Abstract:
An optical network having at least one star coupler comprising transmit and receive optical mixers which are respectively optically coupled to transmitters and receivers of a plurality of optical-electrical media converters. Each optical-electrical media converter comprises a respective receiver optically coupled to the receive optical mixer by way of plastic optical fibers and a respective transmitter optically coupled to the transmit optical mixer by way of plastic optical fibers. The output plastic optical fibers attached to an output face of the receive optical mixer have a diameter less than the diameter of the input plastic optical fibers attached to an input face of the receive optical mixer.
Abstract:
The invention related to a bundle of optica fibers (10,14) and a process for its preparation, wherein at least two of the optical fibers are at least partly attached to each other lengthwise by means of a removable longitudinal bridging element (11) Typically, the bridging element (11) is an open one-holöe capillary.
Abstract:
An optical backplane interconnect comprises a backplane comprising parallel D-fibres (1) that form an optical bus embedded in a plastics substrate (15), which form a coupling with respective parallel D-fibres (23) at an angle Ζ in a connecting block (21) that is mounted on a card (2). Circuit components on the card are connected by optical fibres (9) to the fibres in the connecting block. The card is held by connections (18, 19), and as the card is pushed into position, coupling means, comprising balls (25, 26) on the connecting block, self-aligns in groove (27) on the blackplane, to set the angle Ζ between the fibres, to provide a controlled, reliable optical coupling.
Abstract:
A method of and an apparatus for coupling a first optical transmission means (10, 42), such as an optical fibre, embedded within an aircraft composite (12, 40) to a second optical transmission means (14), such as an optical fibre, external to the composite (12, 40) is described. The method comprises locating the position of the first optical means (10, 42) embedded within the composite (12, 40) using X-ray scanning for example; forming a passageway (20, 62) by laser machining or drilling within the composite (12, 40) to the first optical transmission means (10, 42); and establishing an optical connection between the first and second optical transmission means (10, 42, 14) at the intersection of the passageway (20, 62) and the first optical transmission means (10, 42).
Abstract:
A method of and an apparatus for coupling a first optical transmission means (10, 42), such as an optical fibre, embedded within an aircraft composite (12, 40) to a second optical transmission means (14), such as an optical fibre, external to the composite (12, 40) is described. The method comprises locating the position of the first optical means (10, 42) embedded within the composite (12, 40) using X-ray scanning for example; forming a passageway (20, 62) by laser machining or drilling within the composite (12, 40) to the first optical transmission means (10, 42); and establishing an optical connection between the first and second optical transmission means (10, 42, 14) at the intersection of the passageway (20, 62) and the first optical transmission means (10, 42).
Abstract:
La présente invention concerne un procédé de couplage entre d'une part une fibre optique multicoeurs (1) comprenant N coeurs optiques (2) (N ≧ 4), parallèles les uns aux autres et noyés dans une gaine optique commune (3), et d'autre part une pluralité de fibres optiques monocoeurs (4), comprenant chacune un coeur optique (5), entouré d'une gaine optique (6). Selon ce procédé, le couplage est réparti en P niveaux de couplage (7, 8 ; 7', 8') (2≦P
Abstract:
The optical fibre lattice signal processor comprises at least two coupling devices through which two optical fibres pass in a manner permitting optical coupling therebetween. The optical coupling devices are arranged in parallel with respect to each other and each fibre experiences a 180° turn between the couplers. Recursive and non-recursive arrangements are provided for, together with equal and arbitrary delays.
Abstract:
A distributed sensor system including an optical source (100) having a short coherence length for optionally continuously monitoring each sensor in the system. In one preferred embodiment, an array of fiber-optic sensors (110) are organized in a ladder configuration, with the sensors positioned in spaced relation and defining the rungs of the ladder. Light transmitted through the sensors is multiplexed onto a return arm (114) of the ladder, with sensor spacing being such that interference between light from different sensors is prevented. The multiplexed signals are received by an optical fiber receiver (118, 120) which couples the mutiplexed light with an interfering optical reference signal to produce a phase difference signal representing conditions influencing selected sensors. Embodiments are disclosed for use of either pulsed or continuous wave light sources. In another preferred embodiment, the sensors comprise a plurality of interferometers (404,406) connected in series configuration by a common optical fiber (402), which provides multiplexed output signals from the sensors to another plurality of interferometers (418, 420) comprising receivers. Functional equivalents of the series configuration provide sensors and receivers comprising birefringent or two-mode fiber. The optical path length differences between each pair of sensor arms (409, 410, 411 and 412) are selected to prevent interference between the multiplexed sensor output signals from the various sensors. The optical path lengths through the sensors (404, 406) and receivers (418, 420) are structured so that each receiver (418, 420) produces a phase difference signal relating to conditions affecting light transmission through a specific sensor (404, 406). A phase and amplitude modulation technique is disclosed for providing heterodyned output signals from the dristributed sensor system.
Abstract:
Comparé aux gyroscopes à fibre optique de l'art antérieur, cet appareil se caractérise par une stabilité et une reproductibilité améliorées de sa polarisation, et par un taux fortement réduit d'extinction de la polarisation. Il comprend un substrat formé de préférence de verre de silice. Une première fibre optique pourvue d'une paire de coupleurs optiques espacés de couplage à une deuxième et à une troisième fibres est rigidement montée sur le substrat. Des surfaces planes sont formées dans des régions prédéterminées de la gaine des fibres fixées. Les coupleurs optiques, les polariseurs et les autres composants utilisés dans un détecteur de rotation sont agencés sur les surfaces planes de la gaine desdites fibres. Afin d'éliminer les composants indésirables de polarisation linéaire des signaux optiques guidés par les fibres, tout en permettant à un composant voulu de polarisation linéaire de se propager sans atténuation, l'axe de transmission des polariseurs formés sur les fibres est aligné avec un axe de biréfringence de la fibre correspondante. Un enroulement de fibre optique détecteur de la vitesse angulaire guide la lumière dans les deux sens entre la première et la troisième fibres optiques, alors que la première et la deuxième fibres optiques coopèrent avec le deuxième coupleur optique afin d'introduire des signaux optiques se propageant en sens inverse dans l'enroulement détecteur. Les coupleurs couplent également des signaux optiques se propageant en sens inverse afin de produire des signaux d'interférence qui constituent des mesures de la vitesse angulaire.