COMMUNICATION SYSTEM PROVIDING HYBRID OPTICAL/WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATED METHODS

摘要

A communication system (10) includes at least one optical-wireless device (1 2) coupled to a longitudinal side of an optical fiber (11). The optical-wireles s 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 powe r 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 radi o 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).