Maintaining path integrity in an optical switch
AssigneeCalient Networks, Inc.
InventorPeter Hunt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for ensuring path integrity in an optical switch is provided that essentially eliminates any occurrences of misconnected paths and enables new signal paths to be easily generated and existing paths to be switched. The method is suitable for use in optical switching devices that enable selective connection of optical signals received on a plurality of input fibers to respective output fibers, wherein the optical switching device includes a first array of mirrors disposed in a first mirror plane and a second array of mirrors disposed in a second mirror plane. In accordance with the method, all mirrors are maintained in signal paths so that undesired light is prevented from reaching any of the output fibers.
Claims28
A method for maintaining path integrity in an optical switching device that enables selective connection of optical signals received on a plurality of input fibers to respective output fibers to form a plurality of signal paths, said optical switching device including a first array of mirrors substantially disposed in a first mirror plane and a second array of mirrors substantially disposed in a second mirror plane, each signal path comprising light received from an input fiber that is directed toward a mirror in the first mirror plane that is positioned so as to reflect the light toward a respective mirror in the second mirror plane, which in turn is positioned so as to direct the light toward output fiber corresponding to the signal path, thereby connecting the input fiber to the output fiber, the method comprising:
- continuously maintaining all mirrors in signal paths through an appropriate positioning of the mirrors corresponding to those signal paths;
- setting up only one new signal path at a time by:
- moving a mirror in the second mirror plane corresponding to the new signal path into a correct position while controlling the position of other mirrors so as to prevent undesired light from being directed upon said mirror or toward an output fiber corresponding to the new signal path;
- providing a light signal to an input fiber corresponding to the new signal path, said light signal being directed toward a mirror in the first mirror plane;
- and
- moving the mirror in the first mirror plane corresponding to the signal path to direct light toward the mirror in the second mirror plane;
- and
- confirming that the new signal path is properly configured by observing a change in light intensity at the output fiber corresponding to the new signal path.
A method for configuring a signal path in an optical switching device that enables selective connection of optical signals received on a plurality of input fibers to respective output fibers, said optical switching device including a first array of mirrors substantially disposed in a first mirror plane and a second array of mirrors substantially disposed in a second mirror plane, the new signal path connecting a selected input fiber to a selected output fiber, the method comprising:
- moving a first mirror in the second mirror plane into a correct position for the new path;
- moving a second mirror in the first mirror plane that was previously reflecting light toward the first mirror to a position such that the second mirror does not reflect light toward the first mirror;
- moving a third mirror in the first mirror plane so as to direct light received from said selected input fiber toward the first mirror, whereupon said light is directed from the first mirror toward the selected output fiber thereby forming a connection path between said selected input and output fibers;
- and
- adjusting the positions of the first and third mirrors to increase a power of a light signal produced at the selected output fiber.
A method for configuring a signal path in an optical switching device that enables selective connection of optical signals received on a plurality of input fibers to respective output fibers, said optical switching device including a first array of mirrors substantially disposed in a first mirror plane and a second array of mirrors substantially disposed in a second mirror plane, the new signal path connecting a selected input fiber to a selected output fiber, the method comprising:
- moving a first mirror in the second mirror plane into a correct position for the new path;
- moving a second mirror in the first mirror plane that was previously reflecting light toward the first mirror to a position such that the second mirror does not reflect light toward the first mirror;
- moving a third mirror in the first mirror plane so as to direct light received from said selected input fiber toward the first mirror, whereupon said light is directed from the first mirror toward the selected output fiber thereby forming a connection path between said selected input and output fibers;
- moving at least one of the first and third mirrors to a new position;
- and
- verifying that the selected input fiber is connected to the selected output fiber by observing a change in a signal power level produced at the selected output fiber due to movement of said at least one of the first and third mirrors.
A method for configuring a signal path in an optical switching device that enables selective connection of optical signals received on a plurality of input fibers to respective output fibers, said optical switching device including a first array of mirrors substantially disposed in a first mirror plane and a second array of mirrors substantially disposed in a second mirror plane, the new signal path connecting a selected input fiber to a selected output fiber, the method comprising:
- moving a first mirror in the second mirror plane into a correct position for the new path;
- moving a second mirror in the first mirror plane that was previously reflecting light toward the first mirror to a position such that the second mirror does not reflect light toward the first mirror;
- moving a third mirror in the first mirror plane so as to direct light received from said selected input fiber toward the first mirror, whereupon said light is directed from the first mirror toward the selected output fiber thereby forming a connection path between said selected input and output fibers;
- and
- verifying that the selected input fiber is connected to the selected output fiber by switching an input signal at the selected input fiber from off to on and observing that an output signal is produced at the selected output fiber at substantially the same instant the signal is switched on.
A method of switching first and second signal paths in a optical switching device including a first array of mirrors substantially disposed in a first mirror plane and a second array of mirrors substantially disposed in a second mirror plane, said first signal path initially connecting a first input fiber to a first output fiber through a first mirror in the first mirror plane and a second mirror in the second mirror plane, said second signal path initially connecting a second input fiber to a second output fiber through a third mirror in the first mirror plane and a fourth mirror in the second mirror plane, the method comprising:
- moving the fourth mirror to a correct position corresponding to a first switched signal path that is to connect the first input fiber to the second output fiber;
- moving the first mirror to direct light toward the fourth mirror so as to produce a signal at the second output fiber;
- verifying that the first switched signal path connects the first input fiber to the second output fiber;
- moving the third mirror to a correct position corresponding to a second switched signal path that is to connect the second input fiber to the first output fiber;
- moving the second mirror to direct light toward the third mirror so as to produce a signal at the first output fiber;
- and
- verifying that the second switched signal path connects the second input fiber to the first output fiber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.