JPH021635A - Optical communication equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to a communication device using an optical 7-eye bar, and particularly relates to an optical communication device having a relay section.

[Conventional technology]

FIGS. 8 and 9 are plan views of a conventional optical communication device, particularly an optical branching communication device (hereinafter referred to as a first conventional example), shown in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-73225 “Optical Switch”;
FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a state in which the prism is placed in the optical path, and FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a state in which the prism shown in FIG. 8 is removed from the optical path.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing a first conventional optical transmission system. Hereinafter, the two communication nodes refer to a communication device or a communication installation station, and are also simply referred to as a station.

In Figures 8 and 9, (1) is an optical switch, and (2) is a transmissive prism (3) that is movable so that it can be removed from the optical path if any station fails. The light input end, (4) is the lower light input end, (5) is the lower light output end, (
6) is the upper end output terminal, and in Fig. 6, (7) is the B station, (
8) is the C station, (9) is the D station, (10) is the A station, and (■) is the optical fiber. In the two figures, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.

Next, the operation of the first conventional example is shown in FIGS. 8, 9, and 1.
This will be explained using diagram O.

In Figures 8, 9, and 10, the transmission Brizno (2) transmits light from the upper light input end (3) to the lower light output end (
5), which passes through, for example, the B station (7) in Figure 1O, passes through the lower light input end (4), passes through the transmission prism 2, passes through the upper light output end (6), and enters the 9th order station C station ( The optical signal is transmitted to the optical switch 1 of 8). In this way, the optical signal from the A station (10) in FIG. 1θ is transmitted to the D station (9) through the optical fiber 1<-(11). During normal operation, the B station (7), C station (8), and D station (9) amplify the optical signal to compensate for the attenuation in the optical path. If the failure occurs immediately,
As shown in FIG. 9, the transmission prism (2) is moved and removed from the optical path (I2) above the optical switch 1, and the light is transmitted to the secondary station without being branched or amplified.

Since this first conventional device is configured as described above, an optical transmission prism (2) that is expensive and difficult to mass-produce is used for optical branching, and the optical amplification section of one of the stations is In the event of a failure, a drive mechanism (not shown) is required to mechanically remove the transmission prism (2) from the main optical path (12) as shown in Figure 9, which increases the cost and size of the device. , as shown in Figure 1Q, station A (10
) from station B (7), station C (8), and station D (9) again from A
There were problems such as the need for a loop ring in one direction to the station (10).

Next, a second conventional optical communication device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-49526 will be explained using the configuration diagram shown in FIG.

In FIG. 11, (7G) is a switching unit which corresponds to the optical switch (1) including the prism (2) in the first conventional example shown in FIG. (71) is the monitoring control unit, (7
2) is a regenerator that amplifies the signal, and these are connected to a repeater (74
), and in the first conventional example shown in FIG.
This corresponds to station B (7) including an optical switch (1). The relay 3 (74) operates the switching section (70) in response to a switching control signal from the terminal station. The optical fiber (75) on the octagen side (76) is the optical fiber on the C station side, and these optical fibers (65) and (66) correspond to the optical fiber (11) in the conventional example shown in Fig. 1θ.

The second conventional optical communication device configured as described above operates in the following manner.

Normally, the state of the switch in the switching section (70) is as shown by the solid line, and the received signal from the A station is connected to the input terminal of the reproducing section (72), amplified by the reproducing section (72), and then converted to C. Send to the station side. That is, at this time, the repeater (74) functions for the downlink.

The monitoring control unit (71) constantly monitors the output signal of the playback unit (74), and when a switching control signal is transmitted from the A station side, it detects the switching control signal and switches the switching unit (70) to the output signal. )
A switching command is generated. The switching command causes the switching unit (7
The switch state 0) changes to the state shown by the broken line. A received signal from the C station side is connected to the input side of the reproducing section (72), amplified by the reproducing section (72), and sent to the A station side. At this time, the repeater (74) acts as an uplink.

Therefore, one line is used for bidirectional communication as either uplink or downlink based on a switching control signal from the terminal station.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

As mentioned above, in the first conventional example, due to its configuration,
It uses an optical transmission prism that is expensive and difficult to mass produce, it requires a loop ring in one direction between each station, it requires a drive mechanism to move the prism if one of the stations breaks down, There were problems such as the equipment being expensive and large.

Also, in the second conventional example, there is a problem that the optical fiber switching control signal must be transmitted from another station, which complicates the communication procedure, and furthermore, the local station requires a monitoring control unit for the switching control signal. The circuit becomes complicated, or
This requires a drive mechanism like the first conventional example for mechanically switching the optical fibers, which also poses problems such as high cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an optical communication device that has a simple configuration, enables single-line bidirectional communication, and does not prevent signal transmission to other stations even if the station fails.

[Means to solve the problem]

The optical communication device of the present invention has a plurality of connecting ends that can be connected to optical fibers for optical transmission connecting each station, and includes a light transmitting device that sends out a signal as light and a light receiving device that receives the optical signal. In the optical communication device of the station, a light transmitting means that connects each of the plurality of connection ends to a first branch optical fiber, one end of which is located at the plurality of connection ends and the other end of which is located at the light transmission section of the light transmission device. , a light receiving means having a second branch optical fiber, one end of which is located at the plurality of connection ends and the other end of which is connected to the light receiving device, for each of the plurality of connection ends, and a plurality of different optical signals flowing through the plurality of connection ends; A pass-through means for flowing the fluid to the connecting end of the fluid is provided.

[Effect]

The optical communication device of the present invention does not require a switching signal from another station, a monitoring control unit of the local station, an expensive optical transmission prism, or a mechanical drive mechanism to move the prism, and a loop ring in one direction can be used. It is a high-speed communication system that enables two-way optical communication, as well as a single-wire connection that allows optical transmission to pass through to the neighboring station even if one station fails. A reliable and inexpensive optical communication device can be obtained.

[First Embodiment] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of a communication node which is a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing the structure of the amorphous semiconductor layer element (
3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the light receiving element of FIG. 2 and the first light guide path, and FIG. 4 is an air conditioner employing the first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a circuit diagram showing the control system of FIG.
A communication node incorporating a second light guide (20), a third light guide (20a), and others, (1, 3) is a first light guide (19).
) is an element in which porous amorphous semiconductors in the form of slits or meshes are laminated on a glass substrate;
A light-receiving element that can receive light from both directions of the light guide path, passes a part of the received light, and charges and converts the other part; (14) is an amplifier circuit that amplifies the electrical signal photoelectrically converted by the light-receiving element (13); , (15) is a constant voltage power supply, (16) is an output driver transistor, and these light receiving elements (1
3>, an amplifier circuit (14), a constant voltage power supply (15), an output driver transistor (16), and the surrounding circuits constitute a light receiving device (17). A light emitting element 2 serving as a light transmitting section disposed at one end of the third light guide path, for example a light emitting LED element, generates an electric signal that is photoelectrically converted by a light receiving element (13) and amplified by an amplifier circuit (14). It is an energized LED. (18) is a current limiting resistor.

The light emitting element (17) and the current limiting resistor (18) constitute a light transmitting device. (19) has a light receiving element (I3) in the middle.
is arranged, one end (19a) of which is connected to the second light guide path (2o).
The other end (20c) is connected to the third end (19b).
The second end which is connected to the other end (20d) of the light guide path (20a)
The first light guide path (20) is a branched optical fiber and has a light emitting element (17) at one end (20b).
) is arranged, and a light emitting element (17) is arranged at one end (20b) of a second light guide path (20e) whose other end (20c) is connected to one end (19a) of the first light guide path (19). , other end C
2Qd> is composed of the other end (19d) of the first light guide path (19) and a third light guide path (20a) that branches off.

The light receiving element (13) is connected to an electronic amplifier circuit (14), a constant voltage power supply (15), and an output driver transistor (16).
) is connected to the receiving terminal (IN), and the signal transmitting terminal (OUT) is connected to the current limiting resistor (18).

It is connected in series to the light emitting element (17).

Here, one end (19a) of the first light guide path (19) and the other end (20c) of the second light guide path (20e) are located, and the other end (19b) of the first light guide path (19) and the third The other end of the light guide (2
The end where Qd) is located is the connecting end (38) (3
9).

