Method and apparatus for monitoring and controlling a photonic switch using phase sweeping
US10209537B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 9, 2016 |
| Grant date | Feb 19, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 9, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F2201/58
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for monitoring and feedback control of a photonic switch such as 2×2 Mach-Zehnder Interferometer switch. Optical signals at an input and an output of the switch are monitored via optical taps. A sinusoidal time-varying phase shift is applied to one of the monitoring signals. An optical combiner then combines the monitoring signals. A photodetector monitors output of the optical combiner to provide a feedback signal. The amplitude of the feedback signal due to the time-varying phase shift increases with the amount of input signal present in the output signal. When the input signal is to be routed to the output (e.g. for a bar state), a controller manipulates the switch to maximize feedback signal amplitude. When the input signal is to be routed to a different output (e.g. for a cross state), the controller manipulates the switch to minimize feedback signal amplitude.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.