High Speed Optical Switch
AssigneeGeorgia Tech Research Corporation
InventorDavid A. Keeling
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A high speed optical switch may include a plurality of pairs each having a length Lπ that may be connected in series. All switching may be accomplished in the high speed optical switch by discharging one arm in a pair (e.g. a single Lπ) at a time. Lπ may refer to a guide length used to induce a relative π phase shift. Each of the plurality of pairs may have two arms with both arms being initially charged. If both arms in any give pair have the same state, (e.g. either charged, uncharged, or charging) a ‘1’ may be transmitted through that pair. If the arms are in opposite states, (e.g. charged or uncharged) a π phase shift may be produced and a ‘0’ may be transmitted through that pair. For example, a first pair in the series may be recharged while other pairs are using in switching.
Claims20
A method for providing high speed switching, the method comprising:
- discharging a first arm in a first side of a switch;
- discharging a second arm in a second side of the switch;
- charging the first arm and the second arm substantially simultaneously;
- and
- discharging a third arm in one of the first side of the switch and the second side of the switch during a time period in which charging the first arm and the second arm substantially simultaneously is conducted.
A system for providing high speed switching, the system comprising:
- a plurality of pairs configured to be initially charged, the plurality of pairs comprising a switch;
- a first arm in a first side of the switch, the first arm configured to be discharged;
- a second arm in a second side of the switch, the second arm configured to be discharged;
- a charging component configured to charge the first arm and the second arm substantially simultaneously;
- and
- a third arm in one of the first side of the switch and the second side of the switch, the third arm configured to be discharged during a time period in which charging the first arm and the second arm substantially simultaneously is conducted.
A computer-readable medium which stores a set of instructions which when executed performs a method for providing high speed switching, the method executed by the set of instructions comprising:
- discharging a first arm in a first side of a switch;
- discharging a second arm in a second side of the switch;
- charging the first arm and the second arm substantially simultaneously;
- and
- discharging a third arm in one of the first side of the switch and the second side of the switch during a time period in which charging the first arm and the second arm substantially simultaneously is conducted.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.