Next, in FIG. 2, (2υ is a glass substrate, (22) is an ITO (In
Transparent electrodes such as diumTin Oxide), (23
) is not deposited on the transparent electrode (22) as a porous part (29) such as a slit or mesh, and the rest is made of, for example, hydrogenated amorphous silicon doped with P (phosphorus). type amorphous semiconductor layer (24) is a layer of, for example, B (boron) laminated on the undoped amorphous semiconductor layer (24) laminated on the n-type amorphous semiconductor (23).
(26) is a transparent electrode stacked on the P-type crystalline semiconductor layer (25) in the form of a side witch and is opposite to the above, (27) is each laminated layer (25).
23), (24), (25), and (2B), transparent S, 0. Or, it is a protective film deposited with polyimide, etc., and is a sandwich-like laminated part (23), (24), (25) in which amorphous semiconductors are laminated.
) photoelectrically converts light even if it receives light from both the left and right directions, generating a potential between the electrodes, as shown in Figure 2, and the porous portion (29) that is not laminated is transparent. Although there is a slight transmission loss, the structure allows light to pass in both left and right directions.

Therefore, the light-receiving element (13) functions as a light-receiving section that receives the optical signal and as a partial conduction means that partially passes the optical signal. ) are the connecting end (38) and the connecting end (39)
It functions as a third branch optical fiber that sends optical signals in both directions between the fibers, and a light receiving element (partially serves as a conduction means).
13) and the first conductive path (1) as the third branch optical fiber.
9) constitute a first pass-through means that allows an optical signal flowing through one connection end to flow to a different connection end.

By the way, the optical signal received by the light receiving element (13) is converted into an electrical signal, and then a part of the signal amplified by the amplifier circuit (14) is converted back into an optical signal by the light emitting element (17).
The conductive path (20c) is sent to the connecting end (3g) (39) via the first branch optical fiber (20) of the third conductive path (20a), and the optical signal is sent from the optical fiber (11) to the adjacent station. . Therefore, from the first conduction path (19), the light receiving element (13), the amplifier circuit (14), the light emitting element (17),
The second conductive path (20e) and the third conductive path (20a) also constitute a second pass-through means that allows the optical signal flowing through one connecting end to flow to a different connecting end.

Next, in FIG. 3, (2g) is the amorphous semiconductor laminated part in FIG. 2, (29) is the porous part in FIG. (29
) and an amorphous semiconductor laminated portion (28), one part of which allows light to pass through, and the other part of which receives light and performs photoelectric conversion.

Next, in Fig. 4, (30) is a remote controller for temperature adjustment, (31) is an air conditioner unit, for example, an indoor unit of an air conditioner, (32) is located in the indoor unit (31), and a transistor ( (34) is a commercial power supply, (34) is a commercial power supply, (34) is a commercial power supply,
35) is a battery, and (36) is a microcomputer in the remote controller (30).

In each figure, the same or equivalent components as in the conventional example are represented by the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted.
The same reference numerals indicate the same or equivalent parts.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention will be explained using FIGS. 1 to 3.

In FIGS. 1 to 3, a part of the light that enters one end (+9a) of the first light guide path (19) from the optical fiber (11) passes through the light receiving element (13), and remains as it is in the first light guide path (+9a).
19) through the other end (19b), and the optical fiber (It)
light is sent to. Further, one end (1) of the first light guide path (19)
The other part of the light incident on 9a) is photoelectrically converted by the light receiving element (13), passes through the amplifier circuit (14) and the output driver transistor (16), and is input to the receiving terminal (IN).

On the other hand, the electrical signal from the signal transmission terminal (OUT) is transmitted to the light emitting element (17) through the current limiting resistor (18). This electrical signal is converted into an optical signal by the light emitting element (17), and the light is injected into one end (20b) of both the second light guide path (20) and the third light guide path (20a). − of the second light guide path (20)
The light injected into the end (20b) passes through the second light guide path (20), is sent to the other end (20c) of the second light guide path (20), and is sent to the optical fiber (II). In addition, the third light guide path (20
The light injected into one end (20b) of a) flows through the third light guide path (20b).
Pass through 0a).

It is sent to the other end (20d) of the third light guide path, and is sent to the optical fiber (
11).

In this way, this communication node (12) can receive optical signals from either the left or right direction, and can also amplify the signal and transmit the same signal to both the left and right directions. Furthermore, even if a failure occurs in the power supply or light emitting element of this communication node (12), this communication node (12)
By passing through 12), the optical signal can reach the adjacent communication node, so that the two communication systems as a whole can perform communication operations. Also, nine communication nodes are simply connected by one optical fiber (11).

For example, when one of the communication nodes fails, if the ring system is used, token ring communication is performed in a clockwise direction, and all nodes other than the failed communication node can communicate with each other. moreover,
It also enables bidirectional multi-path optical communication instead of the ring method used in optical communication.

Next, an example in which the first embodiment of the present invention is adopted for centralized control of air conditioners will be explained using FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, the plurality of communication nodes (12) explained in FIG.
Connect with optical fiber (11). Communication node A (
(hereinafter referred to as station A) is remote: 77) 0-rah (3G)
and the electrical pulse signal is sent. and,
Assuming that the station next to the left side of station A is station B, the station next to it is station 0, and the station on the right side is station D, the air conditioner indoor unit (31) is electrically connected to each station B, C, and D. has been done.

For example, three air conditioner indoor units (31) are distributed in a large room and connected to stations B, C, and D, and one remote controller (30) for temperature adjustment is installed.
In the case of a remote controller (3o), the control signal from the remote controller (3o) is converted into an optical signal at the A station and transmitted to the B and D stations in both left and right directions. Station B not only receives signals from its own station, such as signals to operate a fan motor, but also transmits signals from the transistor (16) to the microcomputer (32).
, and synchronously drives the transistor (33) in the same communication format as that received with a partial pulse width,
A light emitting element (17) (not shown) transmits light in both directions, and station 0 receives and receives this optical signal. Naturally, the light returns to station A, but the overlap of light due to synchronization delays within this node station is caused by the microcomputer (32).
Considering that serial signals are transmitted only with a predetermined baseband pulse width during optical transmission, and that in this type of air conditioner control system, the communication pit rate can be very slow, such as less than IK baud. It does not interfere with communication in any way.

Now, the optical pass-through function by the light receiving element (13) (not shown), which is one function of the communication node (12), will be explained.

For example, unlike the air conditioner indoor unit (31) which can supply sufficient power to the node stations B, C, and D from the commercial power supply (34), the remote controller (30) cannot be operated on batteries (35) or the like. In such a case, if the information generated at station D has no relation to the remote controller at station A and is information that you want to send to the air conditioner indoor unit (31) at station B and station 0, station A will send the light receiving element (13) Using the light pass-through function (not shown), the microcomputer (36) in the remote controller (30) is programmed in advance to prevent the light emitting element (17) of station A from emitting light and to save power. Pass-through is also possible by programming.

In other words, station A receives the normal optical communication status between stations A and D, but optical communication is carried out only when there is a need for communication information from station A to other stations, and optical amplification is performed. By using this communication node (communication device), it is possible to pass through light without transmitting light to the neighboring station.

In addition, the optical fiber for optical communication control of air conditioners is a single optical fiber between each air conditioner remote control A and Q.
For example, just like a coaxial electric wire cable, it can be connected with just one wire.2 It has the great advantage of not having to worry about the so-called ring method used in ordinary optical communication systems.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the first
A light receiving element capable of receiving light from both directions, allowing a part of the received light to pass through, and photoelectrically converting the other part is arranged in the middle of the second light guide path. A light emitting element is arranged at one end of the third light guide path,
Furthermore, one end of the first light guide path and the other end of the second light guide path are connected, and the other end of the first light guide path is connected to the other end of the third light guide path, so the following There is a similar effect.

(1) By using the mate station of the first embodiment of the present invention, bidirectional communication can be achieved using a single optical fiber, eliminating the need for a ring system. In addition, one amorphous semiconductor photoelectric conversion element (
(Photoelectric element) enables bidirectional optical reception.

(2) Highly reliable and inexpensive optical communication equipment that can pass through the light to the neighboring station even if a station's 7- card (communication equipment) breaks down electrically. Can be provided.

(3) It is inexpensive because no expensive prisms are used for splitting light, extracting signals, etc.

In the first embodiment, two pass-through means, the first and the second, are provided.
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below, in which the light receiving means has the same structure as the light transmitting means.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 5 is an overall configuration diagram of an optical communication device capable of single-line bidirectional communication according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, (41) is one optical fiber.

The other end is connected to a terminal station (not shown), that is, to a station corresponding to station 0 in the first embodiment. (42) is a connector connected to the end of the optical fiber (41), which corresponds to the connecting end (39) of the first embodiment;
41) is branched into two by the connector (42), and a branched optical fiber (43a) and a branched optical fiber (43b) are connected. (45) is the other optical fiber,
One end is connected to a terminal station (not shown) different from the former, that is, to a station corresponding to station A in the first embodiment. (4
6) is a connector connected to the end of the optical fiber (45), which corresponds to the connecting end (38) of the first embodiment, and the optical fiber (45) is branched into two at the connector (46), resulting in a nine-branch optical fiber. (47a) and a branch optical fiber (47b). (61) is a light receiving element as a light receiving section consisting of a photodiode, a phototransistor, etc.; (62) is an amplifier circuit consisting of an operational amplifier etc. that amplifies the output of the light receiving element (61); (63) is a constant voltage power supply circuit; (63) is a constant voltage power supply circuit; 64) is a binarization circuit that shapes the waveform of the output of the amplifier circuit (62) as necessary, and (65) is an output transistor, which constitute the light receiving device (50a). (66) The current limiting resistor (67) is a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode as a light transmitting section, and these constitute a light transmitting device (50b). (44a) is a light receiving unit that receives the optical signal of the branched optical fiber (43a); (48a) is the light receiving unit that receives the optical signal of the branched optical fiber (47a);
(77) is a light transmitter that sends optical signals received by the light receiving sections (44a) and (48a) to the light receiving element (61) of the receiving device (50a). Therefore, branch optical fibers (43a) and (47
A) constitutes a first branch optical fiber having one end located at the connection end and the other end located at the light transmitting section of the light transmitting device. (7
8) is a light emitting element (6) which is a light transmitting part of a light transmitting device (50b).
(44b)
connects the optical signal received by the optical receiver (78) to an optical branching fiber (
(47b) is the light receiver (7).
8) is a light transmitting unit that sends out the optical signal received in the optical branch fiber (47b). Therefore, branch optical fiber (43b
) and (47b) constitute a second branch optical fiber, one end of which is located at the connection end, and the other end of which is connected to the light receiving device.

The light receiving device (50a) and the light transmitter (50b) are
This second embodiment constitutes a transmitting/receiving means that amplifies the optical signal obtained from the light receiving element (61) with the amplifier circuit (62) and outputs it from the light emitting element (67) of the transmitting device (sob). A second pass-through means of one embodiment is provided.

The overall operation of the optical communication device configured as described above that enables midline bidirectional communication is performed as follows.

An optical signal transmitted from one optical fiber (41) is branched into two branch optical fibers (43a) and (43b) via a connector (42). The branched optical signal is optically coupled from the light receiving section (44a) to the light receiving device (50a), where the light receiving device (50a) converts and amplifies the signal into an electrical signal, and further converts it into a binary signal as necessary. The light receiving device (
A light transmitting device (50b) transmits the binarized electrical signal in 50a).
Output from. The optical signal output from the light transmitting device (50b) is sent to the light transmitting section (48b) at the end of the branched optical fiber (47b) branched from the other optical fiber (45).
The light transmitting device (50b) sends out an optical signal, and the optical signal is transmitted to the other optical fiber (45).

Similarly, the optical signal transmitted from the other optical fiber (45) is branched into two branch optical fibers (47a) and (47b) via the connector (46). The branched optical signal is sent from the light receiving section (48a) to the light receiving device (5,0
a), and the electrical signal that has been binarized by the light receiving device (50a) is output from the light transmitting device (50b). The optical signal output from the light transmitting device (50b) is sent from the light transmitting device (50b) to the light transmitting section (44b) at the end of the single-branch optical fiber (43b), and the optical signal is sent to the optical fiber (41
) sends an optical signal to

In this way, in this embodiment, there are a pair of optical fibers (41) and optical fibers (45), one end of which is connected to the terminal station and the other end of which is branched into two.

The ends of the pair of bifurcated optical fibers (41) and optical fibers (45) are divided into two together, one of the two halves is used as a receiving end, and the other halves are used as a transmitting end. A light receiving device (50a) and a light transmitting device (50b) that amplify and widen the optical signal obtained from the transmitting end and output it to the transmitting end.
), etc. Therefore, single-wire bidirectional optical communication can be performed from the optical fiber (41) to the optical fiber (45) and from the optical fiber (45) to the optical fiber (41). At this time, there is no need for monitoring control means, switching means, etc. for two-way communication as in the past.

Furthermore, in the second embodiment, both ends of the pair of bifurcated optical fibers (41) and optical fibers (45) are collectively used for transmission and reception.
Optical signals in both directions can also be separated and amplified. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the received signal is retransmitted in parallel with being used at the receiving station, so even if the receiving station is out of order and the received signal is not being used, the stations on both sides can The same signal can be sent to the

As described above, the optical communication device according to the second embodiment of the present invention has the following features:
The ends of a plurality of pairs of optical fibers, one end of which is connected to the terminal station and the other end of which is branched into two, are divided into two, one of the two halves is used for reception, and the other of the two halves is for reception. The optical fiber is used for transmission, and the transmitting/receiving means amplifies the optical signal obtained from the receiving end and outputs it to the transmitting end. Therefore, by branching the end of the optical fiber into two, one can be used for reception. One side can be used for two-way communication, and the other side can be used for transmission, making it possible to perform two-way communication without using monitoring control means, switching means, etc. for two-way communication.

By the way, in the second embodiment, the receiving device.

Although one transmitter is provided for each, the number is not limited to one, and a plurality of transmitters may be provided as necessary. An example thereof is shown in FIG. 6 as a third embodiment.

[Third Embodiment] FIG. 6 is an overall configuration diagram of an optical communication device that enables single-line bidirectional communication according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In addition.

In the figure, (41), (42), which have the same symbols as the second embodiment,
(43a) (43b), (44a), (44b)
, (45), (46), (47a) (47b),
(48a) (48b), (50a), (5Qb)
, (77), and (78) are the same parts, so their explanation will be omitted. (51a) is a second light receiving device having the same structure and the same function as the first light receiving device (51a);
b) is a second light transmitting device having the same structure and the same function as the first light transmitting device, and (52) is a microcomputer. Note that the second light receiving device (51a) and the second light transmitting device (51b) are.

Since it also constitutes a transmitting/receiving means that amplifies the optical signal obtained from the light receiving element (61) with the amplifier circuit (62) and outputs it from the light emitting element (67) of the transmitting device (50b), the first light receiving device ( 50a) and the first light transmitting device (50b), it is provided with the second pass-through means of the first embodiment.

The overall operation of the optical communication device configured as described above that enables single-line bidirectional communication is performed as follows.

An optical signal transmitted from one optical fiber (41) is branched into two branch optical fibers (43a) and (43b) via a connector (42). The branched optical signal is sent from the light receiving section (44a) to the first light receiving device (50a).
is optically coupled to the first light receiving device (50a), converted into an electrical signal, amplified and binarized, and then sent to the first light transmitting device (sob
) at the end of the branched optical fiber (47b).
8b), the first light transmitting device (50b) transmits an optical signal, and the optical signal is transmitted to the other optical fiber (45).

Further, the optical signal transmitted from another optical fiber (45) is branched into two branch optical fibers (47a) and (47b) via a connector (46). and.

The branched optical signal is optically coupled from the light receiving section (48a) to the second light receiving device (51a), and the second light receiving device (51a)
The light is converted into an electrical signal, amplified, and binarized, and transmitted from the second light receiving device (51a) to the light transmitting section (44b) at the end of the branched optical fiber (43b) from the second light transmitting device (51b). and transmit the optical signal to the other optical fiber (41).

At this time, the outputs of the first light receiving device (50a) and the second light receiving device ff (51a) are
2) reception input terminal (RDI) and reception input terminal (RD
2), and after decoding the signal, if it is necessary to transmit it to another station, connect the transmission output terminal (TDI) and the transmission output terminal (
If the signal is transmitted from the optical fiber (41) or the optical fiber (45) from the TD2) during idle time, the first light receiving device (5Qa) and the second light receiving device (51a) will transmit the signal to the optical fiber (41) and the optical fiber (45) in both directions. ) can transmit signals simultaneously.

In this way, the optical communication device capable of bidirectional single-wire communication according to the third embodiment includes a pair of optical fibers (41), one end of which is connected to the terminal station, and the other end of which is branched into two. The optical fiber (45), the two branched optical fibers (43a) and (43b), and the branched optical fiber (4
7a) and (47b), one end is used for receiving the other optical fiber (4I) or optical fiber (45), and the other end is used for transmitting the other optical fiber (45) or optical fiber (41). , the first amplifies the output signal input from the receiving end, converts it into an electrical signal to be supplied to the transmitting end, and amplifies it and binarizes it as necessary.
The first light receiving device (50a) and the first light receiving device (50a) are provided with amplification means.

Thus, it is possible to receive a signal from the receiving end of one optical fiber, independently amplify it with amplification means and transmit it to the transmitting end of the other optical fiber, simultaneously or in a time-sharing manner. A signal is received from the receiving end of the optical fiber, amplified independently by an amplification means, and transmitted to the transmitting end of one optical fiber. Therefore, bidirectional signals can be amplified and controlled independently. Moreover, monitoring control means, switching means, etc. for two-way communication are not required.

By the way, the transmitting/receiving means of the optical communication device capable of bidirectional single-line communication according to the third embodiment is composed of a light receiver consisting of a light receiving element, an amplifier circuit, and a binarization circuit, and a light transmitter consisting of a current limiting resistor light emitting element. has been done. However, when carrying out the present invention, the light receiving element, the amplifier circuit 9 and the light emitting element can also be used.
Since the binarization circuit performs waveform shaping for pulse transmission, it may be installed as necessary.

In the third embodiment, the received signal is used at the receiving station and retransmitted in parallel with each pair of the two receiving devices and the transmitting device. Since two of the second pass-through means of the first embodiment are provided, even when the receiving station is out of order and the received signal is not being used, it is possible to send the same signal to the neighboring stations on both sides, as in the second embodiment. Not only can the signal be reliably transmitted, but even if one pair of the receiving device and the transmitting device fails, the same signal can be sent to the adjacent station.

As shown below, in the third embodiment of the present invention, the ends of a pair of optical fibers are connected to each other, with one end connected to the terminal station and the other end branched into two.

The end is used for receiving the other optical fiber, the other end is used for transmitting the other optical fiber part, and the transmitting/receiving means amplifies the output signal input from the receiving end and outputs it to the transmitting end. It is something. Therefore, the same effect as the former can be obtained, and since optical signals can be amplified by the transmitting/receiving means for each direction, bidirectional optical communication can be performed using a single wire.

Although the probability that both the two pairs of transmitting devices and receiving devices in the third embodiment will fail is very low, some concerns remain. Therefore, an example in which the first pass-through means of the first embodiment is provided in the third embodiment is shown in FIG. 7 as a fourth embodiment.

[Fourth Embodiment] FIG. 6 is an overall configuration diagram of an optical communication device that enables single-line bidirectional communication according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In addition.

In the figure, the same reference numerals as in the third embodiment have the same configuration and the same function, so the explanation will be omitted.

