Coded pulse data transmission using a look-up table

Abstract

Input data is encoded using a look-up table and then transmitted over a transmission medium as a series of pulses. The look-up table includes data elements. The length of each pulse is calibrated to correspond to one of the data elements in the look-up table. Upon receipt at another end of the transmission medium, the data is decoded using a look-up table. This decoding includes measuring the length of each received pulse to match the measured length to a corresponding one of data elements in the look-up table.

1 . A method for transmission of data, the method comprising:
 encoding, via an encoder, data using a look-up table to provide encoded data, the look-up table comprising a plurality of data elements, and the encoded data comprising a series of pulses;   calibrating the time duration of each pulse to correspond to a respective one of the data elements in the look-up table; and   sending the encoded data over a transmission medium.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the look-up table is a first look-up table, and further comprising:
 receiving the encoded data from the transmission medium, the received data comprising a series of received pulses; and   decoding the received data, the decoding comprising measuring the time duration of each received pulse to associate the time duration with a respective one of the data elements in a second look-up table.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising receiving video input data, and wherein:
 the encoding comprises encoding the video input data; and   the data elements each correspond to a pixel location or a color in a video image.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein:
 the transmission medium is a fiber optic line; and   the sending the encoded data further comprises transmitting the series of pulses using a laser.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the calibrating comprises adjusting the time duration of each pulse using a timing reference. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the timing reference is an atomic clock. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the time duration of one of the pulses is less than one thousandth of a second. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of the encoded data comprises test data configured for decoding at a decoder, and further comprising adjusting the calibrating to compensate for variations in the transmission medium based on data received from the decoder corresponding to decoding of the test data. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising sending a command prior to sending the encoded data, wherein the command identifies the type of encoded data being sent. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising selecting the look-up table from a plurality of look-up tables, each accessible by the encoder, to correspond to the command. 
     
     
         11 . A method for decoding data received from a transmission medium, the method comprising:
 receiving encoded data, comprising a series of pulses, from the transmission medium;   measuring the time duration of each pulse; and   decoding, via a decoder, the encoded data using a look-up table, the look-up table comprising a plurality of data elements, and the decoding comprising associating the time duration of each pulse with a respective one of the data elements in the look-up table.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the measuring comprises comparing the time duration of each pulse to a timing reference. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein:
 the transmission medium is a fiber optic line; and   the receiving further comprises sensing the pulses using an optical sensor.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising:
 receiving a command prior to receiving the encoded data, the command identifying the type of data being sent; and   selecting the look-up table to use in the decoding from a plurality of look-up tables, each accessible by the decoder, based on the command.   
     
     
         15 . A system for transmission of encoded data over a transmission medium, the system comprising:
 at least one memory comprising at least one look-up table, each at least one look-up table comprising a plurality of data elements; and   at least one processor, coupled to the at least one memory, configured to:
 encode input data to provide encoded data comprising a series of pulses; 
 calibrate the time duration of each pulse to correspond to a respective one of the data elements in one of the at least one look-up table; and 
 send the encoded data over the transmission medium. 
   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15  further comprising:
 a source to generate each pulse; and   a timing reference coupled for use in calibrating the time duration of each pulse.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16  wherein:
 the transmission medium is a fiber optic line; and   the source is a laser.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15  further comprising a decoder configured to:
 receive the encoded data from the transmission medium comprising sensing using an optical sensor, the received data comprising a series of received pulses; and   decode the received data comprising measuring the time duration of each received pulse to associate the time duration with a respective one of the data elements in a look-up table stored at the decoder.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15  wherein:
 the input data is video data;   the data elements of a first one of the at least one look up table each correspond to a pixel location in a video image; and   the data elements of a second one of the at least one look up table each correspond to a color in the video image.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19  wherein the at least one processor is further configured to send a command prior to sending the encoded data, the command identifying the type of data as video.