Abstract: Field devices comprising a transmitter and/or receiver for wireless data communication are provided. The energy available for wireless data communication in data transmitting or data receiving field devices is evaluated prior to activation of the transmitter and/or receiver of the field device.

Abstract: Exemplary optical communication devices are described which, in certain embodiments, derive power optically from and communicate optically to a reading device. The communication devices may also receive data from modulated light from the reading device to achieve a bi-directional optical communication link between the self-powered optical communication device and the reading device. In some embodiments, the communication device is powered by ambient light, such as sunlight, captures data from a sensor, and communicates the stored data some time later to a reading device. In some embodiments, the communication device is powered locally and communicates through air, optical fiber, or other medium with another communication device.

Abstract: A transfer circuit that transmits a signal includes an electrical signal sending section that sends a sending signal, a current to light converting section that converts the sending signal to an optical signal, an optical signal transmitting section that transmits the optical signal, a photo-electric converting circuit that converts the optical signal to an electrical signal, and an electrical signal receiving section that detects a data value of the electrical signal. The photo-electric converting circuit includes a level measuring section that compares the intensity of the electrical signal and a predetermined reference level to detect a data value of the electrical signal, and a measurement controlling section that controls the reference level. The electrical signal receiving section includes a receiving circuit that detects a data value of the electrical signal, and a timing controlling section that controls latch timing at which the receiving circuit detects the data value.

Abstract: An interactive vehicle communication system, particularly for communication between motor vehicles, comprises a communication device (2) which may be placed on a stationary support (3) or a vehicle (4) traveling on a roadway and a receiver device (5), which may be placed on a stationary support (3) or a vehicle (4?) traveling on a roadway and interacts with said communication device (2). The communication device (2) comprises first means (6) for interfacing with external data detection and/or generation means, emitter means (9) for generating and emitting a visible light-emitting laser beam (8) with predetermined solid angle (a) and range, digitizing means (7) for digitizing said laser beam (8) and control means (10) for appropriately conforming and orienting said laser beam (8), to allow it to selectively interact with vehicle driving in a predetermined drive direction, excluding the other vehicles driving in the opposite drive direction.

Abstract: A system for deriving benefits from the reception and processing of composite video signals by a hand-held device, such as a smart card. Video signals are modulated with auxiliary data creating composite video signals. The composite video signals are then transmitted to and received by a hand-held device. The auxiliary data is then detected in the modulated video signal by circuitry of the hand-held device. The user receives benefits resulting from the reception of the auxiliary data.

Abstract: A contents-delivery system has a contents-transmission device transmitting the contents, and a contents-reception device receiving the contents from the transmission device. A first communication device performs communication from the transmission device to the reception device via a high-directivity transmission carrier. A second communication device performs communication at least from the reception device to the transmission device. An optical position confirmation device permits it through optical irradiation to confirm that a position of the reception device with respect to the transmission device is within a range in which the first communication device can communicate. A position of the reception device is matched with the transmission device based on an irradiation position of visible light. It is thus possible to locate the reception device to a communication-enabled position if the reception device is directed against the transmission device.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) and method (200) that detects the position of media (116) in a media path is disclosed. The apparatus may include a media transport (110) configured to transport media and an optical transmitter (140) coupled to the media transport, where the optical transmitter can be configured to transmit light (122). The apparatus may also include a concave reflector (130) coupled to the media transport and optically coupled to the optical transmitter, where the concave reflector can be configured to reflect light from the optical transmitter. The apparatus may further include an optical receiver (140) coupled to the media transport, the optical receiver configured to receive light (132) from the optical transmitter reflected off the concave reflector. The apparatus may additionally include a controller (160) configured to determine a position of the media based on the received light from the optical transmitter reflected off the concave reflector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transmitting device for transmission through space, using electromagnetic waves of the infrared and/or visible and/or ultraviolet bands produced by one or several diodes producing electroluminescent light. The device is connected by its input terminals (1) to an a.c. energy distribution system. A mains filter (2) reduces the conducted electromagnetic disturbances produced by the power circuits comprising a rectifier (3), a power-factor-correction circuit (4), an auxiliary power supply (5) and a DC-to-DC converter (8). The output of the DC-to-DC converter (8) is connected to several high power light-emitting diodes connected in series (9).

