Beam steering element and associated methods for manifold fiberoptic switches
US7702194B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 18, 2007 |
| Grant date | Apr 20, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 18, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/359
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical system comprising two or more optical switches co-packaged together comprising discrete sets of input fiber ports (N per set) and an output fiber port (1 per set), wherein λn from said set of multiple input fiber ports (N) is focused on λn mirrors via the use of shared free space optics, wherein said beam steering elements steers λn from any point in the optical path to any other point; and discrete arrays of micro electromechanical system (MEMS) mirrors in a shared array, wherein a first array of MEMS mirrors is utilized to select and switch selected wavelengths from the first set of input fiber ports (N) to an output fiber port of the same set, and wherein a second array of MEMS mirrors using and sharing the same free space optics as the first MEMS array is utilized to produce yet another fiber optic switch.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.