{"schema_version":"1.0","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9778078","patent":{"patent_number":"US-9778078","title":"Time division multiplexing (TDM) and wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) fast-sweep interrogator","assignee":null,"inventors":[],"filing_date":"2014-05-13T00:00:00.000Z","publication_date":"2017-10-03T00:00:00.000Z","cpc_codes":["G01D","G01D","G01D","G01D"],"num_claims":20,"abstract":"Methods and apparatus for fast sweeping a spectral bandwidth in order to distinguish among signals received from effectively wavelength division multiplexed (WDMed) and time division multiplexed (TDMed) optical components on a single fiber. For some embodiments, a method for interrogating optical elements having characteristic wavelengths spanning a sweep range is provided. The method generally includes introducing a pulse of light, by an optical source, into an optical waveguide to interrogate at least a first set of optical elements having different characteristic wavelengths by performing a sweep of wavelengths over a period of the pulse, wherein the period is less than a round-trip time for light reflected from an optical element closest to the optical source to reach a receiver and processing the reflected light to determine a parameter based on the times at which signals are received."},"analysis":{"summary":null,"layman_explanation":null,"technical_analysis":null,"business_analysis":null,"faqs":null,"topics":[],"tech_cluster":null},"seo":{"title":"Time division multiplexing (TDM) and wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) fast-sweep interrogator","description":"Methods and apparatus for fast sweeping a spectral bandwidth in order to distinguish among signals received from effectively wavelength division multiplexed (WDMed) and time division multiplexed (TDMe","keywords":[]},"attribution":{"source":"Patentable","source_url":"https://patentable.app","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9778078","license":"CC-BY-4.0-like","license_terms":"AI-generated analysis on this page (summary, layman_explanation, technical_analysis, business_analysis, faqs) may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL above. Patent abstracts, claims, and bibliographic data are USPTO public domain.","required_link":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9778078","citation_suggestion":"Patentable. \"Time division multiplexing (TDM) and wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) fast-sweep interrogator\" (US-9778078). https://patentable.app/patents/US-9778078","copyright_holder":"Nomic Interactive Technology LLC"},"links":{"html":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9778078","json":"https://patentable.app/api/llm-context/US-9778078","site":"https://patentable.app","llms_txt":"https://patentable.app/llms.txt"},"generated_at":"2026-06-06T14:25:24.383Z"}