Patent ID: 10972183

Abstract:
A multimode combiner or coupler (MMC) may combine the inputs into a larger core multimode fiber. The multimode combiner may be combined with a re-transmitting laser for detecting and re-transmitting signals. Thus, the multi-mode combiner may detect and combine input signals, and then retransmit the detected, combined signal. The detection can be implemented with multiple single mode fibers to small single mode detectors or a multi-mode coupler with a larger multi-mode detectors. In embodiments of the MMC, a bi-directional optical splitter/combiner includes a transmitter for re-transmitting an RF signal received at a receiver, a first wave division multiplexer (WDM) combiner combining the output of the first transmitter in an upstream direction to a downstream signal in a downstream direction, and a second WDM combiner combining split downstream signals in the downstream direction with upstream signals received via at least two optical fiber inputs.