Optical network interface systems and devices
First Claim
1. An optical transport system, comprising:
- an optical bus capable of transmitting data signals;
a plurality of optical bus interface modules connected to the optical bus, wherein each optical bus interface module is capable of inputting data signals on the optical bus and outputting data signals from the optical bus;
a plurality of electronic devices; and
a plurality of electro-optical network interfaces, wherein each electro-optical network interface is associated with a single electronic device and is contained in a single structure, wherein each electro-optical interface is capable of receiving data signals from an associated optical bus interface module and passing the data signals to the associated electronic device according to at least one protocol and each electro-optical interface is capable of receiving data signals from the associated electronic device and passing the data signals to the associated optical bus interface module according to at least one protocol.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Optical network interface systems and devices are described. In one embodiment of the present invention, an optical transport system comprises an optical bus capable of transmitting data signals, a plurality of optical bus interface modules connected to the optical bus, wherein each optical bus interface module is capable of inputting data signals on the optical bus and outputting data signals from the optical bus, a plurality of electronic devices, and a plurality of electro-optical network interfaces, wherein each electro-optical network interface is associated with a single electronic device and is contained in a single structure, wherein each electro-optical interface is capable of receiving data signals from an associated optical bus interface module and passing the data signals to the associated electronic device according to a variety of suitable protocols such as Ethernet, FiberChannel, and Infiniband, and each electro-optical interface is capable of receiving data signals from the associated electronic device and passing the data signals to the associated optical bus interface module according to a variety of suitable protocols such as Ethernet, FiberChannel, and Infiniband.
110 Citations
24 Claims
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1. An optical transport system, comprising:
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an optical bus capable of transmitting data signals;
a plurality of optical bus interface modules connected to the optical bus, wherein each optical bus interface module is capable of inputting data signals on the optical bus and outputting data signals from the optical bus;
a plurality of electronic devices; and
a plurality of electro-optical network interfaces, wherein each electro-optical network interface is associated with a single electronic device and is contained in a single structure, wherein each electro-optical interface is capable of receiving data signals from an associated optical bus interface module and passing the data signals to the associated electronic device according to at least one protocol and each electro-optical interface is capable of receiving data signals from the associated electronic device and passing the data signals to the associated optical bus interface module according to at least one protocol. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 17)
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14. A system, comprising:
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an optical bus capable of transmitting data signals in at least a first wavelength and a second wavelength; and
at least a first network and a second network, wherein the first network comprises, a plurality of first optical bus interface modules connected to the optical bus, wherein each first optical bus interface module is capable of inputting data signals on the optical bus and outputting data signals from the optical bus;
a plurality of first electronic devices;
a plurality of first electro-optical network interfaces, wherein each first electro-optical network interface is associated with a single first electronic device and is contained in a single structure, wherein each first electro-optical interface is capable of receiving data signals on the first wavelength from an associated first optical bus interface module and passing the data signals to the first associated electronic device according to at least one protocol and each first electro-optical interface is capable of receiving data signals from the associated electronic device and passing the data signals on the first wavelength to the associated first optical bus interface module according to at least one protocol;
a first distributed switch capable of receiving data signals on the second wavelength addressed to first electronic devices and converting the data signals to the first wavelength and outputting the data signals to the optical bus;
wherein the second network comprises, a plurality of second optical bus interface modules connected to the optical bus, wherein each second optical bus interface module is capable of inputting data signals on the optical bus and outputting data signals from the optical bus;
a plurality of second electronic devices;
a plurality of second electro-optical network interfaces, wherein each second electro-optical network interface is associated with a single second electronic device and is contained in a single structure, wherein each second electro-optical interface is capable of receiving data signals on the second wavelength from an associated second optical bus interface module and passing the data signals to the second associated electronic device according to at least one protocol and each second electro-optical interface is capable of receiving data signals from the associated electronic device and passing the data signals on the second wavelength to the associated second optical bus interface module according to at least one protocol; and
a second distributed switch capable of receiving data signals on the first wavelength addressed to second electronic devices and converting the data signals to the second wavelength and outputting the data signals to optical bus. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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16. The system of clam 12, wherein the protocol comprises FiberChannel protocols.
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19. An interface device for use in connecting an electronic device to an optical network having an optical bus, comprising:
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a single housing;
a laser transceiver capable of receiving optical data signals in packet form and converting the optical data signals to electrical signals and transmitting optical data signals in packet form;
a bus connected to a corresponding bus on the electronic device;
a processor, wherein the processor is capable of determining if the data signals are addressed to the electronic device and passing the data signals to the bus if the data signals are addressed to the electronic device and wherein the processor is capable of receiving data signals from the bus and passing the data signals to the laser transceiver to be converted to optical data signals and transmitted on the optical bus.
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20. An interface device for use with a closed loop, circulating optical bus, comprising:
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a first optical circulator for transmitting optical data signals to the optical bus;
a second optical circulator for receiving optical data signals from the optical bus; and
a stop filter matched to a wavelength associated with the device for preventing optical data signals from re-circulating through the device.
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21. An interface device for use with a bidirectional optical bus, comprising:
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a coupling circuit for transmitting optical data signals to the optical bus, for receiving optical data signals from the optical bus, and for allowing optical data signals to pass through on the optical bus; and
an amplification circuit to compensate for losses to optical data signals that occur in the coupling circuit, wherein the amplification circuit comprises;
a first optical circulator that allows the flow of optical data signals in a first direction;
a second optical circulator that allows the flow of optical data signals in a second direction;
at least a first optical isolator and a first amplifier associated with the first optical circulator; and
at least a second optical isolator and a second amplifier associated with the second optical circulator.
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22. An interface device for use with a bidirectional optical bus, comprising:
a plurality of coupling circuits, wherein each coupling circuit comprises;
a first input/output coupler and a second input/output coupler, wherein the input/output couplers allow the receipt of optical data signals from the optical bus, allow the transmission of optical data signals to the optical bus, and allow optical data signals to travel through on the optical bus;
a transmit/receive coupler for separating optical data signals to a receive port of the device and from a transmit port of the device; and
an amplifier.
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23. An interface device for use with a bidirectional optical bus, comprising:
a coupling circuit, wherein the coupling circuit comprises;
a first input/output coupler and a second input/output coupler, wherein the input/output couplers allow the receipt of optical data signals from the optical bus, allow the transmission of optical data signals to the optical bus, and allow optical data signals to travel through on the optical bus;
a transmit/receive coupler for separating optical data signals to a receive port of the device and from a transmit port of the device; and
a first amplifier between the first input/output coupler and the transmit/receive coupler;
a second amplifier between the transmit/receive coupler and the second input/output coupler; and
a third amplifier between the first input/output coupler and the second input/output coupler. - View Dependent Claims (24)
Specification