SERIAL OPTICAL SIGNAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM AND METHOD, AND OPTICAL/ELECTRICAL CONVERTER FOR IMPLEMENTATION THEREOF

摘要

A serial optical signal distribution system and method uses first and second coextending optical waveguides. First and second trains of light pulses are propagated through the first and second optical waveguides, respectively. A series of first delay lines are distributed along the first waveguide for delaying the first train of light pulses, while a series of second delay lines are distributed along the second waveguide for delaying the second train of light pulses. Optical/electrical converters are distributed along the first and second optical waveguides for receiving a fraction of the delayed first train of light pulses from one of the first delay lines and a fraction of the delayed second train of light pulses from a corresponding one of the second delay lines for producing in response thereto a train of electric pulses. Each optical/electrical converter comprises a positive power supply line, a negative power supply line, an output line for delivering the train of electric pulses, a first photosensitive element connected between the positive power supply line and the output line, a second photosensitive element connected between the output line and the negative power supply line, a first optical waveguide for supplying to the first photosensitive element the delayed first train of light pulses, and a second optical waveguide for supplying to the second photosensitive element the delayed second train of light pulses, a capacitive load being connected between the output line and the negative power supply line.