Laser transmitter system

Abstract

A laser transmitter system is disclosed which utilizes mechanical energy for generating an output pulse. The laser system includes a current developing device such as a piezoelectric crystal which charges a storage device such as a capacitor in response to a mechanical input signal. The capacitor is coupled to a switching device, such as a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR). The switching device is coupled to a laser transmitter such as a GaAs laser diode, which provides an output signal in response to the capacitor being discharged.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A laser transmitter system comprising: mechanical energy-producing means; piezoelectric means for providing electrical signals in response to said mechanical energy-producing means;   a first diode coupled between said piezoelectric means and a storage capacitor;   a storage capacitor coupled to said first diode, said capacitor being charged in response to said piezoelectric means;   silicon controlled rectifier having first, second and third electrodes, said first electrode being coupled to said first diode, said silicon controlled rectifier for discharging said capacitor in response to a signal applied to said third electrode of said rectifier;   laser diode means coupled to said second electrode of said silicon controlled rectifier for providing an output signal in response to current being discharged therethrough;   a second diode being coupled between said piezoelectric device and a transformer; and   a transformer having primary and secondary windings, said primary winding being coupled to said second diode, said secondary winding being coupled to said third electrode of said silicon controlled rectifier, said transformer for providing a signal to said third electrode of said silicon controlled rectifier in response to said piezoelectric means.   
     
     
       2. A laser transmitting system comprising: a piezoelectric means for providing electrical output signals in response to a mechanical input signal;   a first diode coupled to said piezoelectric means;   a capacitor coupled to said first diode, said capacitor storing energy in response to said piezoelectric means;   switching means having a current path and a control electrode, said current path being coupled to said capacitor for conducting energy stored in said capacitor in response to a signal applied to said control electrode;   laser means coupled to said current path of said switching means for providing an output signal in response to energy being conducted therethrough;   transformer means coupled between said piezoelectric means and said control electrode of said switching means, said transformer providing a signal to said control electrode of said switching means in response to said piezoelectric means.   
     
     
       3. A laser transmitter system comprising: piezoelectric means for providing an electrical output signal in response to a mechanical input signal;   a first diode coupled between said piezoelectric means and a capacitor;   a capacitor coupled to said first diode, said capacitor for storing energy in response to a said piezoelectric means;   switch means having a current path and a control electrode, said current path coupled between said capacitor and laser means, for discharging said capacitor in response to a signal applied to said control electrode;   means coupling said piezoelectric means and said control electrode of said switching means for providing said control electrode with a control signal;   laser means coupled to said current path of said switch means for emitting an output signal in response to said capacitor being discharged.   
     
     
       4. A laser transmitter system comprising: a piezoelectric means for providing output signals in response to a mechanical input signal;   energy storing means coupled to said piezoelectric means for storing energy in response to said piezoelectric means;   laser means for emitting an output signal in response to energy being discharged therethrough;   switching means having a current path and a control electrode, said current path being coupled between said energy storing means and said laser means for discharging said energy means through said laser means in response to a signal applied to said control electrode; and   means coupled to said control electrode of said switching means for providing a signal thereto.   
     
     
       5. A laser transmitter system comprising: piezoelectric means for providing an output signal in response to a mechanical input signal;   energy storing means coupled to said piezoelectric means for storing energy therefrom;   laser means for emitting an output signal in response to the discharge of said energy storing means;   switch means coupling said energy storing means and said laser means, said switching means having a control electrode for switching said switching means into conduction in response to a control signal; and   means coupled to said control electrode providing a control signal to said control electrode to discharge said energy storing means through said laser diode means thereby producing an output signal.   
     
     
       6. A laser transmitter system comprising: piezoelectric means providing an output signal in response to a mechanical input signal;   a plurality of energy storing means coupled to said piezoelectric means for storing energy therefrom;   laser means emitting an output signal in response to the discharge of any of said energy storing means;   a plurality of switch means each having a current path and a control electrode, said current paths respectively coupling said plurality of energy storing means to said laser means for selectively discharging said energy storing means in response to control signals being selectively applied to said control electrodes at predetermined periods of time for providing a coded output signal from said laser means; and   means coupled to said plurality of control electrodes for providing preselected-timed signals to said control electrodes of said switching means.