Computer fiber optic interface

A fiber optic interface circuit that is adapted to couple data between an image storage system and a computer that are coupled together by way of first and second fiber optic cables, and wherein the image storage system comprises a bidirectional input/output fiber interface that interfaces the first and second fiber optic cables to the image storage system, said fiber optic interface circuit comprising:

• an optical receiver coupled to one of the fiber optic cables for receiving optical signals transmitted from the image storage system and converting them into corresponding electrical signals;
• an optical transmitter coupled to the other of the fiber optic cables for converting electrical signals derived from the computer into corresponding optical signals and for transmitting them to the image storage system;
• a plurality of data buffers coupled to the optical receiver and optical transmitter for buffering the electrical signals received from the optical receiver and to be transmitted by the optical transmitter;
• a sum generator checker coupled to the plurality of data buffers;
• a compression/decompression circuit coupled to the sum generator checker for compressing signals received by the optical receiver;
• a rate data buffer coupled to the compression/decompression circuit for buffering data signals received thereby;
• and
• an interface circuit coupled to the rate data buffer that is adapted to interface between the rate data buffer and a computer backplane of the computer.

A fiber optic interface circuit that is adapted to couple data between an image storage system and a computer that are coupled together by way of first and second fiber optic cables, and wherein the image storage system comprises a bidirectional input/output fiber interface that interfaces the first and second fiber optic cables to the image storage system, said fiber optic interface circuit comprising:

• an optical receiver coupled to one of the fiber optic cables for receiving optical signals transmitted from the image storage system and converting them into corresponding electrical signals;
• an optical transmitter coupled to the other of the fiber optic cables for converting electrical signals derived from the computer into corresponding optical signals and for transmitting them to the image storage system;
• a plurality of data buffers coupled to the optical receiver and optical transmitter for buffering the electrical signals received from the optical receiver and to be transmitted by the optical transmitter;
• a sum generator checker coupled to the plurality of data buffers;
• a compression/decompression circuit coupled to the sum generator checker for compressing signals received by the optical receiver;
• a rate data buffer coupled to the compression/decompression circuit for buffering data signals received thereby;
• and
• a Nubus interface circuit coupled to the rate data buffer that is adapted to interface between the rate data buffer and a Nubus computer backplane of the computer.