Positioning a movable reflector in an optical switch
AssigneeCalient Networks, Inc.
InventorsPeter Hunt, Kevin White
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Abstract
A method for positioning a movable reflector in an optical switch. A set of optical power values are generated by measuring optical power related to optical reflections from the movable reflection for a plurality of positions of the movable reflector. A processor is used to generate a mathematical approximation of a relationship of optical power versus reflector position based on the set of optical power values. A position of the movable reflector is chosen based on a point in the mathematical approximation of the relationship of optical power versus reflector position.
Claims11
A method for positioning a movable reflector in an optical switch, comprising:
- (a) taking a plurality of optical power samples associated with optical reflections from the movable reflector for a position of the movable reflector;
- (b) using a processor to average the plurality of optical power samples to produce an average optical power value for the position of the movable reflector;
- (c) repeating the above steps (a) and (b) for each of a plurality of positions of the movable reflector to produce a set of average optical power values associated with a plurality of positions of the movable reflector;
- (d) using the processor to generate a mathematical approximation of a relationship of optical power versus reflector position based on the set of average optical power values;
- (e) choosing a position of the movable reflector based on a point in the mathematical approximation of the relationship of optical power versus reflector position.
A method for positioning a movable reflector in an optical switch, comprising:
- (a) performing a first positioning procedure for the movable reflector, comprising:
- (i) generating a first set of optical power values by measuring optical power related to optical reflections from the movable reflector for a first pattern of positions of the movable reflector;
- (ii) using a processor to generate a first mathematical approximation of a first relationship of optical power versus reflector position based on the first set of optical power values;
- (iii) choosing a first position of the movable reflector based on a first point in the first mathematical approximation;
- (b) performing a second positioning procedure for the movable reflector, comprising:
- (i) generating a second set of optical power values by measuring optical power related to optical reflections from the movable reflector for a second pattern of positions of the movable reflector, wherein the second pattern has smaller mirror displacements than the first pattern;
- (ii) using the processor to generate a second mathematical approximation of a second relationship of optical power versus reflector position based on the second set of optical power values;
- (iii) choosing a second position of the movable reflector based on a second point in the second mathematical approximation;
- (c) performing a third positioning procedure for the movable reflector, comprising:
- (i) taking a plurality of optical power samples associated with optical reflections from the movable reflector for a position of the movable reflector;
- (ii) using the processor to average the plurality of optical power samples to produce a mean optical power value for the position of the movable reflector;
- (iii) repeating the above procedures (c) (i) and (c) (ii) for each of a rest of positions of a third pattern of positions of the movable reflector to produce a third set of optical power values, wherein the third pattern has smaller mirrored displacements than the second pattern;
- (iv) using the processor to generate a third mathematical approximation of the third relationship of optical power versus reflector position based on the third set of optical power values;
- (v) choosing a third position of the movable reflector based on a third point in the third mathematical approximation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.