Optical switch having mirrors arranged to accommodate freedom of movement

• US 6,560,384 B1
• Filed: 06/01/2000
• Issued: 05/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Calient Networks Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Calient Networks Incorporated
• Inventors: Koenig, Herbert Paul, Sink, Robert Kehl, Bowers, John Edward, Helkey, Roger Jonathan
• Primary Examiner(s): Ullah, Akm E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Doan, Jennifer
• Application Number:
  US09/586,663
• Time in Patent Office: 1,069 Days
• Field of Search: 385/16, 385/17, 385/18
• 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 6/3564 Mechanical details of the actuation mechanism associated with the moving element or mounting mechanism details

Abstract

An optical switch is described having mirrors that are located over an area having an approximate oval shape. Each mirror is pivotable about a first axis and about a second axis transverse to the first axis. Because of the construction and assembly of each mirror, pivoting about the first axis is more limited than pivoting about the second axis. The area over which the mirrors are located is designed to accommodate pivoting about the first axis and about the second axis such that the area has a length and a width wherein the length is much more than the width. In addition, pivoting about the first axis limits pivoting about the second axis and pivoting about the second axis limits pivoting about the first axis. Because pivoting about one axis limits pivoting about another axis, the area over which the mirrors are located has an oval shape as opposed to a rectangular shape.

Claims

1. An optical switch comprising:

a plurality of mirrors secured to a support structure, each mirror being located in a position wherein a respective light signal being emitted by a respective input optical fiber is reflected by the mirror, the mirror being movable relative to the support structure for first pivotable movement about a first axis and second pivotable movement about a second axis transverse to the first axis, an angular displacement of each pivotable movement being limited with the angular displacement of the first pivotable movement being limited to less than the angular displacement of the second pivotable movement, wherein the first axis extends in a first direction and the second axis extends in a second direction and wherein the second axis is at an angle to the light signal being reflected by the mirror and the mirror has a length in the first direction and a width in the second direction, the length being more than the width, the angular displacement of the first pivotable movement being limited to less than the angular displacement of the second pivotable movement which is at least in part due to the length of the mirror being more than the width of the mirror, and wherein at least 95 percent of all the mirrors are located over an area having a length in the first direction and a width in the second direction, the length being larger than the width.

2. The optical switch of claim 1 wherein the angular displacement of the second pivotable movement is more limited when the mirror is pivoted about the second axis than when the mirror is not pivoted about the second axis, the area being substantially oval.

3. The optical switch of claim 1 wherein a ratio between the width and the length is less than 95 percent.

4. The optical switch of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of input optical fibers, each of which being for transmission of a respective light signal and having an end from which the light signal is emitted to a respective one of the mirrors wherein at least 95 percent of the mirrors, when viewed from the area over which the fibers are located, are located over an area substantially corresponding to the area over which the fibers are located.

5. An optical switch comprising:

a plurality of input optical fibers, each for transmission of a respective light signal and having an end from which the light signal is emitted;

a substrate having a surface;

a plurality of support frames, each support frame being secured to a respective frame elevation component for first pivotable movement about a respective first axis, an angular displacement of the first pivotable movement being limited, the first axes extending in substantially a first direction;

a plurality of mirrors, each mirror being located in a position wherein a respective light signal being emitted by a respective input optical fiber is reflected by the mirror and being secured to a respective support frame for second pivotable movement about a respective second axis transverse to the first axis about which the support frame pivots, an angular displacement of the second pivotable movement being limited, the angular displacement of the first pivotable movement being limited to less than the angular displacement of the second pivotable movement, at least 95 percent of all the mirrors being located over an area having a length in the first direction and a width in the second direction, the length being larger than the width, wherein a ratio between the width and the length of the mirror is approximately equal to a sine of an angle between the respective light signal and a plane of the substrate; and

a plurality of output optical fibers, each having an end through which a respective light signal reflected by a respective one of the mirrors enters the output optical fiber for transmission through the output optical fiber.

6. The optical switch of claim 5 wherein the angular displacement of the second pivotable movement is more limited when the mirror is pivoted about the second axis than when the mirror is not pivoted about the second axis, the area being substantially oval.

7. The optical switch of claim 5 wherein at least 95 percent of the second ends of the output optical fibers, when viewed from the area over which the mirrors are located, are located over an area substantially corresponding to the area over which the mirrors are located.

8. An optical switch comprising:

a plurality of mirrors secured to a support structure, each mirror being located in a position wherein a respective light signal being emitted by a respective input optical fiber is reflected by the mirror, the mirror being movable relative to the support structure for first pivotable movement about a first axis and second pivotable movement about a second axis transverse to the first axis, an angular displacement of each pivotable movement being limited with the angular displacement of the first pivotable movement being limited to less than the angular displacement of the second pivotable movement, wherein the first axis extends in a first direction and the second axis extend in a second direction, at least 95 percent of all the mirrors are located over an area having a length in the first direction and a width in the second direction, the length being larger than the width; and

a plurality of support frames, each support frame being pivotally secured to the support structure for pivotable movement about a respective first axis, and a plurality of torsion connectors, each torsion connector having one end secured to a respective support frame and an opposing end secured to a respective mirror, the mirror being pivotable relative to the support frame about the second axis which extends through the torsion component, the angular displacement of the first pivotable movement being limited more than the angular displacement of the second pivotable movement which is at least in part due to the inclusion of the torsion connector.

9. The optical switch of claim 8 wherein the angular displacement of the second pivotable movement is more limited when the mirror is pivoted about the second axis than when the mirror is not pivoted about the second axis, the area being substantially oval.

10. The optical switch of claim 8 wherein a ratio between the width and the length is less than 95 percent.

11. The optical switch of claim 8 further comprising a plurality of input optical fibers, each of which being for transmission of a respective light signal and having an end from which the light signal is emitted to a respective one of the mirrors wherein at least 95 percent of the mirrors, when viewed from the area over which the fibers are located, are located over an area substantially corresponding to the area over which the fibers are located.