Abstract: An apparatus and method for ultrasonic ranging that allows for the determination of both longitudinal and lateral distances therefore, solving the problem of determining how far to the left or right an object is using such a sensing apparatus by providing variable gain in the receivers, by varying the number of pulses from the transmitter, or by varying the threshold. For example, a digital potentiometer can be used in cascade with each of the two receivers, controlled by the microcontroller, so that the gain can be increased as the time-since-transmission increases. Likewise, the number of pulses can be increased with increasing time-since-transmission, and the threshold can be decreased with increasing time-since-transmission.

Abstract: An optical fluid flow sensor and methods are presented. An optical fiber bends in response to a fluid flow, and a light source coupled to the optical fiber transmits light to the optical fiber. Optical sensors surrounding a portion of the optical fiber receive a received light from the optical fiber, and a signal processor module estimates a fluid flow velocity of the fluid flow based on the received light.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a platform, an optical transmitter associated with the platform, an optical detector associated with the platform, a sensor associated with the platform, a phase-locked loop circuit, and a processor unit associated with the platform. The optical transmitter is configured to transmit first optical signals. The optical detector is configured to receive optical signals. The phase-locked loop circuit is configured to indicate a presence of second optical signals in the optical signals indicating a time interval to transmit information in the first optical signals. The processor unit is electrically connected to the optical detector, the optical transmitter, and the sensor. The processor unit is associated with the phase-locked loop circuit. The processor unit is configured to transmit the information in the first optical signals using the optical transmitter during the time interval.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus comprises a switch configured to control bi-directional communication in a first channel of a fiber optic network between the switch and a number of devices and in a second channel of the fiber optic network between the switch and a number of health assemblies in the number of devices. The fiber optic network comprises a number of lines, each line connecting one of the number of devices to the switch. Each health assembly is configured to send and receive a number of optical signals in the second channel.

Abstract: An apparatus to measure optical characteristics of a fiber optic transmission line or other optical medium may include a source to generate a bipolar pulse signal waveform. The apparatus may also include a mixer to mix the bipolar pulse signal waveform and an optical pulse and reflected signal waveform from the fiber optic transmission line or other optical medium to form a mixed product waveform, wherein the reflected signal is responsive to the optical pulse being transmitted into the fiber optic transmission line or optical medium.

Abstract: An apparatus to measure optical characteristics of an optical medium may include an optical source to generate an optical square wave for transmission into the optical medium and an optical receiver to receive a reflected optical waveform from the optical medium caused by a portion of the optical square wave being reflected by any anomaly in the optical medium. The optical receiver may convert the reflected optical waveform to a reflected electrical waveform. The apparatus may also include a module to combine the reflected electrical waveform with a reference waveform to form a resulting waveform. The reference waveform may correspond substantially to the optical square wave and may be delayed a predetermined time duration. A controller may be included to process the resulting waveform to detect any anomaly and a location of the anomaly in the optical medium based on an amplitude of the resulting waveform at a sample delay position in the resulting waveform.

Abstract: A wireless sensor network including a receiver including a photodetector, and a sensor node that includes a sensor configured to sense a property, a transmitter configured to emit outgoing optical energy, the outgoing optical energy being indicative of the property, and a photodetector configured to harvest incoming optical energy and convert the incoming optical energy into electrical energy useful by the transmitter, wherein the photodetector of the receiver is positioned to receive the outgoing optical energy.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing auxiliary signals on a high speed electrical signal network is provided such that the auxiliary signals may be used for independent monitoring or communication of monitored information without affecting data or bit error rates for the primary high speed data signals. The auxiliary signals may be used as part of a built-in testing of a network, including electrical time-domain reflectometry measurements to determine fault locations in a network.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and apparatus for a sensor network. The sensor network comprises a set of cables, a set of sensor units, and a central processor unit. The set of cables is capable of conducting an electrical current. The set of sensor units is coupled to the set of cables without physical contact to a wire in the set of cables, wherein the set of sensor units is capable of being powered by the electrical current and transmitting data in the electrical current. The central processor unit is connected to the set of cables and is capable of receiving the data from the set of sensor units in the electrical current.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for noise-feedback controlled optical systems are disclosed. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a receiver adapted to receive an optical signal and to convert the optical signal to a corresponding electrical signal, and a control circuit coupled to the receiver. The control circuit includes a monitoring component adapted to monitor a noise level of at least a portion of the electrical signal and to adjust a gain of the receiver based on the noise level. In an alternate aspect, an optical system includes a transmitter, a receiver, and a monitoring component adapted to monitor a noise level of at least a portion of the electrical signal and to adjust at least one of an amplification of the transmitter and a gain of the receiver based on the noise level.

