Single-mode data buses for local area network applications

An optimized fifteen-terminal tapped-tee data bus and a 9 × 9 star data bus were constructed using low-loss single-mode fiber fused-tapered 2 × 2 and 3 × 3 couplers. High-speed data transmission was demonstrated at 500 Mbit/s with a maximum throughput loss of 33 dB for the tapped tee system and mean throughput loss of 11 dB for the star system. System design parameters and experimental results are given in each case.