US6120190A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spatially variable bandpass filter monitoring and feedback control of laser wavelength especially in wavelength division multiplexing communication systems
Assignee: Oclaro North America Inc
•
Filing: 1997-11-26
•
Granted: 2000-09-19
•
Expires: 2017-11-26
Abstract
Abstract A feedback controlled laser diode communication device is disclosed that, as is common, has a laser diode that is modulated in response to an input signal to generate an optical signal, encoding the input signal. Spatially variable passband filter material, however, is arranged to receive at least a portion of the optical signal generated by the laser diode, preferably from the rear facet, and at least one detector is used to detect the thus filtered optical signal. Control circuitry then controls a wavelength of the laser diode based upon the response of the detector(s) to thus provide feedback control. As such, the device is particularly applicable to maintaining the tight channel spacings found in wavelength division multiplexed systems.
Inventors
- 👤 Francis L. Leard
- 👤 Scott Burroughs
- 👤 Ilya Mirman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 16:37
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B10/00; H04B10/07; H04B10/50; H04B10/572; H01; H01S; H01S5/00; H01S5/06; H01S5/068; H01S5/0683; H01S5/0687; H04B10/501; H04B10/506; H04B10/564; H01S5/06837
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A feedback controlled laser diode communication device, comprising: a laser diode that is modulated in response to an input signal to generate an optical signal; spatially variable filter material arranged to receive at least a portion of the optical signal generated by the laser diode; at least one detector that detects a portion of the optical signal that is received and filtered by the spatially variable filter material; and control circuitry that uses a response of at least one detector to control the wavelength of the laser diode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
A feedback controlled laser diode communication device, comprising: a laser diode that is modulated in response to an input signal to generate an optical signal; spatially variable filter material arranged to receive at least a portion of the optical signal generated by the laser diode; at least one detector that detects a portion of the optical signal that is received and filtered by the spatially variable filter material; and control circuitry that uses a response of at least one detector to control the wavelength of the laser diode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A laser diode communication device as described in claim 1, wherein the spatially variable filter material has a spatially varying passband.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A laser diode communication device as described in claim 1, wherein the spatially variable filter material and the at least one detector are arranged to filter and detect light from a rear facet of the laser diode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A laser diode communication device as described in claim 1, further comprising at least two detectors that are arranged relative to the spatially variable filter material to detect light above and below, respectively, an assigned center wavelength for the device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A laser diode communication device as described in claim 4, wherein the control circuitry tunes the wavelength of the laser diode to maintain a predetermined relationship between magnitudes of the responses from the detectors.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A laser diode communication device as described in claim 4, wherein a power output of the laser diode is modulated in dependence on combined responses of the detectors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A laser diode communication device as described in claim 1, wherein the detector is arranged relative to the spatially variable filter material so that its active area changes spatially with the filter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A laser diode communication device as described in claim 1, wherein the device is installed within a module.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A laser diode communication device as described in claim 1, wherein the wavelength of the laser diode is controlled by controlling the temperature of the laser diode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A laser diode communication device as described in claim 1, wherein the wavelength of the laser diode is controlled by controlling an intra-cavity grating of the laser diode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A laser diode communication device as described in claim 1, wherein the detector comprises a linear charge-coupled device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A laser diode communication device as described in claim 1, wherein the spatially variable filter material has a spatially, linearly varying passband.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A laser diode communication device as described in claim 1, wherein the spatially variable filter material has a spatially, continuously varying passband.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
74 words
A laser diode wavelength monitoring system, comprising: a laser diode that generates a light beam; spatially variable filter material arranged to receive at least a portion of the light beam generated by the laser diode; detector that detects a portion of the light beam that is received and filtered by the spatially variable filter material; and wavelength detection circuitry that uses a response of the detector to monitor the wavelength of the laser diode.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
74 words
A laser diode wavelength monitoring system, comprising: a laser diode that generates a light beam; spatially variable filter material arranged to receive at least a portion of the light beam generated by the laser diode; detector that detects a portion of the light beam that is received and filtered by the spatially variable filter material; and wavelength detection circuitry that uses a response of the detector to monitor the wavelength of the laser diode.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
99 words
A wavelength-division multiplexed laser diode communication system, comprising: a plurality of channel subsystems, each subsystem comprising: a laser diode that is modulated in response to an input signal to generate an optical signal, spatially variable filter material arranged to receive at least a portion of the optical signal generated by the laser diode, and at least one detector that detects a portion of the optical signal that is received and transmitted by the spatially variable filter; and control circuitry that uses responses of the detectors in the subsystems to control wavelengths of the optical signals of the laser diodes.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
99 words
A wavelength-division multiplexed laser diode communication system, comprising: a plurality of channel subsystems, each subsystem comprising: a laser diode that is modulated in response to an input signal to generate an optical signal, spatially variable filter material arranged to receive at least a portion of the optical signal generated by the laser diode, and at least one detector that detects a portion of the optical signal that is received and transmitted by the spatially variable filter; and control circuitry that uses responses of the detectors in the subsystems to control wavelengths of the optical signals of the laser diodes.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