Abstract: A wireless sensor network including a receiver including a photodetector, and a sensor node that includes a sensor configured to sense a property, a transmitter configured to emit outgoing optical energy, the outgoing optical energy being indicative of the property, and a photodetector configured to harvest incoming optical energy and convert the incoming optical energy into electrical energy useful by the transmitter, wherein the photodetector of the receiver is positioned to receive the outgoing optical energy.

Abstract: A bidirectional fiber-optic transceiver with lower optical loss than previous beam-splitters or fiber couplers and a method of implementing the same. Preferably, the transceivers can operate in both directions using a single-wavelength of electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: An apparatus to measure optical characteristics of a fiber optic transmission line or other optical medium may include a source to generate a bipolar pulse signal waveform. The apparatus may also include a mixer to mix the bipolar pulse signal waveform and an optical pulse and reflected signal waveform from the fiber optic transmission line or other optical medium to form a mixed product waveform, wherein the reflected signal is responsive to the optical pulse being transmitted into the fiber optic transmission line or optical medium.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing auxiliary signals on a high speed electrical signal network is provided such that the auxiliary signals may be used for independent monitoring or communication of monitored information without affecting data or bit error rates for the primary high speed data signals. The auxiliary signals may be used as part of a built-in testing of a network, including electrical time-domain reflectometry measurements to determine fault locations in a network.

Abstract: An apparatus to measure optical characteristics of a fiber optic transmission line or other optical medium may include a source to generate a bipolar pulse signal waveform. The apparatus may also include a mixer to mix the bipolar pulse signal waveform and an optical pulse and reflected signal waveform from the fiber optic transmission line or other optical medium to form a mixed product waveform, wherein the reflected signal is responsive to the optical pulse being transmitted into the fiber optic transmission line or optical medium.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing auxiliary signals on a high speed electrical signal network is provided such that the auxiliary signals may be used for independent monitoring or communication of monitored information without affecting data or bit error rates for the primary high speed data signals. The auxiliary signals may be used as part of a built-in testing of a network, including electrical time-domain reflectometry measurements to determine fault locations in a network.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and apparatus for a sensor network. The sensor network comprises a set of cables, a set of sensor units, and a central processor unit. The set of cables is capable of conducting an electrical current. The set of sensor units is coupled to the set of cables without physical contact to a wire in the set of cables, wherein the set of sensor units is capable of being powered by the electrical current and transmitting data in the electrical current. The central processor unit is connected to the set of cables and is capable of receiving the data from the set of sensor units in the electrical current.

Abstract: A programmable delay lock loop system provides a delayed output signal having a programmed delay from an input signal. A phase detector provides a phase delay signal indicative of an actual phase difference between the input signal and the delayed output signal. An accumulator provides a delay command signal as a function of a difference between a commanded delay and the actual phase difference. A programmable phase delay circuit is configured to generate a ramp signal based upon the input signal, to adjust the ramp signal with respect to a threshold level in response to the delay command signal, to generate a trigger signal based upon a comparison of the ramp signal with the threshold level, and to clock the delayed output signal in response to the trigger signal.

Abstract: A programmable delay lock loop system provides a delayed output signal having a programmed delay from an input signal. A phase detector provides a phase delay signal indicative of an actual phase difference between the input signal and the delayed output signal. An accumulator provides a delay command signal as a function of a difference between a commanded delay and the actual phase difference. A programmable phase delay circuit is configured to generate a ramp signal based upon the input signal, to adjust the ramp signal with respect to a threshold level in response to the delay command signal, to generate a trigger signal based upon a comparison of the ramp signal with the threshold level, and to clock the delayed output signal in response to the trigger signal.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that is capable of achieving bidirectional, full-duplex communication with an optical transceiver. In some instances, the communication is achieved over a single electrical connection of the transceiver and via the use of a duplexing circuit on the transceiver and a complementary duplexing circuit on a distal circuit coupled to the transceiver via the single electrical connection. The techniques described may be used to modify existing optical transceivers to provide diagnostic or health information without interrupting normal transceiver operation.