JPS58153431A - Optical communication system for car - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain highly reliable optical communication system, by using two pairs of loop-like optical transmission lines on which information is transmitted in reverse directions each other. CONSTITUTION:A control signal from a signal control unit CONT is sent to the optical transmission lines formed by connecting many similar signal converters like loops by optical fiber cables OF1, OF2 to transmit information in the reverse directions each other, and then sent to prescribed terminals U1-U3, U'1-U'3. Transmission signals from the terminals U1-U3 are transmitted to the unit CONT in the same manner. In said optical communication system, information can be completely transmitted/received even if one or both the optical fibers OF1, OF2 are cut off at a point E.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to improvements in optical communication systems in vehicles.

In recent years, many vehicles use optical communication systems between signal units to drive various control units in vehicles, but these optical communication systems are separated into individual units (tJl) (as shown in Figure 1). U2)... and other individual units) (Ul) (02)... are connected to the optical fiber (OF) via the electrical-to-optical converter (Elo) and the optical-to-electrical converter (0/E), respectively. The majority are installed at both ends. However, with the recent spread of microcombeaters, each of the units mentioned above has become multi-functional, and it has become necessary to share information between units 71, and to cope with the expansion of options, it has become necessary to share optical fibers.
As shown in the figure, a communication system called a data link communication system in which optical fibers (OF) are connected in a ring is being used. However, when using the above data link communication method to places with poor conditions such as vibrations and shocks, such as vehicles, part of the optical fiber (OF) may break, or the electrical/optical converter (Elo) or optical/electrical If one of the converters (0/E) fails, the entire communication system becomes inoperable, and a highly reliable optical communication system for use in vehicles has been desired.

In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide an optical communication system for a vehicle in which the operation of the entire system is not impaired due to breakage of a part of the optical fiber or failure of a part of the reformer. The information propagation method is such that each piece of information is propagated clockwise and counterclockwise to the optical fiber connected to the optical fiber, and when the axial path is partially disconnected or malfunctions, information propagates in the opposite direction to the other side. The aim is to provide an optical communication system with

Embodiments of the optical communication system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 3 and 4 show the first embodiment. (OFI) (OF2) is an optical fiber that forms a circular information flow path, and each has a counterclockwise information flow direction (Shu) and a clockwise information flow direction (B) as shown by the arrows. multiple signal converters (1) (
1)... and each signal converter (11(1)
..., information detection units (Ul) (U2), information display units (U'1) (U'2), and signal control units (Cavr). The two optical fibers (OFl) whose information propagation direction is reversed (
Each signal converter (1) interposed between each connection part of OF2)
For example, as shown in Fig. 4, it consists of an optical/electrical signal converter (0/E) section including two pairs of light receiving elements (2) and an electrical/optical signal converter (Elo) section including a light emitting element (3). , optical signal derivation terminal (FtX) from optical fiber (OFI) (OF2) and optical fiber (OFl) (OF2)
It has an optical signal introduction terminal (TX) for one of the optical fibers (OFl) and an optical/electrical signal converter (0/E) and an electrical/optical signal converter (Elo
) has a structure opposite to the pair interposed in the other optical fiber (OF2), and the information propagation direction (A) (
B) is configured to reverse.

The optical communication system with the above configuration is an information detection unit (U
l) (U2)... Signal converter (1)
(1) Each electrical/optical signal converter (Elo) and two circular optical fibers (OFI) (OF2
) to propagate information in the opposite direction to the information display unit) (LJ'l
) ([J'2)... is activated by the above-mentioned information detection unit) (Ul) (U2)... is detected by, for example, the signal control unit) (CONT) to the signal converter (1).
It is excited by the optical signal propagated to both optical fibers (OFI) (OF2) through the optical fibers (OFI) (OF2).

Here, in Fig. 3, both optical fibers (OFl) (OF
2) In the cable shown by the two-dot chain line, if the optical fiber (OFI) (6F2) signal is broken, the signal of the optical fiber (OFI) (6F2) will not propagate beyond the broken part (Ij), but both optical fibers (OFI Since the information propagation directions (A) and (B) in ) (OF2) are opposite, both optical fibers (OFI) and (OF2) mutually compensate up to the point of disconnection, resulting in information propagation in one unbroken line. The all-optical communication system will now operate normally.

In addition, in this optical communication system, for example, optical fiber (O
Even if one of the converters (11) that connects the FI) (OF2) fails, the information propagation path to the other converter (1) is secured, so all units other than the failed converter (1) are normal. It operates without affecting the operation of other units.

Next, FIGS. 5 to 8 show other embodiments of the optical communication system according to the present invention. (OR) is a light guide ring for optical information propagation molded into an annular shape from acrylic resin or glass, etc., and the side wall of the signal guide/input part (41 (41...) of the light guide ring (OR) is a light guide ring ( Introductory reflective surface (5
R) (5L) and a signal derivation surface (6) with an irregularly roughened surface.
) is formed and the introduction/reflection surface (5
R) Opposed to (5L) is an electrical/optical signal converter (Elo)
The light receiving element (2) of the optical/electrical signal converter (0/E) is attached opposite to the light emitting element (3) of and the signal deriving surface (6). The above electrical/optical signal converter (Elo) and optical/electrical signal converter (0/E) are equipped with an information detection unit (Ul).
([J2)... and signal control unit (CONT)
, an information display unit (u"i) (2)... is connected to the optical/electrical signal converter (O/E), and an optical amplifier having a light receiving element (2) and a light emitting element (3). (7
) is also 1 of the signal lead-in/out part (4) of the optical guide ring (OR).
It will be established in

In the optical communication system of this embodiment, an electric/optical signal converter (E
The light emitted from the light emitting element (3) of the light guide ring (OR) is reflected in different directions by the introduction reflection surfaces (5R) (5L) of the light guide ring (OR), and the signals are reflected clockwise and counterclockwise of the light guide ring (OR), respectively. It will start to spread around you. Therefore, one signal has optical signals that always propagate in opposite directions within the optical guiding ring (OR), and even if the portion (E) indicated by the two-dot chain line is disconnected, the state is such that they compensate for each other from the left and right directions. Since the optical signal propagates through the optical guiding ring (OR), there is no part of the system where the signal does not propagate. Therefore, the signal light reflected by the signal derivation surface (6) is received by the light receiving element (2) of the optical/electrical signal converter (0/E), and the input signal to the unit or signal control unit (CONT) is received. It also serves as an input signal for the optical amplifier (power).

In the light guiding ring (OR) with this configuration, the light as a signal is reflected by the signal deriving surface (9) to obtain the input to the light receiving element (2), so a signal of a constant concentration is required. By providing one or more optical amplifiers (7) in a part of the (OR) to amplify the input signal from the light receiving element (2) and returning it from the light emitting element (3) to the optical guide ring (OR). , it becomes possible to prevent signal concentration attenuation.

Furthermore, FIG. 9 shows the signal lead-in/out section (
4) and an optical connector (8) made of acrylic resin or glass for connecting an optical fiber (OF), and the optical communication system is connected in an annular manner as in the previous embodiment. The above-mentioned optical connector (8) is T-shaped and has a signal reflecting surface (2) consisting of an inclined surface facing at 45 degrees to the axis of the communication rod (9) that connects the optical fiber (OF) at both ends. 10R) (10L), and a signal derivation/input part (10R) (10L) is provided at a position opposite to the signal reflection surface (10α) (IOb).
υ are orthogonally protruded, and an electric/optical signal converter (Elo) and an optical/electrical signal converter (0
/E) or any of them. or,
If these transducers are not installed, it is possible to close one of the signal lead-in/out ports (4) by attaching a reflective surface (cap box with 11) to the end face of the signal lead-in/out part η1). .

As explained above, the optical communication system according to the present invention is configured so that one optical signal is propagated in a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction in a system formed in a ring shape, so that a part of the ring-shaped propagation path is broken. Even if a converter installed in a part of the propagation path fails, the optical signal will be propagated from the left and right toward the failed part, and the entire system will stop working. It is possible to obtain an extremely reliable optical communication system.

Further, according to the present invention, since an optical connector or a signal lead-in/out part is configured to laterally lead in and out optical signals from an optical fiber or optical guide/group configured in a ring shape, a signal converter can be inserted directly into the signal propagation path. Not only does the failure of the signal converter not affect the entire system, but it also has features such as the ability to easily add options to the system, and the practical effects after implementing the present invention. is extremely large.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawing shows an embodiment of the optical communication system of the present invention.
1 and 2 are explanatory diagrams showing a conventional optical communication system, FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of the converter, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a conventional optical communication system. An explanatory diagram showing the second embodiment, FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the same main part, FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of the main part, FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of the optical amplifier, and FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the optical connector. FIG. (OF) (OFI) (OF2) Optical 7 fiber (0/E) Optical/electrical signal converter (Elo) Electrical/optical signal converter (Ul) (L12)...Information detection unit) (
OR) Light guide ring (LJ'l) (σ2)...Information display unit (1) Converter (CONT) Signal control unit (
2) Light receiving element (3) Light emitting element (4) Signal lead-in/out part (
5R) (5L) Introducing reflective surface (6) Signal deriving surface (7)
Optical amplifier (8) Optical connector (IOR) (IOL)
Signal reflective surface (12) Cap kudzu In ga 2n r $5R Potato 61E Womb 717ri $ 8 lri $ri n

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) In an optical communication system that connects a small number of units (two or more units) to one information transmission system, one or more optical communication paths are configured in a ring shape1, and the optical communication path is On the other hand, this optical communication system for vehicles transmits clockwise and counterclockwise information at the same time, and prevents the entire system from stopping due to failure of a part of the optical communication path. (2) Optical communication path configured in a ring shape, with an inclined surface or irregular surface formed in a part of the path, and optical signals are guided to the side of the optical communication path, and light is also projected to the side. 2. The optical communication system for a vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a signal guide/output section provided with a light reflecting surface that refracts and introduces light in a direction. (3) The supplementary signal derivation/output section is constituted by an optical connector interposed between optical fibers, and an electrical/optical signal converter, an optical/electrical signal converter, or any of these is provided for the optical fiber. Claims 1 and 2 are characterized in that the light-reflecting cap is removable.
The vehicular optical communication system described in Section 1.