Integrated led/photodiode collimator array
AssigneeCorning Incorporated
InventorsChristopher P. Brophy, Marc G. Brun, Mark F. Krol
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a collimator assembly for use in an optical switch. The collimator assembly includes an integrated LED/photodiode plane disposed in a dual microlens array. The integrated LED/photodiode plane results in a relatively simple way to manufacture high port count collimator arrays with integrated monitoring capabilities. The LED/photodiode plane can be readily produced using standard electronics manufacturing technology.
Claims65
A collimator assembly comprising:
- a first microlens array, the first microlens array including at least one first microlens element;
- a second microlens array, the second microlens array including at least one second microlens element;
- and
- a monitor transceiver array disposed between the first microlens array and the second microlens array, the monitor transceiver array including at least one monitor transceiver element coupled to the at least one first microlens element and to the at least one second microlens element.
A method of making a collimator assembly, the method comprising:
- providing a first microlens array, the first microlens array including at least one first microlens element;
- providing a second microlens array, the second microlens array including at least one second microlens element;
- and
- disposing a monitor transceiver array between the first microlens array and the second microlens array, the monitor transceiver array including at least one monitor transceiver element coupled to the at least one first microlens element and to the at least one second microlens element.
A three-dimensional optical switch, the optical switch comprising:
- a first collimator array including a first monitor transceiver array disposed between a first pigtailed microlens array and a first free-space microlens array, the first pigtailed microlens array having at least one first pigtailed array element, the first monitor transceiver array including at least one first monitor transceiver element optically coupled to the at least one first pigtailed array element, and the first free-space microlens array including at least one first free-space microlens element optically coupled to the at least one first monitor transceiver element;
- a beam steering apparatus coupled to the first collimator array;
- and
- a second collimator array coupled to the beam steering apparatus, the second collimator array including a second monitor transceiver array disposed between a second pigtailed microlens array and a second free-space microlens array, the second pigtailed microlens array having at least one second pigtailed array element, the second monitor transceiver array including at least one second monitor transceiver element optically coupled to the at least one second pigtailed array element, and the second free-space microlens array including at least one second free-space microlens element optically coupled to the at least one second monitor transceiver element.
A method for monitoring the performance of an optical switch, the optical switch including a first collimator array having at least one first port array element, and a second collimator array element having at least one second port array element, the method comprising:
- directing the at least one light signal into the optical switch via the at least one first port array element;
- superimposing at least one transmission path monitoring signal onto the at least one light signal to thereby form at least one superimposed signal, the at least one transmission path monitoring signal being generated by the at least one first port array element;
- and
- directing the superimposed signal to the at least one second port array element, the at least one transmission path monitoring signal being received by the at least one second port array element, and the at least one light signal being directed out of the optical switch via the at least one second port array element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.