Abstract:
In accordance with the invention, a WDM optical communication system includes a new tunable multi-channel dispersion compensating filter (13) having low loss, low polarization dependence and capable of compensating many channels over a large wavelength range. In essence, the filter comprises an optical cavity (27) with a near 100% reflector (29) on one side and a variable partial reflector (19) on the other side. The device acts as a tunable all-pass filter.
Abstract:
A bypass-exchange switch (102) for switching the path of at least one optical signal (92a) includes a telecentric imaging device (104) for high efficiency coupling of the optical signal into either of two outputs (90b,90d). The switch also includes an optical director (106) for changing the operating mode of the switch from an exchange state to a bypass state wherein the different outputs are selected. The optical director is implemented as a variable reflectivity mirror, or a mechanically-actuated mirror. The switch may include a wavelength selective filter for permanently bypassing or exchanging preselected wavelengths of the optical signals.
Abstract:
A router combines free-space and guided wave optics to drastically increase the number of channels used in WDM transmission systems. The two-stage router uses the partial demultiplexing characteristic of an arrayed waveguide router (AWR) combined with a free-space optical router to fully demultiplex an input WDM signal. The two-stage router can be used to obtain output wavelength signals in either one- or two- dimensional arrays.
Abstract:
A free-space N by M , where N and M > 1, optical signal switch (OXC) requires only transmitter beam steering for controlling to which receiver an optical signal from a transmitter is directed. In a preferred embodiment the transmitters handle single mode optical signals and the receivers handle multimode optical signals. The OXC may optionally include a fixed optical unit implemented using either a single fixed shared lens or a plurality of M optical elements for further directing each of the M optical signals to their respective receivers.
Abstract:
An optical switching device and method for selectively optically connecting at least one input fiber in a fiber bundle to at least one output fiber in a fiber bundle. To perform the optical switching, a light directing mechanism is provided proximate a face of a fiber bundle that contains the input fiber. The light from the input fiber is directed toward the output fibers by varying the orientation of the light directing mechanism relative the face of the fiber bundle. The light directing mechanism thereby enables the light from the input fiber to be selectively directed to each of the output fibers. By selectively controlling the orientation of the light directing mechanism, the light from the input fiber can be scanned to any number of output fibers, thereby producing a 1 X N optical switch.
Abstract:
A free-space N by M , where N and M > 1, optical signal switch (OXC) requires only transmitter beam steering for controlling to which receiver an optical signal from a transmitter is directed. In a preferred embodiment the transmitters handle single mode optical signals and the receivers handle multimode optical signals. The OXC may optionally include a fixed optical unit implemented using either a single fixed shared lens or a plurality of M optical elements for further directing each of the M optical signals to their respective receivers.
Abstract:
A router combines free-space and guided wave optics to drastically increase the number of channels used in WDM transmission systems. The two-stage router uses the partial demultiplexing characteristic of an arrayed waveguide router (AWR) combined with a free-space optical router to fully demultiplex an input WDM signal. The two-stage router can be used to obtain output wavelength signals in either one- or two- dimensional arrays.
Abstract:
A bypass-exchange switch (102) for switching the path of at least one optical signal (92a) includes a telecentric imaging device (104) for high efficiency coupling of the optical signal into either of two outputs (90b,90d). The switch also includes an optical director (106) for changing the operating mode of the switch from an exchange state to a bypass state wherein the different outputs are selected. The optical director is implemented as a variable reflectivity mirror, or a mechanically-actuated mirror. The switch may include a wavelength selective filter for permanently bypassing or exchanging preselected wavelengths of the optical signals.