Optical path switch with multicore fiber and optical system for implementing the same

Abstract

An optical communication system includes a pair of transceivers and an optical circuit switch having a multi-core fiber at each port, the optical circuit switch providing a communication bridge between the pair of transceivers. The transceivers each transmit forward transmission signals over a first single core fiber and receive reverse transmission signals over a second single core fiber. A fan-in / fan-out device is positionable along an optical path between the switch and each transceiver. The fan-in / fan-out device is configured to couple optical signals or transmission signals transmitted over the single core fiber with cores of the multi-core fiber. The multi-core fiber is further coupled to the port.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 753,179, filed on February 3, 2025, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0003] Optical fiber provides the transmission of data, voice, and images by allowing light to pass through thin, transparent optical fibers, typically made of plastic or glass. Fiber optic cables, which include one or more optical fibers, are commonly used to transmit optical signals over long distances. Optical fiber is advantageous due to its ability to provide high bandwidth and transmission speeds.

[0004] Fiber optic switches are used in fiber optic systems to control the optical flow in the fiber optic network, allowing for more efficient and reliable data transmission. A fiber optic switch selectively switches optical signals delivered via optical fibers or integrated optical paths to another optical fiber in the optical path. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to one aspect of this disclosure, an optical communication system includes a pair of transceivers and an optical path switch providing a communication bridge between the pair of transceivers. The optical path switch includes a plurality of switch ports coupled to a multi-core optical fiber. Each transceiver transmits a forward transmission signal through a single-core optical fiber and receives a reverse transmission signal through a second single-core optical fiber. Each port of the optical path switch is configured to receive both the forward and reverse transmission signals from the multi-core optical fiber. Fan-in / fan-out devices are positioned along an optical path between the switch and each transceiver. The fan-in / fan-out devices are configured to couple an optical signal or transmission signal transmitted through a single-core optical fiber to a core of the multi-core optical fiber. The multi-core optical fiber is further coupled to the port.

[0006] According to one aspect of this disclosure, an optical communication system includes: a forward transceiver and a reverse transceiver that perform optical communication along an optical path; an optical path switch (“OCS”) optically coupled to the forward and reverse transceivers; a first single-core optical fiber and a second single-core optical fiber, both coupled to the forward transceiver; a multi-core optical fiber coupled to the first optical port; and a fan-in / fan-out device (“FI / FO device”). The OCS has at least a first optical port and a second optical port, and provides communication between the forward and reverse transceivers along the optical path. The first single-core optical fiber can be configured to transmit forward optical transmission signals received from the forward transceiver to the reverse transceiver via the OCS. The second single-core optical fiber can be configured to transmit reverse optical transmission signals transmitted from the reverse transceiver to the forward transceiver via the OCS. The fan-in / fan-out device may further include a first collimator and a second collimator aligned with each other along the optical path. The FI / FO device may be configured to couple a forward optical transmission signal transmitted through the first single-core fiber to the core optics of the multi-core fiber. The first optical port may be coupled to the multi-core fiber. The first optical port may be configured to both transmit the forward optical transmission signal received from the first optical port to the second optical port and receive a reverse optical transmission signal transmitted from the second optical port along the optical path.

[0007] In one example of this aspect, the core of the multi-core fiber is the first core of the multi-core fiber. Additionally, the reverse optical transmission signal transmitted through the OCS is coupled to the second core of the multi-core fiber.

[0008] According to another example, the second optical port is configured to transmit both the forward optical transmission signal received from the forward transceiver to the reverse transceiver and the reverse optical transmission signal received from the reverse transceiver to the forward transceiver along the optical path.

[0009] According to another example of this aspect, the first single-core fiber and the second single-core fiber comprise single-mode fiber.

[0010] According to another example of this aspect, the multi-core fiber is the first multi-core fiber, and the system further includes the second multi-core fiber. The OSC may further include a multi-core fiber collimator and a mirror etched on a silicon chip. The mirror may be angled to redirect the forward optical transmission signal received from the first core of the first multi-core fiber at the first optical port of the OCS to the third core of the second multi-core fiber at the second optical port of the OCS. The mirror may also redirect the reverse optical transmission signal received from the second multi-core fiber to the first core of the first multi-core fiber, such that both the forward and reverse optical transmission signals are reflected by the mirror and transmitted through the first optical port.

[0011] In another example of this aspect, the first collimator includes a first microlens having a first focal length, and the second collimator includes a second microlens having a second length different from the first focal length.

[0012] According to another example of this aspect, the first collimator and the second collimator are further configured to duplex the forward optical transmission signal transmitted through the first core of the multi-core optical fiber and the reverse optical transmission signal transmitted through the first optical port and the second core of the multi-core optical fiber.

[0013] According to another example of this aspect, the FI / FO device further includes a laser diode configured to irradiate the first single-core optical fiber.

[0014] In another example of this, the multi-core fiber is a dual-core fiber. The core of the multi-core fiber is a first core, and the multi-core fiber further includes a second core.

[0015] In yet another example, the second core optically couples to the second single-core fiber.

[0016] In another example, the optical signal transmitted along the optical path is the forward optical transmission signal when it is transmitted from the forward transceiver to the reverse transceiver via the OCS, and the reverse optical transmission signal when it is transmitted from the reverse transceiver to the forward transceiver via the OCS.

[0017] According to another example of this aspect, the forward optical transmission signal and the reverse optical transmission signal are transmitted simultaneously through the first optical port and the second optical port.

[0018] According to another example of this aspect, the forward optical transmission signal and the reverse optical transmission signal are transmitted serially.

[0019] In another example of this aspect, the multi-core fiber is a first multi-core fiber, the FI / FO device is a first FI / FO device, and the system further includes a third single-core fiber, a fourth single-core fiber, a second multi-core fiber, and a second FI / FO device. The third single-core fiber and the fourth single-core fiber, the second multi-core fiber, and the second FI / FO device extend along the optical path. The third single-core fiber can be configured to transmit the reverse optical transmission signal received from the reverse transmission transceiver to the second multi-core fiber. The second FI / FO device couples the third single-core fiber to the second multi-core fiber. The fourth single-core fiber can be configured to transmit the forward optical transmission signal received from the second multi-core fiber to the reverse transceiver. The second FI / FO device couples the fourth single-core fiber to the second multi-core fiber.

