Low cost optical fiber RF signal distribution system
First Claim
1. A fiber optic RF signal distribution system comprising:
- a plurality of distributed antenna stations, each antenna station including an RF antenna and means for converting between optical and electrical signals;
an RF signal distribution hub for receiving and transmitting signals;
a pair of optical fibers connecting each antenna station directly to the distribution hub for transmitting signals therebetween, the optical fibers between the signal distribution hub and the antenna stations being connected in a star configuration; and
means for coupling a semiconductor laser directly to a connector on the end of each optical fiber without an intervening connector.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fiber optic RF signal distribution system has a plurality of antenna stations, each station including an RF antenna. A central RF signal distribution hub receives and transmits signals external to the system. A pair of optical fibers connects each antenna station directly to the distribution hub with the connections being in a star configuration. A connectorized laser module permits direct coupling of a distributed feedback semiconductor laser to the end of each optical fiber without an intervening connector. The module accepts an APC connector with the angled end of its optical fiber in an aperture plane in a connector housing. A distributed feedback laser is mounted in the connector housing with a lens for illuminating the aperture plane and hence, the end of the fiber at an acute angle to the axis of the fiber. Furthermore, the illumination is defocused at the aperture plane for loose optical coupling to the fiber and minimized reflection to the DFB laser.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A fiber optic RF signal distribution system comprising:
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a plurality of distributed antenna stations, each antenna station including an RF antenna and means for converting between optical and electrical signals; an RF signal distribution hub for receiving and transmitting signals; a pair of optical fibers connecting each antenna station directly to the distribution hub for transmitting signals therebetween, the optical fibers between the signal distribution hub and the antenna stations being connected in a star configuration; and means for coupling a semiconductor laser directly to a connector on the end of each optical fiber without an intervening connector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A fiber optic RF signal distribution system comprising:
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a plurality of distributed antenna stations, each antenna station including an RF antenna and means for converting between optical and electrical signals; an RF signal distribution hub for receiving and transmitting signals; a pair of optical fibers connecting each antenna station directly to the distribution hub for transmitting signals therebetween, the optical fibers between the signal distribution hub and the antenna stations being connected in a star configuration; and a fiber optic connector housing at the distribution hub for connection to one of the optical fibers for an antenna station, the connector housing comprising; a plurality of electrical input pins, a semiconductor laser mounted in the housing and connected to the input pins, and a socket for receiving an optical fiber connector with the end of an optical fiber in the connector being angled relative to the axis of the fiber and optically aligned with the laser. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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8. A fiber optic RF signal distribution system comprising:
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a plurality of distributed antenna stations, each antenna station including an RF antenna and means for converting between optical and electrical signals; an RF signal distribution hub for receiving and transmitting signals; a pair of optical fibers connecting each antenna station directly to the distribution hub for transmitting signals therebetween, the optical fibers between the signal distribution hub and the antenna stations being connected in a star configuration; and a connector housing including a semiconductor laser and a lens between the laser and an aperture plane positioned for receiving the end of the optical fiber of an APC connector, the optical axis of the lens and laser being at an acute angle to the axis of the housing and aligned for illuminating an area of the aperture plane larger than the area of the end of an optical fiber.
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9. A fiber optic RF signal distribution system comprising:
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a plurality of distributed antenna stations, each antenna station comprises a plurality of RF antennas and means for converting between optical and electrical signals; an RF signal distribution hub for receiving and transmitting signals; and a pair of optical fibers connecting each antenna station directly to the distribution hub for transmitting signals therebetween, the optical fibers between the signal distribution hub and the antenna stations being connected in a star configuration; and
wherein at least a portion of the antennas are connected to the antenna station by coaxial cable.
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10. A fiber optic RF signal distribution system comprising:
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a plurality of antenna stations, each antenna station including an RF antenna; an RF signal distribution hub for receiving and transmitting signals within the system; a pair of optical fibers connecting each antenna station directly to the distribution hub; means at an end of each optical fiber for removably placing the end of the optical fiber in an aperture plane; and a semiconductor laser illuminating the aperture plane. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A fiber optic RF signal distribution system comprising:
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an RF signal distribution hub for receiving and transmitting signals external to system; a plurality of electrical to optical converters connected to the distribution hub for converting each received electrical signal to an outgoing optical signal; a plurality of optical to electrical converters connected to the distribution hub for converting an incoming optical signal to a transmitted electrical signal; a plurality of antenna stations, each antenna station comprising; an RF antenna, a photodetector for sensing an outgoing optical signal, means for connecting the photodetector to the antenna for broadcasting an outgoing RF signal, a distributed feedback laser, and means for connecting the antenna to the laser for converting an incoming RF signal to an incoming optical signal; an outgoing optical fiber connecting each electrical to optical converter to the photodetector of one of the antenna stations; means for minimizing reflections from the optical fiber back into the laser; and an incoming optical fiber connecting the laser of one of the antenna stations to each optical to electrical converter; and
wherein the optical fibers are connected in a star configuration. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A fiber optic RF signal distribution system comprising:
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an RF signal distribution hub for receiving and transmitting signals external to the system; a plurality of electrical to optical converters connected to the distribution hub for converting each received electrical signal to an outgoing optical signal; a plurality of optical to electrical converters connected to the distribution hub for converting an incoming optical signal to a transmitted electrical signal; a plurality of antenna stations, each antenna station comprising; a plurality of RF antennas, at least a portion of the antennas being connected to the antenna station by coaxial cable; a photodetector for sensing an outgoing optical signal, means for connecting the photodetector to the antenna for broadcasting an outgoing RF signal, a laser, and means for connecting the antenna to the laser for converting an incoming RF signal to an incoming optical signal; an outgoing optical fiber connecting each electrical to optical converter to the photodetector of one of the antenna stations; and an incoming optical fiber connecting the laser of one of the antenna stations to each optical to electrical converter; and
wherein the optical fibers are connected in a star configuration.
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17. A fiber optic RF signal distribution system comprising:
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a plurality of distributed antenna stations, each antenna station including an RF antenna and means for converting between optical and electrical signals; an RF signal distribution hub for receiving and transmitting optical signals within the system; and a pair of optical fibers connecting each antenna station directly to the distribution hub for transmitting signals therebetween, each optical fiber comprising a connector having an angled end on the optical fiber at each end; a semiconductor laser adjacent to such a connector at one end of each optical fiber and optically coupled to the end of the fiber via an air-fiber interface; and a photodiode adjacent a connector having an angled end on the optical fiber at the opposite end of each optical fiber and optically coupled to the end of the fiber via a fiber-air interface.
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18. A fiber optic RF signal distribution system comprising:
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a plurality of antenna stations, each antenna station including an RF antenna; an RF signal distribution hub for receiving and transmitting signals within the system; a pair of optical fibers connecting each antenna station directly to the distribution hub; means at an end of each optical fiber for removably placing the end of the optical fiber in an aperture plane; and a semiconductor laser illuminating the aperture plane. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification