Method of aligning mirrors in an optical cross switch

• US 6,760,505 B1
• Filed: 11/08/2000
• Issued: 07/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Lu, Jeng Ping, Chua, Christopher L., Peeters, Eric, Street, Robert A., Rosa, Michel A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nasri, Javaid H.
• Application Number:
  US09/708,805
• Time in Patent Office: 1,336 Days
• Field of Search: 385/18, 385/16
• US Class Current: 385/18
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3512 the optical element being reflective, e.g. mirror
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3556 NxM switch, i.e. regular arrays of switches elements of matrix type constellation
• 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 6/3588 of the processed beams, i.e. controlling during switching of orientation, alignment, or beam propagation properties such as intensity, size or shape
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/359 of the position of the moving element itself during switching, i.e. without monitoring the switched beams

Abstract

A method of aligning optical components is described. The system utilizes a highly transmissive sensor positioned in the optical path of an optical signal to determine the precise position of the optical signal. A feedback loop uses output from the highly transmissive sensor to readjust elements that maintains the optical signal in a desired position. The current system is particularly suitable for use in an optical cross switch.

Claims

1. A method of setting beam directing devices in an optical cross switch system comprising the operations of:

receiving a signal from a first fiber;

reflecting the signal from a first beam directing device to generate a once reflected signal;

transmitting the once reflected signal through a highly transmissive sensor to a receiving device;

the highly transmissive sensor to determine the position of the once reflected signal and to cause readjustment of the first beam directing device when the once reflected signal is improperly positioned.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

reflecting the once reflected signal from a second beam directing device to generate a twice reflected signal before input into the receiving device.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising the operation of:

transmitting the twice reflected signal through a second highly transmissive sensor, an output of the second highly transmissive sensor used to position the second beam directing device.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the receiving device is a lens.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising the operation of focusing the optical signal from the lens to an optical fiber.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the readjustment involves a change in tilt of a moveable mirror.

6. A method of setting beam directing devices in an optical cross switch system comprising the operations of:

receiving a signal from a first fiber;

reflecting the signal from a first beam directing device to generate a once reflected signal;

transmitting the once reflected signal through a highly transmissive sensor to a receiving device;

the highly transmissive sensor to determine the position of the once reflected signal and to cause readjustment of the first beam directing device when the once reflected signal is improperly positioned;

wherein the first beam directing device and the second beam directing device are moveable mirrors.

8. A method of controlling light comprising the operations of:

directing a light beam through a highly transmissive sensor;

using an output of the highly transmissive sensor to redirect the light beam through a different sensing region of the highly transmissive sensor to reach a target device.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the directing further comprises the operation of:

adjusting a tilt of a mirror.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the target device is a lens that focuses the light beam into an optical fiber.

12. The method of claim 8 further comprising the operation of:

reflecting the light beam off of a second beam directing device;

directing light beam reflected from the second beam directing device through a second highly transmissive sensor; and

using the output of the second highly transmissive sensor to adjust the second beam directing device.

13. The method of claim 8 wherein the operation of directing further comprises the operation of:

repositioning a lens.

11. A method of controlling light comprising the operations of:

directing a light beam through a highly transmissive sensor; and

using an output of the highly transmissive sensor to redirect the light beam through a different sensing region of the highly transmissive sensor to reach a target device;

the highly transmissive sensor reflects or absorbs less than 10 percent of the incident light beam.