Sound Alerter Powered Over an Optical Fiber

Abstract

An optically powered sound alerter has been constructed which demonstrates the feasibility of converting optical power into sound power with good efficiency and at power levels comparable to those of present telephone ringers. The alerter has an overall optical-to-acoustic efficiency of about 35 percent at 2 mW of acoustic output power. Optical power is converted to electrical power by a 52-percent efficient pho tovoltaic detector and then into acoustical power by a 72-percent ef ficient electroacoustic tone generator which uses a piezoelectric transducer. This demonstration establishes that it is technically fea sible to deliver optically, via a fiber lightguide, sufficient power to op erate a telephone, since all other telephone signaling functions can be accomplished, in principle, with less power and within the context of dielectric lightguide technology. For conventional usage, the design of a telephone alerter must take many factors into consideration, in cluding background noise masking, frequencies not irritating to the customer, satisfactory performance for customers with impaired hearing, etc. These factors have not been addressed here.

Remote resilient FBG multiplexing network controlled by a powered by light fiber optic switch

“…Fiber optic power by light systems has been used since 1978 when an optically powered sound alerter was demonstrated by DeLoach et al for a fiber-based telephone network [1]. Also, in optically powered networks, both, communication signals and power for remotely located subscribers, are transmitted over an optical fiber.…”

Isolated sensor networks for high-voltage environments using a single polymer optical fiber and LEDs for remote powering as well as data transmission

“…Already in the late 70s a method for remote-powering a sound alerter with an optical fiber was presented by DeLoach et al (1978). The basic principle is shown in Fig.…”

Optimization Of A Power-By-Light Power Supply

“…we have devised a hybrid optical /electrical voltage upconverter system which is compatible with power by light, which can power devices requiring voltages of more than 1 volt. and which can use silicon photodetectors.…”

“…in these earlier investigations photocells were used whose open circuit voltage v was about 1 volt [1][2][3][4]6]. This paper concentrates on a different aspect of power by light technology.…”

“…Power by light has been investigated for telephone and communication systems [1][2][3][4] and also for remote sensing where electrical isolation is required [5].…”