Broadbrand electronic N×N cross-connect switch using tunable lasers
US6549313B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 21, 1999 |
| Grant date | Apr 15, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 21, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04Q2011/0032
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A programmable broadband N×N cross-connect switch includes an N×N wavelength coupler combined with N tunable lasers, N modulators and N optical receivers. Each of the N tunable lasers can selectively produce N different wavelengths. The coupler couples the N wavelengths to the N modulators. The N modulators modulate the N wavelengths using N input electrical signals, each modulator being selectable by choosing a laser wavelength. The N optical receivers receive and detect the N modulated wavelengths to produce N output electrical signals therefrom, each receiver receiving and detecting a different one of the N different wavelengths. By selecting a laser wavelength a particular modulator and receiver is selected so that a modulated signal, formed at the selected modulator when an input electrical signal modulates the selected wavelength, is switched to the selected receiver.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.