Optical protection system for liquid crystal switches
US6323974A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 25, 2000 |
| Grant date | Nov 27, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 25, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04Q2011/0081
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An optical device protection system provides dedicated and shared protection for a plurality of optical working devices which may include four-port optical working devices. The system includes an optical switch structure for routing an optical signal around an optical device when the optical device exhibits an error condition. A protection optical device performs a desired operation on the optical signal, wherein the optical switch structure directs the optical signal through the protection optical device. The use of liquid crystal switches allows the optical switch structure to sense an incorrect capacitance value associated with the liquid crystal switch. A control signal is then generated in response to the incorrect capacitance value. Thus, the optical device protection system provides flexibility and a low cost method for protecting complex optical devices.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.