US5109446A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Opto-electronic correlator including a spiral light waveguide
Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
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Filing: 1990-12-12
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Granted: 1992-04-28
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Expires: 2010-12-12
Abstract
Abstract A device for recognizing useful signals, transmitted over a distance and comprising noisy electromagnetic, light signals containing information. A tapped delay line is used for this purpose, whereby a waveguide is manufactured in a spiral groove of a wafer using microtechnology, in order to form a planar light waveguide coil on a chip.
Inventors
- 👤 Horst Kaltschmidt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 06:39
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/10; G02B6/12; G02B6/122; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/2804; G02B6/2856; G02B6/36; G02B6/3628; G02B6/3632; G02B6/3636; G02B6/3644; G02B6/3684; G02B6/3692
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A device for recognizing information signals, transmitted over a distance, the information signals including noisy electromagnetic light signals, comprising: a wafer having a spiral groove in a surface thereof; a tapped delay line, the delay line including a planar light waveguide disposed in the spiral groove of the wafer, the planar light waveguide further having a plurality of taps at discrete locations for emitting light therefrom; support material disposed at the surface of the wafer that contains the spiral groove; and a secondary light waveguide associated with each tap of the plurality of taps, with the secondary light waveguides being supported by the support material.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
105 words
A device for recognizing information signals, transmitted over a distance, the information signals including noisy electromagnetic light signals, comprising: a wafer having a spiral groove in a surface thereof; a tapped delay line, the delay line including a planar light waveguide disposed in the spiral groove of the wafer, the planar light waveguide further having a plurality of taps at discrete locations for emitting light therefrom; support material disposed at the surface of the wafer that contains the spiral groove; and a secondary light waveguide associated with each tap of the plurality of taps, with the secondary light waveguides being supported by the support material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device recited in claim 1, wherein the planar light waveguide includes glass fibers disposed in the groove, and the wafer includes a silicon wafer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device recited in claim 2, wherein the device further includes a photoreceiver for collecting the light emitted at the discrete locations.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device recited in claim 3, wherein the secondary light waveguides guide light to the photoreceiver.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device recited in claim 4, wherein the secondary light waveguides constitute the shortest connection paths from the tap locations to the spiral center or to a collecting point at which the photoreceiver is disposed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device recited in claim 5, wherein the wafer and the support material are joined to form a single unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device recited in claim 4, wherein the secondary light waveguides comprise bands of thin layers of optical conductors.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device recited in claim 7, wherein the optical conductors comprise lithium-niobate (LiNbO 3 ) vapor-deposited in a vacuum.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device recited in claim 1, wherein the taps are formed mechanically.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device recited in claim 1, wherein the taps are formed chemically.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
130 words
A device for recognizing information signals, transmitted over a distance, the information signals including noisy electromagnetic light signals, comprising: a silicon wafer for forming a base, the wafer having a tapped delay line that includes a planar light waveguide disposed in a surface thereof and in the form of a spiral groove, the light waveguide having taps at discrete locations for emitting light; a photoreceiver for collecting the light emitted at the discrete locations; a plurality of secondary light waveguides disposed in s separate supporting material for collecting the light from the taps at discrete locations and guiding the light to the photoreceiver, the supporting material with the secondary light waveguides being placed adjacent the base, and with the supporting material forming an upper part of the single unit structure.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
130 words
A device for recognizing information signals, transmitted over a distance, the information signals including noisy electromagnetic light signals, comprising: a silicon wafer for forming a base, the wafer having a tapped delay line that includes a planar light waveguide disposed in a surface thereof and in the form of a spiral groove, the light waveguide having taps at discrete locations for emitting light; a photoreceiver for collecting the light emitted at the discrete locations; a plurality of secondary light waveguides disposed in s separate supporting material for collecting the light from the taps at discrete locations and guiding the light to the photoreceiver, the supporting material with the secondary light waveguides being placed adjacent the base, and with the supporting material forming an upper part of the single unit structure.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for recognizing information signals, transmitted over a distance, the information signals including noisy, modulated, electromagnetic light signals, comprising the steps of: supplying the information signals to a planar spiral delay line waveguide disposed in a surface of a wafer, tapping the waveguide at discrete locations, associating a support material, which has a plurality of secondary light waveguides disposed therein with a surface of the wafer with the delay line waveguide disposed therein, the secondary light waveguides for collecting light emitted from the tapped locations of the delay line waveguide with the light collection being at a common point, and processing the collected light in real time.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for recognizing information signals, transmitted over a distance, the information signals including noisy, modulated, electromagnetic light signals, comprising the steps of: supplying the information signals to a planar spiral delay line waveguide disposed in a surface of a wafer, tapping the waveguide at discrete locations, associating a support material, which has a plurality of secondary light waveguides disposed therein with a surface of the wafer with the delay line waveguide disposed therein, the secondary light waveguides for collecting light emitted from the tapped locations of the delay line waveguide with the light collection being at a common point, and processing the collected light in real time.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-04-28 | 1995-10-28 | 1996-04-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-04-28 | 1999-10-28 | 2000-04-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-04-28 | 2003-10-28 | 2004-04-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |