Beam steering element and associated methods for manifold fiberoptic switches

• US 20090103861A1
• Filed: 10/18/2007
• Published: 04/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lumentum Operations, LLC (Lumentum Holdings Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Olympus Microsystems America, Inc. (Olympus Corporation)
• Inventors: Nagy, Michael L., Presley, Harry Wayne
• Granted Patent: US 7,702,194 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/16
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3512 the optical element being reflective, e.g. mirror
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3548 1xN switch, i.e. one input and a selectable single output of N possible outputs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/356 in an optical cross-connect device, e.g. routing and switching aspects of interconnecting different paths propagating different wavelengths to (re)configure the various input and output links switching polarized beams G02B6/3594; power equalizers G02B6/356 and G02B6/3594; path selecting means H04Q11/0001
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3582 Housing means or package or arranging details of the switching elements, e.g. for thermal isolation
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/359 of the position of the moving element itself during switching, i.e. without monitoring the switched beams

Abstract

An optical system comprising two or more optical switches co-packaged together comprising discrete sets of input fiber ports (N per set) and an output fiber port (1 per set), and wherein λn from said set of multiple input fiber ports (N) is focused on λn mirror via the use of shared free space optics, one or more discrete arrays of micro electromechanical system (MEMS) mirrors in a shared array, wherein at least a first array of MEMS mirrors is utilized to select and switch selected wavelengths from the first set of input fiber ports to an output fiber port of the same set, and wherein at least a second array of MEMS mirrors using and sharing the same free space optics as the first MEMS array is utilized to produce another fiber optic switch, thus, enabling one or more N×1, or alternatively one or more 1×N co-packaged optical switching system.

Claims

1. An optical system comprising two or more optical switches for switching one or more optical signals, the signals comprising one or more optical wavelengths, each optical wavelength constituting a work piece, each optical switch comprising:

one or more input fiber ports, each said input fiber port serving as an external interface for introducing the one or more input optical signals into one of said two or more optical switches;

one output fiber port, said output fiber port serving as an external interface for extracting the output optical signal from one of said two or more optical switches;

at least one shared arrayed switching element for receiving at least one wavelength from said one or more input fiber ports and switching at least one wavelength from one of said one or more input fiber ports to said one output fiber port according to a state of said at least one shared arrayed switching element;

at least one shared wavelength dispersive element for spatially separating at least one first wavelength of the input optical signal from at least one other wavelength of the input optical signal and for recombining at least one first wavelength of the output optical signal with at least one other wavelength of the output optical signal;

at least one shared arrayed steering element for steering the at least one wavelength from any of said one or more input fiber ports onto said at least one shared arrayed switching element, and for steering the at least one wavelength from said at least one shared arrayed switching element to said one output fiber port; and

,

one or more shared optical elements, wherein each said optical element focuses the optical signals of said one or more input fiber ports and said one output fiber port;

wherein said one or more shared optical elements are utilized by each said optical switch of said two or more optical switches.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein each said at least one shared wavelength dispersive element is selected from a group consisting of a holographic optical element, grating, prism, diffractive optical element, and combinations thereof.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein each said at least one shared arrayed steering element is selected from a group consisting of prisms, lenses, diffraction elements, holographic elements, mirrors, and combinations thereof.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein each said at least one shared arrayed steering element further comprises one or more facets, wherein each said facet is configured to position the at least one wavelength from any of said one or more input fiber ports onto said at least one shared arrayed switching element and configured to position the at least one wavelength from said at least one shared arrayed switching element to said one output fiber port.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein each said at least one shared arrayed steering element further comprises one or more focal points, wherein said at least one shared arrayed steering element steers one first set of wavelengths from any of said one or more input fiber ports onto a first switching element of said at least one shared arrayed switching element and steers at least one other set of wavelengths from any of said one or more input fiber ports onto at least one other switching element of said at least one shared arrayed switching element.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein each said at least one shared arrayed steering element further steers one set of reflected wavelengths from any of said at least one shared arrayed switching element to said at least one shared wavelength dispersive element.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said one or more optical elements further comprises front end optics, wherein:

said front end optics is positioned between said one or more input and output fiber ports and said at least one shared arrayed wavelength dispersive element, and wherein said front end optics conditions the input optical signals of said one or more input fiber ports with desirable properties for free-space propagating beams and conditions the output optical signals for insertion into said output fiber ports.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said front end optics further comprises at least one lenslet array.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a controller wherein said controller controls the at least one wavelength switching route between said one or more input fiber ports and said one output fiber port by operating said at least one switching element of said at least one shared arrayed switching element.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein each said at least one shared arrayed steering element further steers any set of the at least one wavelength from any point in said optical switch to any other point in said optical switch.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one shared arrayed switching element is selected from a group consisting of mirrors, liquid crystals, liquid crystals on silicon, a liquid crystal array and combinations thereof.

12. An optical system comprising two or more optical switches for switching one or more optical signals, the signals comprising one or more optical wavelengths, each optical wavelength constituting a work piece, each optical switch comprising:

one input fiber port, said input fiber port, serving as an external interface for introducing the input optical signal into one of said two or more optical switches;

one or more output fiber ports, each said output fiber port serving as an external interface for extracting the one or more output optical signals from one of said two or more optical switches;

at least one shared arrayed switching element for receiving at least one wavelength from said one input fiber port and switching at least one wavelength of said one input fiber port to one of said one or more output fiber ports according to a state of said at least one shared arrayed switching element;

at least one shared wavelength dispersive element for spatially separating at least one first wavelength of the input optical signal from at least one other wavelength of the input optical signal and for recombining at least one first wavelength of the output optical signal with at least one other wavelength of the output optical signal;

at least one shared arrayed steering element for steering the at least one wavelength from said one input fiber port onto said at least one shared arrayed switching element, and for steering the at least one wavelength from said at least one shared arrayed switching element to any of said one or more output fiber ports; and

,

one or more shared optical elements, wherein each said optical element focuses the optical signal of said one or input fiber port and said one or more output fiber ports;

wherein said one or more shared optical elements are utilized by each said optical switch of said two or more optical switches.

13. A method for co-packaging two or more optical switches and for switching one or more optical signals, the signals comprising one or more optical wavelengths, each optical wavelength constituting a work piece, wherein said switches share common elements, each switch comprising and performing according to the steps of:

grouping one or more input fiber ports and one output fiber port into a discrete set;

connecting said one or more input fiber ports optical signals to said one output fiber port within said set, wherein each said input fiber port serves as an external interface for introducing the one or more input optical signals, and wherein said one output fiber port serves as an external interface for extracting the output optical signal;

projecting the input optical signals from said one or more input fiber ports into free space and receiving said output optical signal into said one output fiber port within said set;

dispersing spectrally, and spatially at least one first wavelength of the input optical signal from at least one other wavelength of the input optical signal, and recombining at least one first wavelength of the output optical signal with at least one other wavelength of the output optical signal within said set, utilizing at least one shared dispersive element;

switching the at least one wavelength from the optical signal from at least one of said one or more input fiber ports to said one output fiber port within said set, utilizing at least one switching element of a shared arrayed switching element;

steering at least one wavelength of the dispersed optical signals from any of said one or more input fiber ports onto said at least one switching element and steering the at least one wavelength from said at least one switching element to said one output fiber port within said set, utilizing at least one shared arrayed steering element; and

,

wherein said one or more shared optical elements are utilized by each said optical switch of said two or more optical switches.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said step of steering further comprises beam steering configured to position the at least one wavelength onto said at least one switching element.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said beam steering further comprises one or more facets, and further comprising the step of utilizing each said one or more facet to position the at least one wavelength from any of said one or more input fiber ports onto said at least one switching element and to position the at least one wavelength from said at least one switching element to said one output fiber port within said set.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein said beam steering further comprises one or more focal points, and further comprising the step of utilizing said one or more focal points to steer one first set of wavelengths from any of said one or more input fiber ports onto a first switching element of said at least one switching element and to steer at least one other set of wavelengths from any of said one or more input fiber ports onto at least one other switching element of said at least one switching element.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of focusing the at least one wavelength from any of said one or more input fiber ports onto said at least one switching element and further focusing the at least one wavelength from said at least one switching element to said one output fiber port within said set, utilizing at least one shared optical element.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of concentrating said one or more input fiber ports and said one output fiber port closer together in a predominately linearly spaced grid within said set, utilizing a shared concentrator element.

19. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of controlling a switching route between said one or more input fiber ports and said one output fiber port by changing the state of said at least one switching element within said set, utilizing a shared control element.

20. A method for co-packaging two or more optical switches for switching one or more optical signals, the signals comprising one or more optical wavelengths, each optical wavelength constituting a work piece, wherein said switches share common elements, each switch comprising and performing according to the steps of:

grouping one input fiber port and one or more output fiber ports into a discrete set;

connecting said one input fiber port optical signal to said one or more output fiber ports within said set, wherein said input fiber port serves as an external interface for introducing the one input optical signal, and wherein said one or more output fiber ports serves as an external interface for extracting the output optical signals;

projecting the input optical signal from said input fiber port into free space and receiving said output optical signals into said one or more output fiber ports within said set;

dispersing spectrally and spatially at least one first wavelength of the input optical signal from at least one other wavelength of the input optical signal and recombining at least one first wavelength of the output optical signal with at least one other wavelength of the output optical signal within said set, utilizing at least one shared dispersive element;

switching the at least one wavelength from the optical signal from said one input fiber port to said one or more output fiber ports within said set, utilizing at least one switching element of a shared arrayed switching element; and

,

steering the at least one wavelength of the optical signal from said one input fiber port onto said at least one switching element and steering the at least one wavelength from said at least one switching element to any of said one or more output fiber ports within said set, utilizing at least one shared arrayed steering element;

wherein said one or more shared optical elements are utilized by each said optical switch of said two or more optical switches.

21. A method for co-packaging two or more optical switches, for switching one or more optical signals, the signals comprising one or more optical wavelengths, each optical wavelength constituting a work piece, wherein said switches share common elements, each switch, comprising and performing according to the steps of:

obtaining an optical switch comprising a discrete set of one or more input signal carriers and one output signal carrier, wherein each said input signal carrier serves as an external interface for introducing the one or more input optical signals and wherein said one output signal carrier serves as an external interface for extracting the output optical signal;

dispersing the optical signals spectrally and spatially into a plurality of wavelengths within said set, utilizing at least one shared dispersive element;

switching the at least one wavelength from the optical signal from said one or more input signal carriers to said output signal carrier within said set, utilizing at least one said switching element of a shared arrayed switching element; and

,

steering at least one wavelength of the optical signal from any of said one or more input signal carriers onto said at least one switching element and steering the at least one wavelength from said at least one switching element to said one output signal carrier within said set, utilizing at least one shared arrayed steering element;

wherein said one or more shared optical elements are utilized by each said optical switch of said two or more optical switches.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said step of dispersing further comprises dispersing at least one first wavelength of the input optical signal from at least one other wavelength of the input optical signal and recombining at least one first wavelength of the output optical signal with at least one other wavelength of the output optical signal within said set, utilizing said at least one shared dispersive element.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein said step of steering further comprises beam steering configured to position the at least one wavelength onto said at least one switching element.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said beam steering further comprises one or more facets, and further comprising the step of utilizing each said one or more facet to position the at least one wavelength from any of said one or more input signal carriers onto said at least one switching element and to position the at least one wavelength from said at least one switching element to said one output signal carrier within said set.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein said beam steering further comprises one or more focal points, and further comprising the step of utilizing said one or more focal points to steer one first set of wavelengths from any of said one or more input signal carriers onto a first switching element of said at least one switching element and to steer at least one other set of wavelengths from any of said one or more input signal carriers onto at least one other switching element of said at least one switching element.