Patents by Inventor Jimmy Tatum

Jimmy Tatum has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7778551
    Abstract: A differential driver configured to drive an optical source. The differential driver includes an anode transistor configured to connect to a diode anode. The differential driver further includes a cathode transistor configured to connect to a diode cathode. The differential driver additionally includes a tail current transistor. The tail current transistor controls the amount of modulation current through a diode. The tail current transistor includes provisions that control the current through the tail current transistor for controlling the amount of modulation current through the diode. The provisions are dependant on a temperature in or at which the diode operates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventor: Jimmy Tatum
  • Publication number: 20070268943
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system for increasing an operational life of a VCSEL. The system can include control circuitry for reducing an amount of bias current at high temperatures and increasing a power of the laser at low temperatures. This control circuitry can further include at least one of a temperature sensor, a Field Programmable Gate Array, a read only memory module, and an electrically erasable programmable read only memory module (EEPROM). In alternate embodiments, the control circuitry can further include a lookup table that sets the bias current depending on a temperature of the laser. The laser can be part of an optoelectronic transceiver module which can include, by way of example and not limitation, SFP, XFP, X2, XAUI, XENPAK, XPAK, GBIC, 8G, 16G, and other optoelectronic modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Applicant: FINISAR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jimmy Tatum
  • Publication number: 20070233906
    Abstract: Digital optical networks for communication between digital consumer electronic devices are disclosed. A digital optical network can include an input interface configured to electrically couple to a DVI or HDMI receptacle of a source device. The input interface includes an optical transmitter for converting a TMDS signal into an optical signal. An input optical fiber optically coupled to the optical transmitter receives the optical signal. A coupler is coupled to the input optical fiber and couples the optical signal with at least one of multiple output optical fibers coupled to the coupler. Output interfaces each include an optical transmitter for converting the optical signal back into the electrical TMDS signal. The output interfaces are configured to electrically couple the TMDS signals with respective DVI or HDMI receptacles of DVI or HDMI sink devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Applicant: FINISAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jimmy Tatum, James Guenter
  • Publication number: 20070058976
    Abstract: Simplified laser drivers for closed path digital optical cables and digital optical cables including the simplified laser drivers. The laser driver can include less transistors than conventional laser drivers for optical communication cables. The laser can include a bias source and modulation source. The bias source can have a single constant current bias point for all laser diodes. The modulation current source can have a single temperature coefficient for all laser diodes. The laser driver can exclude, for example, any one of or combination of temperature compensation of the modulation or bias current sources, external programming of the modulation or bias current sources, power control based on output of the laser diode, and/or control based on feedback received from a monitor device or other sensor within the cables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Publication date: March 15, 2007
    Inventors: Jimmy Tatum, James Guenter
  • Publication number: 20060263014
    Abstract: The present invention relates to controlling parameters of an optical output of an optical transmitter. An optical package can be selected based on a level of attenuation of a parameter of a transmitter output by the optical package. The laser and the optical package can be assembled and a parameter of the transmitter output can be measured. An optical barrel can be selected based on the measurement, wherein the optical barrel is selected based on an attenuation level to satisfy a range of a desired parameter value. The optical package and the optical barrel can be assembled. A system for assembling the optical device is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Publication date: November 23, 2006
    Inventors: Gary Landry, Norman Stapleton, James Guenter, Jimmy Tatum
  • Publication number: 20060262822
    Abstract: A differential driver configured to drive an optical source. The differential driver includes an anode transistor configured to connect to a diode anode. The differential driver further includes a cathode transistor configured to connect to a diode cathode. The differential driver additionally includes a tail current transistor. The tail current transistor controls the amount of modulation current through a diode. The tail current transistor includes provisions that control the current through the tail current transistor for controlling the amount of modulation current through the diode. The provisions are dependant on a temperature in or at which the diode operates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Publication date: November 23, 2006
    Inventor: Jimmy Tatum
  • Publication number: 20060228077
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for alignment of TO cans with photodiodes on fiber-optic receptacles. The methods and apparatus make use of direct connections to photodiodes or connections to Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) outputs to align TO cans in fiber-optic receptacles. An optical source, such as a laser diode, can be powered by a low-frequency or DC source. This optical source can direct light into the fiber-optic receptacle. The TO can is manipulated in a barrel of the fiber-optic receptacle. The current through the photodiode or the RSSI output is monitored to determine when light directed into the photodiode is at a maximum or above a predetermined threshold. The TO can is fixed in the barrel when the light directed into the photodiode is at the maximum or predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Publication date: October 12, 2006
    Inventors: Jack Gilkerson, Jimmy Tatum, Andre Lalonde
  • Publication number: 20060183264
    Abstract: A photodiode and a method of fabricating a photodiode for reducing modal dispersion and increasing travel distance. The central region of the photodiode is made less responsive to incident light than a peripheral region of the photodiode. The less responsive central region discriminates the lower order modes such that only the higher order modes are incident on the more responsive peripheral region. Because the lower order modes are subtracted, the range of propagation constants is reduced and modal dispersion is also reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Publication date: August 17, 2006
    Inventor: Jimmy Tatum
  • Publication number: 20060118877
    Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protected semiconductor device. The semiconductor device is formed as a monolithic structure. The monolithic structure includes a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) and a protection diode. The protection diode cathode is electrically coupled to the VCSEL anode and the protection diode anode is electrically coupled to the VCSEL cathode so as to provide ESD protection to the VCSEL.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Inventors: Jimmy Tatum, James Guenter, Jose Aizpuru
  • Publication number: 20060077778
    Abstract: Digital electronic devices for optical communication of digital video and/or audio signals between a digital source device and a digital sink device. A digital source device includes a transition minimized differential signaling (TMDS) transmitter for receiving control and digital video signals from a source controller and for converting the control and digital video signals into electric TMDS signals. An interface receives a first end of an optical fiber. An optical transmitter converts the electric TMDS signals to at least one optical signal and transmits the at least one optical signal to the first end of the optical fiber. A digital sink device receives the at least one optical signal from a second end of the optical fiber and converts the optical signal into TMDS signals. A TMDS receiver converts the TMDS signals into control and digital video signals and transmits the control and digital video signals to the sink controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Inventors: Jimmy Tatum, James Guenter
  • Publication number: 20060067690
    Abstract: Digital optical cables for communication between digital consumer electronic devices. The digital optical cable can include an optical fiber, a first interface configured to couple a digital source device to a first end of the optical fiber, the first interface can comprise an optical transmitter for receiving an electronic video signal from the digital source device, converting the electronic video signal to an optical signal, and for transmitting the optical signal onto the first end of the optical fiber. A second interface can be configured to couple a digital sink device to a second end of the optical fiber, the second interface comprising an optical receiver for receiving the optical signal transmitted by the optical transmitter from the second end of the optical fiber, converting the optical signal to an electronic video signal, and transmitting the electronic signal to the digital sink device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Publication date: March 30, 2006
    Inventors: Jimmy Tatum, James Guenter
  • Publication number: 20050286583
    Abstract: An optical structure that reduces the effects of spontaneous emissions from the active region of a laser. An optical structure includes optimizations to reduce the effects of spontaneous emissions. The optical structure includes a VCSEL with top and bottom DBR mirrors and an active region connected to the mirrors. The optical structure further includes a photodiode connected to the VCSEL. One or more optimizations may be included in the optical structure including optically absorbing materials, varying the geometry of the structure to change reflective angles, using optical apertures, changing the reflectivity of one or more mirrors, changing the photodiode to be more impervious to spontaneous emissions, and using ion implants to reduce photoluminescence efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Inventors: James Guenter, Jimmy Tatum, James Biard
  • Publication number: 20050286585
    Abstract: An optical structure that reduces the effects of spontaneous emissions from the active region of a laser. An optical structure includes optimizations to reduce the effects of spontaneous emissions. The optical structure includes a VCSEL with top and bottom DBR mirrors and an active region connected to the mirrors. The optical structure further includes a photodiode connected to the VCSEL. One or more optimizations may be included in the optical structure including optically absorbing materials, varying the geometry of the structure to change reflective angles, using optical apertures, changing the reflectivity of one or more mirrors, changing the photodiode to be more impervious to spontaneous emissions, and using ion implants to reduce photoluminescence efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Inventors: James Guenter, Jimmy Tatum, James Biard
  • Publication number: 20050286586
    Abstract: An optical structure that reduces the effects of spontaneous emissions from the active region of a laser. An optical structure includes optimizations to reduce the effects of spontaneous emissions. The optical structure includes a VCSEL with top and bottom DBR mirrors and an active region connected to the mirrors. The optical structure further includes a photodiode connected to the VCSEL. One or more optimizations may be included in the optical structure including optically absorbing materials, varying the geometry of the structure to change reflective angles, using optical apertures, changing the reflectivity of one or more mirrors, changing the photodiode to be more impervious to spontaneous emissions, and using ion implants to reduce photoluminescence efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Inventors: James Guenter, Jimmy Tatum, James Biard
  • Publication number: 20050286594
    Abstract: An optical structure that reduces the effects of spontaneous emissions from the active region of a laser. An optical structure includes optimizations to reduce the effects of spontaneous emissions. The optical structure includes a VCSEL with top and bottom DBR mirrors and an active region connected to the mirrors. The optical structure further includes a photodiode connected to the VCSEL. One or more optimizations may be included in the optical structure including optically absorbing materials, varying the geometry of the structure to change reflective angles, using optical apertures, changing the reflectivity of one or more mirrors, changing the photodiode to be more impervious to spontaneous emissions, and using ion implants to reduce photoluminescence efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Inventors: James Guenter, Jimmy Tatum, James Biard
  • Publication number: 20050286584
    Abstract: An optical structure that reduces the effects of spontaneous emissions from the active region of a laser. An optical structure includes optimizations to reduce the effects of spontaneous emissions. The optical structure includes a VCSEL with top and bottom DBR mirrors and an active region connected to the mirrors. The optical structure further includes a photodiode connected to the VCSEL. One or more optimizations may be included in the optical structure including optically absorbing materials, varying the geometry of the structure to change reflective angles, using optical apertures, changing the reflectivity of one or more mirrors, changing the photodiode to be more impervious to spontaneous emissions, and using ion implants to reduce photoluminescence efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Inventors: James Guenter, Jimmy Tatum, James Biard
  • Publication number: 20050286595
    Abstract: An optical structure that reduces the effects of spontaneous emissions from the active region of a laser. An optical structure includes optimizations to reduce the effects of spontaneous emissions. The optical structure includes a VCSEL with top and bottom DBR mirrors and an active region connected to the mirrors. The optical structure further includes a photodiode connected to the VCSEL. One or more optimizations may be included in the optical structure including optically absorbing materials, varying the geometry of the structure to change reflective angles, using optical apertures, changing the reflectivity of one or more mirrors, changing the photodiode to be more impervious to spontaneous emissions, and using ion implants to reduce photoluminescence efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Inventors: James Guenter, Jimmy Tatum, James Biard
  • Publication number: 20050190812
    Abstract: This disclosure concerns devices such as DBRs, one example of which includes at least one first mirror layers having an oxidized region extending from an edge of the DBR to an oxide termination edge that is situated greater than a first distance from the edge of the DBR. The DBR also includes at least one second mirror layer having an oxidized region extending from the edge of the DBR to an oxide termination edge that is situated less than a second distance from the edge of the DBR, such that the first distance is greater than the second distance. Additionally, a first mirror layer includes an oxidizable material at a concentration that is higher than the concentration of the oxidizable material in any of the second mirror layers. Finally, a first mirror layer is doped with an impurity at a higher level than one of the second mirror layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Publication date: September 1, 2005
    Inventors: Ralph Johnson, Klein Johnson, Jimmy Tatum, James Guenter, James Biard, Robert Hawthorne
  • Publication number: 20050191053
    Abstract: A controller for optical components. A controller includes mixed signal interface that is configured to connect to an optical component external to the controller. The mixed signal interface is able to deliver and/or receive signals to and/or from the optical component. The controller includes a digital interface that is able to connect to a memory external to the controller. The digital interface may receive a digital representation of operating characteristics of the optical component. The controller is configured to deliver and/or receive signals to and/or from the optical component based on the digital representation of operating characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Publication date: September 1, 2005
    Inventors: Frank Levinson, James Guenter, Jimmy Tatum