Fiber optic multiple access system

Abstract

Existing fiber optic transmission systems do not provide for or permit a raceway arrangement for optically transmitted signals which would allow flexible access to such signals. The present invention provides a system for providing multiple access to a fiber optic transmission at selected locations along a continuum. It does this by providing an elongated housing having a front panel defining a hollow interior within the housing, having an elongated slot extending along the length of the front panel, an input fiber optic cable for supplying an input optical signal to the input end of the housing, an output fiber optic cable for carrying an output optical signal from the output end of the housing, an optical repeater amplifier coupled to an LED or laser for converting the input optical signal into a light signal travelling in free space within the hollow interior of the housing, a photo sensor coupled to an optical repeater amplifier for converting the light signal travelling in free space within the hollow interior of the housing into an output optical signal, and movable tapping means extending through the slot for positioning at a selected location along the length of the slot and redirecting a portion of the light signal into a tapping output fiber optic cable.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.