Partitioned optical switch
US10466423B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 7, 2018 |
| Grant date | Nov 5, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 7, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/3598
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A steerable optical transmit and receive terminal includes a MEMS-based N×1 optical switching network. Each optical switch in the switching network uses an electrostatic MEMS structure to selectively position a translatable optical grating close to or far from an optical waveguide. In the close (“ON”) position, light couples between the translatable optical grating and the optical waveguide, whereas in the far (“OFF”) position, no appreciable light couples between the translatable optical grating and the optical waveguide. The translatable optical grating is disposed at or near a surface of the optical switching network. Thus, the translatable optical grating emits light into, or receives light from, free space. The steerable optical transmit and receive terminal also includes a lens and can steer a free space optical beam in a direction determined by which port of the N×1 optical switching network is ON.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.