What is different in FIG. 7 from FIG. 6 of the third embodiment is that a one-branch optical fiber (42) and a one-branch optical fiber (43), which functions as the first pass-through means of the first embodiment, is installed between the connector (42) and the connector (43).
69). By providing the branch optical fiber (69) for the first pass-through means in this way, the optical signal coming from the optical fiber (41) or the optical fiber (45) from the neighboring stations on both sides is transferred to the three branch optical fibers (43a). (43b)(9) or (47a)(
47b) Branched into (9) and becomes one branch optical fiber (9)
The light that passes through it passes through as it is and is transmitted to the station on the opposite side. Therefore, even if not only the receiving station fails, but also all of the pairs of receiving equipment and transmitting equipment fail, the optical signal will be transmitted as is to the neighboring station via the branch optical fiber (9), and the entire network will be Since normal communication can be performed except for the faulty station by connecting only a single optical fiber and not forming a loop, it has the same effect as the first embodiment.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, the optical communication device of the present invention has a plurality of connecting ends that can be connected to an optical fiber for optical transmission connecting each station, and includes a light transmitting device that sends out a signal as light, and a light receiving device that receives the optical signal. In one optical communication device, each of the plurality of connection ends has a first branch optical fiber, one end of which is located at the plurality of connection ends, and the other end of which is located at the light transmission section of the light transmission device. a light transmitting means; a light receiving means having, for each of the plurality of connected ends, a second branched optical fiber having one end located at the plurality of connected ends and the other end connected to the light receiving device; Since a pass-through means for passing optical signals to different connection ends is provided, the switching signal from other stations and the monitoring and control unit of the local station require an expensive optical transmission prism or a mechanical drive to move the prism. It enables a two-way communication system that allows optical communication in both directions instead of a loop-ring system in one direction, without requiring an R side, and even if one station fails, it can reliably send light to the neighboring station. This has the unique effect of providing a highly reliable and inexpensive optical communication device that enables a single-wire connection that can be passed through.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of a communication node according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the light receiving element in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the light receiving element in FIG. FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing an air conditioner control system using the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is an optical communication device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 6 is an overall configuration diagram of an optical communication device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is an overall configuration diagram of an optical communication device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The figure is a plan view of the branch communication device of the first conventional example, FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a state in which the prism is placed in the optical path, and FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the state in which the prism shown in FIG. 8 is removed from the optical path. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing a first conventional optical transmission system. FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the optical communication device of the second example. (11) is an optical fiber, (12) is a communication node, (
13) is a light receiving element, (17) is a light emitting element, (19)
is the first light guide path. (19a) is one end of the first light guide, (19b) is the other end of the first light guide (20e) is the second light guide, (20a) is the third light guide, (20b) is the second light guide. One end of the third light guide path, (jlo
c) is the other end of the second light guide path. (20d) is the other end of the third light guide path, (41), (45)
is an optical fiber (44a), (48a) is a light receiving part,
(44b), (48b), light transmitting section (43a),
(43b), (47a), (47b), (69)
is a branch optical fiber, (50a) and (51a) are light receivers, and (50b) and (51b) are light transmitters. Note that in FIG. 1, the same reference numerals and the same symbols indicate the same or equivalent parts.

Claims (10)

[Claims] (1) In a single station optical communication device that has an optical fiber for optical transmission connecting each station and a connecting end, a light transmitting device that sends out a signal as light, and a light receiving device that receives the optical signal, one end is a light transmission means having a first branch optical fiber located at each of the plurality of connection ends, the other end of which is located at the light transmission section of the light transmission device; and one end located at the plurality of connection ends. a light receiving means having each of the plurality of connecting ends a second branch optical fiber whose other end is connected to the light receiving device; and a pass-through means for flowing the optical signal flowing through the plurality of connecting ends to a different one of the plurality of connecting ends. An optical communication device characterized by being provided with. (2) The optical communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that a third branch optical fiber is used as the pass-through means. (3) The third branch optical fiber is also used as the second branch optical fiber, and each second branch optical fiber is connected near the other end of each second branch optical fiber.
3. The optical communication device according to claim 2, further comprising a partial conduction means for conducting one end of the light passing through the branched optical fiber to the other second branched optical fiber. (4) The optical communication device according to claim 3, wherein a part of the light receiving element of the light receiving device is used as a conduction means so that light passes through it. (5) The optical communication device according to claim 4, characterized in that it includes a light receiving element and a transparent electrode. (6) The optical communication device according to claim 5, wherein the light receiving element is an element in which a porous amorphous semiconductor having slits or meshes is laminated on a glass substrate. (7) The optical communication device according to claim 1, wherein the light transmitting section of the light transmitting device is a light emitting element. (8) The optical communication device according to claim 7, wherein the light emitting element is an LED. (9) The pulse-through means is configured to transmit the optical signal received by the light receiving device via the light receiving means to the plurality of connection ends via the light transmitting device and the light transmitting means. The optical communication device according to item 1. (10) The optical communication device according to claim 9, wherein the optical signal received by the receiving device is amplified and then sent to the light transmitting device.