Integrated electro-optic hybrid communication system

• US 7,664,400 B1
• Filed: 12/26/2007
• Issued: 02/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (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:
  US12/005,190
• Time in Patent Office: 783 Days
• Field of Search: 398/46, 398/74, 398/115, 398/116, 398/117
• 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 device configured to convert an optically-modulated source signal to a radio signal based on a detected degradation in a quality of a received optical signal, the first communication device comprising an optical signal splitter that splits said optically-modulated source signal into first and second optical signals, said first optical signal being coupled to an optical transceiver, and said second optical signal being coupled to an optical-to-electrical converter coupled to a radio transceiver; and

a second communication device configured to convert a radio-modulated source signal to an optical signal based on a detected degradation in a quality of a received radio signal;

further comprising a control system configured to detect said degradation in said received optical and radio signals by comparing a respective received signal with a reference value;

wherein said first communication device further comprises first and second optical switches controlled by said control system, said first optical switch being connected between said optical signal splitter and said optical transceiver for switching said first optical signal, and said second optical switch being connected between said optical signal splitter and said optical-to electrical converter for switching said second optical signal.

2. A system comprising:

a first communication device configured to convert an optically-modulated source signal to a radio signal based on a detected degradation in a quality of a received optical signal, the first communication device comprising an optical signal splitter that splits said optically-modulated source signal into first and second optical signals, said first optical signal being coupled to an optical transceiver, and said second optical signal being coupled to an optical-to-electrical converter coupled to a radio transceiver; and

a second communication device configured to convert a radio-modulated source signal to an optical signal based on a detected degradation in a quality of a received radio signal;

wherein the second communication device further comprises a radio signal splitter that splits said radio-modulated source signal into first and second radio signals, said first radio signal being coupled to a radio transceiver, and said second radio signal being coupled to an electrical-to-optical converter coupled to the optical transceiver;

the system further comprising a control system configured to detect said degradation in said received optical and radio signals by comparing a respective received signal with a reference value, and

wherein said second communication device further comprises first and second electrical switches controlled by said control system, said first electrical switch being connected between said electrical signal splitter and said radio transmitter for switching said first radio signal, and said second electrical switch being connected between said radio signal splitter and said electrical-to-optical converter for switching said second electrical signal.