US5394489A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wavelength division multiplexed optical communication transmitters
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1993-07-27
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Granted: 1995-02-28
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Expires: 2013-07-27
Abstract
Abstract A wavelength-division-multiplexed transmitter has a single modulator modulating the output of an array of individually actuable semiconductor lasers integrated onto the same substrate as the modulator. An optical combiner integrated onto the same substrate between each of the lasers and the single modulator combines the outputs of the lasers. One or more of the lasers are activated as desired for wavelength division multiplexing.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas L. Koch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 05:07
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/10; G02B6/12; G02B6/12004; G02B6/12007; G02B6/122; G02B6/125; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4246; H; H01; H01S; H01S5/00; H01S5/02; H01S5/026; H01S5/40; H01S5/4025; H10; H10F; H10F39/00; H10F39/10; H10F39/103; H01S5/0265; H01S5/0268; H01S5/06; H01S5/068; H01S5/06825; H01S5/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
52 words
A wavelength-division multiplexed transmitter, comprising: a substrate; a plurality of individually actuable lasers integral with said substrate; an optical modulator integral with said substrate; and an optical combiner integral with said substrate and connecting each of said lasers with said modulator; said lasers each defining a different frequency exclusive of said combiner.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
52 words
A wavelength-division multiplexed transmitter, comprising: a substrate; a plurality of individually actuable lasers integral with said substrate; an optical modulator integral with said substrate; and an optical combiner integral with said substrate and connecting each of said lasers with said modulator; said lasers each defining a different frequency exclusive of said combiner.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A transmitter as in claim 1, wherein said lasers, said modulator, and said optical combiner are grown on said substrate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A transmitter as in claim 1, wherein said substrate is a semiconductor and said lasers, said modulator, and said optical combiner are grown on said substrate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A transmitter as in claim 1, wherein said modulator includes an optical modulator element and an optical amplifier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A transmitter as in claim 1, wherein said modulator includes an optical modulator element and an optical amplifier between said modulator element and said optical combiner.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A transmitter as in claim 1, wherein said modulator includes an optical amplifier and an optical modulator element between said amplifier and said optical combiner.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A transmitter as in claim 1, wherein said optical modulator includes an electroabsorption modulator element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A transmitter as in claim 3, wherein said optical modulator element is an electroabsorption modulator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A transmitter as in claim 1, wherein said lasers are each fixed frequency lasers for operation at respectively different frequencies.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A transmitter as in claim 1, further comprising actuating means connected to each of said lasers for energizing said lasers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A transmitter as in claim 1, wherein said combiner is an in-plane diffraction region integrated in said substrate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
A transmitter as in claim 1, wherein said combiner is a waveguide y-branch tree.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
A transmitter as in claim 1, wherein said lasers are distributed Bragg reflector lasers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
A transmitter as in claim 1, wherein said lasers are distributed feedback lasers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
A transmitter as in claim 1, wherein said modulator includes a directional coupler modulator element.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
A transmitter as in claim 1, wherein said modulator includes a Mach-Zehnder modulator element.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
A transmitter as in claim 1, wherein said combiner is a star coupler.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
A transmitter as in claim 1, wherein said combiner is an N×1 star coupler.
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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) | 1998-02-27 | 1998-08-29 | 1999-02-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-02-27 | 2002-08-29 | 2003-02-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-02-27 | 2006-08-29 | 2007-02-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |