Patent ID: 7676153
Filing Date: 2010-03-09
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. Digitally incremental optical signal delay apparatus comprising: an optical signal input path connecting to a plurality of serial coupled optical switching elements and a subsequent optical signal output path in said apparatus; each of said plurality of serially coupled optical switching elements including a first optical through path course and a selectable second optical through path course located therein; said first optical through path course having a plurality of optical signal communicating longer paths each disposed adjacent of a respective one of said serially coupled optical switching elements; and said selectable second optical through path course having a plurality of optical signal communicating short paths each disposed adjacent of said serially coupled optical switching elements and between said first optical through path course and said serially coupled optical switching elements; said optical signal communicating longer paths each being of differing optical signal length and optical signal time delay characteristics; said optical signal communicating longer path length and signal delay time characteristics being respectively related according to a 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and so-on mathematical relationship; said selectable second optical through path course and said optical signal communicating longer paths between said optical switching elements being electrically selectable by said optical switching elements of said optical delay apparatus; and said electrical selection by said optical switching elements determining a presence of minimal or selected increased optical signal delay time intermediate said optical signal input path and said optical signal output path of said optical delay apparatus.