Optical sensor/actuator communication system with common control site independently responding to inputs from sensors and controlling associated actuators
US5623565A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 26, 1995 |
| Grant date | Apr 22, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 26, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01D5/268
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical communication system includes a head-end station, an optical fibre network and a number or sensors and actuators connected via the network to the head-end station. The head-end station includes one or more broadband sources and is arranged to output a broadband signal onto the network. The sensors modulate the broadband signal received from the head-end station and return narrowband components of the signal via the network to the head-end. There the different narrowband components are detected, for example using a demultiplexer and the resulting signals processed by control electronics. The head-end station also includes an optical circuit arranged to split a signal from a broadband source into different narrowband components. Electro-optic modulators (FOM) modulate the different narrowband components and the resulting narrowband signals are output onto the fibre network and transmitted to the actuators. The electro-optic modulators (FOM) are operated by the control electronics.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.