1 X N digitally programmable optical routing switch

Details 1 X N digitally programmable optical routing switch 1 X N digitally programmable optical routing switch

1997-11-26

1999-08-31

Pascal, Leslle

Optical: systems and elements

Deflection using a moving element

Using a periodically moving element

359122, 359128, 359139, 359156, 359497, H04B 1000, H04J 1406

Patent

active

059461160

ABSTRACT:
An optical routing switch provides polarization-independent and low-crosstalk switching between an optical input port and a plurality of output ports over a wide operating range of temperatures and wavelengths. Optical signals appearing at the input port are spatially decomposed into two orthogonally-polarized beams by a first polarization-dependent routing element (e.g., a birefringent element or polarized beamsplitter). Beyond this point, a network of optical switches are placed along the optical paths of the light beams. Each optical switch includes: (1) a polarization rotator that switchably controls the polarization of the input light beams so that both of the emergent beams are either vertically or horizontally polarized, according to the control state of the device; and (2) a polarization-dependent routing element that spatially routes the light beam pair to provide physical displacement based on their state of polarization. The final stage for each output port in the network consists of an array of polarization rotators that changes the polarization of at least one of the light beams, so that the two beams become orthogonally polarized. Finally, a polarization-dependent routing element (e.g., a birefringent element) intercepts the two orthogonally-polarized beams and recombines them to exit at the selected output port of the network.

REFERENCES:
patent: 3956626 (1976-05-01), Ross
patent: 4650289 (1987-03-01), Kuwahara
patent: 4720171 (1988-01-01), Baker
patent: 4989941 (1991-02-01), Soref
patent: 5013140 (1991-05-01), Healey et al.
patent: 5162944 (1992-11-01), Yamamoto et al.
patent: 5165104 (1992-11-01), Weverka
patent: 5204771 (1993-04-01), Koga
patent: 5317658 (1994-05-01), Bergland et al.
patent: 5363228 (1994-11-01), DeJule et al.
patent: 5381250 (1995-01-01), Meadows
patent: 5414541 (1995-05-01), Patel et al.
patent: 5694233 (1997-12-01), Wu et al.
patent: 5724165 (1998-03-01), Wu
patent: 5771120 (1998-06-01), Bergmann

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

1 X N digitally programmable optical routing switch does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with 1 X N digitally programmable optical routing switch, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and 1 X N digitally programmable optical routing switch will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2427738