Abstract: Systems for communication in a rotary joint. In one example, a communication system includes a stator, a rotor, a plurality of optical receivers circumferentially disposed at a first radius of one of the stator and the rotor, a plurality of optical transmitters circumferentially disposed at a second radius of the other of the stator and the rotor, each optical transmitter of the plurality configured to transmit a data signal to a corresponding optical receiver of the plurality of optical receivers, and a plurality of optical elements, individual optical elements having one of a first size and a second size, wherein individual optical elements are interposed between each optical transmitter of the plurality of optical transmitters and each optical receiver of the plurality of optical receivers and arranged so as to alternate between the first size and the second size along one of the first radius and the second radius.

Abstract: Systems for communication in a rotary joint. In one example, a communication system includes a stator, a rotor, a plurality of optical receivers circumferentially disposed at a first radius of one of the stator and the rotor, a plurality of optical transmitters circumferentially disposed at a second radius of the other of the stator and the rotor, each optical transmitter of the plurality configured to transmit a data signal to a corresponding optical receiver of the plurality of optical receivers, and a plurality of optical elements, individual optical elements having one of a first size and a second size, wherein individual optical elements are interposed between each optical transmitter of the plurality of optical transmitters and each optical receiver of the plurality of optical receivers and arranged so as to alternate between the first size and the second size along one of the first radius and the second radius.

Abstract: An apparatus to detect vibration is provided. The apparatus comprises an optical transmitter and an optical receiver. The optical transmitter is configured to send an optical signal that is modified by a vibration sensor. The optical receiver configured to receive the optical signal from the vibration sensor, the optical signal comprising fluctuations responsive to vibration of the vibration sensor. The optical signal includes a radio frequency (RF) signal. The vibration sensor is comprised by an optical assembly configured to detect underground vibrations.

Abstract: An optical fiber assembly includes at least one optical component configured to deliver light from a first end to a second end opposite the first end. The at least one optical component includes at least one localized heat-sensitive area that emits increased temperatures with respect to remaining areas of the at least one optical fiber in response to light traveling through the localized heat-sensitive area. The optical fiber assembly further includes a nanoparticle heat sink that contacts the optical component and that completely surrounds the localized heat-sensitive area such that the nanoparticle heat sink dissipates heat from the at least one optical component.

Abstract: An optical fiber assembly includes at least one optical component configured to deliver light from a first end to a second end opposite the first end. The at least one optical component includes at least one localized heat-sensitive area that emits increased temperatures with respect to remaining areas of the at least one optical fiber in response to light traveling through the localized heat-sensitive area. The optical fiber assembly further includes a nanoparticle heat sink that contacts the optical component and that completely surrounds the localized heat-sensitive area such that the nanoparticle heat sink dissipates heat from the at least one optical component.

Abstract: In an analog, fiber-based signal distribution system, a periodic electrical signal is frequency-multiplied by a factor of N, is converted to an optical signal, is optically amplified, is split among one or more optical fibers, is delivered by fiber to one or more remote units, is converted back to an electrical signal, is frequency-divided by the factor of N back to its original frequency, and can be used to generate synchronized clock signals at the remote units. The optical amplifier imparts a phase noise that is relatively independent of frequency, so that the phase noise contribution from the optical amplifier is advantageously decreased when the frequency divider reduces the frequency of the electrical signal. Compared to a distribution system that does not increase, then decrease, the frequency by a factor of N, the phase noise contribution from the optical amplifier is reduced by 20 log 10(N).

Abstract: In an analog, fiber-based signal distribution system, a periodic electrical signal is frequency-multiplied by a factor of N, is converted to an optical signal, is optically amplified, is split among one or more optical fibers, is delivered by fiber to one or more remote units, is converted back to an electrical signal, is frequency-divided by the factor of N back to its original frequency, and can be used to generate synchronized clock signals at the remote units. The optical amplifier imparts a phase noise that is relatively independent of frequency, so that the phase noise contribution from the optical amplifier is advantageously decreased when the frequency divider reduces the frequency of the electrical signal. Compared to a distribution system that does not increase, then decrease, the frequency by a factor of N, the phase noise contribution from the optical amplifier is reduced by 20 log 10(N).

Abstract: An apparatus to detect vibration is provided. The apparatus comprises an optical transmitter and an optical receiver. The optical transmitter is configured to send an optical signal that is modified by a vibration sensor. The optical receiver configured to receive the optical signal from the vibration sensor, the optical signal comprising fluctuations responsive to vibration of the vibration sensor. The optical signal includes a radio frequency (RF) signal. The vibration sensor is comprised by an optical assembly configured to detect underground vibrations.

Abstract: An optical cable backshell connector for an optical cable having a plurality of optical fibers and a protective jacket. The novel backshell connector includes a backshell housing secured to the protective jacket and a mechanism disposed within the housing for converting optical signals from the optical fibers into electrical signals. In an illustrative embodiment, the backshell includes a plurality of receiver subassemblies, each receiver subassembly adapted to receive an optical signal from one of the optical fibers and convert the optical signal to an electrical signal. The backshell also includes an electrical output connector adapted to output the electrical signals to an electronics module. In a preferred embodiment, each receiver subassembly includes a photodiode and a matching circuit integrated into a single package. An optical ferrule is attached to each fiber for coupling the fiber to the receiver subassembly.

Abstract: An optical cable backshell connector for an optical cable having a plurality of optical fibers and a protective jacket. The novel backshell connector includes a backshell housing secured to the protective jacket and a mechanism disposed within the housing for converting optical signals from the optical fibers into electrical signals. In an illustrative embodiment, the backshell includes a plurality of receiver subassemblies, each receiver subassembly adapted to receive an optical signal from one of the optical fibers and convert the optical signal to an electrical signal. The backshell also includes an electrical output connector adapted to output the electrical signals to an electronics module. In a preferred embodiment, each receiver subassembly includes a photodiode and a matching circuit integrated into a single package. An optical ferrule is attached to each fiber for coupling the fiber to the receiver subassembly.