Optically powered optically controlled optical switch
US6987900B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 19, 2004 |
| Grant date | Jan 17, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 19, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04Q2011/0049
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Systems and methods are described for optically powered optically controlled optical switches. A method includes powering an optical switch with a communications data signal; and controlling the optical switch with the communications data signal. An apparatus includes a primary optical input port; a secondary optical input port; an optical tap coupled to the primary optical input port; an optical switch coupled to the optical tap and to the secondary optical input port; an optical-to-electrical signal converter coupled to the optical tap; a control circuit coupled to the optical-to-electrical signal converter and to the optical switch; an electrical energy storage circuit coupled to the control circuit; an optical-to-electrical power converter coupled to the electrical energy storage circuit and to the optical switch; and an optical output port coupled to the optical switch, wherein the optical-to-electrical signal converter can transform, to electrical energy, optical energy from a communications data signal that arrives at the optical tap.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.