Configurable connector for optical bus
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsStefan Meyer, Bertram R. Gunzelmann, Jan K. Ellenbeck, Zdravko Boos
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Circuits, methods, and apparatus that can route signals for wireless communications throughout an electronic device in an efficient manner that can save space, reduce noise, improve coexistence, and be readily assembled. An example can route signals through an electronic device using a bus, ring, or daisy-chain topology. Use of this topology can simplify routing, thereby saving space that can be used for additional functionality for the electronic device, a reduction in size of the electronic device, or both. Fiber-optic segments can be used for signal routing to decrease noise.
Claims23
A bus connector comprising:
- a first optical port to receive a first plurality of optical signals;
- a second optical port;
- an optical multiplexer/demultiplexer coupled between the first optical port and the second optical port;
- a first optical drop circuit to remove a first optical signal from the first plurality of optical signals and to provide the first optical signal;
- an optical-to-electrical converter to convert the first optical signal provided by the first optical drop circuit to a first electrical signal;
- and
- an electrical connector to provide the first electrical signal.
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An electronic device comprising:
- an enclosure at least partially housing the electronic device;
- a plurality of bus connectors, each positioned in the enclosure;
- a plurality of fiber-optic segments each coupled between a first optical port and a second optical port of two of the plurality of bus connectors;
- a plurality of sets of wireless components, each set of wireless components connected to an electrical connector of a corresponding bus connector;
- and
- an electro-optical transceiver coupled to a first one of the plurality of bus connectors through a first one of the plurality of fiber-optic segments.
A bus connector comprising:
- a first optical port to receive a first plurality of optical signals;
- a second optical port;
- an optical multiplexer/demultiplexer coupled between the first optical port and the second optical port;
- a first optical drop circuit to remove an unmodulated optical transmit carrier from the first plurality of optical signals and to provide the unmodulated optical transmit carrier to a first plurality of components;
- a second optical drop circuit to remove a data modulated optical transmit carrier from the first plurality of optical signals and to provide the data modulated optical transmit carrier to the first plurality of components;
- a third optical drop circuit to remove an unmodulated optical receive carrier from the first plurality of optical signals and to provide the unmodulated optical receive carrier to the first plurality of components;
- and
- an optical add circuit to receive a data modulated optical receive carrier from the first plurality of components and to add the data modulated optical receive carrier to the first plurality of optical signals.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.