Bistable optically clocked optical signal regenerator
US4879761A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 19, 1988 |
| Grant date | Nov 7, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 19, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S5/0608
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An optical signal regenerator includes an optical coupler having a first input for an optical information signal, a second input for optical clock pulses and an output for a combined signal. A resonant laser amplifier is located downstream of the output of the coupler and arranged to receive the combined signal and, in use, output a regenerated optical information signal. The bias current applied to the laser amplifier, in use, biases the amplifier to a level below its lasing threshold, and the power of the optical clock pulses is just below the bistable threshold of the amplilfier, so that, when an optical information signal is fed into the first input during the application of an optical clock pulse to the second input, the bistable threshold of the amplifier is exceeded causing a sudden jump in the power of the optical output of the amplifier to provide a regenerated optical information signal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.