Alignment of optical interfaces for data communication
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsRobert John Wojnarowski, Glenn Alan Forman, Yung Sheng Liu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims14
A method for aligning an optical emitter and an optical receiver for data communications, the method comprising:
- providing an array of optical receivers;
- positioning the optical emitter and the array of optical receivers with reference to each other to establish an optical data communication path;
- energizing the optical emitter and measuring output signals of the optical receivers to determine which receiver in the array of optical receivers achieves the best alignment;
- and
- for subsequent data communications, employing the optical receiver determined to achieve the best alignment.
An optical coupling system for data communications, comprising:
- an optical emitter;
- and
- an array of optical receivers positioned within a pre determined tolerance with reference to the optical emitter for establishing an optical data communication path, one of the optical receivers providing the optimum optical path from the optical emitter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.