| US 7,509,048 B2 | ||
| Method and apparatus for optical signal processing using an optical tapped delay line | ||
| Terry M. Turpin, Columbia, Md. (US); Craig H. Price, Ellicott City, Md. (US); Fred F. Froelich, Baltimore, Md. (US); Bruce D. Nichols, Columbia, Md. (US); James L. Lafuse, Columbia, Md. (US); and Keith R. Frampton, Sykesville, Md. (US) | ||
| Assigned to Essex Corporation, Columbia, Md. (US) | ||
| Filed on Jul. 22, 2002, as Appl. No. 10/199,495. | ||
| Claims priority of provisional application 60/306418, filed on Jul. 20, 2001. | ||
| Prior Publication US 2003/0128917 A1, Jul. 10, 2003 | ||
| Int. Cl. H04J 14/02 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 398—83 | 18 Claims |
| 1. A device comprising:
a processor configured to convert a collimated input beam into a plurality of discrete time-delayed collimated output beams,
the processor having an input and an output, the processor configured to maintain the collimation of the input beam so that
the plurality of discrete time-delayed output beams maintain the collimation of the input beam,
a focal plane at which the time-delayed beams interfere,
a first reflective surface, the first reflective surface and the focal plane mutually defining an angle, the first reflective
surface defining a size and a location relative to the focal plane, the first reflective surface positioned to direct interfered
beams incident on the focal plane to the output,
wherein the processor comprises a second reflective surface and a third reflective surface, the second reflective surface
and the third reflective surface being in spaced relationship, whereby at least a portion of the collimated beam directed
toward the third reflective surface is reflected multiple times between the second and third reflective surfaces, thereby
producing multiple time-delayed signals.
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