Integrated electro-optic hybrid communication system

• US 7,336,902 B1
• Filed: 06/06/2002
• Issued: 02/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T, Inc.
• Original Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Gerszberg, Irwin, Okoro, Jeremiah A.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAN, DZUNG D
• Application Number:
  US10/162,641
• Time in Patent Office: 2,091 Days
• Field of Search: 398/46, 398/74, 398115-117, 398183-188
• US Class Current: 398/115
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/25752 Optical arrangements for wireless networks

Abstract

A system according to embodiments of the invention may comprise a first communication path that converts an optically-modulated source signal to a radio signal based on a detected degradation in a quality of a received optical signal, and a second communication path that converts a radio-modulated source signal to an optical signal based on a detected degradation in a quality of a received radio signal. The system may therefore adapt to diverse weather conditions to improve the reliability of a communication link.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a first communication path configured to modulate a source signal optically and transmit said optically-modulated source signal using an optical signal transmitter;

a second communication path configured to modulate a source signal optically and transmit said optically-modulated source signal using a radio signal transmitter;

a third communication path configured to modulate a source signal using radio modulation and transmit said radio-modulated source signal using a radio signal transmitter; and

a fourth communication path configured to modulate a source signal using radio modulation and transmit said radio-modulated source signal using an optical signal transmitter;

wherein said first and second communication paths comprise an optical signal splitter that splits said optically-modulated source signal into first and second optical signals; and

wherein said first optical signal is coupled to an optical switch coupled to an optical transceiver, and said second optical signal is coupled to an optical-to-electrical converter coupled to an electrical switch coupled to a radio transceiver.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said optical switch is switchable between said first optical signal and an electrical-to-optical converter of said third communication path.

3. A system comprising:

a first communication path configured to modulate a source signal optically and transmit said optically-modulated source signal using an optical signal transmitter;

a second communication path configured to modulate a source signal optically and transmit said optically-modulated source signal using a radio signal transmitter;

a third communication path configured to modulate a source signal using radio modulation and transmit said radio-modulated source signal using a radio signal transmitter; and

a fourth communication path configured to modulate a source signal using radio modulation and transmit said radio-modulated source signal using an optical signal transmitter;

wherein said third and fourth communication paths comprise a radio signal splitter that splits said radio-modulated source signal into first and second radio signals; and

wherein said first radio signal is coupled to an electrical-to-optical converter coupled to an optical switch coupled to an optical transceiver, and said second radio signal is coupled to an electrical switch coupled to a radio transceiver.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said electrical switch is switchable between said second radio signal and an optical-to-electrical converter of said second communication path.