Multi-wavelength cross-connect optical switch
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of California
InventorsOlav Solgaard, Jonathan P. Heritage, Amal R. Bhattarai
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A cross-connect switch for fiber-optic communication networks employing a wavelength dispersive element, such as a grating, and a stack of regular (non-wavelength selective) cross bar switches using two-dimensional arrays of micromachined, electrically actuated, individually-tiltable, controlled deflection micro-mirrors for providing multiport switching capability for a plurality of wavelengths. Using a one-dimensional micromirror array, a fiber-optic based MEMS switched spectrometer that does not require mechanical motion of bulk components or large diode arrays can be constructed with readout capability for WDM network diagnosis or for general purpose spectroscopic applications.
Claims15
A fiber optic switch, comprising:
- (a) an input array of actuated mirrors;
- (b) an output array of actuated mirrors;
- (c) said mirrors configured for switching optic signals from a plurality of input optic fibers onto a plurality of output optic fibers;
- (d) wherein the optical field from each specific input fiber is incident on one specific mirror of the input array;
- (e) wherein each output fiber receives an optical field from one specific mirror in the output array;
- (f) wherein each mirror of the input array can be set to steer the incident optical field to any, but not more than one for a given setting of the output mirrors;
- and
- (g) wherein each output mirror can be set to receive an optical field from any, but not more than one for a given setting, of the input mirrors.
A fiber optic switch, comprising:
- (a) an input array of actuated mirrors;
- (b) an output array of actuated mirrors;
- (c) a first wavelength dispersive element;
- (d) a first plurality of lenses associated with said first wavelength dispersive element;
- (e) a second wavelength dispersive element;
- and
- (f) a second plurality of lenses associated with said second wavelength dispersive element;
- (g) wherein said first wavelength dispersive element and said first plurality of lenses are configured to position optical beams from a plurality of input optic fibers onto said input array of mirrors and wherein said second wavelength dispersive element and said second plurality of lenses are configured to position optical beams reflected by said output array of mirrors onto a plurality of output optic fibers.
A fiber optic switch, comprising:
- (a) a plurality of input optic fibers;
- (b) a plurality of output optic fibers;
- (c) an input array of actuated mirrors;
- (d) an output array of actuated mirrors;
- (e) a first wavelength dispersive element;
- (f) a first plurality of lenses associated with said first wavelength dispersive element;
- (g) a second wavelength dispersive element;
- and
- (h) a second plurality of lenses associated with said second wavelength dispersive element;
- (i) wherein said first wavelength dispersive element and said first plurality of lenses are configured to position optical beams from a plurality of input optic fibers onto said input array of mirrors and wherein said second wavelength dispersive element and said second plurality of lenses are configured to position optical beams reflected by said output array of mirrors onto a plurality of output optic fibers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.