Communication system providing hybrid optical/wireless communications and related methods

Abstract

A communication system includes at least one optical-wireless device coupled to a longitudinal side of an optical fiber. The optical-wireless device may include an optical fiber power unit for converting optical power into electrical power, and a wireless communication unit electrically powered by the optical fiber power unit. The optical-wireless device may include a substrate mounting the optical fiber power unit and the wireless communication unit to the longitudinal side of the optical fiber. The wireless communication unit may include a radio frequency transmitter, and a signal optical grating coupling the transmitter to the longitudinal side of the optical fiber. The radio frequency transmitter in some embodiments may include an ultra-wideband transmitter. A dipole antenna may also be provided including first and second portions extending in opposite directions along the longitudinal side of the optical fiber.

1 - 37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         38 . An optical-wireless device to be coupled to an optical fiber and comprising:
 a substrate configured to be directly coupled to the optical fiber; and   an ultra-wideband wireless communication unit carried by said substrate and configured to be coupled to the optical fiber.   
     
     
         39 . The optical-wireless device according to  claim 38  wherein said substrate is configured to be coupled to a longitudinal side of the optical fiber. 
     
     
         40 . The optical-wireless device according to  claim 38  wherein said ultra-wideband communication unit comprises an ultra-wideband transmitter. 
     
     
         41 . The optical-wireless device according to  claim 40  wherein said ultra-wideband communication unit comprises a signal optical grating configured to couple said ultra-wideband transmitter to the optical fiber. 
     
     
         42 . The optical-wireless device according to  claim 40  wherein said ultra-wideband communication unit further comprises an antenna coupled to said ultra-wideband transmitter. 
     
     
         43 . An optical-wireless device to be coupled to an optical fiber and comprising:
 a substrate configured to be directly coupled to the optical fiber; and   an ultra-wideband transmitter carried by said substrate and configured to be coupled to a longitudinal side of the optical fiber.   
     
     
         44 . The optical-wireless device according to  claim 40  further comprising a signal optical grating configured to couple said ultra-wideband transmitter to the optical fiber. 
     
     
         45 . The optical-wireless device according to  claim 40  further comprising an antenna coupled to said ultra-wideband transmitter. 
     
     
         46 . A method for making an optical-wireless device to be coupled to an optical fiber and comprising:
 providing a substrate configured to be directly coupled to the optical fiber; and   mounting an ultra-wideband wireless communication unit on the substrate and configured to be coupled to the optical fiber.   
     
     
         47 . The method according to  claim 46  wherein providing the substrate comprises providing the substrate configured to be coupled to a longitudinal side of the optical fiber. 
     
     
         48 . The method according to  claim 46  wherein mounting the ultra-wideband communication unit comprises mounting an ultra-wideband transmitter. 
     
     
         49 . The method according to  claim 48  wherein mounting the ultra-wideband transmitter comprises using a signal optical grating to couple the ultra-wideband transmitter to the optical fiber. 
     
     
         50 . The method according to  claim 48  further comprising coupling an antenna to the ultra-wideband transmitter.