US 2003/0142900 A1 · Planar array optical switch and method

Abstract

An optical switch device includes a first array (20) of reflectors (22), each associated with a separate optical fiber input (12), and a second array (30) of reflectors (32), each associated with a separate fiber output (14). The reflectors (22 and 32) are positionable to direct an optical signal from any one of the fiber inputs (12) to any one of the fiber outputs (14). The optical signal is directed along an optical pathway between the desired fiber output (14) and its associated reflector that is substantially aligned with an axis extending centrally from the fiber output. Preferably, symmetrical fiber beam forming units for forming the optical signal into a focused beam are included between the fiber inputs (12) and the first array as well as between the second array (20) and the fiber outputs (14). A method for switching optical signals between an input and an output optical fiber end involves forming the optical signal emitted from the input fiber end into a focused beam wherein rays from a point on the input fiber end are convergent. The focused beam is directed towards the output fiber end using at least two positionable reflectors oriented to direct the signal so that, prior to reaching the fiber output, it propagates along an optical pathway that is substantially aligned with an axis extending centrally from the output fiber end.

Claims39

Dependent claims

An optical switch comprising:

a plurality of optical fibers for use in transmitting optical signals;
a plurality of beam forming devices each having an optical aperture, each of said beam forming devices being optically associated with a corresponding one of said plurality of optical fibers, said fibers and beam forming devices being configured such that each of said beam forming devices can image an optical aperture of a corresponding one of said fibers onto the optical aperture of another one of said beam forming devices corresponding to another one of said fibers;
a plurality of beam directing devices, each of said beam directing devices being optically associated with a corresponding one of said plurality of optical fibers, said beam directing devices being operative to establish an optical connection between a first fiber of said optical fibers and a second of said optical fibers by directing beams from said first fiber to said second fiber and directing beams from said second fiber to said first fiber so as to permit bi-directional communication between said first and second fibers;
said beam directing devices further being operative for establishing said connection between said first and second fibers such that, at an optical aperture of each of said first and second fibers, any angle between an axis of a beam entering or exiting a respective one of said first and second fibers and an axis of said respective one of said first and second fibers, is less than a numerical aperture of said respective one of said first and second fibers.

1 more element

An optical switch for directing an optical signal between an first fiber end and a selected second fiber end of a plurality of output fibers, said optical switch comprising:

first focusing means, disposed in known spatial relation to the first fiber end, for receiving said optical signal from said input fiber end and forming a focused beam, wherein said focused beam includes rays that converge to create an image of the first fiber on the second focusing means;
second focusing means is imaging the end of the second fiber onto the first focusing means;
beam directing unit, optically disposed relative to said focusing means for receiving said focused beam, for selectivity directing said focused beam relative to said selected second fiber end so as to optically connect said first fiber end and said selected output fiber end for transmission of said optical signal therebetween.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Planar array optical switch and method

Life of this patent

Planar array optical switch and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims39