Optical aircraft network

A method for vehicle communications, the method comprising:

• receiving, by an electrical-to-optical signal converter, a radio frequency signal from an antenna connected to a vehicle;
• modulating, by the electrical-to-optical signal converter, an optical signal using the radio frequency signal to create a modulated optical signal;
• transmitting, by the electrical-to-optical signal converter, the modulated optical signal through a first optical fiber cable from a first end;
• and
• converting, by an optical signal receiver connected to a second end of the first optical fiber cable, the modulated optical signal into a data signal;
• transmitting, by an optical source connected to a first end of a second optical fiber cable extending through the vehicle, an optical power signal through the second optical fiber cable;
• and
• supplying, by an optical to electrical power converter connected to a second end of the second optical fiber cable and connected to the electrical-to-optical signal converter, power to the electrical-to-optical signal converter in response to receiving the optical power signal transmitted through the second optical fiber cable.

An optical sensor system comprising:

• a first optical fiber cable extending through a vehicle;
• an electrical-to-optical signal converter connected to a first end of the first optical fiber cable and connected to an antenna for the vehicle, wherein the electrical-to-optical signal converter, when operating:
• receives a radio frequency signal from the antenna;
• modulates an optical signal using the radio frequency signal to create a modulated optical signal;
• and
• transmits the modulated optical signal through the first optical fiber cable from the first end;
• an optical signal receiver connected to a second end of the first optical fiber cable, wherein the optical signal receiver, when operating, converts the modulated optical signal into a data signal;
• an optical source connected to the second end of the first optical fiber cable, wherein the optical source, when operating, is controllable to transmit a set of optical fiber pulses through the first optical fiber cable;
• a backscatter sensor connected to the second end of the optical fiber cable, wherein the backscatter sensor, when operating:
• detects backscatter generated in response to the set of optical pulses;
• and
• generates backscatter data in response to detecting the backscatter;
• and
• a signal analyzer in communication with the backscatter sensor, wherein the signal analyzer, when operating, determines parameters regarding the vehicle using the backscatter data,
• a second optical fiber cable extending through the vehicle;
• and
• an optical to electrical power converter connected to a second end of the second optical fiber cable and connected to the electrical-to-optical signal converter, wherein the optical to electrical power converter, when operating, generates electrical power for the electrical-to-optical signal converter in response to receiving the optical power signal transmitted through the second optical fiber cable.