Multi directional multiplexer
US9288559B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 19, 2012 |
| Grant date | Mar 15, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 19, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F1/136277
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Described herein is an optical transmission cross-connect for routing wavelength signals to a bank of directionless transceivers. One embodiment (1) includes an array of four common-port fibers (3) for transmitting and receiving a multiplexed optical signal and an array of sixteen add/drop fibers (5) for receiving and transmitting demultiplexed signals including individual wavelength channels. A dispersive grism (7) simultaneously spatially separates the wavelength channels from the optical signals in a dispersion dimension. A lens (45) focuses each said spatially separated wavelength channel in the dispersion dimension. A Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCOS) device (11) separately manipulates each of the focused spatially separated wavelength channels to selectively steer the wavelength channels in a switching dimension. A micro-electromechanical mirror (MEMS) array (13) independently selectively directs the wavelength channels in the switching dimension such that the wavelength channels are coupled to predetermined ones of the add/drop fibers (5).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.