of time slots wherein each frame includes frame timing signals, message or data destination signals, acknowledgement signals and message or data signals, wherein the destination and acknowledgement signals are time distributed within the frame to provide node identity.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A network according to claim 7 wherein the destination and acknowledgement signals are time multiplexed with the message or data signals within each frame.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
A node for a synchronous multifrequency optical network including a single wavelength optical signal transmitting means and a multi wavelength optical signal receiving means, said receiving means including optical wavelength demultiplexing means, means for extracting clock and timing control signals from demultiplexed received signals to derive control signals to control transmission of signals from the node and means for synchronously regenerating received demultiplexed signals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
64 words
A node for a synchronous multifrequency optical network including a single wavelength optical signal transmitting means and a multi wavelength optical signal receiving means, said receiving means including optical wavelength demultiplexing means, means for extracting clock and timing control signals from demultiplexed received signals to derive control signals to control transmission of signals from the node and means for synchronously regenerating received demultiplexed signals.
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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) | 1993-09-17 | 1994-03-19 | 1994-09-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-09-17 | 1998-03-19 | 1998-09-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-09-17 | 2002-03-19 | 2002-09-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |