Optical switch and light guiding method and system

Abstract

An optical switch is proposed, which is used to guide an optical transmission signal according to an optical control signal. The optical switch includes: one or more optical control ports; three or more optical transmission ports; an optical guide; and a heat-driven optical windmill; wherein the optical windmill and the optical guide are arranged with respect to each other, the one or more control ports, and the three or more transmission ports so that: the optical windmill is driven to rotate to a corresponding position by irradiating a control beam carrying the control signal to a corresponding one of the one or more control ports, wherein the optical guide is arranged to guide the transmission beam carrying the transmission signal that enters the switch via a corresponding one of the transmission ports to leave the switch via a corresponding another transmission port of the transmission ports.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to guiding of optical signals.

[0002] More particularly, aspects relate to optical switches, methods of directing optical transmission signals, and optical directing systems. Background Art

[0003] Optical networks are used to transmit data encoded in optical signals over optical fiber cables. In order to ensure that the optical signal is successfully transmitted from the source to the destination, it may need to be guided via a joint between optical fibers. Various optical switches have been developed for use with such joints. These include microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) switches containing electrically driven mechanical actuators, liquid crystal switches containing components whose transparency can be changed by applying an electrical signal, and acousto-optic modulators that use piezoelectric transducers to change the direction of a light beam. However, all of these switches require electricity, which is not readily available in passive optical networks.

[0004] What is needed is an alternative way to direct optical signals. Summary of the invention

[0005] According to a first aspect, there is provided an optical switch for directing an optical transmission signal according to an optical control signal, the switch comprising:

[0006] one or more optical control ports;

[0007] Three or more optical transmission ports;

[0008] a light guide; and

[0009] heat-driven solar windmills;

[0010] The solar windmill and the light guide are arranged with respect to each other, with respect to the one or more control ports and with respect to the three or more transmission ports such that:

[0011] The light energy windmill is driven to rotate toward a corresponding position by the illumination of a control beam carrying the control signal onto a corresponding one of the one or more control ports, at which the light guide is configured to guide the transmission beam carrying the transmission signal that enters the switch via a corresponding one of the transmission ports to leave the switch via another corresponding one of the transmission ports.

[0012] The solar windmill comprises:

[0013] Axles; and

[0014] At least one blade:

[0015] is arranged to rotate about the axis of the shaft in an environment containing a fluid, and

[0016] The solar windmill has a first surface and a second surface which are thermally insulated from each other, so that the first surface is driven by the control beam irradiating the first surface, so that the first surface absorbs more light energy than the second surface, and a temperature gradient is established from the second surface to the first surface, so that the blades rotate around the axis of the shaft when the first surface is dragged.

[0017] The control beam may originate from a laser.

[0018] The side of the blade of the solar windmill that is arranged to be illuminated by the control beam may have a higher light absorption rate than the opposite side of the blade.

[0019] The side of the blade of the solar windmill that is configured to be illuminated by the control beam and the opposite side of the blade are shaped so that the side of the blade illuminated by the control beam receives a larger amount of radiant energy from the control beam than the opposite side over the rotation range of the solar windmill from an initial position to the corresponding position, wherein the initial position is the position where the solar windmill resides immediately before the control signal illuminates the corresponding one of the one or more control ports.

[0020] The transmission port may include a single light input port and a plurality of light output ports, the light energy windmill and the light guide being arranged with respect to each other, with respect to the one or more control ports and with respect to the three or more transmission ports such that for each of the output ports:

[0021] The illumination of a corresponding one of the one or more control ports by the control beam drives the light energy windmill to rotate toward a corresponding position, at which the light guide is configured to guide the transmission beam entering the switch via the input port to leave the switch via the output port.

[0022] The transmission port may include a plurality of light input ports and a single light output port, the light energy windmill and the light guide being arranged with respect to each other, with respect to the one or more control ports and with respect to the three or more transmission ports such that for each of the input ports:

[0023] The illumination of a corresponding one of the one or more control ports by the control beam drives the light energy windmill to rotate toward a corresponding position, at which the light guide is configured to guide the transmission beam entering the switch via the input port to leave the switch via the output port.

[0024] The optical switch may be configured such that for each of the input ports:

[0025] The control beam and the transmission beam are derived from a common source beam.

[0026] For each of the input ports:

[0027] The one of the one or more control ports illuminated by the control signal may be the input port, the source beam itself serving as both the transmission beam and the control beam.

[0028] For each of the input ports, the optical switch may further include: an optical splitter configured to split the source beam into the transmission beam and the control beam.

[0029] In some implementations, the optical switch includes only one control port, the optical switch further comprising a control signal source configured to illuminate the control port according to a computer-implemented scheduling method.

[0030] The light guide may be arranged to rotate together with the solar windmill.

[0031] The optical switch may further include one or more blocking members, each blocking member being configured to prevent the solar windmill from rotating beyond at least one of the corresponding positions.

[0032] Optionally, the solar windmill comprises a shaft; and

[0033] One of the one or more stoppers is included in a structure configured to support one of the two ends of the shaft.

[0034] The light guide may include a reflector.

[0035] The surface of the solar windmill on which the control signal is incident may be partially reflective, thereby providing the reflector.

[0036] The reflector may be arranged to reflect light incident substantially on the rotation axis of the solar windmill such that the light is incident on the output port along substantially the same line irrespective of the one of the input ports from which the light originates.

[0037] The optical switch may further include a biasing element, and the solar windmill is connected to the biasing element, so that:

[0038] biasing the solar windmill to a balance position different from any one of the corresponding positions; or

[0039] The solar windmill is biased toward one of the corresponding positions.

[0040] The optical switch may further include a housing surrounding the solar windmill, the housing including a hole configured to partially discharge a fluid around the solar windmill.

[0041] According to a second aspect, there is provided a method of directing an optical transmission signal, the method comprising illuminating one of the optical transmission ports of an optical switch according to any one of the preceding claims with the optical transmission signal.

[0042] The method may further include:

[0043] illuminating the control port for one of d predetermined durations,

[0044] Each of the predetermined time durations corresponds to a rotation of the solar windmill from a first one of the corresponding positions to a corresponding one of another such corresponding positions,

[0045] Wherein, d is equal to p-1, and p is the number of the transmission ports.

[0046] According to a third aspect, there is provided a light guiding system, the light guiding system comprising:

[0047] Optical switches; and

[0048] A computing device is configured to implement a scheduling method implemented by a computer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] Various aspects of the present disclosure will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0050] Figure 1A The Crookes radiometer light windmill is shown;

[0051] Figure 1B Shows Figure 1A The forces on the individual blades of the Crookes radiometer;

[0052] Figure 2 Another design of a solar windmill is shown;

[0053] Figure 3A An example optical switch is shown in an "off" position;

[0054] Figure 3B1 Shown in a first "on" position Figure 3A Switches;

[0055] Figure 3B2 Shown in a second "on" position Figure 3A Switches;

[0056] Figure 4A Another example optical switch is shown in an "off" position;

[0057] Figure 4B1 Shown in a first "on" position Figure 4A Switches;

[0058] Figure 4B2 Shown in a second "on" position Figure 4A Switches;

[0059] Figure 5A Another example optical switch is shown in an "off" position;

[0060] Figure 5B1 Shown in a first "on" position Figure 5A Switches;

[0061] Figure 5B2 Shown in a second "on" position Figure 5A Switches;

[0062] Fig. 6A Another example optical switch is shown in an "off" position;

[0063] Fig.6B1 Shown in a first "on" position Fig. 6A Switches;

[0064] Figure 6B2 Shown in a second "on" position Fig. 6A Switches;

[0065] Fig. 7A Another example optical switch is shown in a first "on" position;

[0066] Figure 7B Shown in a second "on" position Fig. 7A Switches;

[0067] Figure 7C Shown in the third "on" position Fig. 7A Switches;

[0068] Fig.7D Shown in the fourth "on" position Fig. 7A Switches;

[0069] Fig. 8A Some components of another example optical switch are shown;

[0070] Figure 8B1 Shown in a first "on" position Fig. 8A Switches;

[0071] Figure 8B2 Shown in a second "on" position Fig. 8A Switches;

[0072] Figure 8B3 Shown in the third "on" position Fig. 8A Switches;

[0073] Fig. 9A Another example optical switch is shown in an "off" position;

[0074] Fig.9B1 Shown in a first "on" position Fig. 9A Switches;

[0075] Figure 9B2 Shown in a second "on" position Fig. 9A Switches;

[0076] Fig. 9C Shows Fig. 9A Some internal components of the switch; and

[0077] Fig.9D Shows Fig. 9A The housing of the switch. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0078] The following description is presented to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the system, and is provided in the context of a specific application. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0079] The terms "top", "bottom", "side", "front", "rear", "forward", "backward", "clockwise", "counterclockwise" and other terms describing the orientation of features are not intended to be limiting, and, when used, are included purely for convenience in describing the relative positions of these features in the context of the drawings. These features may be positioned in other orientations during use or storage.

[0080] It is proposed to use the optical windmill effect to guide optical signals between the input and output of an optical switch. A light guide such as a reflector is coupled to a heat-driven optical windmill so that the movement of the optical windmill causes the light guide to adjust the routing of the optical signal.

[0081] A heat-driven solar windmill includes at least one blade / blade, the two sides of the blade / blade are thermally insulated from each other, so that when one side is heated by light or other electromagnetic radiation, it remains hotter than the other side. The blade is located in a fluid (usually low-pressure air) so that the convection established in the fluid by the temperature asymmetry between the two sides of each blade is sufficient to rotate the solar windmill.

[0082] In order to start a stationary solar windmill rotating, the solar windmill effect (and therefore the radiant flux of the light source causing the effect) must be sufficient to overcome the inertia of the solar windmill. In order to keep the solar windmill rotating, the solar windmill effect (and therefore the radiant flux of the light source causing the effect) must be sufficient to overcome the friction acting on the solar windmill relative to its mounting frame and the surrounding fluid during rotation.

[0083] Alternatively, the two sides of each blade may have different electromagnetic absorption characteristics to increase the rate at which a temperature differential is established and / or to allow a temperature differential to be established if the two sides of the blade are exposed to radiation.

[0084] Figure 1A A Crookes radiometer 100 is shown, which is a classic demonstration of the light energy windmill effect. The Crookes radiometer 100 includes four blades 110, which are arranged to rotate around an axis 120 in a partially evacuated tank 130. Each blade 110 is painted white on one side and black on the other side, and the blades are arranged so that the black and white sides alternate around the radiometer. When light is irradiated onto the radiometer 100 from the direction indicated by the arrow L1, the blades rotate around the axis 120 in the direction indicated by the arrow R1, that is, the black side is dragged.

[0085] Figure 1B Shows Figure 1A The forces on the individual blades 110 of the Crookes radiometer 100. Figure 1B In FIG. 1 , the blade 110 is shown sideways, with its white side 111 on the left and its black side 112 on the right. The white side 111 and the black side 112 are thermally insulated from each other. The black side 112 absorbs more light energy than the white side 111. Thus, a transmission line from the white side 111 to the black side 112 ( Figure 1B This sets up convection in the rarefied air around the blade, resulting in unbalanced forces on the blade. The "thermal creep" force TC acts in the opposite direction to the temperature gradient. An additional "Einstein effect" force E acts on the edge of the surface perpendicular to the temperature gradient, also in the opposite direction to the temperature gradient. Thus, force TC and force E cause the blade 110 to rotate about axis 120, dragging the black face 112 along.

[0086] The Hettner radiometer is similar to the Crookes radiometer, but has horizontal (as opposed to vertical) blades, with the exposed side of each blade painted half black and half white, alternating between black and white around the radiometer. The Einstein effect is absent in the Hettner radiometer, but it still rotates with the black side of the blade being dragged along due to thermal creep forces.

[0087] Figure 2is a plan view showing another design of solar windmill 200, in which the difference in light absorption between the two sides of each blade 210 is caused by its geometry rather than color. The blades 210 are shaped so that they each have a concave surface 211 and a convex surface 212, which alternate around the radiometer. Figure 2 The shadow in the figure shows where the shadow falls when light is irradiated onto the solar windmill 200 from the direction indicated by the arrow L2. It can be seen that during the complete rotation, the convex surface 212 of the blade 210 receives more light energy than the concave surface 211. This establishes a temperature gradient from the concave surface 211 to the convex surface 212 of each blade 210, so that the thermal creep force and the Einstein effect cause the blade 210 to rotate around the axis in the direction indicated by the arrow R2, that is, when the convex surface 212 is dragged.

[0088] The exemplary solar windmill designs described above all include blades in which there is an asymmetry between the light absorption characteristics of the two sides of the blade. However, even without this asymmetry, motion will be caused by thermal creep forces and (depending on the geometry of the design) the Einstein effect, as long as a temperature gradient can be established between the two sides of the blade so that it is thermally driven.

[0089] Thermally driven solar windmills typically operate in a low pressure gas or gas mixture such as air, but can generally operate in any fluid capable of supporting convection.

[0090] Although the exemplary solar windmill designs described above each include four blades, any number of blades will produce a solar windmill effect.

[0091] It will also be appreciated that the solar windmill may be driven by other forms of electromagnetic radiation besides visible light, for example infrared or ultraviolet radiation may also be used.

[0092] A number of example designs of optical switches for directing optical transmission signals according to optical control signals will now be described. Each exemplary switch includes one or more optical control ports, three or more optical transmission ports, an optical guide, and a thermally driven optical windmill. The optical windmill and the optical guide are arranged with respect to each other, with respect to the one or more control ports, and with respect to the three or more transmission ports so that illumination of a corresponding one of the one or more control ports by a control beam carrying the control signal drives the optical windmill to rotate toward a corresponding position, at which the optical guide is arranged to direct the transmission signal entering the switch via a corresponding one transmission port (input port) to leave the switch via a corresponding other transmission port (output port).

[0093] Described below FIG. 3A to FIG. 9D In the drawings, to avoid cluttering the drawings, only the reference numerals that best illustrate how the relevant components are arranged and used are shown on the drawings.

[0094] Figure 3A A schematic plan view of an example optical switch 300 including a solar powered windmill in an "off" position is illustrated. Figure 3B1 and Figure 3B2 A schematic plan view of the switch 300 is shown in each of its two possible "on" positions.

[0095] The light windmill of switch 300 includes a rigid assembly configured to rotate about an axis 314, the rigid assembly being centered on the axis 314. The rigid assembly includes a central light guide 313 rigidly connected between a first blade 311 and a second blade 312, the first blade 311 and the second blade 312 being mirror images of each other about the axis of the axis 314. The light windmill is located in a sealed housing 340, which keeps the air around the light windmill at a low pressure, but not completely evacuated.

[0096] A light beam (eg, a laser beam) carrying an optical transmission signal may be input to the switch 300 from the first optical fiber 351 or the second optical fiber 352. Figure 3A Optical fibers 351 and 352 are connected to the switch 300 from opposite sides.

[0097] like Figure 3A and Figure 3B1 As shown, the first source beam input by the first optical fiber 351 is incident on the first optical splitter 361. This splits the first source beam into a first transmission beam and a first control beam. The first transmission beam continues through the first input port 321 on the same side of the switch 300 as the first optical fiber 351 to be centrally incident on the light guide 313. (The forward path of the first transmission beam from this point will be discussed below with respect to Figure 3B1 ) The first control beam is guided via the first reflector 371 , through the first optical control port 331 on the same side of the switch 300 as the first optical fiber 351 , to be incident on the first blade 311 .

[0098] like Figure 3A and Figure 3B2 As shown, the second source beam input by the second optical fiber 352 is incident on the second beam splitter 362. This splits the second source beam into a second transmission beam and a second control beam. The second transmission beam continues through the second input port 322 on the same side of the switch 300 as the second optical fiber 352 to be incident centrally on the light guide 313. The second transmission beam is incident on the opposite side of the light guide 313 from the first transmission beam. (The forward path of the second transmission beam from this point will be described below with respect to Figure 3B2 ) The second control beam is directed around the housing 340 via three further reflectors 372 , through the second optical control port 332 on the same side of the switch 300 as the first optical fiber 351 , to be incident on the second blade 312 .

[0099] The surfaces of the first blade 311 and the second blade 312, respectively, which are impacted by the first and second control beams, are configured to absorb at least some of the electromagnetic radiation carried by these respective beams. These surfaces are thermally insulated from the surfaces on the opposite sides of the respective blades, so that a temperature gradient occurs from the shadow side to the illuminated side. The light windmill effect thus causes the light windmill to rotate so that the illuminated blades recede from the control beams incident thereon. The rotation of the light windmill is stopped by the first and second blocking members 381 and 382, ​​so that the light windmill is respectively Figure 3B1 and Figure 3B2 The positioning shown is as follows Figure 3A Its closed position is shown 45° clockwise and counterclockwise.

[0100] The first stopper 381 is a column that prevents the light energy windmill from moving clockwise beyond the position shown in FIG3B so that the reflected portion of the light beam is not erroneously directed partially or completely to the portion of the housing 340 between the output port 325 and the input port 322, for example, in response to external vibrations. For example, it can be formed of a material capable of buffering impact forces to reduce wear of the first stopper 381 and the portion of the light energy windmill in contact with the first stopper 381.

[0101] The second stop 382 is similarly a post that prevents the counterclockwise movement of the solar windmill from exceeding Figure 3B2 , so that the reflected portion of the light beam will not be erroneously directed partially or completely to the portion of the housing 340 located between the output port 325 and the input port 321, for example in response to external vibration. Similar to the first blocking member 381, the second blocking member 382 can be formed of a material capable of buffering impact force, for example, to reduce wear of the second blocking member 382 and the portion of the light energy windmill in contact therewith.

[0102] The surfaces of the light guide 313 on which the first and second transmitted beams are incident are both at least partially reflective. Figure 3B1 and Figure 3B2 As shown respectively, light guide 313 directs the first and second transmission beams to output port 325, which is perpendicular to both input ports 321 and 322.

[0103] Thus, when an optical transmission signal is input to the switch 300 via one of the first optical fiber 351 and the second optical fiber 352, the switch automatically switches the transmission signal to the output port 325 for onward transmission.

[0104] Contention between transmission signals from first optical fiber 351 and second optical fiber 352 can be avoided by network scheduling. Alternatively, switch 300 can be used to select the stronger of two such transmission signals for onward transmission, because the optical windmill will rotate under the control of the stronger beam.

[0105] Figure 4A A schematic plan view of another example optical switch 400 including a solar powered windmill in an "off" position is shown. Figure 4B1 and Figure 4B2 A schematic plan view of the switch 400 is shown in each of its two possible "on" positions.

[0106] Switch 400 is similar in many respects to Figure 3A , Figure 3B1 and Figure 3B2 The switch 300 of FIG. 400 can receive input from a first optical fiber 451 and a second optical fiber 452 connected to a first optical splitter 461 and a second optical splitter 462, respectively. The switch includes a housing 440 having a first input port 421 and a second input port 422 and an output port 425. Figure 3A , Figure 3B1 and Figure 3B2 The corresponding components of the switch 300 are arranged as described.

[0107] However, with Figure 3A , Figure 3B1 and Figure 3B2 The switch 300 is different. When the solar windmill is in Figure 4A In the closed position shown, the switch 400 has mirror symmetry in a plane passing through the center of its output port 425 and its solar windmill axis 414. Only the first blade 411 of the solar windmill needs to be configured to absorb the control beam, but Figure 3A , Figure 3B1 and Figure 3B2 Unlike the first blade 311 of the switch 300, which must be configured to absorb the control beam on both sides, the switch 400 includes a first control port 431 and a second control port 432 on the same side of the switch 400 as the first optical fiber 451 and the second optical fiber 452, respectively. The second blade 412 may optionally be as Figure 4A The first blade 411 is shown provided to act as a counterweight for the first blade 411, but it need not be configured to absorb light. Figure 3A , Figure 3B1 and Figure 3B2 Similar to the light guide 313 of the switch 300, the centrally located light guide 413 of the solar windmill is configured to be reflective on both sides.

[0108] like Figure 4A and Figure 4B1As shown, the paths of the first source beam from the first optical fiber 451 and the first transmission beam and the control beam derived from the first source beam are similar to those shown in FIG. Figure 3A and Figure 3B1 The paths of the respective first source beam, transmission beam and control beam are shown to be the same.

[0109] like Figure 4A and Figure 4B2 As shown, the paths of the second source beam from the second optical fiber 452 and the second transmission beam and control beam derived from the second source beam are as follows: Figure 4A and Figure 4B1 Mirror images (in a plane passing through the center of the output port 425 and the optical windmill axis 414) of the paths of the respective first source beam, transmission beam and control beam are shown.

[0110] Figure 5A A schematic plan view of another example optical switch 500 including a solar powered windmill in an "off" position is shown. Figure 5B1 and Figure 5B2 A schematic plan view of switch 500 is shown in each of its two possible "on" positions.

[0111] The solar windmill includes rigid blades 510 configured to rotate about an axis 514, with the rigid blades 510 centered on the axis 514. The solar windmill is located in a sealed housing 540, which keeps the air around the solar windmill at a low pressure, but does not completely exhaust it.

[0112] A light beam (eg, a laser beam) carrying an optical transmission signal may be input to the switch 500 from the first optical fiber 551 or the second optical fiber 552. Figure 5A Optical fiber 551 and optical fiber 552 are connected to switch 500 from the same side.

[0113] like Figure 5A and Figure 5B1 As shown, the first light beam input by the first optical fiber 551 passes through the first input port 521 on the same side of the switch 500 as the first optical fiber 551 and is incident on the blade 510 on the left side of the axis 514. (The forward path of the first light beam from this point will be described below with respect to Figure 5B1 describe.)

[0114] like Figure 5A and Figure 5B2 As shown, the second light beam input by the second optical fiber 552 passes through the second input port 522 on the same side of the switch 500 as the second optical fiber 552 and is incident on the blade 510 on the right side of the axis 514. (The forward path of the second light beam from this point will be described below with respect to Figure 5B2 describe.

[0115] The surface of the blade 510 impacted by the first and second light beams is configured, at least in the illuminated area, to partially absorb and partially reflect the electromagnetic radiation carried by these respective light beams. The surface is thermally insulated from the surface on the opposite side of the blade 510 so that a temperature gradient is generated from the shadow surface on the respective side of the illuminated axis 514 to the illuminated surface. (The axis 514 and / or a central area of ​​the blade 510 intermediate the area illuminated by the first and second light beams may optionally be provided with thermal insulation to reduce or prevent heat conduction from one side of the axis 514 to the other along the length of the blade 510.) The solar windmill effect thus causes the solar windmill to rotate so that the illuminated half of the blade recedes from the light beams incident thereon. The rotation of the solar windmill is stopped by the respective first and second stops 581, 582 so that the solar windmill is respectively Figure 5B1 and Figure 5B2 The positioning shown is as follows Figure 5A Its closed position is shown 45° clockwise and counterclockwise.

[0116] like Figure 5B1 As shown, part of the first light beam reflected by the blade 510 is reflected by the first light guide 591 via the dual light guide 590 to the output port 525. Similarly, as shown in FIG. Figure 5B2 As shown, the portion of the second light beam reflected by the blade 510 is reflected around the blade 510 by three additional light guides 592, and reaches the output port 525 via the dual light guide 590. The first light guide 591 and the additional light guides 592 can be, for example, reflectors, or prisms configured to act as reflectors. The dual light guide 590 can be, for example, a prism, or two reflectors arranged at right angles to each other.

[0117] In this way, when the optical transmission signal is input to the switch 500 via one of the first optical fiber 551 and the second optical fiber 552, the switch automatically switches the signal to the output port 525 for forward transmission. It can be seen that in the switch 500, the first source beam and the second source beam received from the first optical fiber 551 and the second optical fiber 552 are respectively used as both the transmission beam and the control beam, and the first input port 521 and the second input port 522 are respectively used as the first control port and the second control port.

[0118] For the above Figure 3A to Figure 4B2 With switches 300 and 400, contention between signals from first and second optical fibers 551 and 552 can be avoided by network scheduling. Alternatively, switch 500 can be used to select the stronger of the two such signals for forward transmission, because the optical windmill will rotate under the control of the stronger beam.

[0119] Fig. 6A A schematic plan view of another example optical switch 600 including a solar powered windmill in an "off" position is shown. Fig.6B1 and Figure 6B2 A schematic plan view of switch 600 is shown in each of its two possible "on" positions.

[0120] Switch 600 is similar in many respects to Figure 5A , Figure 5B1 and Figure 5B2 The switch 500. The switch 600 can receive inputs from a first optical fiber 651 and a second optical fiber 652. It includes a housing 640 having a first input / control port 621 and a second input / control port 622 connected to the first optical fiber 651 and the second optical fiber 652, respectively. The switch 600 includes a light energy windmill having a single blade 610, which is configured to rotate around a central axis 614 until a position defined by a first stopper 681 and a second stopper 682. All of these Figure 5A , Figure 5B1 and Figure 5B2 The corresponding components of switch 500 B2 of switch 500 are configured as described.

[0121] However, with Figure 5A , Figure 5B1 and Figure 5B2 Unlike switch 500, switch 600 does not change the direction of the signal transmitted through it because its single output port 625 is parallel to its two input ports 621 and 622, rather than perpendicular to them. Fig. 6A In the closed position shown, the switch 600 has mirror symmetry in a plane passing through the center of its output port 625 and its light windmill axis 614.

[0122] In switch 600, the paths of the first source / transmission / control beam and the second source / transmission / control beam from the first optical fiber 651 and the second optical fiber 652 to the blade 610, respectively, and the movement of the blade in response thereto, are similar to those described above. Figure 5A , Figure 5B1 and Figure 5B2 The switch 500 is performed in exactly the same manner.

[0123] like Fig.6B1 As shown, the portion of the first light beam reflected by the blade 610 is reflected around the blade 610 by the two light guides 691 and reaches the output port 625 via the dual light guides 690. Similarly, Figure 6B2As shown, part of the second light beam reflected by the blade 610 is reflected around the blade 610 by two additional light guides 692, reaching the output port 625 via the dual light guide 690. The light guide 691 and the additional light guide 692 can be, for example, reflectors, or prisms configured to act as reflectors. The dual light guide 690 can be, for example, a prism, or two reflectors arranged at right angles to each other.

[0124] Thus, when an optical transmission signal is input to the switch 600 via one of the first 651 and second optical fibers 652, the switch automatically switches the signal to the output port 625 for forward transmission. Figure 5A , Figure 5B1 and Figure 5B2 The switch 500 is the same as in Fig. 6A , Fig.6B1 and Figure 6B2 In the switch 600, the first source beam and the second source beam received from the first optical fiber 651 and the second optical fiber 652 are used as the transmission beam and the control beam, respectively, and the first input port 621 and the second input port 622 are used as the first control port and the second control port, respectively.

[0125] For the above Figure 3A to Figure 5B2 The switches 300, 400 and 500 can be used to avoid contention between the signals from the first and second optical fibers 651 and 652 by network scheduling. Alternatively, the switch 600 can be used to select the stronger of the two such signals for forward transmission, because the optical windmill will rotate under the control of the stronger beam.

[0126] FIG. 7A to FIG. 7D A schematic plan view of another example optical switch is shown in each of its four possible "on" positions.

[0127] Switch 700 is similar to Figure 4A , Figure 4B1 and Figure 4B2 751, 752, 753 and 754 instead of two optical fibers. This is achieved by using three optical windmills, where the left and right optical windmills feed a central optical windmill that directs the transmission signal from any of the four optical fibers 751 to 754 to a single output port 725. The right optical windmill and its associated input and control devices are arranged in a very similar manner to the optical windmills of switch 400. The left optical windmill and its associated input and control devices are arranged in a mirrored manner. From switch 700, it can be seen how the design of switch 400 can be expanded to provide switching between more inputs.