Abstract: An infrared controller detects an infrared (IR) transceiver type by entering an IR transceiver detection mode and providing a command to another IR transceiver. The command is formatted in accordance with a first IR transceiver type. The IR controller determines whether a response to the command is received within a predetermined time period. When the response to the command is received within the predetermined time period, a first IR transceiver type is indicated. When the response to the command is not received within the predetermined time period, a second IR transceiver type is indicated.

Abstract: The radio-over-fiber (RoF) transponder includes a converter unit adapted to convert RF electrical signals into optical signals and vice versa, and an antenna system electrically coupled to the converter unit. The antenna system includes first and second Z-shaped patch antenna elements formed on an antenna substrate. These patches are adapted to respectively transmit and receive radio-frequency (RF) electromagnetic radiation at a first frequency fA (e.g., 2.4 GHz) over a first picocell. The antenna system also includes a square patch antenna element formed atop the antenna substrate surface between the first and second Z-shaped patch antenna elements. The square patch antenna is adapted to transmit and receive RF electromagnetic radiation at a second frequency fB (e.g., 5.2 GHz) over a second picocell substantially co-located with the first picocell. One or more spaced-apart transponders can be supported by one or more optical fibers to form an array of picocells.

Abstract: A communication device uses one or two stacks of reflective deflectors to steer the electromagnetic waves carrying signals received and transmitted through a single telescope/aperture device. The signals outside the device may be circularly polarized while inside the device they are linearly polarized most of the time. The deflectors within each stack are transparent to the signals steered by the deflectors behind them. Since the deflecting wave band may shift with the changing angle of incidence of the signals due to steering, the wave bands are sufficiently spaced apart. When the signals impact the deflectors at nearly normal angles, the wave bands can be made more narrow. When more than one stack of deflectors is used, the spacing between the wave bands within one stack may be utilized by another stack.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical transceiver for readily engaging a plug of a circuit board with a connector. The optical transceiver is provided with a pair of guides for guiding the plug to the connector while contacting the outer side faces of the connector disposed on a host board. The connector is contained in a cage provided on the host board. When the optical transceiver is inserted into the cage, the guides contact the outer side faces of the connector to define the position of the optical transceiver relative to the connector, whereby the plug is smoothly guided to the connector.

Abstract: A high-speed (Gbps), free space optical communication system is based on spectral encoding of radiation from a wide band light source, such as a laser. By using partially coherent laser beams in combination with a relatively slow photosensor, scintillations can be suppressed by orders of magnitude for distances of more than 10 km. To suppress the intensity fluctuations due to atmospheric turbulence, a source with partial transverse coherence in combination with slow response time photodetector is used. Information is encoded in the spectral domain of a wideband optical source by modulation of spectral amplitudes. A non-coherent light source with wide spectrum (an LED, for example) may be used for high-speed communication over short (less than about a mile) distances.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for providing wireless communications utilizing a passive optical network (PON) is disclosed. The method includes receiving, at a PON, downstream packets from a base station destined for a mobile station, and transmitting the downstream packets to wireless transceivers associated with PON. The method also includes receiving, at the first wireless transceiver communicatively coupled to a first optical network terminal (ONT), the downstream packets from the first ONT and transmitting a first wireless signal comprising the downstream packets to a first cell. The method also includes receiving, at a second wireless transceiver communicatively coupled to a second ONT, the downstream packets from the second ONT and transmitting a second wireless signal comprising the downstream packets to a second cell.

Abstract: Method and system for processing a modulated WIR input signal. A digital device includes an input receiving circuit. This circuit receives the modulated WIR input signal and detects a modulation carrier pulse burst in the WIR input signal and generates a valid pulse signal. A pulse generating circuit is operatively coupled to the input receiving circuit and generates a pulse signal of a specific duration based in part on the pulse burst.

Abstract: A system and method of free-space optical satellite communications includes a ground station and transceiver for transmitting and receiving an optical communications signal. Adaptive optics at the ground station are operative with the transceiver for determining the shape of any distortions in the wavefront of the optical communications signal and compensating at the ground station for the distortions. A satellite includes a transceiver for transmitting and receiving the optical communications signal and includes adaptive optics for determining the shape of any distortions in the waveform of the optical communications signal and compensating at the satellite for the distortions.

Abstract: Field devices comprising a transmitter and/or receiver for wireless data communication are provided. The energy available for wireless data communication in data transmitting or data receiving field devices is evaluated prior to activation of the transmitter and/or receiver of the field device.

Abstract: A free-space communication transceiver includes a telescope for transmitting and receiving laser beams, a tunable laser transmitter for generating a transmit laser beam modulated with data, a tunable optical receiver for processing a receive laser beam received from the telescope to recover data, and a tunable beamsplitter that directs the transmit laser beam to the telescope and directs the receive laser beam from the telescope to the optical receiver. Between the telescope and beamsplitter, the transmit and receive laser beams travel along a common optical axis as collinear collimated free-space beams. The transmit and receive laser beams operate at different wavelengths that can be interchanged, thereby support full-duplex operation. The beamsplitter employs a tunable etalon filter whose wavelength-dependent transmission characteristics are adjusted according to the transmit and receive wavelengths.

Abstract: In order to prevent a spectrum of a wavelength channel from becoming narrower, a device according to the present invention includes a light dividing section capable of dividing a wavelength spectrum in an input light beam and outputting a plurality of divided light beams, which are spatially separated and have wavelength spectrum portions different from each other, and a wavelength-to-special-position-converter capable of spatially multiplexing the wavelength spectrum portions of the plurality of divided light beams from the light dividing section.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a housing that has a first concave section, a first emission unit that emits a laser beam into the first concave section, and a first modulator that modulates the laser beam emitted from the first emission unit in accordance with transmission information. The first emission unit is disposed so as not to emit at least a direct beam of the emitted laser beam to the outside of the first concave section.

Abstract: An optical wireless local area network using line of sight optical links. The base station and terminal stations are provided with optical transceivers which include a transmitter array and detector array. The transmitter array consists of an array of resonant cavity light emitting diodes integrated using flip-chip technology with a CMOS driver circuit. The driver circuit includes constant bias, current peaking and charge extraction. The driver circuitry is compact and can be confined within a region underlying the corresponding light source. The detector array consists of an array of photo diodes, provided with sense circuitry consisting of a pre-amplifier and post-amplifier. The diodes and sense circuitry are also integrated using a flip-chip technique. The light emitter and the detector may include adaptive optical elements to steer and/or focus the light beams.

Abstract: A transceiver module having intergrated eye diagram opening functionality for reducing jitter is describe. The transceiver module may transmitter eye opener and a receiver eye opener integrated in a single circuit. The transceiver module may also include serial control and various other integrated components. Other functionalities that may be integrated on the transceiver module include loopback modes, bypass features, bit error rate testing, and power down mode.

Abstract: An optical apparatus comprises a phase comparator detecting a phase shift between a changing point of data transmitted through an electro/opto converter and a changing point of data received through an opto/electro converter, a delay controller and a variable delay circuit controlling a delay of the transmitted data so that the phase shift detected becomes equal to a value which minimizes a receiver sensitivity degradation due to crosstalks between a transmitter portion and a receiver portion.

Abstract: In a data transmission method according to an exemplary embodiment, a data transmitter, which is capable of outputting a dummy light for judging an optical axis and a signal light having a beam spread smaller than that of the dummy light on the same optical axis, outputs the dummy light for scan so as to go across a photoreceiving part of a data receiver. When the dummy light having a predetermined optical level or more is optically received, the data receiver informs the data transmitter of reception chance and prepares for receiving the data. The data transmitter outputs the data carried by the signal light to the data receiver according to the information indicating the reception chance from the data receiver. The data receiver receives the data by optically receiving the signal light from the data transmitter.

Abstract: A transceiver that includes a receiver configured to receive a data signal, a controller, a first memory that includes a first table associated with a first set of gain values and a second table associated with a second set of gain values, and a second memory accessible by an external host is provided. The controller is configured to access a first value associated with a strength of the data signal from the receiver, access a second value associated with the first value from the first table, generate a third value using the second value, and store the third value in the second memory.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for transmitting data in a wireless visible light communication system, the method including the steps of transmitting a pilot signal for obtaining channel state information according to each channel from a transmitter to a receiver, and transmitting a pilot response signal containing channel state information according to each channel from the receiver to the transmitter; controlling, by the transmitter, a data rate according to the pilot response signal, transmitting, by the transmitter, data to the receiver, with data rate information inserted into a header and controlling, by the receiver, a data rate according to each channel by making reference to data included in the header information.

Abstract: An optically-connected system is disclosed for exchanging data among industrial automation devices, that is composed of a plurality of connection modules, where each module comprises at least two pairs of optical transmitters and receivers on the main side, and one optical receiver on the opposing main side, that are opposite with respect to another pair of transmitters and receivers in a following module; and where each one of the transmitters and receivers is adapted to communicate with industrial automation devices to cooperate for exchanging data between modules, sending one interrogation signal requesting an identity of the module and the receiver is adapted to send to each corresponding response signal containing characteristics of the receiver.

Abstract: An infrared communication apparatus and method enabling data communication with a receiving device, regardless of a protocol with which the receiving device is compatible. A transmitting unit transmits a first packet to inquire whether a receiving device is compatible with a first protocol and transmits a second packet to inquire whether the receiving device is compatible with a second protocol, to the receiving device at least once, and transmits a plurality of third packets to inquire whether the receiving device is compatible with a third protocol, to the receiving device. A receiving unit receives a response packet indicating a protocol with which the receiving device is compatible, from the receiving device having received the first packet, the second packet, and the plurality of third packets. A data transmitting unit transmits data to the receiving device, based on the protocol indicated by the response packet received by the receiving unit.

Abstract: Where an integrated monitoring and controlling unit is to control an optical add-drop unit so as to cause transmit signals from the optical transceiver of a first optical node to be received by the optical transceivers of plural different optical nodes, this purpose can be achieved by an optical transmission system provided with an alarm inhibiting device that can inhibit the optical transceiver, which is a source of transmission, from issuing any unexpected alarm.

Abstract: A frequency-agile optical transceiver includes a shared local oscillator (LO), a coherent optical receiver and an optical transmitter. The LO operates to generate a respective LO optical signal having a predetermined LO wavelength. The coherent optical receiver is operatively coupled to the LO, and uses the LO signal to selectively receive traffic of an arbitrary target channel of an inbound broadband optical signal. The optical transmitter is also operatively coupled to the LO, and uses the LO to generate an outbound optical channel signal having a respective outbound channel wavelength corresponding to the LO wavelength.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for transferring a plurality of satellite signals through an optical communication network. The method includes the steps of selecting a frequency of a local oscillator signal within a guardband between a left polarization signal and a right polarization signal of a first satellite signal of the plurality of satellite signals, frequency shifting the first satellite signal upwards in frequency by the selected frequency. The method further includes the steps of combining the frequency shifted satellite signal with a second satellite signal of the plurality of satellite signals and modulating a optical carrier with the combined signals, transferring the modulated optical carrier to a receiver through an optical fiber and decoding the first and second satellite signals within the receiver.

Abstract: An optical receiver includes a first light receiving element to convert an optical signal to an electric signal and to output the electric signal from one end. A light receiving element row is connected to the other end of the first light receiving element to supply electric power to the first light receiving element. The light receiving element row includes a plurality of second light receiving elements connected in series.

Abstract: A transceiver system allows for simultaneous operation of transmit and receive modes, even in shared path configurations, by temporarily making the receiver insensitive to transmitter energy and by modifying standard readout technology to rapidly dissipate any transmitter energy deposited onto the receiver's detector elements. The entirely electronic technique alerts the receiver to the imminent emission of each transmitter pulse. This alert opens a gate voltage switch in the readout and prevents energy that is present on the detector from being passed to the readout integrator. As soon as the transmitter pulse has passed and any charges it generated on the detector have been dissipated, the switch is automatically closed and the receiver is again fully active. Since this on/off switching happens automatically and rapidly it can operate independently from, and have very little impact on the receiver. Furthermore, it levies absolutely no limitations whatsoever on the operation of the transmitter.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a data processor and data communication mechanism for: (a) transmitting, via an optical link, configuration and authentication requests/information for a second data communication link to an external device; and (b) transmitting other content data via the separate, second data communication link that is configured using the configuration data transmitted on the optical link. Data communication on the optical link is provided via modulated optical pulses from an illumination light source of the electronic device. The light source is selectively utilized for illuminating a component in the electronic device and for transmitting configuration/authentication data via optical pulses. An optical receiver also receives optically transmitted configuration/acknowledgement data from the external device.

Abstract: A quick selection of a depression key provided with a remote controller is impeded, so that controllable characteristics of the remote controller are deteriorated, and a lifetime of a cell provided on the side of the remote controller is reduced in order to acquire transport motional information. While a remote control system is equipped with the remote controller and an infrared communication apparatus 33, a pattern for reflecting diffraction light by illumination light is provided with the remote controller, whereas a transmitting/receiving unit 37 and a control unit 39 are provided with the infrared communication apparatus 33. A light emitting unit 11 for emitting light to the pattern, and a light receiving unit 17 for receiving reflection light from the pattern are provided with the transmitting/receiving unit 37.

Abstract: An optical antenna assembly including multiple optical antenna elements, each of the optical antenna elements are arranged in a regular pattern and carried by a supporting body. The regular pattern of the plurality of optical antenna elements is nonuniform. Certain ones of the optical antenna elements are configured to respond to the one or more waves of light.

Abstract: A transceiver module having integrated eye diagram opening functionality for reducing jitter is described. The transceiver module may include a transmitter eye opener and a receiver eye opener integrated in a single circuit. The transceiver module may also include serial control and various other integrated components. Other functionalities that may be integrated on the transceiver module include loopback modes, bypass features, bit error rate testing, and power down modes.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical transceiver that enables to reduce the crosstalk from the optical transmitter to the optical receiver. The regenerator of the optical transceiver includes two main amplifiers, a selector, a selector control, and a re-shaper for shaping the receiving signal selected by the selector. The first main amplifier provides a first amplifier and a delay circuit connected in upstream to the first amplifier. The second main amplifier provides a second amplifier and a delay circuit connected in downstream to the second amplifier. The selector selects, based on the phase difference between the receiving signal Rx and the transmitting signal Tx, the output from the first main amplifier or that from the second main amplifier.

Abstract: Optical transceivers have loopback and pass-through paths for diagnosing transceiver components and optical networks connected to the optical transceiver or for routing data out of the transceiver in a pass-through mode. The loopback paths are selectively configured so that a selected number of the components in the transceiver are included in the loopback path. Where more than one loopback path is present, a network administrator can select which components will be included in a particular test so that, depending on whether a signal is returned on the loopback path as intended, the network administrator can determine which components are operating correctly and which are faulty. The loopbacks can be configured to run on the electrical side of the transceiver from input port to output port or on the optical side from receiver to transmitter. The pass-through paths can be used to connect the transceiver to other devices.

Abstract: A battery-less terminal (1) has means (21) for photoelectrically converting an optical signal from an information transmission device (2), means (12) for outputting the electric signal generated by the photoelectric conversion means (21) as sound, means (13) for reflecting infrared light for position emitted by a position detection device (3), a light source (14) for infrared light for ID, means (15) for storing ID data, and means (16) for modulating the infrared light for ID in accordance with the ID data. The information transmission device (2) has a light source (21) for an optical signal and means (22) for modulating the strength of the optical signal in accordance with the electric signals of sound information.

Abstract: A free-space optical communication device includes a photodetector element, which receives a communication signal containing multiple infrared light signals respectively representing different information and converts the communication signal to an electrical signal by way of electro-optical conversion, and a signal selection unit, which receives the electrical signal from the photodetector element as input, extracts respective signals corresponding to the infrared light signals from this electrical signal, and individually outputs the electrical signal and the signals corresponding to the infrared light signals.

