High speed data link including a superconductive plate assembly for use in a data transmission scheme and method

A high speed data link, comprising:

• (A) a transmitting arrangement having a transmitter output, said transmitting arrangement including
• (i) a series of light modulating devices for generating a series of trains of light pulses over a specified range of wavelengths, each light modulating device having a light output and providing at its light output one of said trains of light pulses, said light pulses of each of said trains of light pulses having an assigned wavelength out of said specified range of wavelengths, each light modulating device including
• (a) a source of light having a given wavelength,
• (b) a layer of superconductive material through which said light from said source must pass before said light can reach the light output of that light modulating device, said superconductive material being switchable between a superconducting state in which said light cannot pass therethrough and a non-superconducting state in which said light can pass therethrough,
• (c) an arrangement for switching said superconductive material between its superconducting and non-superconducting states to provide one of said trains of light pulses having said given wavelength and containing optical data, and
• (d) a wavelength changing device optically coupled with said layer of superconductive material for changing the wavelength of said light pulses from said given wavelength into said assigned wavelength to provide a train of wavelength changed light pulses containing optical data at said light output such that no two light modulating devices in said series of light modulating devices generate light pulses at the same assigned wavelength out of said specified range of wavelengths, and
• (ii) a WDM multiplexer optically coupled with the light outputs of the series of light modulating devices for reading said series of trains of wavelength changed light pulses in parallel and combining said series of trains of wavelength changed light pulses into a multiplexed signal containing optical data at the transmitter output of said transmitting arrangement;
• (B) an optical fiber for directing said multiplexed signal away from said transmitting arrangement, one end of which optical fiber is optically coupled with said transmitter output;
• and
• (C) a receiving arrangement including
• (i) a WDM demultiplexer optically coupled with an opposing end of said optical fiber for separating said multiplexed signal back into said series of trains of wavelength changed light pulses, and
• (ii) a series of light receiving devices configured to receive said series of trains of wavelength changed light pulses, each of said receiving arrangements being optically coupled with said WDM demultiplexer and being designed to receive at least one of said trains of wavelength changed light pulses of a particular wavelength out of the specified range of wavelengths, each of said receiving arrangements including
• (a) an all-optical demultiplexer for dividing said train of wavelength changed light pulses into a series of sub-trains of wavelength changed light pulses, and
• (b) a series of optical receivers, each of which optical receivers is designed to detect at least one of said sub-trains of wavelength changed light pulses out of the series of sub-trains of wavelength changed light pulses.

A method for providing a high speed data link, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) transmitting a train of light pulses containing optical data, said transmitting step including the steps of
• (i) generating light having said certain wavelength,
• (ii) directing said light onto a layer of superconductive material, said superconductive material being switchable between a superconducting state in which said light cannot pass therethrough and a non-superconducting state in which said light can pass therethrough,
• (iii) switching said superconductive material between its superconducting and non-superconducting states for generating a train of light pulses having said certain wavelength and containing optical data, and
• (iv) changing the wavelength of said light pulses to provide a train of wavelength changed light pulses containing optical data;
• (b) directing said train of wavelength changed light pulses to a desired location;
• and
• (c) receiving said train of wavelength changed light pulses at said desired location, said receiving step including the steps of
• (i) dividing said train of wavelength changed light pulses into a series of sub-trains of wavelength changed light pulses, and
• (ii) detecting said series of sub-trains of wavelength-changed light pulses using a series of optical receivers, each of which optical receivers is designed to detect at least one of said sub-trains of wavelength changed light pulses out of the series of sub-trains of wavelength changed light pulses.

