Bi-directional infrared communications system

• US 6,057,949 A
• Filed: 08/07/1997
• Issued: 05/02/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Kinstler, Gary A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chan, Jason
• Assistant Examiner(s): SEDIGHIAN, REZA
• Application Number:
  US08/908,275
• Time in Patent Office: 999 Days
• Field of Search: 359/158, 359/167, 359/164, 359/172, 359/165, 359/113, 359/143
• US Class Current: 398/154
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 7/007 Preparatory measures taken before the launching of the guided missiles

Abstract

An infrared (IR) transmitter modulator/receiver controller (TM/RC) encodes downlink serial digital data and precise time synchronization strobes from a host system to provide a downlink modulated serial digital electrical waveform. At least one IR host system transceiver (HST) converts the downlink modulated serial digital electrical waveform to a modulated downlink IR light waveform. At least one IR remote device transceiver (RDT) receives the modulated downlink IR light waveform from the HST. Each RDT is connected to a remote device. The modulated downlink IR light waveform is converted into a corresponding electrical waveform and further demultiplexed into its downlink serial digital data and precise time synchronization strobes. Each RDT provides an uplink electrical and IR modulated serial digital waveform to be received by the HST for conversion to an uplink demodulated serial digital electrical waveform. The HST transfers the uplink demodulated serial digital electrical waveforms to the TM/RC, thus providing a multiplexed combination of data and time information on the downlink and communication of uplink status information from the remote devices.

Claims

1. A bi-directional infrared communications system for providing communication between a host system and at least one remote device, comprising:

a) an infrared (IR) transmitter modulator/receiver controller (TM/RC) for encoding downlink serial digital data and precise time synchronization strobes from a host system to provide a downlink modulated serial digital electrical waveform;

b) at least one IR host system transceiver (HST) for converting said downlink modulated serial digital electrical waveform to a modulated downlink IR light waveform; and

c) at least one IR remote device transceiver (RDT) for receiving said modulated downlink IR light waveform from said at least one HST, each said at least one RDT being connected to a remote device, said modulated downlink IR light waveform being converted into a corresponding electrical waveform and further demultiplexed into its downlink serial digital data and precise time synchronization strobes, wherein

each said at least one RDT provides an uplink electrical and IR modulated serial digital waveform to be received by said at least one HST for conversion to an uplink demodulated serial digital electrical waveform, said at least one HST transferring said uplink demodulated serial digital electrical waveforms to said TM/RC, thus providing a multiplexed combination of data and time information on the downlink and communication of uplink status information from the at least one remote device.

2. The communications system of claim 1, wherein said at least one HST comprises a plurality of HST'"'"'s.

3. The communications system of claim 1, wherein said at least one RDT comprises a plurality of RDT'"'"'s.