Apparatus and method for rebroadcasting signals in an optical backplane bus system
AssigneeFinisar Corporation
InventorGicherl Kim
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method are provided for communicating optical signals between components attached to an optical backplane bus. Each component has a respective active coupler to receive and transmit optical signals through a waveguiding plate. Multiplexed polymeric holograms may be used to couple or direct optical signals between the components and the waveguiding plate. Optical signals received from any component may be rebroadcast to all other components by a distributor and its active coupler using a doubly multiplexed hologram. The distributor and its active coupler may be located proximate a midpoint of the waveguiding plate.
Claims25
An optical backplane assembly for communicating signals between a plurality of components comprising:
- a waveguiding plate attached to and mounted on a supporting structure;
- the components spaced from each other and coupled with the waveguiding plate;
- respective active optical elements operably coupled with each component to receive optical signals from the waveguiding plate and to convert the optical signals to electrical signals;
- the active optical elements further operable to convert electrical signals from the respective components into optical signals and to transmit the optical signals to the waveguiding plate;
- respective diffractive optical elements disposed between the active optical elements of each component and the waveguiding plate;
- one of the components further comprising a distributor with its respective active optical elements disposed proximate a midpoint of the waveguiding plate;
- and
- the diffractive optical element for the distributor comprising a doubly multiplexed hologram to allow communicating optical signals through the waveguiding plate with other components disposed on opposite sides of the distributor.
An optical backplane assembly for communicating signals between a plurality of components comprising:
- an optical backplane having an optical waveguiding plate attached to and mounted on a supporting structure;
- an electrical backplane having a plurality of slots formed thereon;
- the electrical backplane coupled with optical backplane;
- each of the components respectively disposed in and operably engaged with one of the slots;
- respective active optical elements coupled with each slot and disposed between the electrical backplane and the optical waveguiding plate;
- a respective hologram disposed on the optical waveguiding plate adjacent to each the active optical elements;
- and
- one of the components comprising a distributor disposed over a midpoint of the optical waveguiding plate.
A method for communicating information between a plurality of components attached to an optical backplane assembly comprising:
- transmitting an optical signal from at least one component through a waveguiding plate having a generally elongated configuration, wherein the optical signal generated from the at least one component travels to a distributor disposed adjacent to a midpoint of the optical waveguiding plate before being retransmitted from the distributor to the components coupled with the waveguiding plate spaced from the distributor;
- and
- receiving the optical signals from the distributor at the other components.
A method for forming an optical bus assembly comprising:
- forming a plurality of slots in an electrical backplane with each slot operable to receive a respective component;
- forming respective active couplers on the electrical backplane for each slot;
- forming an optical backplane having a waveguiding plate;
- attaching a plurality of holograms with the waveguiding plate to communicate optical signals between the active couplers and the waveguiding plate;
- attaching the electrical backplane to the optical backplane with the active couplers respectively aligned with the holograms;
- and
- installing a distributor in one of the slots disposed over a midpoint of the waveguiding plate.
An optical bus assembly for communicating information between a plurality of components comprising:
- an optical waveguiding plate attached to and mounted on a supporting structure;
- the components generally symmetrically spaced from each other and coupled with the optical waveguiding plate;
- one of the components comprising a distributor disposed proximate a midpoint of the waveguiding plate, wherein the distributor modifies a received optical signal and rebroadcasts the modified optical signal;
- and
- respective active optical elements coupled with each component to transmit and receive optical signals from the optical waveguiding plate and to convert the optical signals to electrical signals.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.