Back to results
US 5,313,536 AGranted
Modular photonic waveguide distribution system
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsFrank Rossi, Werner Straehle
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A modular photonic waveguide distribution system is disclosed which enables multi-directional and simultaneous communication within a multitude of coherent data processing units. The basic structure of an optical distributor element or module 1 is described and it is shown how the extension to complex data distribution structures can be achieved by respective combinations of the modules. Modes of operation and data selection are demonstrated.
Claims11
A module for passively distributing optical signals, comprising
- a body having a plurality of interface areas, each of said interface areas having a plurality of data ports associated therewith for communication with the data ports of other modules or with optical signal sources or receivers;
- a plurality of discrete optical waveguides for transferring signals between individual data ports of different interfaces such that optical signals received at any one data port of an interface of said module are sent to a corresponding data port of another interface of said module,
- whereby each interface includes a sufficient number of data ports to enable signal transfer between that interface and all other interfaces of said module.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.