Optical communication system

An optical communication system which transmits data after an idle condition is confirmed, said system comprising:

• a one-way optical transmission line comprising a single line including a transmit line, a return loop and a receive line;
• a plurality of data transmission means, operatively connected to said one-way transmission line, for transmitting data over the transmit line when the idle condition is detected and receiving data from each other;
• and
• repeater means, operatively connected to said one-way transmission line, for amplifying data which is transmitted by said data transmission means, said repeater means including:
• collision detection means for detecting a data collision on said one-way transmission line;
• collision pattern generating means for generating and transmitting a predetermined collision pattern to the receive line when said collision detection means detects the data collision;
• carrier detection means for detecting a carrier which indicates a normal data transmission on said one-way transmission line;
• and
• preamble generating means for generating and transmitting a preamble pattern to the receive line when said carrier detection means detects the carrier.

A repeater connected to a transmit line and a receive line, the transmit and receive lines being connected by a return loop, said repeater comprising:

• transmit line detecting means, operatively connected to the transmit line, for detecting data on the transmit line;
• return signal transmitting means, operatively connected to said transmit line detecting means and the receive line, for transmitting a return signal on the receive line in dependence upon the detection by said transmit line detecting means;
• receive line detecting means, operatively connected to the receive line, for detecting the data on the receive line;
• monitor means, operatively connected to said receive line detecting means and said transmit line detecting means, for monitoring the time between detection by said transmit line detecting means and said receive line detecting means and producing a time exceeded signal when the time exceeds a predetermined value;
• and
• failure signal transmitting means, operatively connected to said monitor means and the receive line, for transmitting a failure signal on the receive line in dependence upon the time exceeded signal.