Abstract: The present invention provides a method and network for communicating over free space links. The network includes a plurality of buildings, each housing at least one of a residence and a business. Pluralities of free-space optical links are established, where each optical link is defined between two of the buildings, and data is communicated across the plurality of links. Each of the buildings includes a distribution system configured to receive the data communicated across at least one of the links and to distribute the data to an intended recipient. The plurality of optical links are configured to form a network topology providing alternate communication paths for at least two of the plurality of buildings and an external network is coupled with the optical communication network, wherein at least some of the data is communicated between the external network and the optical communication network.

Abstract: Optical signals are received from a free-space link by directing received light onto a plurality of microlenses and then directing light received through each of the microlenses into a respective single mode optical fiber (SMF). Light beams from the SMFs are combined into a single light beam in one SMF. The single light beam is amplified with a multi-wavelength fiber amplifier and attenuated with a variable optical attenuator. The power gain of the multi-wavelength fiber amplifier and the attenuation of the variable optical attenuator are controlled. The single light beam is directed into a fiber optic communication system that is optically coupled to the variable optical attenuator.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for free space optical communication. The apparatus includes a first optical source configured to generate a first optical beam, a first optical beam carrier optically aligned with the first optical source and configured to propagate at least a portion of the first optical beam, and an extended source optically aligned with the first optical beam carrier and configured to output an extended source optical beam. The extended source can include an extended source telescope configured to direct at least a portion of the first optical beam to output the extended source optical beam into free-space. Alternative the extended source can include a large core fiber optic cable configured to propagate at least a portion of the first optical beam exercising additional modes of the large core fiber cable to generate the extended source optical beam.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for free space optical communication. The method and apparatus transmit a large diameter optical signal across a free space link to over fill a plurality of receive objectives. Each of receive objectives focus the portions of the impinging optical signal into a respective fiber optic core, where the fiber optic is a single mode, multi-mode, small multi-mode or other type of fiber. The signals in each of the respective fibers are combined to obtain a single received signal. The apparatus and method further provide wavelength conversion, power adjustment, and further maintains alignment between cooperating transceivers.

Abstract: Free-space optical transceivers employ wavelength conversion from a fiber interface wavelength &lgr;fiber to a free-space transform wavelength &lgr;fs and back again to overcome a broad range of environmental impacts to the free-space optical signal, such as fog. The wavelength conversions may be performed all-optically without the need for electro-optical conversion, or the wavelength conversions may be performed using electro-optical conversion. The performance of the chosen value for the free-space transform wavelength &lgr;fs may be monitored and a feedback control system used to dynamically adjust the value for &lgr;fs until the optimum value for the given atmospheric conditions is achieved. Cooperating transceivers can be informed of a newly selected value for &lgr;fs via a direct, out-of-band control communications channel, or cooperating transceivers can determine the appropriate wavelength transform amount to be applied by an adaptive wavelength selection determination.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for optical communication. The system includes a first rooftop transceiver mounted on a building and configured to transmit and receive optical signals over free space. A first passive optical deflector (POD) is mounted on the building and optically aligned with both the first rooftop transceiver and a first customer premise equipment (CPE), wherein the first POD is configured to receive a first optical signal from the first rooftop transceiver and redirect substantially all of the first optical signal to the first CPE providing a first optical communication path between the first rooftop transceiver and the first CPE. The first POD is further configured to receive a second optical signal from the first CPE and to redirect substantially all of the second optical signal to additional equipment extending the first communication path between the first CPE and the additional equipment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and network for communicating over free space links. The network includes a plurality of buildings, each housing at least one of a residence and a business. Pluralities of free-space optical links are established, where each optical link is defined between two of the buildings, and data is communicated across the plurality of links. Each of the buildings includes a distribution system configured to receive the data communicated across at least one of the links and to distribute the data to an intended recipient. The plurality of optical links are configured to form a network topology providing alternate communication paths for at least two of the plurality of buildings and an external network is coupled with the optical communication network, wherein at least some of the data is communicated between the external network and the optical communication network.

Abstract: Optical signals are received from a free-space link by directing received light onto a plurality of microlenses and then directing light received through each of the microlenses into a respective single mode optical fiber (SMF). Light beams from the SMFs are combined into a single light beam in one SMF. The single light beam is amplified with a multi-wavelength fiber amplifier and attenuated with a variable optical attenuator. The power gain of the multi-wavelength fiber amplifier and the attenuation of the variable optical attenuator are controlled. The single light beam is directed into a fiber optic communication system that is optically coupled to the variable optical attenuator.