Beam steering element and associated methods for manifold fiberoptic switches and monitoring
US8131123B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 25, 2007 |
| Grant date | Mar 6, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 21, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/3548
- 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), and wherein λn from said set of multiple input fiber ports (N) is focused on λn mirror via the use of shared free space optics, wherein at least 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 at least a second array of MEMS mirrors using and sharing the same free space optics is utilized to select individual wavelengths or spectral components from its input fiber ports to send to its output fiber port for optical power or other monitoring purposes, thus, enabling an N×1, or alternatively a 1×N switch capable of internal feedback monitoring.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.