Wavelength-selective switch and equalizer
First Claim
1. A method for wavelength-selective switching and equalization, the method comprising:
- dispersing an incoming multiplexed signal into wavelength components;
focusing the wavelength components onto different portions of a controllable light diffractor; and
controllably diffracting each wavelength component such that each component is individually modulated and arrives at an individually selected output without substantial crosstalk between the outputs,wherein diffracting each wavelength component is performed using separate groups of reflective members,wherein each group is divided into a first subgroup and a second subgroup, each subgroup having a same number of at least two reflective members,wherein the reflective members of the first subgroup are spaced in equally-spaced steps, the reflective members of the second subgroup are spaced in the same equally-spaced steps, and the second subgroup is displaced from the first subgroup by an intersubgroup displacement,wherein said spacing minimizes crosstalk between the outputs, andwherein the intersubgroup displacement is controllably varied to modulate a diffraction efficiency for equalization while said crosstalk remains at a minimum for switching functionality.
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Accused Products
Abstract
One embodiment disclosed relates to a method for wavelength-selective switching and equalization. The method includes dispersing an incoming multiplexed signal into wavelength components, focusing the wavelength components onto different portions of a controllable light diffractor array, and controllably diffracting each wavelength component such that each said component is individually attenuated and arrives at the individually selected output without substantial crosstalk between the outputs. Another embodiment relates to a wavelength-selective switching device with integrated equalizer functionality. Another embodiment relates to an optical apparatus for wavelength-selective switching and equalization. The apparatus includes a means for controllably diffracting each wavelength component of a multiplexed input such that each said component is controllably attenuated and directed to arrive at an individually selected output.
17 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method for wavelength-selective switching and equalization, the method comprising:
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dispersing an incoming multiplexed signal into wavelength components; focusing the wavelength components onto different portions of a controllable light diffractor; and controllably diffracting each wavelength component such that each component is individually modulated and arrives at an individually selected output without substantial crosstalk between the outputs, wherein diffracting each wavelength component is performed using separate groups of reflective members, wherein each group is divided into a first subgroup and a second subgroup, each subgroup having a same number of at least two reflective members, wherein the reflective members of the first subgroup are spaced in equally-spaced steps, the reflective members of the second subgroup are spaced in the same equally-spaced steps, and the second subgroup is displaced from the first subgroup by an intersubgroup displacement, wherein said spacing minimizes crosstalk between the outputs, and wherein the intersubgroup displacement is controllably varied to modulate a diffraction efficiency for equalization while said crosstalk remains at a minimum for switching functionality. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A wavelength-selective switching apparatus with integrated equalizer functionality, the apparatus comprising:
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an input for receiving an incoming multiplexed signal having a plurality of wavelength components; a first output for transmitting a first outgoing signal; a second output for transmitting a second outgoing signal; and an optical system coupled to receive the incoming multiplexed signal and configured to switch each of the wavelength components to an individually selected output, wherein the optical system is further configured to individually attenuate each of the wavelength components by a controllable amount, wherein the optical system comprises a grating configured to disperse the incoming multiplexed signal into the plurality of wavelength components and a controllable light diffractor array configured to receive the plurality of wavelength components and controllably diffract each wavelength component such that each of the components arrives at the individually selected output, wherein the controllable light diffractor array comprises a plurality of light diffraction devices, wherein each light diffraction device comprises a group of 2N reflective members which is divided into a first subgroup of N reflective members and a second subgroup of N reflective members, where N is an integer of at least two, wherein the reflective members of the first subgroup are spaced in steps, the reflective members of the second subgroup are spaced in steps, and the second subgroup is displaced from the first subgroup by an intersubgroup displacement, and wherein the intersubgroup displacement controls modulation of the wavelength component received by that light diffraction device for equalization without inducing crosstalk between the first output and the second output for switching functionality. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification