Abstract: An Optical Wireless Communication (OWC) receiver configured to receive an incoming optical beam modulated with data and output an output signal including the modulated data. A lens receives the incoming optical beam. Photodiodes positioned at a distance from the lens and proximal to the focal plane of the lens receive a fraction of the incoming optical beam and generate a photocurrent in correspondence with photons received. The photodiodes are provided in a two-dimensional array including rows and columns wherein outputs of the columns are combined and their photocurrents are summed. An amplifier connected to the combined output of the columns converts the summed photocurrents into an output signal. Interconnections of the photodiodes form at least two parallel branches wherein each branch includes a cascade of at least two photodiodes forming a combined photodetector surface.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a two-dimensional optical waveguide pressure sensor array comprising two or more row optical waveguides; two or more column optical waveguides, wherein the row optical waveguides and the column optical waveguides are deformable and arranged in a planar array to define a sensor in the crosspoints, wherein each crosspoint includes one of the row waveguides in contact with one of the column waveguides at its intersection point; wherein each crosspoint further includes a light coupling structure configured to enhance waveguide bending when pressure is applied to the crosspoint; wherein the light coupling structure comprises a layer of mechanical light scattering material disposed in contact with at least one of the row or column optical waveguide; or wherein the optical waveguide pressure sensor array can sense pressure by providing light to the row optical waveguides and measuring light coupled at each crosspoint to its column optical waveguide.

Abstract: An optical beam steering device is provided that includes an input optical fiber carrying multiple input optical signals, where each input optical signal includes a unique wavelength, an arrayed waveguide grating router (AWGR) having multiple output fibers, where the input optical fiber is connected to the AWGR, distal ends of the output fibers are arranged in a two-dimensional fiber array, the input optical signals are routed by the AWGR according to each unique wavelength to a unique AWGR output fiber, and a lens, where the distal ends of the output fibers are disposed proximal to a focal plane of the lens, where for each unique position of each output fiber distal end with respect to a the lens, each input optical signal is steered at a unique angle as an output beam emitted from the lens, where changing the wavelength of the input optical signal changes the output signal angles.

Abstract: An Optical Wireless Communication (OWC) receiver configured to receive an incoming optical beam modulated with data and output an output signal including the modulated data. A lens receives the incoming optical beam. Photodiodes positioned at a distance from the lens and proximal to the focal plane of the lens receive a fraction of the incoming optical beam and generate a photocurrent in correspondence with photons received. The photodiodes are provided in a two-dimensional array including rows and columns wherein outputs of the columns are combined and their photocurrents are summed. An amplifier connected to the combined output of the columns converts the summed photocurrents into an output signal. Interconnections of the photodiodes form at least two parallel branches wherein each branch includes a cascade of at least two photodiodes forming a combined photodetector surface.

Abstract: An optical beam steering device is provided that includes an input optical fiber carrying multiple input optical signals, where each input optical signal includes a unique wavelength, an arrayed waveguide grating router (AWGR) having multiple output fibers, where the input optical fiber is connected to the AWGR, distal ends of the output fibers are arranged in a two-dimensional fiber array, the input optical signals are routed by the AWGR according to each unique wavelength to a unique AWGR output fiber, and a lens, where the distal ends of the output fibers are disposed proximal to a focal plane of the lens, where for each unique position of each output fiber distal end with respect to a the lens, each input optical signal is steered at a unique angle as an output beam emitted from the lens, where changing the wavelength of the input optical signal changes the output signal angles.

Abstract: Pressure sensing having 2-D resolution is provided by an array of optical waveguides having wave-guide intersections (e.g., intersecting rows and columns). Pressure induced cross-coupling between intersecting wave-guides is enhanced by including mechanical structures at each intersection that enhance local waveguide bending. For example, such structures can be rigid rings around the wave-guide intersections.

Abstract: Pressure sensing having 2-D resolution is provided by an array of optical waveguides having wave-guide intersections (e.g., intersecting rows and columns). Pressure induced cross-coupling between intersecting wave-guides is enhanced by including mechanical structures at each intersection that enhance local waveguide bending. For example, such structures can be rigid rings around the wave-guide intersections.

Abstract: An interference-free communication system having a central communication controller (CCC) with a wavelength-tunable light source that emits a tunable wavelength optical data signal, and controls the wavelength-tunable light source by conditioning, modulation and wavelength-tuning, the CCC includes a signal-transparent optical crossconnect and fiber optic network, a pencil-radiating antenna (PRA) that is a passive 2-dimensional diffractive module is coupled to the wavelength-tunable light source via the fiber optic network, the crossconnect routes the optical data signal to the PRA, the optical data signal is transmitted through a confined optical pencil beam, the PRA deflects the pencil beam in 2 angular dimensions as a function of a wavelength of the pencil beam, the deflected pencil beam is disposed for communication with an opto-electronic communication device, and a radio return channel that provides upstream communication from the communication device to the CCC includes a lack-of-connection communicatio

Abstract: An interference-free communication system having a central communication controller (CCC) with a wavelength-tunable light source that emits a tunable wavelength optical data signal, and controls the wavelength-tunable light source by conditioning, modulation and wavelength-tuning, the CCC includes a signal-transparent optical crossconnect and fiber optic network, a pencil-radiating antenna (PRA) that is a passive 2-dimensional diffractive module is coupled to the wavelength-tunable light source via the fiber optic network, the crossconnect routes the optical data signal to the PRA, the optical data signal is transmitted through a confined optical pencil beam, the PRA deflects the pencil beam in 2 angular dimensions as a function of a wavelength of the pencil beam, the deflected pencil beam is disposed for communication with an opto-electronic communication device, and a radio return channel that provides upstream communication from the communication device to the CCC includes a lack-of-connection communicatio

Abstract: There is disclosed a network architecture comprising a first set of N serially connected power splitting centers connected at one end to receive a power signal and at another end to a termination point, each splitting center having an output associated with a sub-network for delivering a portion of the power signal to that sub-network, wherein the power splitting factor in each power splitting center is variable such that the portion of the power signal delivered to each sub-network is variable. The invention is described with particular relation to a double fiber ring optical network.

Abstract: A wireless communication system comprises a base station controller and a base station interface connected to the base station controller by a central optical fiber. The base station interface may include a flexible wavelength router. At least one base station is connected to the base station interface, and the central optical fiber carries at least one communication channel associated with an optical signal having one of a plurality of wavelengths. The base station interface selectively provides a communication path between the base station controller and at least one base station using at least one communication channel.

Abstract: A wireless communication system which is reconfigurable to accommodate varying traffic density is provided by using a flexible optical interface between a base station controller and several base stations. Communication between the base station controller and the base stations is provided over an optical fiber. The fiber carries several communication channels in both directions using wavelength multiplexing. The bandwidth between the base station controller and a particular base station is varied by increasing or decreasing the number of wavelengths used to communicate with the base station. Varying the bandwidth provides the ability to adjust the capacity to carry voice and/or data between the base station controller and the base station. As a result the number of radio frequency carrier frequencies assigned to a base station can be varied to support varying radio frequency traffic density throughout the wireless network.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multiwavelength add/drop multiplexer for use in an optical fiber communication system having a main optical fiber. The multiplexer includes an optical element, in the form of an optical circulator, arranged to direct substantially all of the light transmitted in a predetermined direction along the main optical fiber into a branch optical fiber regardless of wavelength. The branch optical fiber includes a transmission filter, in the form of a Fabry-Perot filter, arranged to transmit light of a predetermined wavelength and reflect the non-transmitted light back towards said main optical fiber for continued propagation along said main optical fiber. The multiplexer also includes a receiver for receiving the transmitted light, and further includes a transmitter arranged to transmit optical data signals along said branch optical fiber, through said transmission filter and towards said optical element, for propagation along said main optical fiber.