Method and apparatus for variable optical attenuation for an optical switch
AssigneeContinuum Photonics, Inc.
InventorsKamyar Ghandi, Timothy Glenn
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A controller in an optical switch providing optical coupling of an optical signal between a source port and a target port employs, in at least one axis, gradient control using a feedback loop that compensates for alignment error between a source port and a target port in an optical switch. In at least one other axis, the controller generates a control input according to a control law that results in variable attenuation of optical coupling between the source port and the target port in the optical switch. A dither signal may be applied to the control input in the at least one other axis. Amplitude of the applied dither signal may be varied.
Claims25
A method for controlling optical coupling between a source port and a target port in an optical switch, the method comprising:
- in at least one axis, compensating for alignment error between a source port and a target port in an optical switch using a feedback loop employing gradient control;
- and
- in at least one other axis, generating a control input according to a control law that results in variable attenuation of the optical coupling between the source port and the target port in the optical switch.
An apparatus for controlling optical coupling in an optical switch, the apparatus comprising:
- in at least one axis, a controller employing gradient control using a feedback loop that compensates for alignment error between a source port and a target port in an optical switch;
- and
- in at least one other axis, the controller generates a control input according to a control law that results in variable attenuation of optical coupling between the source port and the target port in the optical switch.
An apparatus for controlling optical coupling in an optical switch, the apparatus comprising:
- in at least one axis, means for compensating for alignment error between a source port and a target port in an optical switch using a feedback loop employing gradient control;
- and
- in at least one other axis, means for generating a control input according to a control law that results in variable attenuation of optical coupling between the source port and the target port in the optical switch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.