Coupling sensor information to an optical cable using ultrasonic vibrations
First Claim
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
- an electronic circuit, configured to receive data to be transmitted over an optical cable, and to convert the data into a modulating signal;
an electro-acoustic transducer, configured to convert the modulating signal into an acoustic wave; and
a coupler, which is mechanically coupled to a section of the optical cable, and is configured to apply to the section a longitudinal strain that varies responsively to the acoustic wave, so as to modulate the data onto an optical carrier traversing the optical cable.
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Abstract
An apparatus (32) includes an electronic circuit (76, 80, 84), an electro-acoustic transducer (60) and a coupler (64). The electronic circuit is configured to receive data to be transmitted over an optical cable (24), and to convert the data into a modulating signal. The electro-acoustic transducer is configured to convert the modulating signal into an acoustic wave. The coupler is mechanically coupled to a section of the optical cable, and is configured to apply to the section a longitudinal strain that varies responsively to the acoustic wave, so as to modulate the data onto an optical carrier traversing the optical cable.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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an electronic circuit, configured to receive data to be transmitted over an optical cable, and to convert the data into a modulating signal; an electro-acoustic transducer, configured to convert the modulating signal into an acoustic wave; and a coupler, which is mechanically coupled to a section of the optical cable, and is configured to apply to the section a longitudinal strain that varies responsively to the acoustic wave, so as to modulate the data onto an optical carrier traversing the optical cable. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system, comprising:
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a control unit, configured to transmit an optical carrier over an optical cable, to receive a modulated version of the optical carrier from the optical cable, and to extract data from the modulated version; and one or more coupling devices, each comprising; an electronic circuit, configured to receive data to be transmitted to the control unit over the optical cable, and to convert the data into a modulating signal; an electro-acoustic transducer, configured to convert the modulating signal into an acoustic wave; and a coupler, which is mechanically coupled to a section of the optical cable, and is configured to apply to the section a longitudinal strain that varies responsively to the acoustic wave, so as to modulate the data onto the optical carrier traversing the optical cable.
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12. A method, comprising:
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receiving data to be transmitted over an optical cable, and converting the data into a modulating signal; converting the modulating signal into an acoustic wave using an electro-acoustic transducer; and using a coupler, which is mechanically coupled to a section of the optical cable, applying to the section a longitudinal strain that varies responsively to the acoustic wave, so as to modulate the data onto an optical carrier traversing the optical cable. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification