1×N reflector switch

• US 6,574,388 B2
• Filed: 07/18/2001
• Issued: 06/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Herzel Laor
• Original Assignee: Herzel Laor
• Inventors: Laor, Herzel
• Primary Examiner(s): Phan, James
• Application Number:
  US09/909,118
• Publication Number:
  US 20010051016A1
• Time in Patent Office: 685 Days
• Field of Search: 385/18, 385/15-16, 385/22, 385/31, 385/21, 359/223, 359/226
• US Class Current: 385/18
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/352 the reflective optical element having a shaped reflective surface, e.g. a reflective element comprising several reflective surfaces or facets that function together
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3556 NxM switch, i.e. regular arrays of switches elements of matrix type constellation
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3558 1xN switch, i.e. one input and a selectable single output of N possible outputs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3568 characterised by the actuating force
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3572 Magnetic force magnetic forces controlling reflecting elements in general G02B26/085; magneto-optic devices G02F1/09

Abstract

A fiber optics switch has a retro-reflector mirror assembly which reflects a light beam received from an input fiber in an anti-parallel, displaced manner, into one of a plurality of output fibers. Insensitivity to temperature changes, wear and tear, and vibration is achieved as well as very compact size and high speed.

Claims

1. A dual 1×

2 reflector switch comprising;

(a) two first beam-forming units and two second beam-forming units disposed in a square about a rotation axis, each beam-forming unit comprising an optical fiber and a lens secured thereto, with said two first beam-forming units diagonally disposed about said rotation axis;

(b) two rotatable reflector assemblies, in parallel, disposed symmetrically about said rotation axis, arranged such that an optical signal from each first beam-forming unit is reflected into each one of said second beam-forming units, respectively, forming a first set of second beam-forming units and, upon 90°

rotation of said two rotatable reflector assemblies, said optical signal from each first beam-forming unit is reflected into each other of said second beam-forming units, respectively, forming a second set of second beam-forming units; and

(c) a mechanism for rotating said two rotatable reflector assemblies to alternately align said optical signal between said first set of second beam-forming units and said second set of beam-forming units.

2. The dual 1×

2 reflector switch of claim 1 wherein each reflector assembly comprises three reflecting surfaces, one spaced apart from the other two by a fixed distance to reflect said optical signal to form an anti-parallel optical signal.

3. The dual 1×

2 reflector switch of claim 1 wherein each reflecting surface is a front surface mirror.

4. The dual 1×

2 reflector switch of claim 1 wherein each reflector assembly comprises replicated optics mirrored surfaces.

5. The dual 1×

2 reflector switch of claim 1 wherein each reflector assembly comprises electro-discharge machined mirrored surfaces.

6. The dual 1×

2 reflector switch of claim 1 each reflector assembly comprises electro-formed mirrored surfaces.

7. The dual 1×

2 reflector switch of claim 1 wherein each reflector assembly comprises etched crystal mirrored surfaces.

8. The dual 1×

2 reflector switch of claim 1 wherein each said lens is a gradient index of refraction lens.

9. The dual 1×

2 reflector switch of claim 1 wherein each said beam-forming unit comprises said optical fiber fusion-spliced to said lens.