A method for providing a high speed data link, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) transmitting a multiplexed signal containing optical data, said transmitting step including the steps of
• (i) generating light having a given wavelength,
• (ii) directing said light onto a layer of superconductive material, said superconductive material being switchable between a superconducting state in which said light cannot pass therethrough and a non-superconducting state in which said light can pass therethrough,
• (iii) switching said superconductive material between its superconducting and non-superconducting states to generate a train of light pulses having said given wavelength and containing optical data,
• (iv) changing the wavelength of said light pulses from said given wavelength to an assigned wavelength out of a specified range of wavelengths,
• (v) repeating steps (i)-(iv) to provide a series of trains of wavelength changed light pulses, each of said trains of wavelength changed light pulses containing optical data and having a distinct, assigned wavelength out of said specified range of wavelengths, such that no two trains of wavelength changed light pulses in the series of trains of wavelength changed light pulses have the same assigned wavelength out of said specified range of wavelengths,
• (vi) reading said series of trains of wavelength changed light pulses in parallel, and
• (vii) combining said series of trains of wavelength changed light pulses into a multiplexed signal containing optical data;
• (b) directing said multiplexed signal to a desired location;
• and
• (c) receiving said multiplexed signal at said desired location, said receiving step including the steps of
• (i) separating said received, multiplexed signal back into said series of trains of wavelength changed light pulses;
• (ii) dividing each of said trains of wavelength changed light pulses into a series of sub-trains of wavelength changed light pulses;
• and
• (iii) detecting said series of sub-trains of wavelength changed light pulses using a series of optical receivers, each of which optical receivers is designed to detect at least one of said sub-trains of wavelength changed light pulses out of the series of sub-trains of wavelength changed light pulses of a particular, assigned wavelength out of said specified range of wavelengths.

An optical communication system for use with a communication satellite, said system comprising:

• (a) means for transmitting a train of light pulses containing optical data, said transmitting means having a transmitter output and including
• (i) a source of light having a certain wavelength,
• (ii) a layer of superconductive material through which said light from said source must pass before said light can reach the transmitter output, said superconductive material being switchable between a superconducting state in which said light cannot pass therethrough and a non-superconducting state in which said light can pass therethrough,
• (iii) an arrangement for switching said superconductive material between its superconducting and non-superconducting states in for providing a train of light pulses having said certain wavelength and containing optical data, and
• (iv) a wavelength changing device optically coupled with said layer of superconductive material for changing the wavelength of said light pulses and providing a train of wavelength changed light pulses containing optical data at the transmitter output;
• (b) means for directing said train of wavelength changed light pulses from the transmitter output to said communication satellite, which communication satellite redirects said train of wavelength changed light pulses toward a desired location;
• (c) means for intercepting said train of redirected, wavelength changed light pulses from the communication satellite at the desired location;
• and
• (d) means for receiving said train of redirected, wavelength changed light pulses intercepted by said intercepting means, said receiving means including
• (i) an all-optical demultiplexer for dividing said train of redirected, wavelength changed light pulses into a series of sub-trains of wavelength changed light pulses, and
• (ii) a series of optical receivers, each of which optical receivers is designed to detect at least one of said sub-trains of wavelength changed light pulses out of the series of sub-trains of wavelength changed light pulses.

An optical communication system for use with a communication satellite, said system comprising:

