Communication system providing hybrid optical/wireless communications and related methods
A communication system includes at least one optical-wireless device coupled to a longitudinal side of an optical fiber. The optical-wireless device may include an optical fiber power unit for converting optical power into electrical power, and a wireless communication unit electrically powered by the optical fiber power unit. The optical-wireless device may include a substrate mounting the optical fiber power unit and the wireless communication unit to the longitudinal side of the optical fiber. The wireless communication unit may include a radio frequency transmitter, and a signal optical grating coupling the transmitter to the longitudinal side of the optical fiber. The radio frequency transmitter in some embodiments may include an ultra-wideband transmitter. A dipole antenna may also be provided including first and second portions extending in opposite directions along the longitudinal side of the optical fiber.
1. A communication system comprising:
an optical fiber; and
at least one optical-wireless device coupled to a longitudinal side of said optical fiber and comprising
an optical fiber power unit coupled to said optical fiber for converting optical power therein into electrical power, and
a wireless communication unit electrically powered solely by said optical fiber power unit and coupled to said optical fiber;
said at least one optical-wireless device further comprising a substrate mounting said optical fiber power unit and said wireless communication unit to the longitudinal side of said optical fiber.
2. A communication system according to claim 1 wherein said optical fiber power unit comprises a photovoltaic device and a power optical grating coupling said photovoltaic device to the longitudinal side of said optical fiber.
3. A communication system according to claim 1 wherein said wireless communication unit comprises a radio frequency transmitter and a signal optical grating coupling said radio frequency transmitter to the longitudinal side of said optical fiber.
4. A communication system according to claim 3 wherein said radio frequency transmitter comprises an ultra-wideband transmitter.
5. A communication system according to claim 4 wherein said ultra-wideband transmitter comprises an antenna.
6. A communication system according to claim 5 wherein said antenna comprises a dipole antenna.
7. A communication system according to claim 6 wherein said dipole antenna comprises first and second portions extending in opposite directions along the longitudinal side of said optical fiber.
8. A communication system according to claim 1 wherein said optical fiber comprises a core and a cladding surrounding said core; and wherein said optical fiber power unit and said wireless communication unit are coupled to said core.
9. A communication system according to claim 1 wherein said wireless communication unit comprises a wireless transmitter; and further comprising at least one wireless receiver spaced from said wireless transmitter and receiving signals therefrom.
10. A communication system according to claim 1 wherein said wireless communication unit comprises a wireless receiver; and further comprising at least one wireless transmitter spaced from said wireless receiver and transmitting signals thereto.
11. A communication system according to claim 1 wherein said at least one optical-wireless device comprises a plurality of optical-wireless devices coupled to said optical fiber at spaced apart locations along the longitudinal side of said optical fiber.
12. An optical-wireless device to be coupled to a longitudinal side of an optical fiber and comprising:
a substrate for coupling to the longitudinal side of the optical fiber;
an optical fiber power unit carried by said substrate to be coupled to said optical fiber for converting optical power therein into electrical power; and
a wireless communication unit carried by said substrate, solely electrically powered by said optical fiber power unit, and to be coupled to the optical fiber.
13. An optical-wireless device according to claim 12 wherein said optical fiber power unit comprises a photovoltaic device and a power optical grating for coupling said photovoltaic device to the optical fiber.
14. An optical-wireless device according to claim 12 wherein said wireless communication unit comprises a radio frequency transmitter and a signal optical grating for coupling said radio frequency transmitter to the optical fiber.
15. An optical-wireless device according to claim 14 wherein said radio frequency transmitter comprises an ultra-wideband transmitter.
16. An optical-wireless device according to claim 15 wherein said ultra-wideband transmitter comprises:
an optical detector having an input coupled to said signal optical grating and having an output;
an amplifier having an input connected to the output of said optical detector and having an output;
a pseudorandom code generator having an output;
a multiplier having inputs connected to the outputs of said amplifier and pseudorandom code generator, and having an output;
a pulse generator having an input connected to the output of said multiplier, and having an output; and
an antenna connected to the output of said pulse generator.
17. An optical-wireless device to be coupled to a longitudinal side of an optical fiber and comprising:
a substrate to be directly coupled to the longitudinal side of the optical fiber;
a wireless communication unit carried by said substrate and to be coupled to the optical fiber; and
a dipole antenna connected to said wireless communication unit comprising first and second portions to extend in opposite directions along the longitudinal side of the optical fiber.
18. An optical-wireless device according to claim 17 wherein said wireless communication unit comprises a radio frequency transmitter and a signal optical grating for coupling said radio frequency transmitter to the optical fiber.
19. An optical-wireless device according to claim 18 wherein said radio frequency transmitter comprises an ultra-wideband transmitter.
20. An optical-wireless device according to claim 19 wherein said ultra-wideband transmitter comprises:
an optical detector having an input coupled to said signal optical grating and having an output;
an amplifier having an input connected to the output of said optical detector and having an output;
a pseudorandom code generator having an output;
a multiplier having inputs connected to the outputs of said amplifier and pseudorandom code generator, and having an output; and
a pulse generator having an input connected to the output of said multiplier, and having an output connected to said antenna.
21. A method for optical-wireless communication comprising:
coupling at least one optical-wireless device to a longitudinal side of an optical fiber, the at least one optical-wireless device comprising an optical fiber power unit and a wireless communication unit connected thereto;
supplying optical power into the optical fiber;
converting the optical power in the optical fiber into electrical power using the optical fiber power unit; and
electrically powering the wireless communication unit for optical-wireless communication solely using the electrical power converted from the optical power;
the optical-wireless device further comprising a substrate carrying the optical fiber power unit and the wireless communication unit, and wherein coupling comprises coupling the substrate to the longitudinal side of the optical fiber.
22. A method according to claim 21 wherein the wireless communication unit comprises a radio frequency transmitter and a signal optical grating coupling the radio frequency transmitter to the longitudinal side of the optical fiber.
23. A method according to claim 22 wherein the radio frequency transmitter comprises an ultra-wideband transmitter.
24. A method according to claim 21 wherein the optical-wireless communication device further comprises a dipole antenna including first and second portions; and wherein coupling comprises mounting the first and second portions to extend in opposite directions along the longitudinal side of the optical fiber.
25. A method according to claim 21 wherein the optical fiber comprises a core and a cladding surrounding the core; and wherein coupling comprises coupling the optical fiber power unit and the wireless communication unit to the core.