Abstract

We propose a novel inter-Lan communication architecture based on multi-mode fiber optics and wavelength division multiplexers (WDMs), in the form of an inter-Lan WDM single-fiber bridge for multi-media communication. The new passive fiber optic system consists of a pair of multi-mode WDMs connected through (1–10 km) multi-mode (62.5/125 µm) single fiber with multiwavelength (3–6) multi-longitudinal mode (MLM) and single-longitudinal mode (SLM) laser diodes (LDs), and avalanche photodiode (APD) receivers. It has been demonstrated that the speed of the MLM-LD 780 nm channel is limited only by the fiber’s multi-mode dispersion (~500 MHz • 1 km). Thus, it can be used for RGB-video transmission. For example, while the SLM-LD channels (750 nm, 810 nm, 840 nm) are used for voice, computer data, and sensor-reporting systems, respectively, because of the APD receivers, the power margin is extended by at least 10 dB. This provides a higher bandwidth and longer distance communication than currently available fiber optic multi-mode links. In this communication, we present experimental results demonstrating transmission capabilities of the WDM system. An inter-Lan medium distance (1–10 km) WDM (wavelength division multiplexing) multimode (62.5/125 µm) (RGB-video, voice, computer-data. sensor-data) single-fiber bridge multimedia communication system is presented.

© 1991 Optical Society of America