Patents by Inventor Ralph Hofmeister

Ralph Hofmeister 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: 11044015
    Abstract: Systems and methods of undersea optical communication are provided. An undersea optical amplifier assembly can include a water-tight housing and a photonic integrated circuit disposed within the housing. The photonic integrated circuit includes a plurality of optical fiber inputs, each configured to receive an end of a respective optical fiber of a first fiber optic cable bundle, and a plurality of optical fiber outputs. Each optical fiber output corresponds to a respective optical fiber input to form a fiber optic input-output pair, and is configured to receive an end of a respective optical fiber of a second fiber optic cable bundle. The photonic integrated circuit includes an optical amplifier optically coupled to each respective fiber optic input-output pair. The housing includes a first water-tight access port configured to receive the first fiber optic cable bundle, and a second water-tight access port configured to receive a second fiber optic cable bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Rene Schmogrow, Ralph Hofmeister, Vijayanand Vusirikala, Valey Kamalov, Mattia Cantono
  • Publication number: 20200162163
    Abstract: Systems and methods of undersea optical communication are provided. An undersea optical amplifier assembly can include a water-tight housing and a photonic integrated circuit disposed within the housing. The photonic integrated circuit includes a plurality of optical fiber inputs, each configured to receive an end of a respective optical fiber of a first fiber optic cable bundle, and a plurality of optical fiber outputs. Each optical fiber output corresponds to a respective optical fiber input to form a fiber optic input-output pair, and is configured to receive an end of a respective optical fiber of a second fiber optic cable bundle. The photonic integrated circuit includes an optical amplifier optically coupled to each respective fiber optic input-output pair. The housing includes a first water-tight access port configured to receive the first fiber optic cable bundle, and a second water-tight access port configured to receive a second fiber optic cable bundle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Rene Schmogrow, Ralph Hofmeister, Vijayanand Vusirikala, Valey Kamalov, Mattia Cantono
  • Patent number: 9755734
    Abstract: A communication system includes a first and second trunk terminals, a plurality of communication trunks disposed along a floor of a body of water, and power feed equipment. Each communication trunk couples the first trunk terminal to the second trunk terminal and includes at least one signal amplifier configured to amplify a signal conveyed along the corresponding communication trunk. The power feed equipment is coupled to the plurality of communication trunks and is configured to deliver power along each communication trunk to power the at least one signal amplifier of the communication trunk. The power feed equipment is also configured to receive a shunt fault notification identifying an electrical shunt fault along a faulted communication trunk of the plurality of communication trunks. In response to the shunt fault notification, the power feed equipment is configured to cease delivery of power along at least one communication trunk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Vijayanand Vusirikala, Valey Kamalov, Bikash Koley, Ralph Hofmeister
  • Publication number: 20070242711
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for the compensation of dynamic thermal effects in fast tunable lasers are related in the present application. In particular, certain embodiments of the present invention may be useful for controlling currents to achieve various current-controlled characteristics in fast tunable lasers. Thus, certain systems, methods, and apparatuses described herein may provide compensation of dynamic thermal effects in fast tunable lasers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Inventors: Uri Griner, Ralph Hofmeister, Oren Moshe