A laser diode communication system as described in claim 15, wherein the optical signals from the subsystems are coupled into a single optical fiber.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
A laser diode communication system as described in claim 15, wherein the spatially variable filter material associated with at least one of the channel subsystems has a spatially varying passband.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
42 words
A laser diode communication system as described in claim 15, wherein the spatially variable filter material and the at least one detector of each of the channel subsystems are arranged to filter and detect light from rear facets of the laser diodes.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
A laser diode communication system as described in claim 15, wherein the spatially variable filter material is shared between subsystems.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
A laser diode communication system as described in claim 15, wherein a single spatially variable filter is shared between multiple channel subsystems.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
40 words
A laser diode communication system as described in claim 15, further comprising at least two detectors that are arranged relative to the spatially variable filter material to detect light above and below, respectively, an assigned center wavelength for the subsystem.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
37 words
A laser diode communication system as described in claim 21, wherein the control circuitry tunes the wavelengths of the laser diodes to maintain predetermined relationships between magnitudes of the responses from the detectors for the respective diodes.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
33 words
A laser diode communication system as described in claim 21, wherein power outputs of the laser diodes of the subsystems are modulated in dependence on combined responses of the detectors of the subsystems.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
A laser diode communication system as described in claim 15, wherein the detectors of the subsystems are arranged relative to the spatially variable filter material so that active areas change spatially with the filters.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
A laser diode communication system as described in claim 15, wherein the spatially variable filter material of the channel subsystems has a spatially, linearly varying passband.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
A laser diode communication system as described in claim 15, wherein the spatially variable filter material of the channel subsystems has a spatially, continuously varying passband.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for controlling a laser diode communication system, comprising: modulating a laser diode in response to an input signal to generate an optical signal; filtering at least a portion of the optical signal generated by the laser diode with spatially variable filter material; detecting the filtered optical signal; and controlling a wavelength of the laser diode in response to the filtered optical signal.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for controlling a laser diode communication system, comprising: modulating a laser diode in response to an input signal to generate an optical signal; filtering at least a portion of the optical signal generated by the laser diode with spatially variable filter material; detecting the filtered optical signal; and controlling a wavelength of the laser diode in response to the filtered optical signal.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as described in claim 27, further comprising arranging the spatially variable filter material to filter the optical signal from a rear facet of the laser diode.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as described in claim 27, further comprising filtering the optical signal at two passbands one above and one below an assigned center wavelength for the system.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as described in claim 29, further comprising modulating a power output of the laser diode in dependence on combined responses at the two passbands.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as described in claim 27, further comprising arranging the spatially variable filter material having a linearly varying passband.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as described in claim 27, further comprising arranging the spatially variable filter material having a spatially continuously varying passband.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
51 words
A method for monitoring wavelength of a laser system, comprising: generating a beam by modulating a laser; filtering at least a portion of the beam generated by the laser with spatially variable filter material; detecting the filtered beam; and monitoring a wavelength of the laser in response to the filtered beam.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
51 words
A method for monitoring wavelength of a laser system, comprising: generating a beam by modulating a laser; filtering at least a portion of the beam generated by the laser with spatially variable filter material; detecting the filtered beam; and monitoring a wavelength of the laser in response to the filtered beam.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
70 words
A process for calibrating a wavelength-division multiplexed optical communication system, the process comprising: installing a plurality of channel subsystems in a module for the system, the channel subsystems producing modulated optical signals at different wavelengths; filtering at least a portion of the optical signals generated by the channel subsystems with spatially variable filter material; and calibrating the respective wavelengths of the channel subsystems in response to the filtered optical signals.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
70 words
A process for calibrating a wavelength-division multiplexed optical communication system, the process comprising: installing a plurality of channel subsystems in a module for the system, the channel subsystems producing modulated optical signals at different wavelengths; filtering at least a portion of the optical signals generated by the channel subsystems with spatially variable filter material; and calibrating the respective wavelengths of the channel subsystems in response to the filtered optical signals.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
68 words
A process for calibrating a channel subsystem in a wavelength-division multiplexed optical communication system, the process comprising: filtering at least a portion of the optical signals generated by a laser diode with spatially variable filter material; and tuning the channel subsystem by moving the spatially variable filter material relative to the laser diode; and fixing the filter material when desired operating wavelength of the laser diode is achieved.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
68 words
A process for calibrating a channel subsystem in a wavelength-division multiplexed optical communication system, the process comprising: filtering at least a portion of the optical signals generated by a laser diode with spatially variable filter material; and tuning the channel subsystem by moving the spatially variable filter material relative to the laser diode; and fixing the filter material when desired operating wavelength of the laser diode is achieved.
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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) | 2003-09-19 | 2004-03-20 | 2004-09-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-09-19 | 2008-03-20 | 2008-09-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-09-19 | 2012-03-20 | 2012-09-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |