Patent US5389776A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5389776A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
FET-based optical receiver
Assignee: AT&T Inc
•
Filing: 1993-11-22
•
Granted: 1995-02-14
•
Expires: 2013-11-22
Abstract
Abstract A complementary field-effect transistor (CFET) receiver apparatus and method for receiving optical signals and for generating output signals is disclosed. In particular, four input beams, two of which are unique, are utilized to turn two series-connected FETs on and off to generate the output signals. A CFET photo-receiver according to the invention operates in push-pull fashion to conserve electrical power, and can be realized as a monolithically integrated device using FET-SEED fabrication techniques.
Inventors
- 👤 Ted K. Woodward
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 08:55
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B10/00; H04B10/60; H04B10/66; H04B10/69; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/51; H03K17/78; H03K17/785; H03K19/00; H03K19/02; H03K19/14; H04B10/691; H03K2217/00; H03K2217/0036
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A photo-receiver apparatus, comprising: first and second detectors connected in series in a loop having a first node between them; third and fourth detectors connected in series in a loop having a second node between them; a first field-effect transistor having a gate input connected to the first node, a drain input connected to a preset drain voltage and a source input connected to a third node; and a second field effect transistor having a gate input connected to the second node, a drain input connected to the third node and a source input connected to a preset source voltage; wherein a first input signal beam is simultaneously detected by the first and fourth detectors and a second input signal beam is simultaneously detected by the second and third detectors to produce output signals at the third node.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
A photo-receiver apparatus, comprising: first and second detectors connected in series in a loop having a first node between them; third and fourth detectors connected in series in a loop having a second node between them; a first field-effect transistor having a gate input connected to the first node, a drain input connected to a preset drain voltage and a source input connected to a third node; and a second field effect transistor having a gate input connected to the second node, a drain input connected to the third node and a source input connected to a preset source voltage; wherein a first input signal beam is simultaneously detected by the first and fourth detectors and a second input signal beam is simultaneously detected by the second and third detectors to produce output signals at the third node.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: first and second optical modulators connected in series and having an output node between them connected to the third node, for generating an optical output.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an amplifier connected to the third node.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the amplifier comprises two field-effect transistors connected in series.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: clamping means connected to the first node for restricting the voltage at the first node.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: clamping means connected to the second node for restricting the voltage at the second node.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the clamping means comprises two clamping diodes connected in series.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the clamping means comprises two clamping diodes connected in series and biased within a predetermined voltage range.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the photo-receiver comprises a monolithically integrated circuit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the detectors are multiple quantum well p-i-n diodes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the field-effect transistors are GaAs transistors.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the field-effect transistors are silicon transistors.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detectors are photo-diodes.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for generating output signals from optical input signals utilizing a complementary field-effect transistor (FET) receiver, comprising: detecting a first optical input beam; generating a first voltage and a second voltage; switching a first FET on and a second FET off to generate a first output; detecting a second optical input beam; generating a third voltage and a fourth voltage; and switching the first FET off and the second FET on to generate a second output.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for generating output signals from optical input signals utilizing a complementary field-effect transistor (FET) receiver, comprising: detecting a first optical input beam; generating a first voltage and a second voltage; switching a first FET on and a second FET off to generate a first output; detecting a second optical input beam; generating a third voltage and a fourth voltage; and switching the first FET off and the second FET on to generate a second output.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 14, further comprising: generating optical output signals from the first and second outputs.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 14, further comprising: amplifying the first and second outputs.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 14, wherein the outputs correspond to digital logic levels.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 14, wherein the complementary FET receiver produces analog outputs.
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) | 1998-02-13 | 1998-08-15 | 1999-02-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-02-13 | 2002-08-15 | 2003-02-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-02-13 | 2006-08-15 | 2007-02-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |