Abstract:
Fiber block (102, 104) construction for optical switches and techniques for making the same are disclosed to achieve high positional accuracy for fiber arrays. High positional accuracy is achieved by using fiber plates (122, 124) with tapered holes, using multiple fiber plates to control both position and angle accuracy of fiber arrays, using tapered fibers for easy insertion of fibers into holes of fiber plates (122, 124), using epoxy to position accurately fiber arrays, using semi-automation to insert accurately fibers (114, 116) into holes of a fiber plate (106, 108), using a custom fiber input block to correct for lens array (106, 108) position errors, and using stackable plates with grooves to position accurately fiber arrays.
Abstract:
A method of moving reflectors in an optical cross-connect switch. In one embodiment, the optical cross-connect switch identifies a reflector path avoiding possible interference with other reflectors, predicts the reflector path from precomputed tables, and moves the reflector in a straight line in target reflector plane coordinates from initial position to target position.