High density, three-dimensional, intercoupled circuit structure

Circuit coupling apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of cylindrical elongate base elements arranged generally in a parallel configuration, wherein the cylindrical elongate base elements comprise generally elongate cylindrical strands, said cylindrical strands comprising fiber optic strands for conveying light signals, said apparatus further comprising
• means for supplying light signals to at least one fiber optic strand for transmission therealong,
• means disposed on said at least one fiber optic strand for producing characterizing signals representing light signals transmitted by said fiber optic strand, and
• means for conveying said characterizing signals to an electrical component on said at least one fiber optic strand;
• a plurality of electrical components disposed on the base elements, said components including
• at least one signal emitter means on at least one base element for producing a coupling signal whose magnitude varies in response to control signals;
• means on said at least one base element for supplying control signals to said signal emitter means;
• at least one coupling signal detector means on at least another base element disposed to intercept coupling signals produced by the signal emitter means and for producing actuation signals representing the magnitude of coupling signals intercepted by the signal detector means;
• and
• means on said at least another base element for receiving the actuation signals.