Optically powered media converter

Abstract

An optically powered media conversion device for performing optical to electrical conversion is disclosed. The conversion device includes at least one optical coupler for receiving at least one optical signal comprising at least one wavelength, wherein the at least one optical coupler extracts energy from the at least one optical signal, and at least one detector for extracting data from the at least one optical signal and converting the optical signal to an electrical signal using a photovoltaic process. The conversion device further includes a transmitter for converting an electrical signal to an optical signal and transmitting the optical signal to a first device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of providing power to a remote optical conversion device, the method comprising:
 receiving from a first external device an optical signal at an optical interface of an electrical to optical conversion device, wherein the optical signal is delivered to the optical interface via a fiber optical cable and including at least one wavelength;   extracting energy from the optical signal;   developing electrical current from the energy using a detector, wherein the electrical current is developed through a photovoltaic process;   extracting data from the optical signal;   converting the data to an electrical signal; and   transmitting the electrical signal to an external device via an electrical interface of the electrical to optical interface device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the detector comprises a photodiode. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein extracting energy from the optical signal further comprises:
 extracting energy from a first wavelength of the optical signal; and   extracting data from a second wavelength of the optical signal.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 providing a charge pump with the electrical current;   providing a storage device electrically connected to the charge pump with energy; and   delivering the energy to the electrical to optical interface device.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving an electrical signal from an electrical interface, wherein the electrical signal includes data and power;   modulating a residual optical signal with the electrical signal to generate a modulated signal; and   transmitting the modulated signal via the optical interface.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the electrical interface is electrically connected to an unshielded twisted pair electrical interface. 
     
     
         7 . A system for providing power to a remote conversion device, the system comprising:
 a first and a second device, wherein the first device includes an optical source and wherein the second device includes electrical data;   a media conversion device;   at least one optical fiber cable having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the first device and the second end is connected to the media conversion device; and   at least one electrical conductor cable having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the second device and the second end is connected to the media conversion device.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the optical source generates an optical signal with at least one wavelength and further wherein the optical signal having optical data and energy. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the the media conversion device further comprises:
 at least one optical coupler wherein a first coupler extracts part of the energy from the at least one wavelength;   a detector, wherein the detector extracts the optical data from the at least one wavelength and wherein the detector further converts the optical data to electrical data;   a transmitter, wherein the transmitter accepts the electrical data from the second device and further converts the electrical data to a second optical signal and further transmits the second optical signal to the first device.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the media conversion device further comprises a power converter, wherein the power converter uses the energy extracted from the first coupler to develop electrical current used by the media converter. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the media conversion device further comprises:
 a splitter, wherein the splitter divides the at least one wavelength into a first energy portion and a second energy portion;   a photovoltaic cell, wherein the photovoltaic cell charges a charge pump using the second energy portion of the at least one wavelength; and   a storage device electrically connected to the charge pump, wherein the charge pump charges the storage device.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the media conversion device further comprises:
 a microcontroller;   a PIN detector, wherein the pin detector extracts data from the second wavelength and transmits the data to the microcontroller; and   a temperature sensor electrically connected to the microcontroller, wherein the temperature sensor sends temperature data to the microcontroller.   
     
     
         13 . An optically powered media conversion device for performing optical to electrical conversion, wherein the optically powered media conversion device comprises:
 at least one optical coupler for receiving at least one optical signal comprising at least one wavelength, wherein the at least one optical coupler extracts energy from the at least one optical signal;   at least one detector for extracting data from the at least one optical signal and converting the optical signal to an electrical signal using a photovoltaic process; and   a transmitter for converting an electrical signal to an optical signal and transmitting the optical signal to a first device.   
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the optically powered media conversion device further comprises:
 a splitter for dividing the at least one wavelength into a first signal power and a second signal power;   a PIN diode for extracting data from the first signal power;   a charge pump electrically connected to the PIN diode;   a storage device electrically connected to the charge pump;   a photovoltaic cell for extracting energy from the second signal power and delivering the energy to the charge pump, wherein the charge pump charges the storage device connected thereto.   
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the storage device further comprises a battery or a super capacitor. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the storage device further comprises a super capacitor. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the splitter divides the at least one wavelength into a first signal power and a second signal power evenly.