Abstract:
A wavelength selective switch architecture (100) for ROADMs for switching the spectral channels of a multi-channel, multi- wavelength optical signal between input and output ports employs a biaxial MEMS port mirror array (106) for optimal coupling efficiency and ITU grid alignment, an anamorphic beam expander (110) for expanding input optical signals to create an elongated beam profile (146), a diffraction grating (112) for spatially separating the spectral channels, an anamorphic focusing lens system (116), an array (118) of biaxial elongated channel MEMS micromirrors, a built-in Optical Channel Monitor, and an electronic feedback control system. The biaxial channel micromirrors are rotatable about one axis to switch spectral channels between ports, and are rotatable about an orthogonal axis to vary the coupling of the spectral channel to an output port and control attenuation of the spectral signal for complete blocking or for a predetermined power level. The architecture affords hitless switching, near notchless operation, ITU channel alignment, high passband, stability over a broad temperature range, and minimum insertion loss through the optimal coupling efficiency enabled by the feedback control system.
Abstract:
A wavelength selective switch architecture for ROADMs for switching the spectral channels of a multi-channel, multi-wavelength optical signal between input and output ports employs a biaxial MEMS port mirror array for optimal coupling efficiency and ITU grid alignment, an anamorphic beam expander for expanding input optical signals to create an elongated beam profile, a diffraction grating for spatially separating the spectral channels, an anamorphic focusing lens system, an array of biaxial elongated channel MEMS micromirrors, a built-in Optical Channel Monitor, and an electronic feedback control system. The bi-axial channel micromirrors are rotatable about one axis to switch spectral channels between ports, and are rotatable about an orthogonal axis to vary the coupling of the spectral channel to an output port and control attenuation of the spectral signal for complete blocking or for a predetermined power level. The architecture affords hitless switching, near notchless operation, ITU channel alignment, high passband, stability over a broad temperature range, and minimum insertion loss through the optimal optical coupling efficiency enabled by the feedback control system.
Abstract:
A system and method for canceling disturbance in a MEMS device. The system 2 00 includes a MEMS device 203, which may include a substrate 205 and a pluralit y of individually movable MEMS elements 203-1 through 203-N, and a control assembly 207. The optical system 200 may be utilized in and/or form a portio n of any optical apparatus employing an array of MEMS devices. The control assembly 207 uses feed-forward control signals to cancel disturbance in the MEMS device 203, and more particularly, to cancel disturbance in the non- switched or static mirrors of the MEMS device 203 caused by switched or movi ng mirrors.
Abstract:
A system and method for canceling disturbance in a MEMS device. The system 200 includes a MEMS device 203, which may include a substrate 205 and a plurality of individually movable MEMS elements 203-1 through 203-N, and a control assembly 207. The optical system 200 may be utilized in and/or form a portion of any optical apparatus employing an array of MEMS devices. The control assembly 207 uses feed-forward control signals to cancel disturbance in the MEMS device 203, and more particularly, to cancel disturbance in the non-switched or static mirrors of the MEMS device 203 caused by switched or moving mirrors.
Abstract:
A wavelength selective switch architecture (100) for ROADMs for switching th e spectral channels of a multi-channel, multi- wavelength optical signal betwe en input and output ports employs a biaxial MEMS port mirror array (106) for optimal coupling efficiency and ITU grid alignment, an anamorphic beam expander (110) for expanding input optical signals to create an elongated be am profile (146), a diffraction grating (112) for spatially separating the spectral channels, an anamorphic focusing lens system (116), an array (118) of biaxial elongated channel MEMS micromirrors, a built-in Optical Channel Monitor, and an electronic feedback control system. The biaxial channel micromirrors are rotatable about one axis to switch spectral channels betwee n ports, and are rotatable about an orthogonal axis to vary the coupling of th e spectral channel to an output port and control attenuation of the spectral signal for complete blocking or for a predetermined power level. The architecture affords hitless switching, near notchless operation, ITU channe l alignment, high passband, stability over a broad temperature range, and minimum insertion loss through the optimal coupling efficiency enabled by th e feedback control system.
Abstract:
A wavelength selective switch architecture (100) for ROADMs for switching the spectral channels of a multi-channel, multi- wavelength optical signal between input and output ports employs a biaxial MEMS port mirror array (106) for optimal coupling efficiency and ITU grid alignment, an anamorphic beam expander (110) for expanding input optical signals to create an elongated beam profile (146), a diffraction grating (112) for spatially separating the spectral channels, an anamorphic focusing lens system (116), an array (118) of biaxial elongated channel MEMS micromirrors, a built-in Optical Channel Monitor, and an electronic feedback control system. The biaxial channel micromirrors are rotatable about one axis to switch spectral channels between ports, and are rotatable about an orthogonal axis to vary the coupling of the spectral channel to an output port and control attenuation of the spectral signal for complete blocking or for a predetermined power level. The architecture affords hitless switching, near notchless operation, ITU channel alignment, high passband, stability over a broad temperature range, and minimum insertion loss through the optimal coupling efficiency enabled by the feedback control system.
Abstract:
This invention provides a novel wavelength-separating-routing (WSR) apparatus that uses a diffraction grating (101) to separate a multi-wavelength optical signal by wavelength into multiple spectral channels, which are than focused onto an array of corresponding channel micromirrors (220). The channel micromirrors are individually controllable and continuously pivotable to reflect the spectral channels into multiple output ports. As such, the inventive WSR apparatus is capable of routing the spectral channels on a channel-by-channel basis and coupling any spectral channel into any one of the output ports. The WSR apparatus of the present invention may be further equipped with servo-control and spectral power-management capabilities, thereby maintaining the coupling efficiencies of the spectral channels into the output ports at desired values. The WSR apparatus of the present invention can be used to construct a novel class of dynamically reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexers (OADMs) for wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) optical networking applications.
Abstract:
The effects of diffraction on the pass band may be reduced by appropriate modification of the edges of the micromirrors, by modification of the input and/or output ports to allow for attenuation by rotation of the micromirror about the switching axis, by using rotation of the micromirror about both th e attenuation axis and the switching axis to achieve the desired level of attenuation, by inserting an aperture at a focal plane or external to the device to reduce the magnitude of the micromirror edge diffraction transmitt ed to any or all output ports, or by appropriate filtering of angular frequenci es with a diffraction grating used to separate a multi-channel optical signal into constituent spectral beams. Peak coupling can be attained by dithering the micromirror about an axis tangent to a contour of constant attenuation using simultaneous rotation about the switching and attenuation axes.