Optical phase division multiplexing for local communications applications

A local fiber bus system is described wherein many users sequentially phase-modulate the output of a single light source. Since the modulated signal has a constant envelope, optical amplifiers can be used to boost the signal power along the bus to a level sufficient for reliable detection. Also, since a single laser source is used, a higher quality device (for example, with small linewidth) is more readily affordable. This system is analyzed to determine the limits of performance due to noise. The analysis indicates that many wideband signals could be accommodated if noise sources only, rather than signal distortions caused by nonideal optical devices, were the limiting factor. For example, with optical amplifiers distributed along the bus, this system can support 1000 10-MHz users