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Two-dimensional optoelectronic tune-switch

  • US 5,671,304 A
  • Filed: 12/21/1995
  • Issued: 09/23/1997
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/21/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A communications switch comprising:

  • a first two-dimensional array of lasers repeating signals from an array of n horizontal rows by m vertical columns of input electrical signals;

    a first two-dimensional array of n horizontal rows by m'"'"' vertical columns of photodetectors receiving light from said first lasers;

    first controllable means for spatially directing said light from each member of each horizontal row of said first array of lasers onto a member of the corresponding horizontal row of said first array of photodetectors, said light being switched only horizontally between columns in same rows;

    a second two-dimensional array of n horizontal rows by m'"'"' vertical columns of lasers repeating signals from said first photodetectors;

    a second two-dimensional array of n'"'"' horizontal rows by m'"'"' vertical columns of photodetectors receiving light from said second lasers;

    second controllable means for spatially directing said light from each member of each vertical column of said second array of lasers onto a member of the corresponding vertical column of said second array of photodetectors, said light being switched only vertically between rows in same columns;

    a third two-dimensional array of n'"'"' horizontal rows by m'"'"' vertical columns of lasers repeating signals from said second photodetectors;

    a third two-dimensional array of n'"'"' horizontal rows by m" vertical columns of photodetectors receiving light from said third lasers and generating output electrical signals;

    third controllable means for spatially directing said light from each member of each horizontal row of said third array of lasers onto a member of each corresponding horizontal row of said third array of photodetectors, said light being switched only horizontally between columns in same rows; and

    switch control means connected to said first, second and third controllable means for establishing a switching path through said switch connecting said input signals to selected ones of said third array of photodetectors, whereby n by m input signals can be switched to n'"'"' by m" output signals.

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