[0020] According to another example, the forward optical transmission signal is a first optical transmission signal, the reverse optical transmission signal is a first reverse optical transmission signal, the optical path is a first optical path, the forward transceiver is a first forward transceiver, and the reverse transceiver is the first reverse transceiver. The OCS may further include a third optical port and a fourth optical port. The optical communication system may further include a second forward transceiver and a second reverse transceiver in optical communication along a second optical path extending through the OCS, and a third FI / FO device and a fourth FI / FO device positioned along the second optical path. A third multi-core fiber may be coupled to the third optical port, and a fourth multi-core fiber may be coupled to the fourth optical port. A fifth single-core fiber may be configured to transmit the second forward optical transmission signal received from the second forward transceiver to the third multi-core fiber. The third FI / FO device optically couples the fifth single-core fiber to the third multi-core fiber. A sixth single-core fiber may be configured to transmit the second reverse optical transmission signal received from the third multi-core fiber to the second forward transceiver. The third FI / FO device optically couples the third multi-core fiber to the sixth single-core fiber. The seventh single-core fiber can be configured to transmit the second forward optical transmission signal received from the fourth multi-core fiber to the second reverse transceiver. The fourth FI / FO device can optically couple the seventh single-core fiber to the fourth multi-core fiber. The eighth single-core fiber can be configured to transmit the second reverse optical transmission signal received from the second reverse transceiver to the fourth multi-core fiber. The fourth FI / FO device couples the eighth single-core fiber to the fourth multi-core fiber. The third optical port can be coupled to the third multi-core fiber and configured to receive and transmit the second forward optical transmission signal and the second reverse optical transmission signal. The fourth optical port can be coupled to the fourth multi-core fiber and configured to receive and transmit the second forward optical transmission signal and the second reverse optical transmission signal.

[0021] According to another example of this aspect, the system further includes: a second multi-core optical fiber coupled to the second optical port; a third single-core optical fiber optically coupled to the forward and reverse transmission transceivers; and a fourth single-core optical fiber optically coupled to the forward and reverse transmission transceivers. The second multi-core optical fiber may further include a second core and a third core. The third single-core optical fiber is optically coupled to the second core of the multi-core optical fiber, and the fourth single-core optical fiber is optically coupled to the third core of the second multi-core optical fiber.

[0022] According to another example, the OCS further includes one of a microelectromechanical system (“MEMS”) switch, a piezoelectric actuator switch, a robot switch, or a liquid crystal switch.

[0023] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a microelectromechanical switch (MEMS) includes a first optical port, a second optical port, a first multi-core optical fiber, a second multi-core optical fiber, a first MEMS die mirror array and a second MEMS die mirror array, and a first multi-core optical fiber collimator and a second multi-core optical fiber collimator, which are optically coupled to the first and second MEMS die mirror arrays. The first multi-core optical fiber is coupled to the first optical port and includes a first core and a second core. The second multi-core optical fiber is coupled to the second optical port and includes a third core and a fourth core. The first and second MEMS die mirror arrays are optically coupled to the first and second optical ports. The first and second multi-core optical fiber collimators are optically coupled to the first and second die mirror arrays. The first core of the first multi-core optical fiber is configured to transmit a forward transmission signal along an optical path through the first optical port to the third core of the second multi-core optical fiber at the second optical port. The third core of the second multi-core optical fiber is configured to transmit the reverse transmission signal along the optical path to the first core of the first multi-core optical fiber at the first optical port via the second optical port. The first identical mirror in the first MEMS die mirror array and the second identical mirror in the second MEMS die mirror array are configured to simultaneously transmit the forward transmission signal and the reverse transmission signal between the first optical port and the second optical port.

[0024] According to an example of this aspect, the MEMS switch further includes a first connector that directly couples the first multi-core optical fiber to the first optical port and directly couples the second multi-core optical fiber to the second optical port.

[0025] According to another example of this aspect, the MEMS switch further includes: a first connector that directly couples the first multi-core optical fiber to the first optical port; and a second connector that couples the second multi-core optical fiber to the second optical port.

[0026] According to another example of this aspect, the optical path is a first optical path, the forward transmission signal is a first transmission signal, the reverse transmission signal is a first reverse transmission signal, and the MEMS switch further includes a third multi-core fiber and a fourth multi-core fiber. The third multi-core fiber can be coupled to a third optical port and further includes a fifth and a sixth core, the fourth multi-core fiber can be coupled to a fourth optical port and further includes a seventh and an eighth core, the fifth core of the third multi-core fiber can be configured to transmit the second forward transmission signal along the second optical path through the third optical port to the seventh core of the fourth multi-core fiber at the second optical port. The eighth core of the fourth multi-core fiber can be configured to transmit the second reverse transmission signal along the second optical path through the fourth optical port to the sixth core of the third multi-core fiber at the third optical port. Another identical mirror in the first MEMS die mirror array and another identical mirror in the second MEMS die mirror array can be configured to simultaneously transmit the second forward transmission signal and the second reverse transmission signal between the third optical port and the fourth optical port. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an optical communication system according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of an optical communication system according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 3 This is an enlarged schematic diagram of a portion of an optical communication system according to one aspect of this disclosure.

[0030] Figure 4 This is a block diagram of an example component of an example transmitter according to one aspect of this disclosure.

[0031] Figure 5 This is a block diagram of an example component of an example receiver according to one aspect of this disclosure.

[0032] Figure 6 This is an enlarged view showing a portion of an optical communication system that schematically illustrates a reverse-transmission signal.

[0033] Figure 7 This is an example optical path switch according to one aspect of the present disclosure for use as part of an optical communication system.

[0034] Figure 8 This is another illustrative example of an optical path switch used as part of an optical communication system, according to one aspect of this disclosure.

[0035] Figure 9 This is an example component for use with an optical communication system, according to one aspect of this disclosure.

[0036] Figure 10A and Figure 10B This is a schematic diagram depicting the operation of a portion of an optical path switch according to one aspect of this disclosure.

[0037] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram depicting the operation of a portion of an optical path switch according to one aspect of this disclosure.

[0038] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram depicting the operation of a portion of an optical path switch according to one aspect of this disclosure.

[0039] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram depicting an optical path switch according to one aspect of this disclosure.

[0040] Figure 14A This is a schematic diagram depicting another optical path switch according to one aspect of this disclosure.

[0041] Figure 14B It describes one aspect of this disclosure. Figure 14A A schematic diagram of a portion of an optical path switch.