[0128] like Fig. 7AAs shown, the first source beam input by the first optical fiber 751 is incident on the first optical splitter 761. This splits the first source beam into a first transmission beam and a first control beam. The first transmission beam continues to pass through the first input port 721 on the same side of the switch 700 as the first optical fiber 751 to be centrally incident on the light guide 713 of the right-side light energy windmill. The first control beam is guided via the first reflector 771 through the first light control port 731 on the same side of the switch 700 as the first optical fiber 751 to be incident on the face of the first blade 711 of the right-side light energy windmill that is closest to the first optical fiber 751.

[0129] like Figure 7B As shown, the second source beam input by the second optical fiber 752 is incident on the second beam splitter 762. This splits the second source beam into a second transmission beam and a second control beam. The second transmission beam continues through the second input port 722 on the same side of the switch 700 as the second optical fiber 752 to be centrally incident on the light guide 713 of the right light energy windmill. The second transmission beam is incident on the side of the light guide 713 of the right light energy windmill opposite to the first transmission beam. Fig. 7A In the embodiment, the second control beam passes through the second reflector 772, through the second optical control port 732 on the same side of the switch 700 as the second optical fiber 752, and is incident on the side of the first blade 711 of the right-side solar windmill that is closest to the second optical fiber 752, that is, the side of the first blade 711 of the right-side solar windmill opposite to the side on which the first control beam is incident.

[0130] The two surfaces of the first blade 711 of the right-side solar windmill, which are respectively impacted by the first control beam and the second control beam, are configured to absorb at least some of the electromagnetic radiation carried by these respective beams. These surfaces are thermally insulated from each other so that a temperature gradient appears from the shadow side to the illuminated side. Therefore, the solar windmill effect causes the right-side solar windmill to rotate so that the illuminated blade retreats from the first control beam or the second control beam incident thereon (as the case may be), or if both control beams are present, retreats from the stronger of the two control beams. The rotation of the right-side solar windmill is stopped by the respective first blocking member 781 and the second blocking member 782, so that the right-side solar windmill is respectively Fig. 7A and Figure 7B The positioning shown is 45° clockwise and counterclockwise relative to its closed position (the closed position is not shown, and the right solar windmill in its closed position will extend from left to right in the figure).

[0131] The surfaces of the light guide 713 of the right light energy windmill on which the first transmission beam and the second transmission beam are incident are at least partially reflective. Fig. 7A and Figure 7BAs shown respectively, the first transmission beam and the second transmission beam are both guided to the right beam splitter 702 by the light guide 713 of the right light energy windmill. This splits the corresponding one of the first transmission beam and the second transmission beam into the right transmission beam and the right control beam. The right transmission beam is incident centrally to the right side of the light guide 703 of the center light energy windmill. The right control beam is incident to the right side of the first blade 701 of the center light energy windmill through the right reflector 705.

[0132] like Figure 7C As shown, the third source beam input by the third optical fiber 753 is incident on the third beam splitter 763. This splits the third source beam into a third transmission beam and a third control beam. The third transmission beam continues to pass through the third input port 723 on the same side of the switch 700 as the third optical fiber 753 to be centrally incident on the light guide 793 of the left light energy windmill. The third control beam is guided via the third reflector 773 through the third light control port 733 on the same side of the switch 700 as the third optical fiber 753 to be incident on the side of the first blade 791 of the left light energy windmill closest to the third optical fiber 753.

[0133] like Fig.7D As shown, the fourth source beam input by the fourth optical fiber 754 is incident on the fourth beam splitter 764. This splits the fourth source beam into a fourth transmission beam and a fourth control beam. The fourth transmission beam continues to pass through the fourth input port 724 on the same side of the switch 700 as the fourth optical fiber 754 to be centrally incident on the light guide 793 of the left light energy windmill. The fourth transmission beam is incident on the side of the light guide 793 of the left light energy windmill opposite to the third transmission beam. The fourth control beam is guided via the fourth reflector 774 through the fourth light control port 734 on the same side of the switch 700 as the fourth optical fiber 754 to be incident on the side of the first blade 791 of the left light energy windmill that is closest to the fourth optical fiber 754, i.e., on the side of the first blade 791 of the left light energy windmill that is closest to the fourth optical fiber 754. Figure 7C On the surface of the first blade 791 of the solar windmill on the left side in the middle that is opposite to the surface on which the third control beam is incident.

[0134] The two surfaces of the first blade 791 of the left-side solar windmill, which are respectively impacted by the third control beam and the fourth control beam, are configured to absorb at least some of the electromagnetic radiation carried by those respective beams. These surfaces are thermally insulated from each other so that a temperature gradient occurs from the shadow side to the illuminated side. Thus, the solar windmill effect causes the left-side solar windmill to rotate so that the illuminated blade retreats from the third control beam or the fourth control beam incident thereon (as the case may be), or if both control beams are present, from the stronger of the two. The rotation of the left-side solar windmill is stopped by the respective third 783 and fourth blocking members 784, so that the left-side solar windmill is respectively as shown in FIG. Figure 7C and Fig.7DThe positioning shown is 45° counterclockwise and clockwise relative to its closed position (the closed position is not shown, and the left solar windmill in its closed position will extend from left to right in the figure).

[0135] The surfaces on which the third and fourth transmission beams of the light guide 793 of the left light energy windmill are incident are at least partially reflective. Figure 7C and Fig.7D As shown respectively, the third transmission beam and the fourth transmission beam are both guided to the left beam splitter 706 by the light guide 793 of the left light energy windmill. This splits the corresponding one of the third transmission beam and the fourth transmission beam into a left transmission beam and a left control beam. The left transmission beam is incident centrally to the left of the light guide 703 of the central light energy windmill. The left control beam is guided via the left reflector 707 to be incident to the left of the first blade 701 of the central light energy windmill.

[0136] The two surfaces of the first blade 701 of the central solar windmill, which are respectively impacted by the right and left control beams, are configured to absorb at least some of the electromagnetic radiation carried by those respective beams. These surfaces are thermally insulated from each other so that a temperature gradient occurs from the shadow side to the illuminated side. Thus, the solar windmill effect causes the central solar windmill to rotate so that the illuminated blade 701 retreats from the right or left control beam incident thereon (as the case may be), or from the stronger of the two control beams if both control beams are present. The rotation of the central solar windmill is stopped by the respective left and right blocking members 704, 708, so that the central solar windmill is respectively Fig. 7A and Figure 7B Relative to Figure 7C and Fig.7D The positioning shown is 45° clockwise and counterclockwise relative to its closed position (the closed position is not shown, in which the central solar windmill will extend from top to bottom in the figure).

[0137] The surfaces of the light guide 703 of the central light energy windmill, which are incident on the right and left transmission beams, are at least partially reflective. Fig. 7A and Figure 7B and Figure 7C and Fig.7D As shown respectively, both the right transmission beam and the left transmission beam are directed by the light guide 703 of the central light energy windmill to the output port 725 parallel to all the input ports 721 to 724.

[0138] Thus, when an optical transmission signal is input to the switch 700 via one of the first optical fiber 751 to the fourth optical fiber 754, the switch automatically switches the signal to the output port 725 for onward transmission.

[0139] Contention between signals from the first optical fiber 751 to the fourth optical fiber 754 can be avoided by network scheduling. Alternatively, the switch 700 can be used to select the strongest signal of any such signal for forward transmission, because the central optical windmill will rotate under the control of the strongest beam.

[0140] Fig. 8A Some components of another example optical switch 800 are shown in side view. Figure 8B1 , Figure 8B2 and Figure 8B3 In FIG. 8 , different groups of components of switch 800 are shown by their schematic plan views in each of its three possible “on” positions. Optical switch 800 is not as described above with respect to Figures 3A to 7D Rather than automatically selecting one of multiple inputs to be output as described above, optical switches 300, 400, 500, 600 and 700 direct a single input to one of three possible outputs.

[0141] like Fig. 8A As shown, the light energy windmill of the light switch 800 includes first to third blades 815, 816 and 817, which are configured to rotate around a central axis 814. The light guide 813 is positioned on the axis, above the height to which the first to third blades 815, 817 are attached. FIG. 8B1 to FIG. 8B3 The first to third blades 815 to 817 and / or the spokes fixing them are magnetically attracted to the three magnets 885 to 887.

[0142] like FIG. 8B1 to FIG. 8B3 As shown, the control laser 860 is configured to illuminate the near surface of any one of the first blade 815 to the third blade 817 that is in the closest position thereto by illuminating the optical control port 830. The control signal is carried by a control beam (indicated by a dotted line). All of the first blades 815 to the third blades 817, the control laser 860 and the control port 830 are located at the same height. Each of the first blades 815 to the third blades 817 has a surface that is configured to be illuminated by the control laser 860 (when the light energy windmill is in the appropriate rotational position) and an opposite surface that is thermally insulated therefrom. Therefore, when the control laser 860 is turned on, the light energy windmill rotates clockwise. The control laser 860 can be turned on for a short time interval to cause the light energy windmill to rotate clockwise to its next position (for example, from Figure 8B1 The position shown in Figure 8B2 ), or switched on for two short time intervals to allow the solar windmill to rotate clockwise to another possible position (e.g., from Figure 8B1 The position shown in Figure 8B3The duration of the interval can be established by calibration methods.

[0143] In another design, magnets 885 to 887 may be omitted, provided the control laser timing is tightly controlled to ensure the windmill rotates precisely to the correct position without undershoot or overshoot, and the switch is isolated from vibrations that could misalign the windmill.

[0144] The optical fiber 850 is arranged to illuminate the light input port 820 with a transmission beam (indicated by a dotted line). The transmission beam continues to be incident on the light guide 813. All optical fibers 850, input ports 820 and light guides 813 are located at the same height. The light guide 813 is configured to rotate with the first blade 815 to the third blade 817 and at least partially reflect on both sides. It is arranged to guide the transmission beam to one of the three light output ports 826, 827 or 828 according to the rotational position of the solar windmill. Figure 8B1 In FIG. 8 , when the first blade 815 is in the position closest to the control port 830 , the transmission beam is directed to the first output port 826 . Figure 8B2 In the solar windmill, relative to Figure 8B1 The position in is rotated 120° clockwise, so that the second blade 816 is at the position closest to the control port 830, and the transmission beam is guided to the second output port 827. Figure 8B3 In the solar windmill, relative to Figure 8B2 The position in is rotated 120° clockwise so that the third blade 817 is at the position closest to the control port 830, and the transmission beam is guided to the third output port 828.

[0145] Thus, by turning on the control laser 860 at appropriate intervals, the optical transmission signal input from the optical fiber 850 can be directed to any one of the first output port 826 to the third output port 828. This can be done, for example, according to a computer-implemented scheduling method.

[0146] Fig. 8A , Figure 8B1 , Figure 8B2 and Figure 8B3 The switch design shown in can also be used inversely to provide an alternative multiple input / single output switch. In this case, ports 826, 827 and 828 will be input ports, and port 820 will be a common output port.

[0147] The design of switch 800 can also be adapted to switch an input to one of any number of outputs (or, if reversed as suggested in the preceding paragraph, to a single output) by varying the number of blades 815 to 817 and the corresponding number of ports 826 to 828 that can be aligned with them, respectively.

[0148] Fig. 9A A schematic plan view of another example optical switch 900 including a solar powered windmill in an "off" position is shown. Fig.9B1 and Figure 9B2 A schematic plan view of switch 900 is shown in each of its two possible "on" positions. Examples of suitable materials and dimensions for the various components of switch 900 are provided below. Similar materials and dimensions may be used for the above-mentioned Figure 3A To the corresponding components of any of the switches 300 to 800 of FIG. 8B .

[0149] Switch 900 is similar in many respects to Figure 4A , Figure 4B1 and Figure 4B2 The switch 400. The switch 900 can receive inputs from a first optical fiber 951 and a second optical fiber 952. These can be, for example, optical communication fibers that carry laser light in the C-band (1530 to 1565 nm) wavelength range. It includes a sealed housing 940 and an output port 925. The switch 900 includes a light energy windmill, which includes a first blade 911, a second blade 912 and a light guide 913. The first blade 911 is configured to be able to absorb control signals on both sides, the second blade 912 is used as a counterweight for the first blade 911, and the light guide 913 is located between the first blade 911 and the second blade 912 and is configured to reflect on both sides. The first blade 911, the second blade 912 and the light guide 913 are all configured to rotate around an axis 914. When the light energy windmill is in a position such as Fig. 9A In the closed position shown, the switch 900 has mirror symmetry in a plane passing through the center of its output port 925 and its light windmill axis 914. All of these components are as described above for Figure 4A , Figure 4B1 and Figure 4B2 The corresponding components of switch 400 are arranged as described.

[0150] However, with Figure 4A , Figure 4B1 and Figure 4B2Unlike the switch 400 of FIG. 9 , there are no separate input and control ports in the housing 940. (Reducing the number of ports in the housing 940 makes it easier to maintain a suitable pressure therein for operation of the solar windmill.) Instead, the first transmission port 921 and the second transmission port 922 receive the first source beam and the second source beam from the first optical fiber 951 and the second optical fiber 952, respectively. The first source beam and the second source beam are then incident on the first beam splitter 961 and the second beam splitter 962 in the housing 940, respectively. These split the first beam and the second beam into corresponding first and second transmission beams and first and second control beams. The first transmission beam and the second transmission beam continue to be incident on the light guide 913 centrally. The first control beam and the second control beam are guided via the corresponding first reflector 971 and the second reflector 972 in the housing 940 to be incident on the corresponding near surface of the first blade 911.

[0151] The two surfaces of the first blade 911, which are respectively impacted by the first control beam and the second control beam, are configured to absorb at least some of the electromagnetic radiation carried by these respective beams. These surfaces are thermally insulated from each other so that a temperature gradient occurs from the shadow side to the illuminated side. The thermal insulation between the two surfaces can be provided, for example, by one or more layers of ceramic, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic, glass or graphite. The solar windmill effect thus causes the solar windmill to rotate so that the illuminated blade retreats from the control beam incident thereon. The rotation of the solar windmill is stopped by the respective first and second blocking members 981, 982 so that the solar windmill is respectively Fig.9B1 and Figure 9B2 The positioning shown is as follows Fig. 9A Its closed position is shown 45° clockwise and counterclockwise.

[0152] The surface of the light guide 913 on which the first and second transmitted beams are incident is at least partially reflective. Fig.9B1 and Figure 9B2 As shown respectively, the light guide 913 guides the first transmission beam and the second transmission beam to the output port 925 perpendicular to the two transmission ports 921 and 922.

[0153] Thus, when an optical transmission signal is input to the switch 900 via one of the first optical fiber 951 and the second optical fiber 952, the switch automatically switches the signal to the output port 925 for onward transmission.

[0154] Contention between the signals from the first optical fiber 951 and the second optical fiber 952 can be avoided by network scheduling. Alternatively, the switch 900 can be used to select the stronger of the two such signals for forward transmission, because the optical windmill will rotate under the control of the stronger beam.

[0155] Fig. 9C Three-dimensional display Fig. 9A, Fig.9B1 and Figure 9B2 The components of the switch 900 within the housing 940. The second blocking member 982 can be seen as a column in the foreground. Fig. 9C 914. In the view of FIG. 900, the first stopper 981 is located behind the shaft 914. The first stopper 981 forms a support for the top end of the shaft 914 so that the light windmill can rotate freely between the support and the base of the switch 900. The blades 911 and 912 can be, for example, about 1 mm thick and 4 mm long. The spokes carrying the blades 911 and 912 can be, for example, about 10 mm long from the shaft to the end of the blade. The light guide 913 can be, for example, a double-sided mirror made of glass coated with a reflective metal such as aluminum, silver or gold on both sides, or a dielectric film.

[0156] Fig.9D Three-dimensional display 9A to 9C The housing 940 of the switch 900 is shown. The first transmission port 921 is visible in the foreground. A hole 941 in the top of the housing 940 is also visible. The hole 941 is configured for connecting a vacuum device so that the air within the housing 940 can be maintained at an appropriate low pressure for operation of the solar windmill, for example, between 300 mTor and 600 mTor. The housing 940 can be, for example, approximately 40 square millimeters and approximately 25 millimeters high in a plan view. For example, one or more of the transmission ports 921, 922, and 925 can be recessed to achieve a tight interference fit between the housing 940 and the corresponding optical fiber connected to each of the transmission ports 921, 922, and 925. (For clarity, this is not shown in the figure.) Fig. 9A , Fig.9B1 and Figure 9B2 ) The transmission ports 921, 922 and 925 can therefore each be sealed into an interior portion of a stepped profile aperture in the housing 940, for example having an inner diameter of about 3 mm and an outer diameter of about 4.6 mm. The housing 940 can be made, for example, of plastic, metal or other impermeable solid.

[0157] The entire switch assembly 900 may have a mass of approximately 15 g, for example.

[0158] In all of the above-described example switches, at least one region of at least one face of at least one blade of each light windmill is configured to have light incident thereon and absorb energy from the light so that the at least one region is heated relative to an opposite region of the opposite face of the blade. The absorption region may be coated, for example, with graphite, black aluminum foil, anodized aluminum, or litho black. If the opposite regions are thermally insulated from each other and the absorption region is irradiated to a greater extent than the opposite region, there need not be any asymmetry in their light absorptivity. (Light absorptivity is defined as the ratio of absorbed power to incident radiation power.) For example, the two sides of the blade impacted by the control beam in the above-described exemplary switches 400, 700, and 900 are symmetrical. Since only one side of the blade is irradiated, the light windmill effect still occurs. (The irradiation light is a laser beam narrow enough relative to the size of the blade, and targeting one side of the blade enhances the effect.) However, in another example switch described above, the light windmill effect may be enhanced by providing an absorption region having a higher light absorptivity than the opposite region. For example, the opposite region may be covered with a reflective metal or dielectric material such as silver. Alternatively or additionally, using the above Figure 2 According to the principles described, an absorbing region can be shaped so that it receives a greater radiation flux than an opposing region.

[0159] In all of the example switches described above, except for the single-input / multiple-output switch 800, the control beam and the transmission beam are derived from a common source beam. However, dedicated control beams may also be used in multiple-input / single-output switches. In the case of using a common source beam, the switch may be used to automatically select the strongest signal from multiple inputs to output, as described above. For example, if a primary fiber fails, this functionality may be used to automatically switch to a backup fiber that carries a lower-power version of the signal normally carried by the primary fiber.

[0160] In all of the exemplary switches described above, the light guide is arranged to rotate with the light windmill. However, other arrangements can be envisioned in which the movement of the light windmill causes the light guide to redirect the transmission beam in some other way. For example, a cam device can be used to convert the rotational movement of the light windmill into a linear movement of the light guide.

[0161] In the exemplary switches 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 and 900, the movement of the solar windmill is limited, but upwards, by a stopper in the form of a buffer / bumper / support element provided for each solar windmill blade (and / or the spokes carrying the blades) to abut against. Alternatively, a single stopper may be provided for multiple blades, for example so that in the two-blade example, the solar windmill rotates almost a full circle between its two positions.

[0162] Other forms of blocking members may also be used; any element that prevents or inhibits rotation in one direction beyond a certain position while allowing (some) reverse rotation away from that position is suitable. Fig. 8A Besides the magnetic stops shown, other types of mechanical stops are also conceivable, such as clips.

[0163] In all of the example switches described above, the light guide includes a reflector. Such a reflector may be provided by a surface that is at least partially reflective. Other optical elements, such as prisms, may also be used to guide the transmission beam. If the light guide needs to be able to absorb some light, such as in the example switches 500 and 600 described above, its surface may be made partially reflective, for example by laminating a thin dielectric on a light absorbing surface (e.g., a surface coated with a light absorbing material as described above).

[0164] In all of the exemplary multi-input / single-output switches described above, except for switch 500 and switch 600, the light guide is configured to reflect light substantially incident on the rotation axis of the light energy windmill. This causes the light to be incident on the output port along substantially the same line regardless of the one of the input ports from which it originates, thereby optimizing the injection efficiency coupled to the output optical fiber for all inputs, even when the output optical fiber has only a small acceptance angle.

[0165] In the exemplary switch 800, a magnet is used to bias the light energy windmill to a position where the transmission beam can be transmitted from the input end to the output end. Magnets or other forms of biasing elements can be used in switches for this purpose, such as switch 800, other exemplary switches 300 to 700 or 900 described above, or any other switches according to the present disclosure. For example, a spring or elastic member can be provided, which is twisted or compressed by the rotation of the light energy windmill (for example, the shaft of the light energy windmill itself can be elastic). Alternatively, one or more biasing elements can be used to bias the light energy windmill toward the closed position. This can increase the switching speed and / or reduce the energy required to control the beam. Including a biasing element can reduce the risk of the light energy windmill rotating under any influence other than the light energy windmill effect, such as in response to external vibrations. This is because the biasing element increases the threshold radiation flux required to start the light energy windmill to rotate, compared to a light energy windmill whose acceleration is limited only by its own inertia. The biasing element can be adjustable to allow calibration. For example, the tension of the elastic member can be adjusted by winding or unwinding it from a reel. The strength of the magnetic attraction between the solar windmill blades and the magnet (relative to which the solar windmill can rotate) can be adjusted by moving the magnet, for example by screwing the magnet further into or out of a nut.

