Abstract: A retroreflective optical communication system in which a laser at a control station is aimed at a retroreflector at a second position or station whose reflectivity can be varied so as to impress a signal onto the retroreflected beam, and then back to the first station for detection. The communication link is such that the laser and aiming capability are at the receiving or control station and, greatly reducing the aiming and power requirements and cost at the retroreflector end of the link. The retromodulator optical communication system provides a high data rate, secure, non-jammable line-of-sight communication link between the second station, which may be a remotely piloted vehicle (RPV) and its control station. The retromodulator maybe entirely passive and thus would not give its presence away as would RF transmitting and receiving stations.

Abstract: An inexpensive and efficient switching device for use with optical fibers is disclosed wherein at least three optical fibers are mounted in the switching device with one of the at least three fibers mounted in a fixed magnetic block and the at least two fibers are mounted or fixed to a sliding nonmagnetic block. The blocks are held relative to a fixed base to which the fixed block is secured by means of permanent magnets and the switch is actuated by means of an electromagnet. Stops are provided for the sliding block to insure accurate alignment of the fibers to be switched during switch actuation and transmission of information in the fibers.

Abstract: A fiber optic energy sensor and optical demodulation system is disclosed wherein the signal energy to be sensed or detected causes an etched single mode fiber to be stretched or compressed which causes the optical path length for electro-magnetic radiation traveling in the core of the optic fiber to change. The change in optic path length modulates the electro-magnetic radiation traveling in the fiber. There is also disclosed novel methods of manufacturing the novel type of fiber optic energy sensor and optical demodulation system.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method of forming a terminal for an optical fiber cable consisting of an optical fiber, a plastic buffer and at least a protective sheath. Also there is disclosed a tool for scribing the projecting end of the optical fiber so that the projecting end can be simply separated from the cable and the line of separation will be normal to the end of the terminal or connector. In a preferred embodiment the scribing tool has an equilateral triangular scribing element which selectively presents six active scribing surfaces.

Abstract: Radiant energy is caused to modulate in phase and frequency in a single mode optical fiber by means of a relatively movable, spatially periodic perturbation.