Ex. PGS 1062
`
`EX. PGS 1062
`
`
`
`
`
`

`
`United States Patent [19J
`Chien
`
`[54] OPTICAL COMBINER FOR REDUNDANT
`OPTICAL PATHS IN SEISMIC DATA
`TRANSMISSION
`
`[75]
`
`Inventor: Loring C. Chien, Katy, Tex.
`
`[73] Assignee: Syntron, Inc., Houston, Tex.
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 09/132,346
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Aug. 12, 1998
`
`Int. Cl? ....................................................... G02B 6/36
`[51]
`[52] U.S. Cl. ................................. 385/88; 385/89; 385/92;
`385/24
`[58] Field of Search ..................................... 359/109, 127,
`359/173, 159; 385/24, 88, 89, 92
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US006079882A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`6,079,882
`Jun.27,2000
`
`5,050,953
`
`9/1991 Anderson et a!.
`
`........................ 385/89
`
`Primary Examiner-Hung N. Ngo
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm---Felsman, Bradley, Vaden, Gunter
`& Dillon, LLP
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A connector for fiber optics provides a means for eliminating
`a receiver in a redundant communications channel. The
`connector receives at least two optical fibers in side-by-side
`contact and positions the optical fibers in close proximity but
`not abutting contact with a photo detector imbedded in the
`connector. The connector further provides a method and a
`system for redundant data communications.
`
`4,772,081
`
`9/1988 Borgos eta!. ............................ 385/89
`
`11 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`150
`
`122
`
`Ex. PGS 1062
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.27,2000
`
`Sheet 1 of 5
`
`6,079,882
`
`10\
`r - - - - - - - - - - ,
`
`12
`
`32
`
`80
`
`18
`
`24
`
`16
`FIG.1A
`(PRIOR ART)
`
`;36
`FIG.18
`(PRIOR ART)
`
`FIG.1C
`
`110
`
`150
`
`14
`
`34
`
`82
`
`122
`
`Ex. PGS 1062
`
`

`
`176
`
`FIG.2
`(PRIOR ART)
`
`JB I
`
`166
`
`d •
`\Jl
`•
`~
`~ ......
`~ = ......
`
`~ = ?
`
`N
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`
`N c c c
`
`'JJ. =(cid:173)~
`~ .....
`N
`0 ......,
`Ul
`
`160
`
`JB __j
`
`FIG.JB
`
`164
`
`FIG.JA
`(PRIOR ART)
`
`0\
`
`.... =
`
`......::.
`\C
`....
`00
`00
`N
`
`Ex. PGS 1062
`
`

`
`188
`
`192
`
`FIG.4
`
`FIG.58
`
`\ ~ ) LtU)Jm
`
`186
`
`~
`250pm
`t
`
`184
`
`FIG.5C
`
`182
`
`FIG.5A
`
`d •
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`~ = ......
`
`~ = ?
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`
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`0 ......,
`Ul
`
`0\
`
`.... =
`
`......::.
`\C
`....
`00
`00
`N
`
`Ex. PGS 1062
`
`

`
`200
`
`UNIT #1
`
`I
`
`216
`
`210
`
`214
`
`226,
`
`FIG.6
`
`202
`I UNIT #2
`
`218"1-h 220
`)
`??.d.
`
`230,
`
`I
`
`I -v'
`
`23
`
`32
`
`d •
`\Jl
`•
`~
`~ ......
`~ = ......
`
`~ = ?
`
`N
`~-..J
`
`N c c c
`
`'JJ. =(cid:173)~
`~ .....
`
`~
`0 ......,
`Ul
`
`0\
`
`.... =
`
`......::.
`\C
`....
`00
`00
`N
`
`Ex. PGS 1062
`
`

`
`202
`
`UNIT #2
`
`FIG.7
`
`218
`
`246
`
`32
`
`DIGITAL
`SIGNAL PROCESS
`'>-----L__ ___ ---1 ERROR DETECTION 1 /
`242
`& CORRECTION
`
`256
`
`248
`~
`
`I
`
`DATA
`
`• ERROR INFO.
`
`'240
`- - - - - - - - - - - t - - - - ' - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -1 PROCESSOR
`___________________________________ __,
`
`SIGNAL
`STRENGTH
`
`244
`
`d •
`\Jl
`•
`~
`~ ......
`~ = ......
`
`~ = ?
`
`N
`~-..J
`
`N c c c
`
`'JJ. =(cid:173)~
`~ .....
`Ul
`0 ......,
`Ul
`
`0\
`
`.... =
`
`......::.
`\C
`....
`00
`00
`N
`
`Ex. PGS 1062
`
`

`
`6,079,882
`
`1
`OPTICAL COMBINER FOR REDUNDANT
`OPTICAL PATHS IN SEISMIC DATA
`TRANSMISSION
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`s
`
`2
`power-hungry part of an optical telemetry system, is
`required. Coupling of the data-carrying laser light is accom(cid:173)
`plished using a device known in the optical fiber art as a
`coupler, or by means described below in greater detail,
`thereby coupling multiple fibers into a single connector.
`Typical optical loss penalty is 3 dB (50%) using a coupler,
`versus about 0.4 dB (10%) for the present invention.
`
`40
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. lA depicts a known data telemetry system with
`non-redundant telemetry paths.
`FIG. lB depicts a known data telemetry system with fully
`redundant telemetry paths, i.e., redundant transmitters,
`receivers, and data paths.
`FIG. lC depicts the invention with redundant data paths
`and transmitters, but a single receiver at each end, using a
`coupler.
`FIG. lD depicts the invention with redundant data paths
`and transmitter, and further including combiner connectors
`replacing the optical coupler of FIG. lC.
`FIG. 2 illustrates a typical butt connection: ST connector
`mated to another ST connector.
`FIG. 3 illustrates the detail of an ST connector termina-
`55 tion. A jacketed fiber is stripped of the jacket on the
`termination end. The bare end of the fiber is inserted into the
`bored-out center guide
`FIG. 4 illustrates how the ST type connector is coupled to
`the oversized detector element of an optical receiver.
`FIG. 5 illustrates the invention of the combining
`connector, in which two or more fibers are closely held and
`epoxied in an over-bored ST connector ferrule pin such that
`the fibers will couple light onto an oversized detector, and
`shown in FIG. 4.
`FIG. 6 is an enumerated detail of the preferred embodi(cid:173)
`ment showing primary and alternate data paths in a bidirec(cid:173)
`tional data system arrangement.
`
`The present invention relates generally to the field of
`optical data transmission and, more particularly, to a method
`and device enabling redundant optical data transmission
`paths in a seismic acquisition system.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`10
`
`25
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention addresses these and other draw(cid:173)
`backs of the prior art by providing an optical data system
`with redundant transmitters and data conductors, and by
`Seismic exploration for oil and gas commonly involves
`coupling the data signal into a common receiver of the
`towing a marine seismic streamer cable behind a towing
`system.
`vessel. Acoustic signals are set off in the water, and return 15
`One aspect of the invention comprises coupling two fibers
`signals as seismic data are acquired by acoustic sensors in
`into one fiber at the receiver using what is commonly called
`the cable. A seismic acquisition system of the telemetry type
`a 2x2 optical coupler. A primary transmitter is normally
`includes electronic acquisition units (AUs) between and
`driven and, if the signal is not acceptable at the receiver, the
`joining cable sections. The A Us acquire the seismic data and
`primary transmitter is switched off and a secondary trans(cid:173)
`telemeter it to a central recorder. Each AU generally has an 20
`mitter is driven, utilizing the other fiber path. Since the
`outbound command path and an inbound data path.
`primary transmitter path is not driven, no noise or extrane-
`In systems deployed in typical field applications, the
`ous signal is coupled into the primary fiber. The coupler
`cables are often subject to stress and damage due to
`makes the second receiver unnecessary, saving the cost,
`handling, cuts, scrapes, damages by animal life, pinching,
`space, and power of such a redundant receiver.
`and crushing because of their length and deployment.
`The drawbacks of such an arrangement, i.e. the cost of the
`It is therefore desirable to have redundant telemetry
`coupler, the space taken up by the coupler, and a 3 dB (50%)
`loss of signal resulting from coupling two fibers into one, are
`elements between AUs to increase the likelihood that a
`generally outweighed by the advantages of the redundancies
`system will be intact and operational after being deployed
`provided by this invention. The preferred embodiment of the
`into the water behind the towing vessel.
`Many systems use optical fiber for the telemetry path. 30 invention calls for coupling two or more fibers into one
`receiver using modified standard optical connector technol(cid:173)
`With an optical fiber, the most common redundant system
`ogy. This eliminates the loss associated with couplers, as
`has two optical transmitters firing into two fiber paths and
`well as the size and cost.
`two independent receivers. AU design is sensitive to both
`These and other features of the present invention will be
`cost, size, and electrical power consumption. Since optical
`receivers are the largest and most power hungry portions of 35
`apparent to those of skill in the art from a review of the
`following detailed description along with the accompanying
`the AU telemetry system, it is desirable to minimize the
`drawings.
`number of additional optical receivers.
`A fiber fails by either a complete loss of signal due to a
`break, or severe attenuation of the telemetry signal resulting
`in a signal strength that is below the sensitivity of the
`receiver. Unlike electrical paths, optical paths do not get
`noisy, have crosstalk, or get "shorted".
`The problem of system malfunction due to conductor or
`fiber damage has existed as long as seismic systems, 45
`although redundancy of system components became practi-
`cal in the 1970's when telemetry-based seismic systems
`were first introduced. Truly redundant fibers and conductors
`are expensive and found in very few systems because of the
`cost and complexity of duplicating and allocating high- 50
`bandwidth. In other words, duplicating high bandwidth
`circuits and transmission paths is expensive, and using lower
`bandwidth paths requires more of such telemetry paths for
`the same data throughput. Generally, two transmitters, two
`data paths, and two receivers plus voting/selection circuitry
`is required for redundancy. The material, physical space,
`cost, and power consumption are disadvantages of including
`any such redundancy in a telemetry system.
`There are no known redundant fiber seismic acquisition
`systems in the market today. Currently, cables with failed 60
`optical fibers require replacement of the damaged cable
`sections at a great cost in repair time, effort, and lost
`productivity.
`The present invention provides a low cost system of
`redundant optical fiber data path backup, using minimal 65
`space, power, and cost. Although two transmitters, and two
`data paths are required, only one receiver, a costly and
`
`Ex. PGS 1062
`
`

`
`6,079,882
`
`3
`FIG. 7 is an enumerated detail of the preferred embodi(cid:173)
`ment showing determination means for selecting transmitter.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`30
`
`35
`
`FIGS. 1A through 1D depict various data telemetry sys(cid:173)
`tems. FIG. 1A shows a known system 10 with no redundant
`components. The system includes an AU or module 12 and
`a module 14, coupled by an outgoing data path 16 and an
`incoming data path 18. A transmitter 20 in the module 12 10
`sends data, generally a command signal, over the data path
`16 to a receiver 22. Similarly, a transmitter 24 in the module
`14 sends data, generally seismic data, over the data path 18
`to a receiver 26. Since this known system includes no
`redundant components, failure of any components results in 15
`failure of the whole system.
`FIG. 1B shows another known system 30 with full redun(cid:173)
`dancy. The system includes an AU or module 32 and a
`module 34, coupled by redundant outgoing data paths 36 and
`38 by redundant incoming data paths 40 and 42. An outgoing 20
`message line 44 feeds a selector 46, which provides the
`capability of selecting between a primary transmitter 48 and
`a secondary transmitter 50. The selected transmitter 48 or 50
`sends data, generally a command signal, over its associated
`data path 38 or 36 to a primary receiver 52 or a secondary 25
`receiver 54, respectively. The primary receiver 52 and the
`secondary receiver 54 are coupled to an arbitrator 56, which
`responds to whichever receiver is receiving data, and pro(cid:173)
`vides an output on a command line 58.
`Similarly, an incoming message line 60 feeds a selector
`62, which provides the capability of selecting between a
`primary transmitter 64 and a secondary transmitter 66. The
`selected transmitter 64 or 66 sends data, generally seismic
`data, over its associated data path 42 or 40 to a primary
`receiver 68 or a secondary receiver 70, respectively. The
`primary receiver 68 and the secondary receiver 70 are
`coupled to an arbitrator 72, which responds to whichever
`receiver is receiving data, and provides an output on an
`incoming data line 74.
`FIG.1C depicts a preferred embodiment of this invention.
`The system of FIG. 1C includes an AU or module 80 and a
`module 82, coupled by redundant outgoing data paths 84 and
`86 and by redundant incoming data paths 88 and 90. An
`outgoing message line 92 feeds a selector 94, which pro- 45
`vides the capability of selecting between a primary trans(cid:173)
`mitter 96 and a secondary transmitter 98. The selected
`transmitter 96 or 98 sends data, generally a command signal,
`over its associated data path 84 or 86 to an optical coupler
`100, which combines the signals on the data lines 84 and 86, 50
`thereby providing a combined signal to a receiver 102 which
`provides an output on a command line 104.
`Similarly, an incoming message line 106 feeds a selector
`108, which provides the capability of selecting between a
`primary transmitter 110 and a secondary transmitter 112. 55
`The selected transmitter 110 or 112 sends data, generally
`seismic data, over its associated data path 88 or 90 to an
`optical coupler 114, which combines the signals on the data
`lines 88 and 90, thereby providing a combined signal to a
`receiver 116 which provides an output on a data line 118. 60
`Note that this structure has eliminated a receiver in each of
`the modules 80 and 82, while still providing redundant data
`channels
`FIG. 1D depicts another preferred embodiment of this
`invention. The system of FIG. 1D includes an AU or module 65
`120 and a module 122, coupled by redundant outgoing data
`paths 124 and 126 and by redundant incoming data paths
`
`4
`128 and 130. An outgoing message line 132 feeds a selector
`134, which provides the capability of selecting between a
`primary transmitter 136 and a secondary transmitter 138.
`The selected transmitter 136 or 138 sends data, generally a
`5 command signal, over its associated data path 124 or 126 to
`a combiner connector 140, which combines the signals on
`the data lines 124 and 126, thereby providing a combined
`signal to a receiver 142 which provides an output on a
`command line 144.
`Similarly, an incoming message line 146 feeds a selector
`148, which provides the capability of selecting between a
`primary transmitter 150 and a secondary transmitter 152.
`The selected transmitter 150 or 152 sends data, generally
`seismic data, over its associated data path 128 or 130 to a
`combiner connector 154, which combines the signals on the
`data lines 128 and 130, thereby providing a combined signal
`to a receiver 156 which provides an output on a data line
`158. Note that this structure has eliminated the coupler of the
`structure of FIG. 1C.
`In one aspect, the present invention relates to the connec(cid:173)
`tors 140 and 154 for optical fibers. In fiber optics, a butt-type
`connector such as a metal ST connector (for example, made
`by Amphenol and others) is usually used to terminate one
`fiber into the center of a precision bored metal ferrule pin
`using cleaved fibers and epoxy glue to secure the end of the
`bare fiber into the bore. The fiber tip protruding from the
`mating end of the ferrule pine is then polished. In the
`standard method of optical termination, the bore at the tip
`tapers to 125 ,urn diameter to hold a 125 ,urn fiber with a 62.5
`,urn core ("62/125" fiber). The polished end, in a receiver, is
`centered over, but not in contact with, the photodetector
`portion that is quite a bit larger in diameter than the 62 ,urn
`glass core which conducts the laser light. These optical
`receivers are well known in the art and are made by
`Honeywell, Mitel, and others.
`FIG. 2 depicts a known ST fiber optic connector. A
`jacketed fiber optic 160 has a portion of jacketing removed
`to expose a bare fiber 162, which is bonded into an ST
`ferrule pin 164 as previously described. The ferrule pin 164
`terminates in a tip 166 which is precisely mated to a tip 168
`of a ferrule pin 170. The pins 164 and 170 are held in precise
`alignment by an alignment sleeve 172 into which the pins
`are inserted. The pins are also held in close abutting contact
`by a coupling, which comprises a coupling tube 174 thread(cid:173)
`edly engaged with a pair of coupling nuts 176.
`FIGS. 3A and 3B provide further details of known ST
`connector of FIG. 2. The un-jacketed fiber filament 162 is
`inserted into the pin 164 and glued into place with epoxy
`178. After the fiber is inserted, the tip 166 of the pin is
`polished to leave a precision surface at the tip with the fiber
`exposed. As shown in FIG. 3B, the tip has a circular cross
`section with a circular orifice 180 for the fiber and the orifice
`is preferably 125 ,urn is diameter in this known connector.
`The connector of the preferred embodiment of the present
`invention has an overbored or enlarged ferrule pin, such that
`the opening for the fiber at the tip is twice the size, i.e. 250
`,urn, to hold two fibers side by side, and the bore is concentric
`with the pin.
`Another embodiment is bored to 270 ,urn and holds three
`fibers (for triple redundancy). More fibers can be added, but
`with a larger bore, the fibers become further away from the
`center of the pin and a reduction in the light reaching the
`central, sensitive portion of the receiver occurs yielding
`greater optical signal losses. In the two fiber embodiment,
`the bare fibers are glued side by side and the tip of the pin
`is polished in a manner so that the two fiber tips are polished.
`
`40
`
`Ex. PGS 1062
`
`

`
`6,079,882
`
`10
`
`5
`Because the bore is close fitting, the fibers are close enough
`in parallel so that losses are minimal. The resulting signal,
`when coupled to a receiver, in tests, showed to be 0.44 dB
`less for either fiber driven than the performance of a single
`fiber terminated in a conventional ST connector. This is
`because the two fibers still are positioned over the central
`sensing area of the photodetector.
`This aspect of the present invention is depicted in FIG. 4.
`A pair of jacketed fiber optics 160 has bare fibers 162
`exposed and inserted into the modified ferrule pin 182. As
`just described, the ferrule pin 182 terminates in a tip 184
`which has a larger than standard bore 186 to hold the fibers
`in close abutting, side-by-side configuration. The ferrule pin
`182 is inserted into a photo receiver unit body 188 and held
`in alignment with a coupling nut 190 engaged to the body
`188, by any of a variety of couplings, such as threads,
`bayonet, etc. The tip 184 of the ferrule pin is positioned close
`to but not abutting an embedded photo detector 192 to
`receive light equally from either of the fibers 162.
`FIGS. 5A-5C provide additional details of the ferrule pin 20
`182. The un-jacketed fiber optics 162 are inserted into the
`pin 182 and glued into place with epoxy 178. After the fiber
`optics are inserted, the tip 184 of the pin is polished to leave
`a precision surface at the tip with the fibers exposed. As
`shown in FIG. 5B, the tip has a circular cross section with 25
`a circular orifice or bore 186 for the fiber and the orifice is
`preferably 250 ,urn in diameter in this connector of the
`present invention. For triple redundancy, the bore may be
`270 ,urn in diameter to accommodate three fibers, as shown
`in FIG. 5C.
`FIG. 6 depicts a preferred embodiment of the digital
`optical telemetry system of this invention in greater detail.
`Data in a digital system comprise ones and zeros; zeros are
`represented by no light (dark) output, and ones are repre(cid:173)
`sented by a light output. In normal operation, a unit 200
`sends digital data to a unit 202. To select the primary
`transmitter, a primary transmitter selector input 204 is high
`and alternate transmitter selector input 206 is low. Thus, a
`primary optical transmitter 208 outputs light pulses follow(cid:173)
`ing data input 210 and an alternate data transmitter 212 is
`off, with optically dark output. The signal from the primary
`transmitter 208 is carried over prime optical fiber 214 using
`conventional ST connectors 216 and 218. Fiber jumpers 220
`and 222 are connected to combiner connector 224 as shown
`in FIG. 4, thus conducting light pulses from the prime
`optical fiber 214 and no signal from a backup fiber 226. A
`receiver 227 converts the light impulses from the connector
`224 to electrical signals similar to those at the data input 210.
`In the event of failure of the prime optical fiber 214,
`connector 216 or connector 218, or even transmitter 208, 50
`only a dark optical signal will reach the connector 224 since
`the nature of the fiber optic is to reject coupling any outside
`light into the fiber except what can be coupled into the very
`small aperture of the break point which is usually jacketed
`in multiple jackets and out of the way where there is little if 55
`any light, such as in marine streamers. If the unit 202 detects
`loss of signal or degradation of the optical signal, it directs
`the signal unit 200 to switch to the alternate data path. This
`is accomplished by setting the primary transmitter input
`selector 204 low and the alternate input selector 206 high, 60
`thus steering the signal to the secondary transmitter 212.
`Light impulses will now emit from the transmitter 212 and
`be transmitted over alternate fiber path 226 through connec(cid:173)
`tors 228,230, and fiber jumper 222. Fiber combining con(cid:173)
`nector 224 combines the signals from 220 and 222 in an 65
`additive fashion and delivers them to the photodetector
`element of the receiver 227.
`
`6
`In the case of using the alternate data path 226, the path
`220 is dark due to failure of the primary fiber 214, the
`connector 216, the connector 218, or the primary transmitter
`208. In any case, the primary transmitter 208 will be shut off
`5 by signal 204 being low. The signal in the fiber 220 will be
`substantially zero and the combiner connector 224 will
`deliver substantially the signal in fiber 222 to the photode(cid:173)
`tector in the receiver 227. Therefore, a signal232 recovered
`by the receiver 227 will be substantially the same as signal
`210. This is similar to the normal mode of operation result
`described before the failure; however, the alternate fiber 226
`and the alternate transmitter 212 are now used instead of the
`primary transmitter 208 and the prime optical fiber 214.
`The data path in the opposite direction utilizing receiver
`a 234 and transmitters 236 and 238 operates in the same
`15 fashion.
`Now referring to FIG. 7, it is desirable to determine when
`to switch to the alternate transmitter and fiber path. One way
`to do this is to conduct a signal analogous to the received
`optical power signal strength at the receiver 227 through a
`conductor 240 to signal strength circuit 242. Some receivers
`have this feature, such as receivers from CTS, Inc. The
`signal strength circuit 242 may consist of rectifiers,
`amplifiers, peak detectors and AID converters as necessary
`to get the signal level indication to processor a 244. Alter(cid:173)
`nately or in combination, the incoming signal 232 may be
`processed for error indication (parity, CRC, or other source
`embedded data symbols for error detection and correction,
`or EDC) by EDC circuits 246. The processor 244 reads the
`error information from the EDC circuits 246 through an
`30 error info line 248. The processor 244 may be programmed
`to determine by means of a suitable algorithm from signal
`level information and error information when the incoming
`signal is unsuitable and by means of a connection 250 to unit
`200 (FIG. 6). cause unit 200 to change to the alternate
`transmitter. Alternatively, the processor 244 can signal unit
`35 200 by means of data embedded in the data stream 252 to be
`transmitted back to the unit 200 by the means previously
`described. The processor 244, operating like a similar one in
`unit 200, can select which transmitter to use by listening to
`a connection 254 from unit 200 (analogous to the connection
`40 250 described above), or by listening to information embed(cid:173)
`ded in the data recovered at a data signal line 256. Finally,
`in the case of bidirectional units as described, if no valid data
`is found from unit 200, an alternating search may be made
`through as many redundant transmitters as are available,
`45 until one working transmitter is found that will cause unit
`200 to send information which confirms that a signal is
`received.
`There are many types of connectors used for optics, many
`with butt-type polished ends in metal or ceramic, for
`example. Any type of connector which allows the light
`exiting the fibers to strike the photosensitive portion of the
`receiver are appropriate for application with the present
`invention and fall within the scope and spirit of the follow(cid:173)
`ing claims. Also, fibers other than the 62/125 ,urn described
`may be used, the common sizes still being smaller than the
`detector size.
`Seismic systems commonly use bidirectional data paths,
`the outgoing path containing commands from a central unit,
`the incoming data paths carrying seismic data to the central
`unit. However, the invention as described herein is equally
`applicable in unidirectional data systems carrying data one
`way, nor is the invention restricted to seismic systems.
`Furthermore, driving two or more parallel transmitter and
`data paths may be desirable if multi-path data dispersion is
`not a problem, wherein the differential time delays due to
`unequal path lengths or delays cause a smearing of data
`pulses.
`
`Ex. PGS 1062
`
`

`
`6,079,882
`
`25
`
`35
`
`7
`The principles, preferred embodiment, and mode of
`operation of the present invention have been described in the
`foregoing specification. This invention is not to be construed
`as limited to the particular forms disclosed, since these are
`regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Moreover, 5
`variations and changes may be made by those skilled in the
`art without departing from the spirit of the invention.
`I claim:
`1. A communications channel comprising:
`a. an outgoing data line to carry an outgoing data signal
`for transmission over the communications channel;
`b. a selector coupled to the outgoing data line;
`c. a primary transmitter coupled to the selector;
`d. a secondary transmitter coupled to the selector, wherein
`the selector is capable of selecting either the primary
`transmitter or the secondary transmitter;
`e. a primary data transmission path coupled to the primary
`transmitter;
`f. a secondary data transmission path coupled to the 20
`secondary transmitter;
`g. an adder coupled to the primary and secondary data
`transmission paths, the adder providing a sum of sig(cid:173)
`nals carried on the primary and the secondary data
`transmission paths;
`h. a receiver coupled to the adder; and
`i. a data output from the receiver.
`2. The communications channel of claim 1, wherein each
`of the primary data transmission path and the secondary data 30
`transmission path is an optical fiber.
`3. The communications channel of claim 2, wherein the
`adder is an optical coupler.
`4. The communications channel of claim 1, wherein the
`selector comprises:
`a. a primary selector AND gate coupled to an input to the
`primary transmitter;
`b. a secondary selector AND gate coupled to an input to
`the secondary transmitter;
`c. a primary transmitter selector input coupled to the 40
`primary selector AND gate;
`d. a secondary transmitter selector input coupled to the
`secondary selector AND gate; and
`e. wherein the outgoing data line is coupled to each of the 45
`primary selector AND gate and the secondary selector
`AND gate.
`5. The communications channel of claim 1, further com-
`prising:
`a. an incoming data line to carry an incoming data signal
`for transmission over the communications channel;
`b. an incoming selector coupled to the incoming data line;
`c. an incoming primary transmitter coupled to the incom(cid:173)
`ing selector;
`d. an incoming secondary transmitter coupled to the
`incoming selector, wherein the incoming selector is
`capable of selecting either the incoming primary trans(cid:173)
`mitter or the incoming secondary transmitter;
`e. an incoming primary data transmission path coupled to 60
`the incoming primary transmitter;
`f. an incoming secondary data transmission path coupled
`to the incoming secondary transmitter;
`
`8
`g. an incoming adder coupled to the incoming primary
`and incoming secondary data transmission paths, the
`incoming adder providing a sum of signals carried on
`the incoming primary and the incoming secondary data
`transmission paths;
`h. an incoming receiver coupled to the incoming adder;
`and
`i. an incoming data output from the incoming receiver.
`6. The communications channel of claim 5, wherein each
`10 of the primary data transmission path, the secondary data
`transmission path, the incoming primary data transmission
`path, and the incoming secondary data transmission path is
`an optical fiber.
`7. The communications channel of claim 6, wherein each
`15 of the adder and the incoming adder is an optical coupler.
`8. The communications channel of claim 5, wherein the
`incoming selector comprises:
`a. a primary selector AND gate coupled to an input to the
`incoming primary transmitter;
`b. a secondary selector AND gate coupled to an input to
`the incoming secondary transmitter;
`c. a primary transmitter selector input coupled to the
`incoming primary selector AND gate;
`d. a secondary transmitter selector input coupled to the
`incoming secondary selector AND gate; and
`e. wherein the incoming data line is coupled to each of the
`incoming primary selector AND gate and the incoming
`secondary selector AND gate.
`9. A communications channel comprising:
`a. an outgoing message line;
`b. a selector coupled to the outgoing message line;
`c. a primary transmitter coupled to the selector;
`d. a secondary transmitter coupled to the selector, the
`selector capable of selecting either of the primary
`transmitter or the secondary transmitter;
`e. a primary data path coupled to the primary transmitter;
`f. a secondary data path coupled to the secondary trans(cid:173)
`mitter;
`g. a combiner connector coupled to the primary data path
`and the secondary data path, wherein the combiner
`combines the signals on the primary and secondary data
`lines, thereby providing a combined signal;
`h. a receiver coupled to the combiner connector to receive
`the combined signal; and
`i. an output from the receiver.
`10. The communications channel of claim 9, wherein each
`50 of the primary and secondary data paths are optical fibers.
`11. The communications channel of claim 10, wherein the
`combiner connector comprises:
`a. an overbored ferrule pin capable of receiving optical
`fibers of both the primary and secondary data paths;
`b. a connector body for receiving the ferrule pin;
`c. a photo detector in the connector body and adjacent the
`ferrule pin to receive a light signal from either of the
`primary or the secondary data paths; and
`d. a coupling to secure the ferrule pin to the connector
`body.
`
`55
`
`* * * * *
`
`Ex. PGS 1062