Closed-loop optical network system and an associated transceiver and method for transmitting a plurality of optical signals

A transceiver for transmitting input optical signals to and receiving output optical signals from a plurality of remote devices via a multi-mode network bus in a closed-loop optical network system, said transceiver comprising:

• a plurality of optical sources capable of generating the plurality of input optical signals from a plurality of input electrical signals;
• a multiplexer capable of wavelength division multiplexing a plurality of input optical signals for transmission via the network bus, wherein the plurality of input optical signals have a plurality of predetermined optical wavelengths that are selectively received by respective remote devices;
• and
• a demultiplexer capable of receiving optical signals having at least one of the plurality of predetermined optical wavelengths from the network bus and thereafter wavelength division demultiplexing the optical signals into a plurality of output optical signals.

A method of transmitting a plurality of optical signals over a multimode network bus in a closed-loop network system, said method comprising the steps of:

• transmitting a plurality of input optical signals via the network bus, wherein transmitting comprises wavelength division multiplexing the plurality of input optical signals for transmission via the network bus such that the plurality of input optical signals have a plurality of predetermined optical wavelengths;
• communicating with a plurality of remote devices optically connected to the network bus, wherein said communicating comprises reading optical signals having respective predefined optical wavelengths off of the network bus;
• and
• receiving optical signals having at least one of the plurality of predetermined optical wavelengths from the network bus and thereafter wavelength division demultiplexing the optical signals into a plurality of output optical signals.

A vehicle adapted to support optical communications comprising:

• a vehicle body;
• and
• a closed-looped optical network system comprising:
• a multi-mode network bus disposed at least partially throughout said vehicle body for transmitting a plurality of optical signals;
• a multiplexer capable of wavelength division multiplexing a plurality of input optical signals for transmission via the network bus, wherein the plurality of input optical signals have a plurality of predetermined optical wavelengths;
• a plurality of remote devices optically connected to the network bus and disposed at least partially throughout said vehicle body, wherein said plurality of remote devices are capable of reading optical signals having respective predefined optical wavelengths off of the network bus, and wherein said plurality of remote devices are further capable of writing optical signals having respective predefined optical wavelengths onto the network bus;
• and
• a demultiplexer capable of receiving optical signals having at least one of the plurality of predetermined optical wavelengths from the network bus and thereafter wavelength division demultiplexing the optical signals into a plurality of output optical signals.