Freespace optical bypass-exchange switch
US5943454A · kind A · utility
90Cited by
14References
16Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 15, 1997 |
| Grant date | Aug 24, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 15, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/3562
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A bypass-exchange switch for switching the path of at least one optical signal includes a telecentric imaging device for high efficiency coupling of the optical signal into either of two outputs. The switch also includes an optical director for changing the operating mode of the switch from an exchange state to a bypass state wherein the different outputs are selected. The optical director is implemented as a variable reflectivity mirror, or a mechanically-actuated mirror. The switch may include a wavelength selective filter for permanently bypassing or exchanging preselected wavelengths of the optical signals.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.