[0166] The optical transmission (input / output) and control ports used in switches according to the present disclosure may be used to couple light from fiber to fiber. The ports may optionally include lenses to appropriately converge or diverge the light.

[0167] Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the embodiments disclosed herein.The specification and embodiments are exemplary only.

[0168] The methods described herein may be encoded as executable instructions contained in a computer-readable medium, including but not limited to non-transitory computer-readable storage, storage devices and / or storage devices. When these instructions are executed by a processor (or one or more computers, processors and / or other devices), these instructions cause the processor (one or more computers, processors and / or other devices) to perform at least a portion of the methods described herein. Non-transitory computer-readable storage media include but are not limited to volatile memory, non-volatile memory, magnetic and optical storage devices, such as disk drives, tapes, compact disks (CDs), digital versatile disks (DVDs), or other media capable of storing code and / or data.

[0169] When a processor is mentioned in this document, it should be understood to refer to a single processor or multiple processors that are operably connected to each other. Similarly, when a memory is mentioned in this document, it should be understood to refer to a single memory or multiple memories that are operably connected to each other.

[0170] The methods and processes may also be implemented partially or completely in a hardware module or device or firmware, so that when the hardware module or device is activated, it performs the associated methods and processes. The methods and processes may be implemented using a combination of code, data, and hardware modules or devices.

[0171] Examples of processing systems, environments and / or configurations that may be applicable to the embodiments described herein include, but are not limited to, embedded computer devices, personal computers, server computers (dedicated or cloud (virtual) servers), handheld or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set-top boxes, programmable consumer electronics mobile phones, network personal computers (PCs), minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing environments including any of the above systems or devices, etc. Hardware modules or devices described in the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), dedicated or shared processors, and / or other hardware modules or devices.

Claims

1. An optical switch for guiding an optical transmission signal according to an optical control signal, the switch comprising: one or more optical control ports; Three or more optical transmission ports; Light guide; as well as heat-driven solar windmills; The solar windmill and the light guide are arranged with respect to each other, with respect to the one or more control ports and with respect to the three or more transmission ports such that: The light energy windmill is driven to rotate toward a corresponding position by the illumination of a control beam carrying the control signal onto a corresponding one of the one or more control ports, at which the light guide is configured to guide a transmission beam carrying the transmission signal that enters the switch via a corresponding one of the transmission ports to leave the switch via another corresponding one of the transmission ports.

2. The optical switch according to claim 1, wherein: The control beam originates from a laser.

3. The optical switch according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The blade of the solar windmill is arranged such that the side illuminated by the control beam has a higher light absorption rate than the opposite side of the blade; and / or The side of the blade of the solar windmill that is configured to be illuminated by the control beam and the opposite side of the blade are shaped so that the side of the blade illuminated by the control beam receives a larger amount of radiant energy from the control beam than the opposite side over the rotation range of the solar windmill from an initial position to the corresponding position, wherein the initial position is the position where the solar windmill resides immediately before the control signal illuminates the corresponding one of the one or more control ports.

4. The optical switch according to claim 1, wherein: The transmission port comprises a single light input port and a plurality of light output ports, the light energy windmill and the light guide are arranged with respect to each other, with respect to the one or more control ports and with respect to the three or more transmission ports such that for each of the output ports: The illumination of a corresponding one of the one or more control ports by the control beam drives the light energy windmill to rotate toward a corresponding position, at which the light guide is configured to guide the transmission beam entering the switch via the input port to leave the switch via the output port.

5. The optical switch according to claim 1, wherein: The transmission port comprises a plurality of light input ports and a single light output port, the light energy windmill and the light guide are arranged with respect to each other, with respect to the one or more control ports and with respect to the three or more transmission ports such that for each of the input ports: The illumination of a corresponding one of the one or more control ports by the control beam drives the light energy windmill to rotate toward a corresponding position, at which the light guide is configured to guide the transmission beam entering the switch via the input port to leave the switch via the output port.

6. The optical switch according to claim 5, wherein the optical switch is configured such that for each of the input ports: The control beam and the transmission beam are derived from a common source beam.

7. The optical switch according to claim 6, wherein: For each of the input ports: The one of the one or more control ports illuminated by the control signal is the input port, the common source beam itself serving as both the transmission beam and the control beam.

8. The optical switch according to claim 6, for each of the input ports, the optical switch further comprises: An optical splitter is arranged to split the common source beam into the transmission beam and the control beam.

9. The optical switch according to claim 1, wherein: The optical switch includes only one control port, and further includes a control signal source configured to illuminate the control port according to a computer-implemented scheduling method.

10. The optical switch according to claim 1, wherein: The light guide is arranged to rotate together with the light energy windmill.

11. The optical switch according to claim 1, further comprising one or more blocking members, each blocking member being configured to prevent the light energy windmill from rotating beyond at least one of the corresponding positions.

12. The optical switch according to claim 1, wherein: The light guide includes a reflector.

13. The optical switch according to claim 12, wherein: The surface of the solar windmill on which the control signal is incident is partially reflective, thereby providing the reflector.

14. The optical switch according to claim 12 or 13, in, The light guide is arranged to rotate together with the light energy windmill, and Wherein, the transmission port comprises a plurality of light input ports and a single light output port, and the light energy windmill and the light guide are arranged with respect to each other, with respect to the one or more control ports and with respect to the three or more transmission ports such that for each of the input ports: The illumination of a corresponding one of the one or more control ports by the control beam drives the light energy windmill to rotate toward a corresponding position, at which the light guide is configured to guide the transmission beam entering the switch via the input port to leave the switch via the output port, The reflector is configured to reflect light incident substantially on the rotation axis of the solar windmill so that the light is incident on the output port along substantially the same line regardless of which of the input ports the light originates from.

15. The optical switch according to claim 1, further comprising a biasing element, wherein the light energy windmill is connected to the biasing element, so that: biasing the solar windmill to a balance position different from any one of the corresponding positions; or The solar windmill is biased toward one of the corresponding positions. 16 . The optical switch according to claim 1 , further comprising a housing surrounding the solar windmill, the housing comprising a hole configured to partially discharge a fluid around the solar windmill.

17. A method for guiding an optical transmission signal, the method comprising: One of the optical transmission ports of the optical switch according to any one of claims 1 to 16 is illuminated with the optical transmission signal.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein: The optical switch has only one control port and further includes a control signal source configured to illuminate the control port according to a computer-implemented scheduling method, the method further comprising: illuminating the control port for one of d predetermined durations, Each of the predetermined time durations corresponds to a rotation of the solar windmill from a first one of the corresponding positions to a corresponding one of another such corresponding positions, Wherein, d is equal to p-1, and p is the number of the transmission ports.

19. A light guiding system, comprising: Optical switches; as well as a computing device configured to implement a computer-implemented scheduling method, Wherein, the optical switch is the optical switch according to claim 9, or The optical switch is an optical switch according to any one of claims 10 to 16, and comprises only one control port, and further comprises a control signal source configured to illuminate the control port according to a scheduling method implemented by a computer.

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