Multiport switch for optical performance monitor
US7760972B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 27, 2006 |
| Grant date | Jul 20, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 24, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04Q2011/0083
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention provides a switch assembly for use with a single-port OPM to realize a multi-port OPM having improved reliability. In one embodiment, an N×1 optical switch assembly, wherein N is an integer greater than one, is provided. The optical switch assembly includes N optical input ports, N micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) variable optical attenuators (VOAs), where each MEMS VOA is optically coupled to a respective optical input port and is operable between an on position and an off position, and an N×1 optical combiner optically coupled to the N MEMS VOAs. Each MEMS VOA is configured to transmit an optical signal from a respective one of the optical input ports to the N×1 optical combiner in the on position and to not transmit the optical signal in the off position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.