Wavelength dependent optical switch
US8639069B1 · kind B1 · utility
11Cited by
29References
10Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 28, 2004 |
| Grant date | Jan 28, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 2, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04Q2011/0075
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A wavelength-selective optical switch for switching arbitrary wavelengths between optical fibers in mesh networks, using interference filters for separating optical wavelengths, and two-dimensional arrays of micromirrors for switching. Broadband switch inputs and outputs are provided for adding and dropping arbitrary wavelengths at each node of the network. A two-stage multiplexer and two-stage demultiplexer are provided to simplify the free-space demultiplexer and multiplexer. Mechanisms are provided that allows full non-blocking functionality in the presence of finite yield of the micromirror arrays.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.