US5239402A — Push-pull optical receiver

Claim 1

Independent Claim 92 words

An optical receiver circuit for an incoming optical signal having broadband radio frequency amplitude modulation, said circuit comprising: an optical detector for receiving said optical signal and generating therefrom a current signal which varies with the optical signal power level; first means for amplifying said current signal; second means for amplifying said current signal; and means for coupling said first amplifying means and said second amplifying means in a push-pull relationship to add the amplified current signal from said first amplifying means and the amplified current signal from said second amplifying means.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 92 words

An optical receiver circuit for an incoming optical signal having broadband radio frequency amplitude modulation, said circuit comprising: an optical detector for receiving said optical signal and generating therefrom a current signal which varies with the optical signal power level; first means for amplifying said current signal; second means for amplifying said current signal; and means for coupling said first amplifying means and said second amplifying means in a push-pull relationship to add the amplified current signal from said first amplifying means and the amplified current signal from said second amplifying means.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 16 words

An optical receiver circuit in accordance with claim 1 wherein said optical detector is a photodiode.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 29 words

An optical receiver in accordance with claim 2 wherein said photodiode is electrically biased to conduct an electrical current only when it is activated by said incoming optical signal.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 30 words

An optical receiver in accordance with claim 1 wherein said current signal is a direct current with an amplitude component related to the amplitude modulation of the incoming optical signal.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 35 words

An optical receiver in accordance with claim 1 further comprising means operatively connected to said first amplifying means and to said second amplifying means for optimizing the amplification of a selectable band of radio frequencies.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 35 words

An optical receiver in accordance with claim 5 wherein said optimizing means comprises a tuning network connected to an input terminal of said first amplifier means and an input terminal of said second amplifying means.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 84 words

An amplifier adapted to amplify an electrical signal generated by an optical detector which varies with an optical signal power level applied to the optical detector, said amplifier comprising: first transimpedance means for amplifying said electrical signal including a feedback impedance coupled between its output and input; second transimpedance means for amplifying said electrical signal including a feedback impedance coupled between its output and input; and power combining means for coupling said first amplifying means and said second amplifying means in a push-pull relationship.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 84 words

An amplifier adapted to amplify an electrical signal generated by an optical detector which varies with an optical signal power level applied to the optical detector, said amplifier comprising: first transimpedance means for amplifying said electrical signal including a feedback impedance coupled between its output and input; second transimpedance means for amplifying said electrical signal including a feedback impedance coupled between its output and input; and power combining means for coupling said first amplifying means and said second amplifying means in a push-pull relationship.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 34 words

An amplifier in accordance with claim 7 further comprising: means operatively connected to said first amplifying means and to said second amplifying means for optimizing the amplification of a preselected band of radio frequencies.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 34 words

An amplifier in accordance with claim 8 wherein said optimizing means comprises: a tuning network connected to an input terminal of said first amplifying means and an input terminal of said second amplifying means.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 136 words

An optical receiver circuit for an incoming optical signal having broadband radio frequency amplitude modulation, said circuit comprising: an optical detector for receiving said optical signal and generating therefrom an electrical signal which varies with the optical signal power level; first means for amplifying said electrical signal; second means for amplifying said electrical signal; means operatively connected to said first amplifying means and to said second amplifying means for optimizing the amplification of a selectable band of radio frequencies including a tuning network comprising a variable inductor connected between an input terminal of said first amplifying means and an input terminal of said second amplifying means, said band of radio frequencies being selectable by varying the value of said inductor; and means for coupling said first amplifying means and said second amplifying means in push-pull relationship.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 136 words

An optical receiver circuit for an incoming optical signal having broadband radio frequency amplitude modulation, said circuit comprising: an optical detector for receiving said optical signal and generating therefrom an electrical signal which varies with the optical signal power level; first means for amplifying said electrical signal; second means for amplifying said electrical signal; means operatively connected to said first amplifying means and to said second amplifying means for optimizing the amplification of a selectable band of radio frequencies including a tuning network comprising a variable inductor connected between an input terminal of said first amplifying means and an input terminal of said second amplifying means, said band of radio frequencies being selectable by varying the value of said inductor; and means for coupling said first amplifying means and said second amplifying means in push-pull relationship.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 31 words

An optical receiver in accordance with claim 10 wherein said variable inductor comprises a slug-tuned inductor, said receiver further comprising a capacitor connected in series circuit relationship with said variable inductor.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 140 words

An optical receiver circuit for an incoming optical signal having broadband radio frequency amplitude modulation, said circuit comprising: an optical detector for receiving said optical signal and generating therefrom an electrical signal which varies with the optical signal power level; first means for amplifying said electrical signal; wherein said first amplifying means and said second amplifying means each comprising a transimpedance amplifier stage including a field effect transistor having a gate terminal, a drain terminal and a source terminal, each of said gate terminals being connected to a terminal of said optical detector through a respective blocking capacitor; wherein the drain terminal of each field effect transistor is connected to the gate terminal of the same field effect transistor through a selectable feedback resistor; and means for coupling said first amplifying means and said second amplifying means in push-pull relationship.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 140 words

