Flexible, modular, compact fiber optic switch

A fiber optic switching module comprising:

• a) a first and a second group of collimator receptacles which are separated from each other at opposite ends of a free space optical path, and each of which collimator receptacles is respectively adapted for receiving and fixing an optical fiber collimator assembly:
• that in turn receives and fixes an end of an optical fiber, and
• which is adapted for emitting a quasi-collimated beam of light into the optical path;
• and
• b) a first and a second set of reflective light beam deflectors that are both disposed within the optical path between the groups of collimator receptacles, each of the light beam deflectors in said first or said second set respectively being:
• associated with one of the optical fiber collimator assemblies receivable in the collimator receptacles;
• located so the quasi-collimated beam of light emittable from the associated optical fiber collimator assembly impinges upon the light beam deflector to be reflected therefrom;
• and
• energizable by drive signals supplied to said fiber optic switching module to be oriented for reflecting the quasi-collimated beam of light emittable from the associated optical fiber collimator assembly to also reflect off a selected one of the light beam deflectors in said second or in said first set;
• whereby a pair of light beam deflectors, one light beam deflector of the pair belonging to the first set and one belonging to the second set, when selected and oriented by the drive signals supplied thereto, establish an optical coupling for at least one quasi-collimated beam of light between a pair of optical fiber collimator assemblies respectively fixable in the first and in the second group of collimator receptacles;
• and
• wherein the fiber optic switching module further comprises:
• c) an environmental housing for enclosing the optical path, said environmental housing being configured so the quasi-collimated beam of light couplable between the pair of optical fiber collimator assemblies impinges only upon substantially reflective surfaces.

A fiber optic switching module comprising:

• a first and a second group of collimator receptacles which are separated from each other at opposite ends of a free space optical path, and each of which collimator receptacles is respectively adapted for receiving and fixing an optical fiber collimator assembly:
• that in turn receives and fixes an end of an optical fiber, and
• which is adapted for emitting a quasi-collimated beam of light into the optical path;
• and
• b) a first and a second set of reflective light beam deflectors that are both disposed within the optical path between the groups of collimator receptacles, each of the light beam deflectors in said first or said second set respectively:
• i. being:
• associated with one of the optical fiber collimator assemblies receivable in the collimator receptacles;
• located so the quasi-collimated beam of light emittable from the associated optical fiber collimator assembly impinges upon the light beam deflector to be reflected therefrom;
• and
• energizable by drive signals supplied to said fiber optic switching module to be oriented for reflecting the quasi-collimated beam of light emittable from the associated optical fiber collimator assembly to also reflect off a selected one of the light beam deflectors in said second or in said first set;
• and
• ii. including an orientation sensor which produces at least one orientation signal that is independent of the beam of light reflectable therefrom;
• whereby a pair of light beam deflectors, one light beam deflector of the pair belonging to the first set and one belonging to the second set, when selected and oriented by drive signals supplied to the pair that are responsive to the orientation signals produced by the pair, establish an optical coupling for at least one quasi-collimated beam of light between a pair of optical fiber collimator assemblies respectively fixable in the first and in the second group of collimator receptacles.

An optical fiber collimator assembly adapted to be received into any of a plurality of collimator receptacles included in a fiber optic switching module, the fiber optic switching module optically coupling at least one beam of light emitted thereinto between a pair of optical fiber collimator assemblies fixed in a selectable pair of the collimator receptacles, the optical fiber collimator assembly comprising:

• a lens having:
• a first face and a second face which adjoin each other, are not parallel, and are oriented at an oblique angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the lens, each of the first and second faces being adapted respectively to receive a beam of light emittable from an end of a duplex optical fiber at an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the optical fiber;
• and
• a third face through which beams of light entering the lens respectively through the first and second faces exit the lens to enter the fiber optic switching module,
• a body that receives the lens;
• and
• a duplex optical fiber having an end received into the body adjacent to the first and second faces of the lens and from which beams of light are emittable at an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the optical fiber, the end of the optical fiber and the first and second faces of the lens being positioned within the body so that:
• within the lens two beams of light, respectively exiting or entering the end of the duplex optical fiber at differing angles with respect to the center line of the optical fiber, are substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the lens;
• and
• quasi-collimated beams of light are emittable from the lens into the fiber optic switching module.

An optical fiber collimator assembly adapted to be received into any of a plurality of collimator receptacles included in a fiber optic switching module, the fiber optic switching module optically coupling at least one beam of light emitted thereinto between a pair of optical fiber collimator assemblies fixed in a selectable pair of the collimator receptacles, the optical fiber collimator assembly comprising:

• a lens having a first face adapted to receive a beam of light emittable from an optical fiber and a second face through which the beam of light exits the lens to enter the fiber optic switching module, the lens being formed with a smaller diameter outer surface adjacent to the first face and with a larger diameter outer surface adjacent to the second face;
• a body that receives the lens;
• and
• an optical fiber having an end received into the body adjacent to the first face of the lens, the end of the optical fiber and the first face of the lens being positioned within the body so a quasi-collimated beam of light is emittable from the lens into the fiber optic switching module.

A fiber optic switching module comprising:

• a) a first and a second group of optical fiber receptacles, said groups of optical fiber receptacles being separated from each other at opposite ends of a free space optical path, and each optical fiber receptacle being adapted for receiving and fixing an end of an optical fiber;
• b) lenses one of which is fixed respectively at each of the optical fiber receptacles of the first and second groups so the end of the optical fiber fixable in that optical fiber receptacle is juxtaposed with said lens fixed thereat, each said lens being adapted for receiving a beam of light emittable from the juxtaposed end of the optical fiber and for emitting a quasi-collimated beam of light into the optical path of the fiber optic switching module;
• and
• c) a first and a second set of reflective light beam deflectors that are both disposed within the optical path between the groups of optical fiber receptacles, each of the light beam deflectors in said first or said second set respectively being:
• associated with one of said lenses fixed at each of the optical fiber receptacles;
• located so the quasi-collimated beam of light emittable from said associated lens impinges upon the light beam deflector to be reflected therefrom;
• and
• energizable by drive signals supplied to said fiber optic switching module to be oriented for reflecting the quasi-collimated beam of light emittable from said associated lens to also reflect off a selected one of the light beam deflectors in said second or in said first set;
• said light beam deflectors of each set together with said lenses and optical fiber receptacles respectively associated therewith collectively having orientations such that beams of light emittable from lenses, upon impinging upon and reflecting from the associated light beam deflectors, substantially converge when said light beam deflectors are un-energized by drive signals supplied to said fiber optic switching module;
• whereby a pair of light beam deflectors, one light beam deflector of the pair belonging to the first set and one belonging to the second set, when selected and oriented by the drive signals supplied thereto, establish an optical coupling for at least one quasi-collimated beam of light between a pair of lenses respectively fixable at the first and at the second group of optical fiber receptacles.

A fiber optic switching module comprising:

• a) a first and a second group of optical fiber receptacles, said groups of optical fiber receptacles being separated from each other at opposite ends of a free space optical path, and each optical fiber receptacle being adapted for receiving and fixing an end of an optical fiber;
• b) lenses one of which is fixed respectively at each of the optical fiber receptacles of the first and second groups so the end of the optical fiber fixable in that optical fiber receptacle is juxtaposed with said lens fixed thereat, each said lens being adapted for receiving a beam of light emittable from the juxtaposed end of the optical fiber and for emitting a quasi-collimated beam of light into the optical path of the fiber optic switching module;
• and
• c) a first and a second set of reflective light beam deflectors that are both disposed within the optical path between the groups of optical fiber receptacles, each of the light beam deflectors in said first or said second set respectively being:
• associated with one of said lenses fixed at each of the optical fiber receptacles;
• located so the quasi-collimated beam of light emittable from said associated lens impinges upon the light beam deflector to be reflected therefrom;
• and
• energizable by drive signals supplied to said fiber optic switching module to be oriented for reflecting the quasi-collimated beam of light emittable from said associated lens to also reflect off a selected one of the light beam deflectors in said second or in said first set;
• whereby a pair of light beam deflectors, one light beam deflector of the pair belonging to the first set and one belonging to the second set, when selected and oriented by the drive signals supplied thereto, establish an optical coupling for at least one quasi-collimated beam of light between a pair of lenses respectively fixable at the first and at the second group of optical fiber receptacles;
• and
• wherein the fiber optic switching module further comprises:
• d) an environmental housing for enclosing the optical path, said environmental housing being configured so the quasi-collimated beam of light couplable between the pair of lenses impinges only upon substantially reflective surfaces.

A fiber optic switching module comprising:

• a) a first and a second group of optical fiber receptacles, said groups of optical fiber receptacles being separated from each other at opposite ends of a free space optical path, and each optical fiber receptacle being adapted for receiving and fixing an end of an optical fiber;
• b) lenses one of which is fixed respectively at each of the optical fiber receptacles of the first and second groups so the end of the optical fiber fixable in that optical fiber receptacle is juxtaposed with said lens fixed thereat, each said lens being adapted for receiving a beam of light emittable from the juxtaposed end of the optical fiber and for emitting a quasi-collimated beam of light into the optical path of the fiber optic switching module;
• and
• c) a first and a second set of reflective light beam deflectors that are both disposed within the optical path between the groups of optical fiber receptacles, each of the light beam deflectors in said first or said second set respectively:
• i. being:
• associated with one of said lenses fixed at each of the optical fiber receptacles;
• located so the quasi-collimated beam of light emittable from said associated lens impinges upon the light beam deflector to be reflected therefrom;
• and
• energizable by drive signals supplied to said fiber optic switching module to be oriented for reflecting the quasi-collimated beam of light emittable from said associated lens to also reflect off a selected one of the light beam deflectors in said second or in said first set and
• ii. including an orientation sensor which produces at least one orientation signal that is independent of the beam of light reflectable therefrom;
• whereby a pair of light beam deflectors, one light beam deflector of the pair belonging to the first set and one belonging to the second set, when selected and oriented by drive signals supplied to the pair that are responsive to the orientation signals produced by the pair, establish an optical coupling for at least one quasi-collimated beam, of light between a pair of lenses respectively fixable at the first and at the second group of optical fiber receptacles.