Optical switching apparatus

An optical beam switching system for transmitting an optical beam from at least one source to at least one of a plurality of optical receptors comprising:

• at least one source of an optical beam;
• at least one first beam directing device mounted across a first area of free space from the source;
• at least one additional beam directing device;
• at least one second beam directing device mounted across a second area of free space from the first beam directing device;
• a plurality of optical receptors;
• a control operative for at least one of 1) positioning a first beam directing device to direct the optical beam from at least one source to at least one additional beam directing device, 2) positioning at least one additional beam directing device to direct the optical beam from said additional beam directing device to a second beam directing device, and 3) positioning a second beam directing device to direct the optical beam from said second beam directing device to a selected one of said plurality of optical receptors;
• and
• at least one data gathering and transmission element to provide an indication regarding the current orientation of the controlled beam directing device or the current location of the optical beam to the control for adjusting at least one of the beam directing devices.

An optical beam switching system for transmitting an optical beam from at least one source to at least one of a plurality of optical receptors comprising:

• at least one source of an optical beam;
• at least one first beam directing device mounted across a first area of free space from the source;
• a plurality of optical receptors mounted across a second area of free space from the first beam directing device;
• a control so that a first beam directing device will be positioned to direct the optical beam from at least one source to a selected one of said plurality of optical receptors;
• and
• at least one data gathering and transmission element to provide an indication regarding the current orientation of the controlled beam directing device or the current location of the optical beam to the control for adjusting at least one of the beam directing devices.