Configurations for an optical crossconnect switch

An optical switch for optically connecting any of multiple first ports to any of multiple second ports, comprising:

• an array of first ports;
• an array of first movable mirrors, wherein each one of said first movable mirrors is associated with a respective one of said first ports;
• said array of first ports defining a cross-sectional port array area relative to a first plane transverse to a propagation axis of optical signals transmitted between said first ports and said first movable mirrors;
• said array of first mirrors defining a cross-sectional mirror array area relative to a second plane transverse to said propagation axis of said optical signals transmitted between said first ports and said first mirrors;
• said cross-sectional port array area being different than said cross-sectional mirror array area.

An optical switch for optically connecting any of multiple first ports to any of multiple second ports, comprising:

• an array of first ports;
• an array of first movable mirrors wherein each one of said first movable mirrors is associated with a respective one of said first ports;
• said array of first ports defining a cross-sectional port array area relative to a first plane transverse to a propagation axis of optical signals transmitted between said first ports and said first mirrors;
• said array of first mirrors having a mirror array area defined relative to the mirror array support structure;
• said mirror array area being smaller than said cross-sectional port array area.

An optical switch for optically connecting any of multiple first ports to any of multiple second ports, comprising:

• an array of said first ports;
• an array of first movable mirrors wherein each one of said first movable mirrors is associated with a respective one of said first ports;
• an array of second ports;
• an array of second movable mirrors wherein each one of said second movable mirrors is associated with a respective one of said second ports;
• reflective means located in at least one of the following positions a) and b);
• a) optically interposed between said array of first ports and said array of first movable mirrors;
• and
• b) optically interposed between said array of second ports and said array of second movable mirrors.

An optical switch for optically connecting any of multiple first ports to any of multiple second ports, comprising:

• a first array of first movable mirrors on a first support structure;
• a second array of second movable mirrors on a second support structure;
• wherein a given one of said first movable mirrors receives an optical signal transmitted along a first input axis and a given one of said second movable mirrors reflects said optical signal along the a second output axis;
• said first and second axes and said first and second support structures having one of the following symmetries a) and b);
• a) rotational symmetry wherein said first and second axes and said first and second support structures are symmetrical relative to a 180 degree rotation about a first symmetry axis;
• and
• b) reflectional symmetry wherein said first and second axes and said first and second support structures are symmetrical about at least a second axis of symmetry.

An optical switch for optically connecting any of multiple first ports to any of multiple second ports, comprising:

• an array of first movable mirrors on a first support structure, said first array having a first centerpoint.
• a second array of second movable mirrors on a second support structure, said second array having a second centerpoint;
• said first support structure being oriented to define a first angle between a first line connecting said first and second centerpoints and a second line extending through said first centerpoint normal to said first support structure;
• said second support structure being oriented to define a second angle between said first line connecting said first and second centerpoints and a third line extending through said second centerpoint normal to said second support structure;
• and
• said first angle is substantially equal to said second angle.

An apparatus for use in connecting any of multiple first ports to any of multiple second ports, comprising:

• a first array of first movable mirrors, each of said mirrors being movable from a reference orientation across a range of angular orientations for effecting connections between various pairings of said first and second ports, said reference orientation being associated with a common reference condition of said first array;
• and
• a controller for controlling movement of said first movable mirrors'
• wherein said reference orientation for each one of said mirrors is dependent on the position of said one of said mirrors within said first array.