US4996692A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser communication system with wide band magnetrostrictive modulation
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1989-09-15
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Granted: 1991-02-26
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Expires: 2009-09-15
Abstract
Abstract A laser beam conducted through an optical fiber cable is phase modulated communication purposes by a signal encoder operative through a source of current to generate a modulated magnetic field applied to a magnetrostrictive sheathing. The magnetostrictive sheathing is annealed and covers a portion of the fiber cable which undergoes dimensional change to effect modulation.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence T. Kabacoff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 09:47
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/0128; G02F1/0131; G02F1/0134
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
In combination with apparatus for modulation of laser beam radiation conducted along an optical path extending through a transmitting medium having an outer periphery, means for applying a magnetic field to the medium along a portion of said optical path and magnetostrictive means covering the outer periphery of the medium along said portion of the optical path for dimensionally changing the medium, the improvement residing in signal encoding means operatively connected to the magnetic field applying means for controllably modulating the magnetic field within a modulation bandwidth defined between limiting frequencies of a preselected band, said magnetostrictive means comprising a sheathing having a thickness that is an inverse function of said modulation bandwidth enabling bandwidth enlargement by thickness reduction of the magnetostrictive means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
In combination with apparatus for modulation of laser beam radiation conducted along an optical path extending through a transmitting medium having an outer periphery, means for applying a magnetic field to the medium along a portion of said optical path and magnetostrictive means covering the outer periphery of the medium along said portion of the optical path for dimensionally changing the medium, the improvement residing in signal encoding means operatively connected to the magnetic field applying means for controllably modulating the magnetic field within a modulation bandwidth defined between limiting frequencies of a preselected band, said magnetostrictive means comprising a sheathing having a thickness that is an inverse function of said modulation bandwidth enabling bandwidth enlargement by thickness reduction of the magnetostrictive means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for applying the magnetic field includes a conductive layer underlying the magnetostrictive means, said signal encoding means being connected to the underlying conductive layer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein said magnetostrictive sheathing is made of metallic glass and said transmitting medium is an optical fiber cable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for applying the magnetic field includes a field generating coil mounted externally on said magnetostrictive sheathing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination of claim 4 including an electrically conductive layer covering the outer periphery of the medium underlying said magnetostrictive sheathing and means connected to said conductive layer for annealing the magnetostrictive sheathing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination of claim 1 including an electrically conductive layer covering the outer periphery of the medium underlying said magnetostrictive sheathing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
79 words
In combination with apparatus for modulation of a laser beam signal carrier conducted along an optical path extending through a transmitting medium having an outer periphery and a magnetostrictive sheathing covering said outer periphery along said portion of the optical path, electrically conductive means underlying said magnetostrictive sheathing for applying a magnetic field thereto to dimensionally change the optical path, and signal encoding means connected to the electrically conductive means for modulating the magnetic field within a preselected bandwidth.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
79 words
In combination with apparatus for modulation of a laser beam signal carrier conducted along an optical path extending through a transmitting medium having an outer periphery and a magnetostrictive sheathing covering said outer periphery along said portion of the optical path, electrically conductive means underlying said magnetostrictive sheathing for applying a magnetic field thereto to dimensionally change the optical path, and signal encoding means connected to the electrically conductive means for modulating the magnetic field within a preselected bandwidth.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination of claim 7 wherein said magnetostrictive sheathing has a thickness that is inversely related in width to the preselected bandwidth enabling enlargement thereof by thickness reduction of said sheathing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
119 words
In combination with apparatus for modulation of a laser beam signal carrier along an optical path extending through a transmitting medium having an outer periphery, means for applying a magnetic field to the medium along a portion of said optical path and magnetostrictive means covering the outer periphery of the medium along said portion of the optical path for dimensionally changing the medium, the improvement residing in signal encoding means operatively connected to the magnetic field applying means for controllably modulating the magnetic field and means for annealing the magnetostrictive means prior to said application of the magnetic field to enhance said modulation of the laser beam signal carrier in response to said dimensional change in the optical path.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
119 words
In combination with apparatus for modulation of a laser beam signal carrier along an optical path extending through a transmitting medium having an outer periphery, means for applying a magnetic field to the medium along a portion of said optical path and magnetostrictive means covering the outer periphery of the medium along said portion of the optical path for dimensionally changing the medium, the improvement residing in signal encoding means operatively connected to the magnetic field applying means for controllably modulating the magnetic field and means for annealing the magnetostrictive means prior to said application of the magnetic field to enhance said modulation of the laser beam signal carrier in response to said dimensional change in the optical path.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination of claim 9 wherein said annealing means includes an electrically conductive layer underlying the magnetostrictive means and a source of field generating current connected to said conductive layer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
90 words
In combination with apparatus for modulation of a laser beam signal carrier conducted along an optical path extending through a transmitting medium having an outer periphery and a magnetostrictive sheathing surrounding said outer periphery along a portion of the optical path, electrically conductive means applying a magnetic field to the sheathing for dimensionally changing the optical path and signal encoding means connected to the electrically conductive means for modulation of the magnetic field at modulating frequencies within a frequency band having limiting frequencies between which a preselected bandwidth is defined.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
90 words
In combination with apparatus for modulation of a laser beam signal carrier conducted along an optical path extending through a transmitting medium having an outer periphery and a magnetostrictive sheathing surrounding said outer periphery along a portion of the optical path, electrically conductive means applying a magnetic field to the sheathing for dimensionally changing the optical path and signal encoding means connected to the electrically conductive means for modulation of the magnetic field at modulating frequencies within a frequency band having limiting frequencies between which a preselected bandwidth is defined.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination of claim 11 wherein the difference between the limiting frequencies of the frequency band defining said preselected bandwidth is inversely related to thickness of the magnetostrictive sheathing enabling bandwidth enlargement by thickness reduction of the sheathing.
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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) | 1994-02-25 | 1994-08-27 | 1995-02-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-02-25 | 1998-08-27 | 1999-02-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-02-25 | 2002-08-27 | 2003-02-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |