Alignment of optical interfaces for data communication
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsRobert John Wojnarowski, Glenn Alan Forman, Yung Sheng Liu
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Abstract
An optical interface for data communication that can be manufactured and aligned in a cost effective manner includes an array of optical emitters and an optical receiver are positioned within a predetermined tolerance with reference to each other so as to establish an optical data communication path. To search for and determine which of the emitters of the array achieves the best alignment, the optical emitters are individually energized in a sequence, while monitoring the output signal of the optical receiver. For subsequent data communications, the optical emitter determined to achieve the best alignment is employed.
Claims18
A method for aligning an optical emitter and an optical receiver for data communications, the method comprising:
- providing an array of optical emitters;
- positioning the array of optical emitters and the optical receiver with reference to each other to establish an optical data communication path;
- individually energizing the optical emitters, while monitoring an output signal of the optical receiver, to determine which emitter in the array of optical emitters achieves the best alignment;
- and
- for subsequent data communications, employing the optical emitter determined to achieve the best alignment.
A method for aligning an optical emitter and an end of at least one optical fiber for data communications, the method comprising:
- providing an array of optical emitters;
- positioning the array of optical emitters and the end of the at least one optical fiber with reference to each other to establish an optical data communications path;
- individually energizing the optical emitters, while monitoring an output signal at the other end of the at least one optical fiber, to determine which emitter in the array of optical emitters achieves the best alignment;
- and
- for subsequent data communications, employing the optical emitter determined to achieve the best alignment.
An optical coupling system for data communications, comprising:
- an optical receiver;
- an array of optical emitters positioned within a predetermined tolerance with reference to the optical receiver for establishing an optical data communication path, one of the optical emitters providing the most optimum optical path to the optical receiver;
- and
- a controller for determining which emitter in the array of optical emitters achieves the best alignment, and causing the optical coupling system to employ the optical emitter determined to achieve the best alignment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.