Abstract: A network interface apparatus comprises a bidirectional optical signal port, an optical diplexer connected to the bidirectional optical signal port, a first RF signal port (bidirectional), a second RF signal port, a first RF diplexer, and an RF splitter. The RF diplexer transmits a first received RF input signal from the first RF signal port to the optical diplexer to modulate an optical output signal transmitted by the optical diplexer to the optical signal port. The RF splitter receives from the optical diplexer an RF signal derived from an RF-modulated optical input signal received from the bidirectional optical signal port, transmits a first portion of the derived RF signal as a first RF output signal to the first RF signal port through the first RF diplexer, and transmits a second portion of the derived RF signal as a second RF output signal to the second RF signal port.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a reconfigurable data communications system. The system includes a removable optical backplane connector with a first end and a second end, a first data communications card, and a switch fabric card. The first data communications card includes an optical port configured to receive the first end of the removable optical backplane connector. The switch fabric card has a plurality of optical ports adapted to receive the second end of the removable optical backplane connector.

Abstract: A transceiver that includes a receiver configured to receive a data signal, a controller, a first memory that includes a first table associated with a first set of gain values and a second table associated with a second set of gain values, and a second memory accessible by an external host is provided. The controller is configured to access a first value associated with a strength of the data signal from the receiver, access a second value associated with the first value from the first table, generate a third value using the second value, and store the third value in the second memory.

Abstract: In an optical communication method, an accurate common clock signal (GPS) is provided to a sender (10) and a receiver (20). In the sender, the common clock signal is received, a first clock signal (CLK1) is generated on the basis of said common clock signal, a carrier wave with a predetermined carrier frequency (f) is generated using said clock signal as timing reference, the carrier wave is modulated with a data signal, and the modulated carrier wave is transmitted using a light beam (13). In the receiver, the common clock signal is received, a reference signal having the same frequency (f) as the carrier frequency is generated on the basis of said common clock signal, said optical beam (13) is received, a detection signal is derived from the optical beam, the receiver is tuned to the predetermined carrier frequency (f), and the data signal is derived from the detection signal.

Abstract: A transmitting and receiving device, in which the received signal which is produced by the receiving device has only a small amount of crosstalk. This object is achieved by providing a transmitting and receiving device having a transmitting device for producing a transmission signal, a receiving device for producing a received signal, and a compensation device which is connected to the transmitting device and to the receiving device and which at least reduces any crosstalk which is produced by the transmitting device in the receiving device.

Abstract: An LED light and communication system includes at least one optical transceiver, the optical transceiver including a light support and a processor. The light support has a plurality of light emitting diodes and at least one photodetector attached thereto. The processor is in communication with the light emitting diodes and the at least one photodetector, where the processor is constructed and arranged to illuminate at least one of the light emitting diodes to generate a light signal which in turn includes at least one embedded data packet. The at least one embedded data packet communicates global positioning system (GPS) location information.

Abstract: A high-speed wireless LAN system is disclosed.

Abstract: An interface arrangement for opto-electronic data transfer which has an electrical plug connection part which includes at least one electrical contact used by a connected plug-in transceiver to provide information related to the data transfer rate at which the connected plug-in transceiver is able to transmit optical signals. An electrical control apparatus connected to this contact is used to set the data transfer rate of signals transferred from an electrical chip to a connected plug-in transceiver, the control apparatus taking several specified data transfer rates and setting that data transfer rate on the electrical chip which is the maximum at which a connected plug-in transceiver is able to transfer, provided that this data transfer rate is lower than the data transfer rate which has been set internally on the electrical chip. An opto-electronic transceiver which can be connected to an interface arrangement in plug-in fashion is also disclosed.

Abstract: Techniques for multiple channel optical transceivers for use in network devices are provided. In general, a row of optical emitters are disposed adjacent to a row of optical detectors in order to provide increased bandwidth and reduced optical crosstalk. Each row can be electrically coupled to an associated transmitting electronic board or detecting electronic board to reduce electronic crosstalk. The configuration of the optical emitters and detectors allow enhanced flexibility in dressing out the optical fibers and routing them to other network devices.