[0042] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram depicting another optical path switch according to one aspect of this disclosure.

[0043] Figure 16 It describes it as part of a larger fiber optic system. Figure 15 A schematic diagram of an optical path switch. Detailed Implementation

[0044] Traditional optical path switches in optical systems, including optical communication systems, implement a single fiber or single fiber at each port. This requires ports for each input fiber and each output fiber in the system. For example, such a system requires a single input channel and a single output channel corresponding to a single port. While previous attempts have been made to minimize the number of input and output ports on a single optical switch, including providing two optical switches for distributing I / O ports within the system, or implementing circulators to create bidirectional fibers supporting both forward and reverse signals, modern optical fibers are now capable of transmitting up to hundreds of terabytes (TB) of data per second. In addition to the increased transceiver and hardware costs required to accommodate these pre-existing systems, these systems now also face significant optical return loss and burst traffic errors due to the increased data transmission.

[0045] Example systems and methods for improving signal quality in bidirectional fiber ports of optical path switches by using multi-core fibers are disclosed. The currently disclosed optical system configuration provides an optical path switch that receives multi-core fibers at each optical path switch connector or port. Only one switch port is implemented for each transmit / receive multi-core fiber, such that there is a one-to-one correspondence between the multi-core fiber (which both transmits and receives signals) and each port on the optical switch. That is, all fiber cores within each multi-core fiber share the switching and coupling optical components. This configuration allows for a reduction in the number of ports on the optical path switch without increasing the switch form factor or requiring changes to the control algorithm at the switch. Therefore, smaller optical components and fewer elements can be achieved for a given switch cardinality. Switch-level and component-level manufacturing processes are also simplified because fewer ports and connections need to be present and monitored within the system. This configuration also allows for a hardware form factor as small as a single-fiber switch and requires less installation space. Switch drive power can also be maintained, and the complexity of the control algorithm can be reduced. In some examples, port disposal counts can be reduced, and deployment or commissioning speed can be improved. One or more of these improvements can additionally provide overall cost savings in terms of component costs and total cost of ownership of the switch.

[0046] The configuration of the optical path switches according to various aspects of this disclosure contrasts with conventional full-duplex fiber optic communication systems, which require (2xN) x (2xN) switches and 2xN optical fibers from the switches to the forward and reverse transceivers, where "N" corresponds to the number of optical links or transceiver pairs. Conventional full-duplex configurations require switches with N links or transceiver pairs to have two corresponding switch ports (i.e., one corresponding input switch port and one receiving switch port). However, conventional full-duplex fiber optic communication systems increase switch complexity, the maintenance required for each switch port, and the number of points along the switch that can be subject to errors or failures. The doubled / increased number of switch ports also exponentially increases the challenges to switch manufacturability and reliability, and the doubled number of fiber paths slows down deployment and commissioning, limiting system time-to-market. Similarly, in conventional fiber optic communication systems that implement circulators or other similar devices at switch ports to duplex transmit and receive signals into a single fiber, N optical links or transceivers are limited to (N×N) switch ports, where the number of switch ports corresponds to the number of transceivers. However, this duplex switch port configuration suffers from higher losses and transceiver costs with the addition of optical circulators and multipath interference effects that lead to burst traffic errors, which in turn necessitates precise and / or custom-designed connection or structural hardware to minimize these effects.

[0047] Example systems are now described to provide an understanding of this disclosure; however, those skilled in the art will recognize that this disclosure can be implemented without one or more of the specific details herein, or using other methods, components, materials, etc. In some cases, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail, but they are still included within the scope of this disclosure.

[0048] Throughout this specification, references to "this disclosure" or "an aspect of this disclosure" mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with this disclosure is included in at least one aspect described in this disclosure. Such particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more implementations.

[0049] The use of multi-core optical fibers allows for the configuration of an optical path switch (“OCS”) with the maximum number of switch ports to provide the maximum possible bandwidth and interconnect count. This document discloses systems and methods for creating bidirectional optical paths within an OCS using multi-core optical fibers to provide optimized bandwidth and interconnect count for the OCS.

[0050] Figure 1Multiple optical paths for an example optical communication system 1 are depicted. System 1 may include a multi-core fiber optic path switch (“OCS”) 2 having multiple input / output (“I / O”) ports 4A to 4H coupled to corresponding multi-core fibers 6A to 6H (collectively referred to as “multi-core fiber 6”). Forward transceivers 10A to 10D and reverse transceivers 10E to 10H may be coupled to the multiple I / O ports 4A to 4H, respectively. OCS 2 enables a pair of transceivers (e.g., one of the forward transceivers 10A to 10D and one of the reverse transceivers 10E to 10H) to communicate with each other along the optical paths. For example, the first optical path OP1 can be extended between forward transceiver 10A and reverse transceiver 10G via OCS 2; the second optical path OP2 can be extended between forward transceiver 10B and reverse transceiver 10E via OCS 2; the third optical path OP3 can be extended between forward transceiver 10C and reverse transceiver 10H via OCS 2; and the fourth optical path OP4 can be extended between forward transceiver 10D and reverse transceiver 10F via OCS 2. As will be described, each port 4A to 4D on the forward transmission side of OCS 2 is configured to transmit forward transmission signals from the corresponding cores of multi-core fibers 6A to 6D to the corresponding cores of multi-core fibers 6E to 6H on the reverse transmission side of OCS 2 via switch OCS 2, and vice versa. This configuration allows for a reduction in the total number of optical ports along OCS 2 relative to the number of forward and reverse transmission signals, since each optical port 4A to 4D can receive both forward and reverse transmission signals.

[0051] Figure 2 An example of an optical communication system 100 incorporating an OCS 102 with multi-core optical fibers is depicted. System 100 may include a multi-core fiber optic path switch (“OCS”) 102 having multiple input / output (“I / O”) ports 104A to 104H (collectively referred to as “port 104” or “ports 104A to 104H”) coupled to corresponding multi-core optical fibers 106A to 106H (collectively referred to as “multi-core fiber 106”). Forward transceivers 110A to 110D and reverse transceivers 110E to 110H may be coupled to the multiple I / O ports 104A to 104H, respectively.

[0052] System 100 provides multiple optical paths between transceiver pairs 110A to 110H. In this example, the OCS 102 with multi-core fiber 106 enables the forward transceivers 110A to 110D and the reverse transceivers 110E to 110H to communicate with each other along multiple optical paths. Example optical paths can extend between two transceivers and include optical paths OP1-1 extending between transceivers 110A and 110G and passing through multi-core fibers 106A, 106G and OCS 102, such as... Figure 2 As depicted. Optical paths OP1-1 may include: a forward transmission optical path FTx, which begins with a forward transmission signal received from forward transceiver 110A at forward transmission side 116; and a reverse optical path RTx, along which transceiver 110G transmits a reverse transmission signal received from reverse transmission side 118 back to forward transceiver 110A. Additional optical paths may extend between the remaining transceiver pairs in the system. For example, a second optical path may extend between forward transceiver 110B and reverse transceiver 110E and across OCS 102; a third optical path OP3 may extend between forward transceiver 110C and reverse transceiver 110H and across OCS 102; and a fourth optical path OP4 may extend between forward transceiver 110D and reverse transceiver 110F and across OCS 102.

[0053] Multiple fan-in / fan-out (hereinafter referred to as "FI / FO") devices 108A to 108H (collectively referred to as "FI / FO devices 108") are each coupled at one end to a corresponding multi-core fiber 106A to 106H, and at the opposite end to single-core fibers 120A to 120H and 122A to 122H. Each FI / FO device 108A to 108H is further optically coupled to a corresponding optical transceiver 110A to 110H (collectively referred to as "optical transceiver 110") and a corresponding I / O port 104. In this example, system 100 includes eight FI / FO devices 108A to 108H and eight corresponding optical transceivers 110A to 110H. Each transceiver 110A to 110H includes a corresponding single-mode fiber transmitter TX-A to TX-H carrying and transmitting the corresponding transmission optical data signal or forward transmission signal 112-T1a to 112-T1h, and a single-mode fiber transmitter RX-A to RX-H carrying and receiving the corresponding reverse transmission signal 114-R1a to 114R1h. As will be explained in more detail, the FI / FO device 108 is configured to couple the corresponding forward transmission signal of a single-core fiber with the reverse transmission signal of a separate single-core fiber. The combined signal is collimated and generated or injected into the core of a multi-core fiber, which in this example may be a dual-core fiber. Multi-core fibers 106A to 106H coupled to the corresponding and corresponding I / O ports 104A to 104H of the OCS 102 can transmit the forward transmission signal to the I / O port. In this example, FI / FO devices 108A to 108H are shown as individual or separate and spaced-apart components or devices. However, in other examples, these FI / FO devices may be arranged in an array, such that collimators 126A to 126D on the forward transmission side and / or collimators 128A to 128D on the forward transmission side 116 are arranged together in a more closely spaced collimator lens array. Similarly, collimators 126E to 126H on the reverse transmission side 118 and / or collimators 128E to 128H on the reverse transmission side 118 are arranged together in a more closely spaced collimator lens array. In this example, transceivers 110A to 110H and single-core fibers 120A to 120H and 122A to 122H may each comprise a single-mode transceiver and a single-mode fiber, respectively. However, in other configurations, multimode transceivers and fibers, as well as other multimode components, may be implemented in the system.

[0054] OCS 102 can be a multi-port telecommunications network bridging device configured to interconnect with multi-core optical fiber 106. In this example, OCS 102 includes N optical links or transceiver pairs (where N is an integer), which in this example also corresponds to the number N I / O ports 104. There are X I / O ports (where X is an integer) on the forward transmission side 116 of OCS 102 and Y I / O ports (where Y is an integer) on the reverse transmission side 118 of OCS 102. In this example, four I / O ports 104A to 104D are aligned along the forward transmission side 116 of OCS 102, and four I / O output ports 104E to 104H are aligned along the reverse transmission side 118. However, as indicated by the ellipsis (three vertically aligned circles) and the numbered rows 1, 2, 3, and N, any number N of total I / O ports can be implemented to accommodate various configurations and / or devices communicating via OCS 102.

[0055] Each multi-core fiber 106A to 106H can be an optical element comprising multiple optical output sections or light guide cores, each having an optical axis parallel to the other axes. A multi-core fiber is a single-strand optical fiber containing multiple light guide cores. The use of multi-core fibers can help increase bandwidth capacity and allow the simultaneous transmission of multiple signals on an optical fiber. In this example, the multi-core fibers 106A to 106H can be dual-core fibers, such that there are two cores extending along optical axes parallel to each other.

[0056] Multi-fiber fibers 106A to 106H can each be directly coupled to a corresponding I / O port among the I / O ports 104A to 104H of the OCS 102. For example, connectors at the corresponding ends of the multi-fiber fibers 106A to 106H can be used to couple the multi-fiber fibers 106A to 106H to the corresponding ports 104A to 104H, and in this example, connectors 130A2 to 130H2 are removably engaged with each of the corresponding ports 104A to 104H. As shown, the transmitted signals 112-T2a to 112-T2h and the received signals 114-R1a to 114-R1h are physically transmitted separately at each I / O port 104. Therefore, each of the I / O ports 104A to 104H can receive corresponding forward transmission signals 112-T2a to 112-T2h and corresponding reverse transmission signals 114-R1a to 114-R1h from the corresponding multi-core fibers 106A to 106H. This provides bidirectional communication through each of the I / O ports 104A to 104H while maintaining physical separation of the forward and reverse transmission signals at the connection point with each I / O port. In this example, OCS 102 can be configured such that each of the I / O ports 104A to 104H is simultaneously switched for each multi-core fiber to which it is connected.

[0057] The FI / FO devices 108A to 108H in system 100 can be configured to convert optical pulses or signals transmitted through single-mode or single-core optical fibers to each core of a multi-core optical fiber, and to convert optical signals transmitted through the cores of a multi-core optical fiber to the cores of a single-core optical fiber. As shown in this example, FI / FO devices 108A to 108D are optically coupled to and positioned between forward transmission I / O ports 104A to 104D and forward transceivers 110A to 110D. FI / FO devices 108E to 108H are also optically coupled to reverse transmission I / O ports 104E to 104H and reverse transceivers 110E to 110H.

[0058] Each optical transceiver 110A to 110H in system 100 typically transmits and receives data at high speed in the form of optical pulses or forward transmission signals via optical cables or optical fibers. As shown, transceivers 110A to 110H include optical transmitters TX-A to TX-H configured to convert electrical inputs or signals received from a network or other device into optical signals. For example, each optical transceiver 110A to 110H includes: a corresponding optical transmitter TX-A to TX-H configured to transmit a transmit optical data signal or forward transmission signal 112-T1a to 112-T1h; and optical receivers RX-A to RX-H receiving a corresponding receive optical data signal or reverse transmission signal 114-R1a to 114-R1h. Transceivers 110A to 110H can receive electrical signals, and their corresponding optical transmitters TX-A to TX-H convert these electrical signals into optical or transmission signals injected into a single optical fiber. In one example, the single optical fiber can be a single-mode fiber or a single-core fiber. Optical transmitters TX-A to TX-H according to various aspects of this disclosure can convert electrical data signals into optical signals or forward transmission signals, which are injected into the single optical fiber. Each receiver RX-A to RX-H can similarly be configured to convert optical signals or reverse transmission signals transmitted through multi-core optical fibers 106A to 106H back into electrical signals.

[0059] Figure 3Enlarged views of transceiver 110A, FI / FO device 108A, and multi-core fiber optic cable 106A are depicted, showing additional details and components that are more readily visible in the enlarged views. Transceiver 110A is configured to convert electrical input from a network or other device into an optical signal. For example, transceiver 110A can receive an electrical signal that has been converted into an optical or transmission signal 112-T1a. Transceiver 110A transmits the transmission signal 112-T1a via a single-core fiber optic cable 120A coupled to transceiver 110A. The single-core fiber optic cable 120A can be a fiber optic cable with a single core, which in this example transmits the optical signal or forward transmission signal 112-T1a in only one mode or one path. Transceiver 110A can similarly receive the reverse transmission signal 114-R2a via a single-mode fiber or single-core fiber optic cable 122A coupled to transceiver 110A by connector 130A3. The single-core optical fiber 122A can also be an optical fiber cable. In this example, the optical fiber cable is designed to transmit optical signals in only one mode or one path, and the optical signal travels in the opposite direction to the direction of travel of the transmission signal 112-T1a. The transceiver 110A can be a single-mode transceiver configured to both transmit and receive optical signals. However, in other examples, one or more transceivers and corresponding optical fibers can be multi-mode transceivers.

[0060] The FI / FO device 108A can couple optical or forward transmission signals transmitted from transceiver 110A through a single-core fiber to the core of a multi-core fiber. The FI / FO device 108A can also decouple optical or reverse transmission signals transmitted from the core of the multi-core fiber 106A to the transceiver, allowing reverse transmission signals transmitted from another core of the multi-core fiber to be coupled to the core of the single-core fiber. For example, as... Figure 3As shown, the forward transmission signal 112-T1a can be transmitted through the first single-core fiber 120A, and the light will be transmitted through the single-core fiber 120A and the FI / FO device 108A, which couples the forward transmission signal 112-T1a with the first core 105A of the multi-core fiber 106A. The reverse can also occur. As shown, the FI / FO device 108A can decouple the reverse transmission signal 114-R1a transmitted through the multi-core fiber 106A in the direction indicated by arrow B and the forward transmission signal 112-T2a occurring through the multi-core fiber 106A in the direction indicated by arrow A to the corresponding single-core fibers 120A and 122A. It should be understood that the forward transmission signal 112-T2a and the reverse transmission signal 114-R1a can be transmitted simultaneously. However, in other examples, the forward transmission signal 112-T2a and the reverse transmission signal 114-R1a can be transmitted serially and / or configured to transmit signals simultaneously or sequentially. In this example, because there are only two single-mode or single-core fibers 120A and 122A, each carrying an optical signal coupled or decoupled from the optical signal converted to the multi-core fiber by the transceiver, the multi-core fiber can be a dual-core fiber. However, in other examples, there can be more than two corresponding cores of single-mode fibers and multi-core fibers. For example, there can be four single-mode fibers corresponding to the four cores of the multi-core fiber.

[0061] In this example, such as Figure 3 As shown, the FI / FO device 108A includes a first dual-fiber collimator 126A and a second multi-core fiber collimator 128A, each respectively mounted on a multi-axis precision micropositioner 132A, 132B. The micropositioners 132A, 132B enable precise alignment of the first dual-fiber collimator 126A and the second multi-core fiber collimator 128A along the optical axis 124. In some examples, maximum alignment can be achieved when the micropositioners are configured to translate, tilt, and / or rotate.

[0062] In this example, the first dual-fiber collimator 126A is coupled to two separate optical fibers: a single fiber 120A and a single fiber 122A. The first dual-fiber collimator 126A couples the forward transmission signal 112-T1a transmitted from the transmitter TX-A via the single fiber 120A and the reverse transmission signal 114-R2a transmitted via the single fiber 122A. The first dual-fiber collimator 126A transmits the coupled signal through the second multi-core fiber collimator 128A and converts the coupled signal to match the core spacing of the output multi-core fiber 106, which in this example can be a dual-core fiber. In one example, the amplification between the first dual-fiber collimator 126A and the second multi-core fiber collimator 128A is the projection of the spacing between the two individual single-core fibers 120A and 122A and the spacing between the two cores of the dual-core fiber 106A. Although various collimators can be implemented in the FI / FO device 108A, the first dual-fiber collimator 126 and the second multi-fiber collimator 128A can have different focal lengths. Therefore, the FI / FO device 108A can convert two single-core fibers into one dual-core fiber, and vice versa. In other examples, there can be multiple single-core fibers corresponding to three or more cores of the multi-core fiber, such as three, four, or more single-core fibers, that will inject light into the multi-core fiber.

[0063] The optical transmitters used in optical transceivers 100A to 100H can be configured in various ways to convert electrical data signals into optical signals. Figure 4 An example of an optical transmitter configuration that can be implemented within system 100 and can be the same transmitter TX-A to TX-H is depicted. As shown, optical transmitter TX-A includes a drive circuit system 140, an optical source 142, a modulator 144, and a channel coupler 146. In other examples, optical transmitter TX may include additional and / or alternative components.

[0064] The drive circuit system 140 of the optical transmitter TX-A can provide electrical power to the optical source 142 and drive the optical source 142 by modulating the injected current based on an input electrical signal 148, which can be transmitted from outside the system 100 and / or another system within the same network. The input electrical signal 148 can be an electrical signal carrying data or information to be transmitted from a data source.

[0065] Optical source 142 is a light-emitting source. Common types of light sources include light-emitting diodes (“LEDs”) and laser diodes (“LDs”). Types of LDs may include Fabry-Perot (“FP”) lasers, distributed feedback (“DFB”) lasers, and vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers (“VCSELs”). Optical source 142 can be configured to emit light at a precise and predetermined wavelength and within desired power and efficiency parameters. In one example, optical source 142 may be an LD capable of outputting wavelengths ranging from approximately 600 nm to approximately 1800 nm, but in other examples, the wavelength may be less than 600 nm or greater than 1800 nm.

[0066] Modulator 144 modulates the optical carrier received from optical source 142 and converts the electrical signal received from electrical input signal 148 into optical pulses at a specific wavelength and intensity. For example, modulator 144 can modify the amplitude, phase, and / or polarization of the light wave to encode data. In other examples, the modulator may be unnecessary, such as in cases where the output generated by a semiconductor optical source can be directly modulated by changing the injection current.

[0067] Channel coupler 146 can be positioned at the end of modulator 144. Channel coupler 146 can be used to combine or separate optical signals from multiple channels and inject the optical signals into an optical fiber, which in this example is a single-core fiber, and will carry the transmission signal 112-T1a.

[0068] The optical receivers used in optical transceivers 100A to 100H can be configured in various ways to convert received optical signals into electrical signals. The optical receivers RX-A to RX-H of transceiver 110 can receive optical signals and convert them back into electrical signals. An example optical receiver can be coupled to a single-core fiber 122A and can receive the reverse transmission signal 114-R2a transmitted through the single-core fiber 122A. Optical receiver RX-A converts the reverse transmission signal 114-R2a into an electrical signal. Optical receiver RX-A can be configured in various ways to enable the conversion of optical signals into electrical signals containing data or information.

[0069] Figure 5An example of an optical receiver RX-A including a drive circuit system 150, a semiconductor detector 152, and an amplifier 154 is shown. The semiconductor detector 152 may include a photodiode or photodetector configured to convert optical signals into electrical signals. When the reverse transmission signal 114-R2a is received by the optical receiver RX-A, the semiconductor detector 152 can convert the transmission signal 114-R2a into a current. The amplifier 154 amplifies the current transmitted by the semiconductor detector 152 and converts the current into a usable electrical signal while introducing minimal noise. The data recovery circuit 153 can demodulate the electrical signal based on the protocol and format of the transmitter TX-A and output an electrical signal 148B.

[0070] Any type of connector can be used to couple multi-fiber optic cables 106A to 106D to the corresponding I / O ports 104A to 104D, and single-fiber optic cables 120A to 120H and 122A to 122H to the corresponding transceivers 110A to 110H. The connector allows optical signals from multi-fiber optic cable 106A to pass through OCS 102, and receives signals from multi-fiber optic cable 106A to travel through single-fiber optic cable 122A. The connector also allows connections between transceiver 110A and single-fiber optic cables 120A and 122A. Examples of connectors include, but are not limited to, multi-fiber push-in (“MPO”), multi-fiber termination push-in, Lucent connectors (“LC”), and subscriber connectors (“SC”), although any suitable connector may be used. This is also helpful to the extent that previous bidirectional optical systems required specific types or custom connectors at the I / O ports in an attempt to minimize back reflections and / or other problems that could be caused by the implementation of previous bidirectional systems, whereas in this example, any type of connector can be implemented.

[0071] It should be understood that system 100 may require additional and / or alternative structural components and / or processes, but these components are not necessary for understanding the operation of system 100 and will be otherwise understood by those skilled in the art.

[0072] It should be understood that the enlarged view includes transceiver 110A, transmitter TX-A, receiver RX-A, FI / FO device 108A, I / O port 104A, and single-core optical fibers 120A, 122A, and multi-core optical fiber 106A. Figures 3 to 5The preceding and subsequent discussions are identical for each of the corresponding transceivers 110B to 119H, transmitters TX-B to TX-H, receivers RX-B to RX-H, FI / FO devices 108B to 108H, I / O ports 104B to 104H, and single-core optical fibers 120B to 120H, 122B to 122H, and multi-core optical fibers 106B to 106H in the entire system 100, and will not be described further to avoid redundancy. In other examples, one or more of the transceiver 110A, FI / FO device 108A, I / O port 104A, single-core fiber 120A, 122A and multi-core fiber 106A may be different from the other corresponding transceivers (110A to 110H), FI / FO devices 108A to 108H, I / O ports 104A to 104H, single-core fibers 120A to 120H, 122A to 122H and multi-core fibers 106B to 106H in system 100.

[0073] As will be described in more detail herein, the forward transmission signals transmitted from transceivers 110B to 110D through corresponding single-core optical fibers 120B to 120D and 122B to 122D to the corresponding I / O ports 104B to 104D at the forward transmission side 116 of OCS 102 can be used in conjunction with... Figures 3 to 5 They are coupled together and injected into the corresponding multi-core optical fibers 106A to 106D in a similar manner to that described in [the previous section], and vice versa. Additionally, the components on the reverse transmission side 118 mirror the configuration of the components on the forward transmission side 116, so that in use, as in [the previous section]... Figure 6 As described, forward transmission signals transmitted from I / O ports 104E to 104H on the reverse transmission side 118 to transceivers 110E to 110H at the reverse transmission side 118 can be coupled together or injected into corresponding multi-core optical fibers 106E to 106H, and the forward transmission signals transmitted from transceivers 110A to 110D to corresponding I / O ports 104A to 104D in the reverse order are separated into corresponding single-core optical fibers 120E to 120H and 122E to 122H. This further allows the reverse transmission signal transmitted from one of the transceivers 110E to 110H on the reverse transmission side toward the corresponding I / O port 104E to 104H to the forward transmission signal transmitted from one of the transceivers 110A to 110D on the forward transmission side 116 to one of the I / O ports 104E to 104H on the reverse transmission side 118 in the same manner as the forward transmission signal transmitted from one of the transceivers 110A to 110D on the forward transmission side 116 to the corresponding I / O port 104E to 104H on the reverse transmission side 118 (and vice versa).

[0074] Return to reference Figures 2 to 3In one example illustrating communication between a pair of transceivers at opposite ends of OCS 102 and an attached multi-core fiber, an electrical signal is received by transceiver 110A coupled to a single-core fiber 120A. In this example, transceiver 110A and single-core fiber 120A can be coupled via connector 130A1. Transmitter TX-A converts the incoming electrical signal into an optical signal or forward transmission signal 112-T1a, which is transmitted via single-core fiber 120A. The forward transmission signal 112-T1a is collimated by a first dual-fiber collimator 126A and a second multi-core fiber collimator 128A of FI / FO device 108A. The light from the forward transmission signal 112-T1a can be reduced as it passes through the first dual-fiber collimator 126A and the second multi-core fiber collimator 128A; in this example, this can be achieved by using two microlens collimators with different focal lengths. Based on the precise alignment of the first dual-core fiber collimator 126A and the second dual-core fiber collimator 128A along the optical axis 124 ( Figure 3 The forward transmission signal 112-T1a can be focused onto core 105A of the multi-core fiber 106A and coupled or injected into that core. This allows the forward transmission signal 112-T1a to be coupled to core 105A of the multi-core fiber 106A. The multi-core fiber 106A can then be coupled to I / O port 104A at its other end via connector 130A2. The collimated forward transmission signal 112-T2a will now be transmitted through I / O port 104A. The transmission signal 112-T2a will be processed by OCS 102. As previously mentioned, various techniques can be used to form OCS 102, such as microelectromechanical systems (“MEMS”), piezoelectric actuator technology, robotics, liquid crystal technology, and / or other structures or methods that can provide optical switching along an optical path between the two ports of OCS 102, some examples of which will be described in more detail herein.

[0075] Forward transmission signal 112-T2a can be transmitted from I / O port 104A to I / O port 104G via OCS 102. For example... Figure 6As shown, connector 130G2 of the multi-fiber 106G can be coupled to I / O port 104G on the transmission return side 118 of OCS 102. Forward transmission signal 112-T1g can be transmitted from I / O port 104G to the multi-fiber 106G. In one example, transmission signal 112-T1g is injected into core 105G of the multi-fiber 106G. As previously described, forward transmission signal 112-T1g and reverse transmission signal 114-R2g can be transmitted simultaneously through I / O port 104G. Forward transmission signal 112-T1g will be transmitted through multi-fiber collimator 128G and then through dual-fiber collimator 126G. When forward transmission signal 112-T1g leaves multi-fiber collimator 128G as forward transmission signal 112-T2g, forward transmission signal 112-T2g is decoupled from or separated from reverse transmission signal 114-R1g. In one example, the lens of the multi-core fiber collimator 128G focuses the light of the transmitted signal 112-T1g onto the single-core fiber 120G, and injects the forward transmission signal 112-T1g into the single-core fiber 120G. The single-core fiber 120G can be coupled to the receiver RX-G of the transceiver 110G. As shown, the collimated forward transmission signal 112-T2g will be transmitted to the receiver RX-G through the single-core fiber 120G.

[0076] The return optical path can follow a similar route in reverse. (Still referencing...) Figure 6 The electrical signal from transceiver 110G can be converted into an optical signal and transmitted to transceiver 110A along the same path. As shown, the reverse transmission signal 114-R1g will be transmitted through a single fiber 122G coupled to the transmitter TX-G of transceiver 110G. The reverse transmission signal 114-R1g is first transmitted through the dual-fiber collimator 126G of FI / FO device 108G, and then through the multi-core fiber collimator 128G of FI / FO device 108G, and injected into the core 107G of multi-core fiber 106G. Multi-core fiber 106G is coupled to connector 130G2 at I / O port 104G, and the collimated reverse transmission signal 114-R2g will be transmitted to OCS 102 through I / O port 104G. Signal 114-R2g will be processed and transmitted through port 104G and OCS 102. Simultaneously or at a similar time, forward transmission signal 112-T1a can be transmitted through port 104G, shown as forward signal 112T1g. Signal 114-R1g will be injected into core 107G of multi-core fiber 106G.

[0077] Return to reference Figure 2 and Figure 3The reverse transmission signal 114-R1a will be transmitted from port 104A through multi-core fiber 106A and decoupled from the forward transmission signal 112-T2a. In this example, the reverse transmission signal 114-R1a will be collimated by multi-core fiber collimator 128A and dual-core fiber collimator 128A and focused onto single-core fiber 122A coupled to connector 130A3 of receiver RX-A. This effectively couples multi-core fiber 106A to single-core fiber 122A, and in this example, core 107A of multi-core fiber 106A is optically coupled to single-core fiber 122A. The reverse transmission signal 114-R2a is transmitted to receiver RX-A through single-core fiber 122A, where it will be converted back into an electrical signal. It should be understood that in all the examples disclosed herein, the forward and reverse transmission signals transmitted along the optical path in system 100 may be similar signals carrying the same or similar data, but may be modified and / or transformed as they are transmitted and collimated along the optical path through single-core fiber, multi-core fiber, collimator, OCS, and any other component through which optical signals are transmitted. However, for ease of discussion, the signals are identified using different reference numerals. Additionally, although the optical path between two transceivers has been described as extending between two transceivers on opposite sides of OCS 102, in other examples or implementations, one or more transceiver pairs sharing the optical path may alternatively or additionally be positioned on the same side of OCS 102.

[0078] The system 100 implementing an OCS 102 with multi-core optical fibers 106A to 106H can significantly reduce multipath interference suffered by conventional bidirectional systems that can use circulators or other devices to combine signals along a single path before connection to the switch port. The OCS 102 further eliminates the need for two separate unidirectional ports (i.e., a first port for forward transmission and a second port for reverse transmission), and utilizes a single I / O port instead of these two separate unidirectional ports to accommodate each forward and reverse transmission. Introducing multi-core optical fiber connections at the OCS 102 creates a number M of optical fiber inputs at the OCS 102, while requiring only a number N ports, where N corresponds to the number of optical links or transceiver pairs coupled to the OCS 102. In the disclosed embodiments, OCS 102 offers double the switch capacity, similar manufacturability, and control complexity, where an NxN switch can now be expanded to an (MxN) x (MxN) switch (where M is an integer indicating the number of cores in a single multi-fiber and the number of inputs at a given switch input / output). This means that for a number M cores in a single multi-fiber to which a switch port is connected, only N switch ports are now required. In this example, assuming the multi-core fiber is a dual-core fiber and the number of I / O ports N on the forward transmission side 116 is 4 and the number of I / O ports N on the reverse transmission side 118 is also 4, such a switch would be a (2×4) to (2×4) switch, where each of the four switch ports or I / O ports 104A to 104D on the forward transmission side 116 of the OCS 102 has two inputs, and each of the four switch ports or I / O ports 104E to 104H on the reverse transmission side 118 of the OCS 102 has two inputs. This can be achieved without increasing the switch's form factor or the complexity of its control algorithm.

