COMMUNICATION SYSTEM PROVIDING HYBRID OPTICAL/WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATED METHODS

摘要

A communication system (10) includes at least one optical-wireless device (12) coupled to a longitudinal side of an optical fiber (11). The optical-wireless device (12) may include an optical fiber power unit (20) for converting optical power into electrical power, and a wireless communication unit (25) electrically powered by the optical fiber power unit. The optical-wireless device (12) may include a substrate (19, 43) mounting the optical fiber power unit (20) and the wireless communication unit (25) to the longitudinal side of the optical fiber (11). The wireless communication unit (25) may include a radio frequency transmitter (27), and a signal optical grating (22) coupling the transmitter to the longitudinal side of the optical fiber (11). The radio frequency transmitter (27) in some embodiments may include an ultra-wideband transmitter. A dipole antenna (34) may also be provided including first and second portions (34a, 34b) extending in opposite directions along the longitudinal side of the optical fiber (11).