Compact, tolerant large-scale mirror-rotation optical cross-connect switch

• US 20030068117A1
• Filed: 08/30/2002
• Published: 04/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
• Inventors: Syms, Richard R.A.
• Application Number:
  US10/233,054
• Publication Number:
  US 20030068117A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/18
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/32 having lens focusing means positioned between opposed fibre ends with lens being an integral part of the single fibre end G02B6/262
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3512 the optical element being reflective, e.g. mirror
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3546 NxM switch, i.e. a regular array of switches elements of matrix type constellation

Abstract

The optical design of large-scale mirror-rotation free-space optical cross-connect switches is based on one-or two-dimensional arrays of two-axis micro-electromechanical torsion mirrors. The layout of a compact switch is presented. The parameters of the Gaussian optical beam that maximizes the port count that can be obtained for a given mirror turn angle is identified. The supporting optical system needed to create the desired beam is defined. Scaling laws for the optical path length needed to support a given number of ports are derived. Operating configurations that minimize the effect of static and thermally induced mirror curvature are also identified. The overall design yields a switch layout that is compact and tolerant of mirror distortion.

Claims

1. A mirror-rotation free-space optical cross-connect switch having a substantially optimum folded optical path, the mirror-rotation free-space optical cross-connect switch comprising:

a plurality of input lenses;

a plurality of output lenses;

a first plurality of rotatable mirrors positioned adjacent to the plurality of output lenses; and

a second plurality of rotatable mirrors positioned adjacent to the plurality of input lenses, wherein;

each of the plurality of input lenses is operably coupled to direct an optical beam from an input fiber to a predetermined one of the first plurality of rotatable mirrors;

each of the first plurality of rotatable mirrors is configurable to direct the corresponding optical beam to a selected one of the second plurality of rotatable mirrors;

each of the second plurality of rotatable mirrors is configurable to direct the corresponding optical beam to a predetermined one of the plurality of output lenses; and

each of the plurality of output lenses is operably coupled to direct the corresponding optical beam to an output fiber.