Method and apparatus for transmitting broadband amplitude modulated radio frequency signals over optical links
First Claim
1. A method of receiving intensity-modulated optical signals over optical links to produce a plurality of radiofrequency channels covering more than one octave of bandwidth, comprising:
- receiving at least three intensity-modulated optical signals over optical links;
demodulating each received intensity-modulated optical signal to produce a corresponding group of modulated radiofrequency carrier signals;
filtering each said group of modulated radiofrequency carrier signals to roll off noise and distortion products, thereby producing respective groups of modulated radiofrequency carrier signals, each group of modulated radiofrequency carrier signals having a bandwidth of contiguous radiofrequency channels covering less than one octave; and
combining the groups of modulated radiofrequency carrier signals to produce a single signal having a plurality of radiofrequency channels covering more than one octave of bandwidth.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical communications system including a plurality of modulated radio frequency carriers which span more than an octave in bandwidth. In one implementation, the carriers are grouped into ranges which span less than an octave in bandwidth and the individual groups are transmitted over unique optical links. In another implementation, the groups are multiplexed on one optical link by using different wavelengths. In still another implementation, several of the bands are up-converted to the highest band of interest and then transmitted, either over single or multiple links. The resulting optical signals are demodulated and then down-converted before they are recombined into the broadband signal in excess of an octave in bandwidth.
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Citations
6 Claims
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1. A method of receiving intensity-modulated optical signals over optical links to produce a plurality of radiofrequency channels covering more than one octave of bandwidth, comprising:
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receiving at least three intensity-modulated optical signals over optical links; demodulating each received intensity-modulated optical signal to produce a corresponding group of modulated radiofrequency carrier signals; filtering each said group of modulated radiofrequency carrier signals to roll off noise and distortion products, thereby producing respective groups of modulated radiofrequency carrier signals, each group of modulated radiofrequency carrier signals having a bandwidth of contiguous radiofrequency channels covering less than one octave; and combining the groups of modulated radiofrequency carrier signals to produce a single signal having a plurality of radiofrequency channels covering more than one octave of bandwidth.
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2. An optical receiver for receiving intensity-modulated optical signals over optical links to produce a plurality of radiofrequency channels covering more than one octave of bandwidth, comprising:
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at least three optoelectronic receivers for receiving at least three intensity-modulated optical signals over optical links and for demodulating each received intensity-modulated optical signal to produce a corresponding group of modulated radiofrequency carrier signals; at least three filters, each said filter corresponding to one of said optoelectronic receivers, for filtering the group of modulated radiofrequency carrier signals produced by its corresponding optoelectronic receiver to roll off noise and distortion products thereby producing respective groups of modulated radiofrequency carrier signals, each group of modulated radiofrequency carrier signals having a bandwidth of contiguous radiofrequency channels covering less than one octave; and a signal combiner, coupled to said filters, for combining the groups of modulated radiofrequency carrier signals to produce a single signal having a plurality of radiofrequency channels covering more than one octave of bandwidth. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification