Optically coupled headset and microphone

DETAILED DESCRIPTION An electrical coupling such as conductive wires, however, may introduce interference that degrades the audio signals.
External radio-frequency ("RF") sources may induce interference into an electrical coupling.
For example, in an aircraft cockpit, whether civilian or military, external RF sources may induce currents in the lengthy sheathing of the conductive wires from the electrical equipment to the pilot's headset.
The induced currents degrade the audio signals going to the headset or interfere with front-end electronics on the equipment side.
Also, because the microphone in the pilot's headset is a piezoelectric or ribbon microphone whose small voltage or current is not amplified before it goes through the conductive wires to the equipment, the external RF source may induce voltages or currents that overwhelm the audio signal.
Also, for devices such as portable radio receivers, the conductive wires may act as extensions of the receiver's aerial.
The proximity of the conductive wires with the user may alter characteristics of the aerial and degrade RF reception by the receiver.
Thus electrical coupling of the headset and/or the microphone to the electrical equipment may impair the performance of the electrical equipment and the transfer of the audible communications.
It is therefore desirable to provide an non-electrical connection between the electronic equipment and the headset and/or microphone that reduces induced currents and voltages due to external radio-frequency sources.
The non-electrical connection may improve audible communications between the electronic equipment and the headset and/or microphone.
The non-electrical connection may also prevent coupling with the aerial of electronic equipment operating at radio frequencies.
One aspect of the invention relates to an electro-optical headset.
The electro-optical headset includes an optical driver for receiving a first electrical signal representative of audio and for producing a modulated light signal based on the first electrical signal