An optical receiver circuit for an incoming optical signal having broadband radio frequency amplitude modulation, said circuit comprising: an optical detector for receiving said optical signal and generating therefrom an electrical signal which varies with the optical signal power level; first means for amplifying said electrical signal; wherein said first amplifying means and said second amplifying means each comprising a transimpedance amplifier stage including a field effect transistor having a gate terminal, a drain terminal and a source terminal, each of said gate terminals being connected to a terminal of said optical detector through a respective blocking capacitor; wherein the drain terminal of each field effect transistor is connected to the gate terminal of the same field effect transistor through a selectable feedback resistor; and means for coupling said first amplifying means and said second amplifying means in push-pull relationship.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 55 words

An optical receiver in accordance with claim 12 wherein aid first amplifying means and said second amplifying means each further comprise: a high impedance buffer amplifier stage having an input terminal connected to the drain terminal of its respective transimpedance amplifier stage and an output terminal connected to a terminal of said push-pull connecting means.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 90 words

An optical receiver in accordance with claim 13 wherein said push-pull coupling means comprises a transformer including: a primary winding having a first terminal at one end thereof connected to the output terminal of said first amplifying means, a second terminal at the other end thereof connected to the output terminal of said second amplifying means and a third terminal connecting an intermediate section of said secondary winding to ground through a DC blocking capacitor; and a secondary winding having output terminals adapted for connection to a CATV coaxial cable.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 109 words

An amplifier adapted to amplify a signal generated by an optical detector which varies with an optical signal power level applied to the optical detector, said amplifier comprising: first means for amplifying said signal; second means for amplifying said signal; means operatively connected to said first amplifying means and to said second amplifying means for optimizing the amplification of a preselected band of radio frequencies including a tuning network comprising a variable inductor connected between an input terminal of said first amplifying means and an input terminal of said second amplifying means; and means for coupling said first amplifying means and said second amplifying means in a push-pull relationship.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 109 words

An amplifier adapted to amplify a signal generated by an optical detector which varies with an optical signal power level applied to the optical detector, said amplifier comprising: first means for amplifying said signal; second means for amplifying said signal; means operatively connected to said first amplifying means and to said second amplifying means for optimizing the amplification of a preselected band of radio frequencies including a tuning network comprising a variable inductor connected between an input terminal of said first amplifying means and an input terminal of said second amplifying means; and means for coupling said first amplifying means and said second amplifying means in a push-pull relationship.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 21 words

An amplifier in accordance with claim 15 further comprising a blocking capacitor connected in series circuit relationship with said variable inductor.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 135 words

An amplifier adapted to amplify a signal generated by an optical detector which varies with an optical signal power level applied to the optical detector, said amplifier comprising: first means for amplifying said signal; second means for amplifying said signal; wherein said first amplifying means and said second amplifying means each comprise a transimpedance amplifier stage including a field effect transistor having a gate terminal, a drain terminal and a source terminal, each of said gate terminals being connected to an input terminal of said amplifier through a respective DC blocking capacitor; wherein the drain terminal of each field effect transistor is connected to the gate terminal of the same field effect transistor through a selectable feedback resistor; and means for coupling said first amplifying means and said second amplifying means in a push-pull relationship.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 135 words

An amplifier adapted to amplify a signal generated by an optical detector which varies with an optical signal power level applied to the optical detector, said amplifier comprising: first means for amplifying said signal; second means for amplifying said signal; wherein said first amplifying means and said second amplifying means each comprise a transimpedance amplifier stage including a field effect transistor having a gate terminal, a drain terminal and a source terminal, each of said gate terminals being connected to an input terminal of said amplifier through a respective DC blocking capacitor; wherein the drain terminal of each field effect transistor is connected to the gate terminal of the same field effect transistor through a selectable feedback resistor; and means for coupling said first amplifying means and said second amplifying means in a push-pull relationship.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 52 words

The amplifier of claim 17 wherein said first amplifying means and said second amplifying means each further comprise a high impedance buffer amplifier stage having an input terminal connected to the drain terminal of the respective transimpedance amplifier stage and an output terminal connected to a terminal of said push-pull connecting means.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 86 words

The amplifier of claim 18 wherein said push-pull coupling means comprises a transformer including: a primary winding having a first terminal at one end thereof connected to the output terminal of said first amplifying means, a second terminal at the other end thereof connected to the output terminal of said second amplifying means, and a third terminal connecting an intermediate portion of said secondary winding to ground through a DC blocking capacitor; a secondary winding having output terminals adapted for connection to a CATV coaxial cable.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1996-08-23	1997-02-22	1997-08-24	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2000-08-23	2001-02-22	2001-08-24	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2004-08-23	2005-02-22	2005-08-24	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Push-pull optical receiver

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