Scalable and modular automated fiber optic cross-connect systems

A broad bandwidth, multi-channel, densely configured optical signal communication system configured to be expanded or contracted to different chosen numbers of internal channels, comprising:

• a selectable and variable number of input optical terminals distributed throughout a first plane for receiving inputs individually at their outer sides of a selected number of wideband optical signals on separate channels;
• a plurality of internal optical lines extending individually from the inner sides of the input optical terminals toward a second plane, spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the first plane;
• at least one command system providing positioning command signals for directing changes in physical position of selected optical fibers between the first and second planes;
• an optical line positioner mounted to reposition optical lines in the internal region adjacent the inner first sides of the internal optical lines, the positioner being responsive to the command signals from the command system;
• an intermediate port system receiving the internal optical lines from the second plane and guiding the lines therethrough into an initial exit region;
• a number of variable length, substantially constant tension buffer devices, each separately receiving a different optical line from the output guide system;
• and
• an output array system coupled to the buffer devices and configured to group together at least a substantial fraction of the optical lines from the buffer devices.

An optical fiber network enabling a multiplicity of optical fibers to be varied in number while also enabling changing communication linkages by varying the physical disposition of fibers in the network, comprising:

• a plurality of input optical terminals distributed in two orthogonal dimensions across a planar input array, the input terminals being separated from each other by gaps minimally sufficient to allow passage therethrough of a fiber gripper device, the input optical terminals individually receiving on a first external side thereof, the ends of external input fibers to the network, and on the second interior side thereof receiving the interior coupling fibers for the network;
• a planar member comprising an intermediate array of interior pass-through guides, the planar member being spaced apart from and parallel to the second side of the planar input array, the pass-through guides being disposed in a different spatial geometry from the input array;
• a plurality of interior optical fibers in the interior volume between the input optical terminals and the intermediate array of terminals in the planar member, each fiber extending individually and removably from the interior side of a different input terminal to a different and unchangeable pass-through guide in the intermediate array;
• a processor system including a database and command system providing external command signals for changing the vectors of individual interior optical fibers between the input optical terminals and the interior pass-through guides, said processor system including a stored vector database as to the then-present vectors of the internal optical fibers;
• a fiber positioner disposed in the volume between the input terminals and the intermediate array and responsive to command signals from the processor system for engaging any selected individual fiber and transporting it in two dimensions through the spaces between the individual existing fibers in the interior volume;
• and
• a fiber tensioning system disposed to receive individually the fibers from the pass-through guides and providing balanced length compensation to maintain the fiber lengths in the interior volume substantially linear.