• (A) means for transmitting a multiplexed signal containing optical data, said transmitting means having a transmitter output and including
• (i) a series of light modulating devices for generating a series of trains of light pulses over a specified range of wavelengths, each light modulating device having a light output and providing at its light output one of said trains of light pulses, said light pulses of each of said trains of light pulses having an assigned wavelength out of said specified range of wavelengths, each light modulating device including
• (a) a source of light having a given wavelength,
• (b) a layer of superconductive material through which said light from said source must pass before said light can reach the light output of that light modulating device, said superconductive material being switchable between a superconducting state in which said light cannot pass therethrough and a non-superconducting state in which said light can pass therethrough,
• (c) an arrangement for switching said superconductive material between its superconducting and non-superconducting states to provide one of said trains of light pulses having said given wavelength and containing optical data, and
• (d) a wavelength changing device optically coupled with said layer of superconductive material for changing the wavelength of said light pulses from said given wavelength into said assigned wavelength to provide a train of wavelength changed light pulses containing optical data at said light output such that no two light modulating devices in said series of light modulating devices generate light pulses at the same assigned wavelength out of said specified range of wavelengths, and
• (ii) a WDM multiplexer optically coupled with the light outputs of the series of light modulating devices for reading said series of trains of wavelength changed light pulses in parallel and combining said series of trains of wavelength changed light pulses into a multiplexed signal at the transmitter output of said transmitting means;
• (B) means for directing said multiplexed signal from the transmitter output to said communication satellite, which satellite redirects said multiplexed signal toward a desired location;
• (C) means for intercepting said redirected, multiplexed signal from the satellite at the desired location;
• and
• (D) means for receiving said redirected, multiplexed signal intercepted by said intercepting means, said receiving means including
• (i) a WDM demultiplexer optically coupled with said intercepting means for separating said multiplexed signal back into said series of trains of wavelength changed light pulses, and
• (ii) a series of light receiving devices configured to receive said series of trains of wavelength changed light pulses, each of said receiving arrangements being optically coupled with said WDM demultiplexer and being designed to receive at least one of said trains of wavelength changed light pulses of a particular wavelength out of the specified range of wavelengths, each of said receiving arrangements including
• (a) an all-optical demultiplexer for dividing said train of wavelength changed light pulses into a series of sub-trains of wavelength changed light pulses, and
• (b) a series of optical receivers, each of which optical receivers is designed to detect at least one of said sub-trains of wavelength changed light pulses out of the series of sub-trains of wavelength changed light pulses.

A method for providing an optical communication system for use with a communication satellite, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) transmitting a train-of light pulses containing optical data, said transmitting step including the steps of
• (i) generating light having a certain wavelength,
• (ii) directing said light onto a layer of superconductive material, said superconductive material being switchable between a superconducting state in which said light cannot pass therethrough and a non-superconducting state in which said light can pass therethrough,
• (iii) switching said superconductive material between its superconducting and non-superconducting states for generating a train of light pulses having said certain wavelength and containing optical data, and
• (iv) changing the wavelength of said light pulses to produce a train of wavelength changed light pulses containing optical data;
• (b) directing said train of wavelength changed light pulses from the transmitter output to said communication satellite, which communication satellite redirects said wavelength changed light pulses toward a desired location;
• (c) intercepting said train of redirected, wavelength changed light pulses from the communication satellite at the desired location;
• and
• (d) receiving said train of intercepted, redirected, wavelength changed light pulses, said receiving step including the steps of
• (i) dividing said train of intercepted, redirected, wavelength changed light pulses into a series of sub-trains of wavelength changed light pulses, and
• (ii) detecting said series of sub-trains of wavelength-changed light pulses using a series of optical receivers, each of which optical receivers is designed to detect at least one of said sub-trains of wavelength changed light pulses out of the series of sub-trains of wavelength changed light pulses.

A method for providing an optical communication system for use with a communication satellite, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) transmitting a multiplexed signal containing optical data, said transmitting step including the steps of
• (i) generating light having a given wavelength,
• (ii) directing said light onto a layer of superconductive material, said superconductive material being switchable between a superconducting state in which said light cannot pass therethrough and a non-superconducting state in which said light can pass therethrough,
• (iii) switching said superconductive material between its superconducting and non-superconducting states to generate a train of light pulses having said given wavelength and containing optical data,
• (iv) changing the wavelength of said light pulses from said given wavelength to an assigned wavelength out of a specified range of wavelengths,
• (v) repeating steps (i)-(iv) to provide a series of trains of wavelength changed light pulses, each of said trains of wavelength changed light pulses containing optical data and having a distinct, assigned wavelength out of said specified range of wavelengths, such that no two trains of wavelength changed light pulses in the series of trains of wavelength changed light pulses have the same assigned wavelength out of said specified range of wavelengths,
• (vi) reading said series of trains of wavelength changed light pulses in parallel, and
• (vii) combining said series of trains of wavelength changed light pulses into a multiplexed signal;
• (b) directing said multiplexed signal from the transmitter output to said communication satellite, which communication satellite redirects said multiplexed signal toward a desired location;
• (c) intercepting said redirected, multiplexed signal from the communication satellite at said desired location;
• and
• (d) receiving said intercepted, redirected, multiplexed signal, said receiving step including the steps of
• (i) separating said intercepted, received, multiplexed signal back into said series of trains of wavelength changed light pulses;
• (ii) dividing each of said trains of wavelength changed light pulses into a series of sub-trains of wavelength changed light pulses;
• and
• (iii) detecting said series of sub-trains of wavelength changed light pulses using a series of optical receivers, each of which optical receivers is designed to detect at least one of said sub-trains of wavelength changed light pulses out of the series of sub-trains of wavelength changed light pulses of a particular, assigned wavelength out of said specified range of wavelengths.

A high speed data link, comprising:

• (a) a transmitting arrangement having a transmitter output, said transmitting arrangement including
• (i) a source of light having a certain wavelength,
• (ii) a layer of superconductive material through which said light from said source must pass before said light can reach the transmitter output, said superconductive material being switchable between a superconducting state in which said light cannot pass therethrough and a non-superconducting state in which said light can pass therethrough,
• (iii) an arrangement for switching said superconductive material between its superconducting and non-superconducting states to provide a train of light pulses having said certain wavelength and containing optical data, and
• (iv) a wavelength changing device optically coupled with said layer of superconductive material for changing the wavelength of said light pulses and providing a train of wavelength changed light pulses containing optical data at the transmitter output;
• (b) an optical fiber, one end of which optical fiber is optically coupled with said transmitter output, for directing said train of wavelength changed light pulses away from said transmitting arrangement;
• and
• (c) a receiving arrangement optically coupled with an opposing end of said optical fiber, said receiving arrangement including
• (i) a superconducting bolometer for converting said train of wavelength changed light pulses into a train of voltage spikes and translating said optical data into electrical data,
• (ii) an electrical demultiplexer for dividing said train of voltage spikes into a series of sub-trains of voltage spikes, and
• (iii) a series of electrical receivers, each of which electrical receivers is designed to detect at least one of said sub-trains of voltage spikes out of the series of sub-trains of voltage spikes.

A high speed data link, comprising:

• (A) a transmitting arrangement having a transmitter output, said transmitting arrangement including
• (i) a series of light modulating devices for generating a series of trains of light pulses over a specified range of wavelengths, each light modulating device having a light output and providing at its light output one of said trains of light pulses, said light pulses of each of said trains of light pulses having an assigned wavelength out of said specified range of wavelengths, each light modulating device including
• (a) a source of light having a given wavelength,
• (b) a layer of superconductive material through which said light from said source must pass before said light can reach the light output of that light modulating device, said superconductive material being switchable between a superconducting state in which said light cannot pass therethrough and a non-superconducting state in which said light can pass therethrough,
• (c) an arrangement for switching said superconductive material between its superconducting and non-superconducting states to provide one of said trains of light pulses having said given wavelength and containing optical data, and
• (d) a wavelength changing device optically coupled with said layer of superconductive material for changing the wavelength of said light pulses from said given wavelength into said assigned wavelength to provide a train of wavelength changed light pulses containing optical data at said light output such that no two light modulating devices in said series of light modulating devices generate light pulses at the same assigned wavelength out of said specified range of wavelengths, and p2 (ii) a WDM multiplexer optically coupled with the light outputs of the series of light modulating devices for reading said series of trains of wavelength changed light pulses in parallel and combining said series of trains of wavelength changed light pulses into a multiplexed signal containing optical data at the transmitter output of said transmitting arrangement;
• (B) an optical fiber for directing said multiplexed signal away from said transmitting arrangement, one end of which optical fiber is optically coupled with said transmitter output;
• and
• (C) a receiving arrangement including
• (i) a WDM demultiplexer optically coupled with an opposing end of said optical fiber for separating said multiplexed signal back into said series of trains of wavelength changed light pulses, and
• (ii) a series of light receiving devices configured to receive said series of trains of wavelength changed light pulses, each of said receiving arrangements being optically coupled with said WDM demultiplexer and being designed to receive at least one of said trains of wavelength changed light pulses of a particular wavelength out of the specified range of wavelengths, each of said receiving arrangements including
• (a) a superconducting bolometer for converting said train of wavelength changed light pulses into a train of voltage spikes and translating said optical data into electrical data,
• (b) an electrical demultiplexer for dividing said train of voltage spikes into a series of sub-trains of voltage spikes, and
• (c) a series of electrical receivers, each of which electrical receivers is designed to detect at least one of said sub-trains of voltage spikes out of the series of sub-trains of voltage spikes.

