Back to results
US 6,480,316 B1Granted
System and method for reading data content out of optical data stream without altering the optical data stream
AssigneeYotta Networks, LLC
InventorWilliam D. Trumbly
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for generating an electrical copy of an optical signal without having to terminate the optical signal. In one embodiment, an optical amplifier is configured to receive the optical signal and to allow the optical signal to pass therethrough. The optical amplifier is “pumped” by applying a bias voltage across it. The optical signal passing through the optical amplifier causes a population inversion within the optical amplifier to alternately collapse and recharge. A resistor is placed in series with the optical amplifier so that the bias current through the optical amplifier generates a voltage across the resistor which mirrors the optical signal. Both the optical signal and the electrical signal are provided as outputs.
Claims20
A method for reading data content out of an optical data stream without altering the optical data stream, comprising:
- receiving an optical signal, wherein the optical signal embodies a data stream;
- passing the optical signal through an electrically biased optical amplifier;
- providing the optical signal as a first output of the optical amplifier;
- and
- providing a second output of the optical amplifier corresponding to a bias current across the optical amplifier, wherein the bias current embodies the data stream;
- wherein providing the second output of the optical amplifier corresponding to a bias current across the optical amplifier comprises providing a voltage generated by the bias current across a bias resistor.
3 more elements
A method comprising:
- applying a bias voltage across an optical amplifier;
- passing an optical signal through the optical amplifier;
- and
- providing an electrical output signal corresponding to a bias current across the optical amplifier wherein the electrical output signal embodies the data stream;
- wherein a data stream embodied in the optical signal is unaltered after passing through the optical amplifier.
2 more elements
A method comprising:
- applying a bias voltage across an optical amplifier;
- passing an optical signal through the optical amplifier;
- and
- providing an electrical output signal corresponding to a bias current across the optical amplifier wherein the electrical output signal embodies the data stream;
- wherein providing the electrical output signal comprises providing a voltage generated by the bias current across a bias resistor.
2 more elements
A device comprising:
- an optical amplifier configured to be electrically biased;
- an input of the optical amplifier configured to receive an optical signal embodying a data stream;
- an optical output of the optical amplifier configured to provide the optical signal;
- an electrical output of the optical amplifier configured to provide an electrical signal embodying the data stream;
- and
- a bias resistor coupled in series with the optical amplifier and wherein a bias voltage is applied across the bias resistor and the optical amplifier.
3 more elements
A device comprising:
- an optical amplifier configured to be electrically biased;
- an input of the optical amplifier configured to receive an optical signal embodying a data stream;
- an optical output of the optical amplifier configured to provide the optical signal;
- and
- an electrical output of the optical amplifier configured to provide an electrical signal embodying the data stream;
- an amplifier coupled to amplify the electrical signal;
- and
- a bias resistor coupled in series with the optical amplifier, wherein the electrical signal corresponds to a voltage across the bias resistor.
5 more elements
A device comprising:
- an optical amplifier configured to be electrically biased;
- an input of the optical amplifier configured to receive an optical signal embodying a data stream;
- an optical output of the optical amplifier configured to provide the optical signal;
- and
- an electrical output of the optical amplifier configured to provide an electrical signal embodying the data stream;
- wherein the optical amplifier draws a bias current and wherein the bias current is unfiltered.
3 more elements
A device comprising:
- an optical amplifier configured to be electrically biased;
- an input of the optical amplifier configured to receive an optical signal embodying a data stream;
- an optical output of the optical amplifier configured to provide the optical signal;
- an electrical output of the optical amplifier configured to provide an electrical signal embodying the data stream;
- and
- a power supply, wherein the power supply is configured to not minimize bias current fluctuations.
3 more elements
A system comprising:
- an optical amplifier configured to receive an optical signal embodying a data stream, to provide the optical signal as an output, and to provide an electrical signal as an output, wherein the electrical signal embodies the data stream;
- a power supply configured to apply a bias voltage to the optical amplifier;
- and
- an optical processor coupled to the optical amplifier and configured to receive the optical signal and the electrical signal, wherein the optical processor is configured to process the electrical signal and to manipulate the optical signal based upon the results of processing the electrical signal, and wherein the optical processor is configured to manipulate the optical signal by routing the optical signal.
1 more element
A system comprising:
- an optical amplifier configured to receive an optical signal embodying a data stream, to provide the optical signal as an output, and to provide an electrical signal as an output, wherein the electrical signal embodies the data stream;
- a power supply configured to apply a bias voltage to the optical amplifier;
- and
- an optical processor coupled to the optical amplifier and configured to receive the optical signal and the electrical signal, wherein the optical processor is configured to process the electrical signal and to manipulate the optical signal based upon the results of processing the electrical signal, and wherein the optical processor is configured to manipulate the optical signal by directly modifying one or more bits of the data stream embodied in the optical signal.
1 more element
A system comprising:
- an optical amplifier configured to receive an optical signal embodying a data stream, to provide the optical signal as an output, and to provide an electrical signal as an output, wherein the electrical signal embodies the data stream;
- a power supply configured to apply a bias voltage to the optical amplifier;
- an optical processor coupled to the optical amplifier and configured to receive the optical signal and the electrical signal, wherein the optical processor is configured to process the electrical signal and to manipulate the optical signal based upon the results of processing the electrical signal;
- and
- a bias resistor coupled in series with the optical amplifier, wherein the electrical signal corresponds to a voltage across the bias resistor.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.