Radiant energy – Photocells; circuits and apparatus – Optical or pre-photocell system
Patent
1988-10-21
1990-03-20
Nelms, David C.
Radiant energy
Photocells; circuits and apparatus
Optical or pre-photocell system
350356, G01D 534
Patent
active
049103962
ABSTRACT:
A switching matrix enables switching of optical signals from any of a plurality of optical input paths to selected optical output paths, without requiring physical re-connecting of the inputs or outputs. Plural broad-band optical waveguides are defined preferably in otherwise non-transmissive quartz crystalline wafers, to provide relatively high signal isolation. The wafers are fused to electronic shutter windows situated in an array and discretely operable under processor x-y address control. Optical signals passed through actuated electronic shutter windows are summed in output wafers, having waveguide structure generally reverse to that of the input quartz wafers. Through selected segment actuation, optical signals from selected optical input paths may be transmitted or blocked at the electronically controlled shutter array, for being output on selected optical output paths. Alternatively, fiber optic bundles may replace input or output quartz wafers. The switching matrix is useful as a switching module which may be variously associated in series and/or parallel connections for obtaining a desired number of switching channels, and required levels of signal separation therewith. Input/output signal characteristics and parameters are maintained by power summation at the outputs with automatic gain control, regardless of the number of paths or the like selectively summed in a given output. Connectors may be used in conjunction with the optical input and output paths, whereby both electrical and optical signals may be switched. Various modules may include converters as built-in features, so as to meet particular applications.
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Allen Stephone B.
Glenn Charles E. B.
Harrell James O.
Manning John R.
Nelms David C.
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