Abstract:
An optical time division switching system is described in which coherent light from a laser is successively applied to a group of modulators controlled by electrical signals from corresponding stations. The light from each modulator is selectively delayed for transmission to another station in the group and then sequentially combined into a single light beam. This light beam is applied to a group of detectors wherein the light is successively demodulated in accordance with the selectively delay sequence. The electrical signals from each detector are connected to their corresponding stations to complete the desired communication paths.
Abstract:
This application describes a graded-index optical fiber comprising a core having at least one planar surface that extends in a direction parallel to the direction of wave propagation. The refractive index of the core material continuously decreases in the transverse direction from a maximum value at a point along the planar surface, to a minimum value at the other surfaces of the core. It is an advantage of this type of fiber that two sections can be spliced together by overlapping portions of their planar surfaces rather than by butt joining.