US4915469A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Active optical fibre star couplers
Assignee: STC PLC
•
Filing: 1989-03-20
•
Granted: 1990-04-10
•
Expires: 2009-03-20
Abstract
Abstract An optical fibre star coupler in which the mixer element (11, 21, 45) exhibits optical gain. This allows the use of couplers having a relatively large number of outputs without the requirement for an excessive power level for any input signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Kevin C. Byron
- 👤 Philip W. Black
- 👤 Terry Bricheno
- 👤 John S. Leach
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:27
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/2804; G02B6/2808; G02B6/2813; H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/05; H01S3/06; H01S3/063; H01S3/067; H01S3/06754; H01S3/06783
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
53 words
An optical fibre star coupler having an optical mixer element and means for optically coupling the mixer element with a plurality of optical fibres, which mixer element is made of material capable of being pumped to render the mixer element optically amplifying, and is provided with pumping means for rendering it optically amplifying.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
53 words
An optical fibre star coupler having an optical mixer element and means for optically coupling the mixer element with a plurality of optical fibres, which mixer element is made of material capable of being pumped to render the mixer element optically amplifying, and is provided with pumping means for rendering it optically amplifying.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A star coupler as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for optically coupling the mixer element with a plurality of optical fibres is itself constituted by a set of optical fibres.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A star coupler as claimed in claim 2 wherein the set of optical fibres is a set of single mode optical fibres, each member of which set includes an adiabatic taper between its two ends.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A star coupler as claimed in claim 3 wherein the mixer element is annular.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A star coupler as claimed in claim 4 wherein the means to render the mixer element optically amplifying is constituted by one or more semiconductor diode arrays.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-04-09 | 1993-10-09 | 1994-04-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-04-09 | 1997-10-09 | 1998-04-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-04-09 | 2001-10-09 | 2002-04-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |