Microelectromechanical optical cross-connect switches including row and column addressing and methods of operating same
US6618518B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 22, 2000 |
| Grant date | Sep 9, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 7, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04Q2011/0058
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Optical cross-connect switches include input optical paths, output optical paths, and an array of electromechanical optical switches such as movable reflectors that are arranged in rows of the electromechanical optical switches and columns of the electromechanical optical switches, and that selectively move to couple the input optical paths to the output optical paths. Row address lines also are provided, a respective one of which is electromagnetically (i.e. electrically and/or optically) coupled to a respective row of the electromechanical optical switches. Column address lines also are provided, a respective one of which is electromagnetically coupled to a respective column of the electromechanical optical switches. If there are n2 electromechanical optical switches that couple n optical paths to n optical output paths, less than n2 row and column address lines may be provided. Preferably, 2n row and column address lines may be provided. The electromechanical optical switches may be configured upon selection of the respective row address line and column address line, but not selected upon selection of neither or only one of the respective row address line and column address line…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.