A method for providing a high speed data link, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) transmitting a train of light pulses containing optical data, said transmitting step including the steps of
• (i) generating light having said certain wavelength,
• (ii) directing said light onto a layer of superconductive material, said superconductive material being switchable between a superconducting state in which said light cannot pass therethrough and a non-superconducting state in which said light can pass therethrough,
• (iii) switching said superconductive material between its superconducting and non-superconducting states for generating a train of light pulses having said certain wavelength and containing optical data, and
• (iv) changing the wavelength of said light pulses to provide a train of wavelength changed light pulses containing optical data;
• (b) directing said train of wavelength changed light pulses to a desired location;
• and
• (c) receiving said train of wavelength changed light pulses at said desired location, said receiving step including the steps of
• (i) converting said train of wavelength changed light pulses into a train of voltage spikes, thus translating said optical data into electrical data,
• (ii) dividing said train of voltage spikes into a series of sub-trains of voltage spikes, and
• (iii) detecting said series of sub-trains of voltage spikes using a series of electrical receivers, each of which electrical receivers is designed to detect at least one of said sub-trains of voltage spikes out of the series of sub-trains of voltage spikes.

A method for providing a high speed data link, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) transmitting a multiplexed signal containing optical data, said transmitting step including the steps of
• (i) generating light having a given wavelength,
• (ii) directing said light onto a layer of superconductive material, said superconductive material being switchable between a superconducting state in which said light cannot pass therethrough and a non-superconducting state in which said light can pass therethrough,
• (iii) switching said superconductive material between its superconducting and non-superconducting states to generate a train of light pulses having said given wavelength and containing optical data,
• (iv) changing the wavelength of said light pulses from said given wavelength to an assigned wavelength out of a specified range of wavelengths,
• (v) repeating steps (i)-(iv) to provide a series of trains of wavelength changed light pulses, each of said trains of wavelength changed light pulses containing optical data and having a distinct, assigned wavelength out of said specified range of wavelengths, such that no two trains of wavelength changed light pulses in the series of trains of wavelength changed light pulses have the same assigned wavelength out of said specified range of wavelengths,
• (vi) reading said series of trains of wavelength changed light pulses in parallel, and
• (vii) combining said series of trains of wavelength changed light pulses into a multiplexed signal containing optical data;
• (b) directing said multiplexed signal to a desired location;
• and
• (c) receiving said multiplexed signal at said desired location, said receiving step including the steps of
• (i) separating said received, multiplexed signal back into said series of trains of wavelength changed light pulses;
• (ii) converting said train of wavelength changed light pulses into a train of voltage spikes, thus translating said optical data into electrical data,
• (iii) dividing said train of voltage spikes into a series of sub-trains of voltage spikes, and
• (iv) detecting said series of sub-trains of voltage spikes using a series of electrical receivers, each of which electrical receivers is designed to detect at least one of said sub-trains of voltage spikes out of the series of sub-trains of voltage spikes.