Patent ID: 6084233
Filing Date: 2000-07-04
Classification: G01D,G01H,H04B

Abstract:
An optical sensor array architecture comprising:at least one distribution bus which receives and distributes an optical input signal, said at least one distribution bus also receiving and propagating at least one distribution bus pump signal;at least one return bus which receives a plurality of optical return signals and provides said optical return signals as output signals, said at least one return bus also receiving and propagating at least one return bus pump signal;a plurality of rungs coupled between said at least one distribution bus and said at least one return bus, each of said rungs comprising at least one sensor which receives a respective portion of said optical input signal and which generates one of said optical return signals;a plurality of input optical amplifiers in said at least one distribution bus responsive to said at least one distribution bus pump signal, said input optical amplifiers amplifying said optical input signal, said input optical amplifiers having a plurality of gains which maintain said optical input signal at a selected signal level for each of said rungs; anda plurality of output optical amplifiers in said at least one return bus responsive to said at least one return bus pump signal, said output optical amplifiers amplifying said return signals generated by said sensors in said rungs, said output optical amplifiers having a plurality of gains selected to substantially equalize the magnitudes of said optical return signals resulting from optical signals propagating through a plurality of combinations of input optical amplifiers, rungs and output optical amplifiers.