An n×m Optical Switch

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of optical communication, and discloses an N*M optical switch. The N*M optical switch comprises an input and output unit, an optical path deflection unit and (2N+2M) drivers. The input and output unit comprises N input collimators and M output collimators; the optical path deflection unit comprises (N+M) groups of horizontal optical path deflection elements and (N+M) groups of vertical optical path deflection elements, and each group of horizontal or vertical optical path deflection elements are respectively connected with a driver; and a group of horizontal optical path deflection elements and a group of vertical optical path deflection elements are correspondingly arranged behind each input collimator, and a group of horizontal optical path deflection elements and a group of vertical optical path deflection elements are correspondingly arranged in front of each output collimator. Such a structure utilizes different refraction angles of light by different-angle wedge angle prisms to realize a large-capacity optical switch and employs a stepping motor to drive the switching of the different-angle wedge angle prisms so that the reliability is high and the operability is high; and there are fewer optical elements on an optical path so that the optical insertion of such a structure is small in loss.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to the field of optical communication, in particular to an N*M optical switch. Background technique [0002] An optical switch is an optical component that can change the transmission path of light beams and has high stability and precision. Its function is to perform mutual conversion or logical operation on optical signals in optical transmission lines or integrated optical circuits. Optical signals can be switched on and off in the optical network system. Optical switches are widely used in Optical Add / Drop Multiplexing (OADM), Time Division Multiplexing (TDM), and Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM), and are key devices for realizing All Optical Networks (AON). It has a broad market prospect and is one of the most promising optical passive devices. [0003] Judging from the current situation, most N×M mechanical optical switch arrays are assembled through 1×2 and 2×2 switching. Now the market demands optical switches wit...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Now the market demands optical switches with 100×100 channels or even larger capacity. If the above method is still used, although the implementation method is relatively simple, there are many shortcomings: large insertion loss, poor long-term stability, and the system structure is too complicated

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