[0079] The use of multi-core fiber 106 in optical system 100 provides an improved bidirectional optical path, where two optical signals traveling in different directions can pass through each I / O port. Each I / O port 104 is thus configured to receive both the forward transmission signal FTx and the reverse transmission signal RTx. As a result, N optical bases (N Tx / Rx transmission signal pairs) can be achieved with only N switch ports and N I / O fibers. This effectively doubles the switch capacity with the same hardware form factor, similar manufacturability, and control complexity compared to conventional systems that do not implement a bidirectional optical path at each port. For example, the new configuration no longer requires 2xN switch ports and 2xN fibers, or 2 NxN switches, as in a duplex fiber system, to handle separate forward / reverse transmissions. This configuration also eliminates back reflections and crosstalk present in existing bidirectional systems. In other words, among other improvements, incorporating multi-core fiber into an optical communication system reduces the number of I / O ports required by the OCS, as both the transmission and reception signals can now be received at each I / O port. Therefore, the switch is extended to a (m x N) x (m x N) switch, where m is the number of fibers in the multi-core fiber and N is the number of I / O ports of the switch.

[0080] The OCS 102 can be configured in various ways to provide an optical connection or path between a pair of transceivers. In one example, the OCS 102 can be a microelectromechanical system (“MEMS”) optical switch, in which mirrors etched on a silicon wafer are tilted or angled to redirect optical signals from a first fiber at a first port of the OCS 102 to a second fiber at a second port of the OCS 102. In one example, the tilt angle of the mirrors can be manipulated by electrostatic or electromagnetic forces, allowing the mirrors to be rotated to change the propagation direction of the optical signal and determine the direction of the optical signal or transmitted signal.

[0081] Figure 7An example schematic OCS that can be incorporated into system 100 is shown. In this example, OCS 102 can be a MEMS optical switch, and in a particular example, OCS 102 can be a MEMS 2D switch, but in other examples, a 3D switch can be implemented. OCS 102 may include a first collimator lens array 156, a second collimator lens array 160, a first packaged MEMS mirror array 162, and a second packaged MEMS mirror array 164. In this example, the first collimator lens array 156 and the second collimator lens array 160 are 2D arrays, and in some examples, these 2D arrays can be directly coupled to a multi-core fiber. For example, with the aid of an imaging system and fiber manipulation fixtures, each fiber of the multi-core fiber 106A can be rotated and keyed during collimation fabrication. In this example, the forward transmission signal is schematically represented by a short dashed line, while the reverse transmission signal is schematically represented by a long dashed line.

[0082] The first packaged MEMS mirror array 162 and the second packaged MEMS mirror array 164 can be a group (collectively referred to as "mirrors 166") of microscopic and independently controllable mirrors 166a, 166b, 166c, 166d, 166e, 166f, 166g, and 166h manufactured using MEMS technology. The mirrors 166 can be configured to move with angular precision. For example, the mirrors 166 can be moved by electrostatic or electromagnetic forces. In this example, mirrors 166a to 166d can be further integrated into a housing or chip package 168A, and mirrors 166e to 166h can be further integrated into a chip package or housing 168B and hermetically sealed.

[0083] During operation, the forward transmission signal 112-T2a and the reverse transmission signal 114-R1a ( Figure 2The forward transmission signal 112-T2a is transmitted through I / O port 104A of OCS 102. The forward transmission signal 112-T2a is transmitted through connector 130A2, which couples port 104A to cores 105A and 107A of multi-core fiber 106A. When the forward transmission signal 112-T2a is transmitted to and enters OCS 102, it is guided through port 104A and through small lens 158 of the first lens array 156. The forward transmission signal 112-T2a is collimated and projected onto the first packaged MEMS mirror array 162. The first mirror 166a of the first packaged mirror array 162 guides the light of the forward transmission signal 112-T2a onto the second mirror 166f of the second packaged MEMS mirror array 164. The second mirror 166f can select which I / O port the forward transmission signal 112-T2a will leave OCS 102. In this example, the output port is I / O port 104G located at the reverse transmission side 118 of OCS 102. The second reflector 166f deflects the forward transmission signal 112-T2a and selects the output port through which the light will be transmitted. In this example, the second reflector 166f deflects the forward transmission signal 112-T2a towards and through port 104G via a single small lens 169 of the second collimator lens array 160. The collimated optical signal, as the forward transmission signal 112-T1g, is injected as the fiber core of the multi-core fiber at the reverse transmission side 118; in this example, the fiber core is core 105G of the multi-core fiber 106G.

[0084] As shown in the figure, the return or reverse transmission signal 114-R1g can also be deflected back through I / O ports 104G and 104A, causing the optical path of the reverse transmission signal 114-R1g to follow the optical path of the forward transmission signal Tx 112-T2a. As shown, the same first mirror 166a of the first packaged mirror array 162 and the same second mirror 166f of the second packaged mirror array 164 can be used to guide the reverse transmission signal 114-R1g from I / O port 104G to I / O port 104A. This configuration reduces the total number of mirrors required in the system because both the forward transmission signal 112-T2a and the reverse transmission signal 114-R1g can be reflected onto the same mirror. This contrasts with the previous configuration, in which each forward transmission signal required a mirror, and each reverse transmission signal required a separate mirror. This can reduce the number of required mirrors by half compared to optical communication systems that use single-core fiber switches and require a port and a mirror for each fiber core.

[0085] In this example, although not shown, optical transceivers 110A to 110H, FI / FO devices 108A to 108H, and multi-fiber optic cables 106A to 106H are coupled to corresponding ports among I / O ports 104A to 104H. In other examples, not every I / O port 104A to 104H of the OCS 102 is coupled to one of the transceivers 110A to 110H, FI / FO devices 108A to 108H, and multi-fiber optic cables 106A to 106H, but at least one pair of these components (i.e., two transceivers, two FI / FO devices, and two multi-fiber optic cables) is coupled to a set of I / O ports 104, allowing the OCS 102 to route signals from one component of that pair to the other.

[0086] In other examples, multiple beams from the fiber core in system 100 can also be collimated by additional small lenses 158 in the first collimator lens array 156 and / or the second collimator lens array 160. Furthermore, various other MEMS arrays and configurations are possible. It should be further understood that the transceiver is shown aligned with and adjacent to the I / O port; however, it should be understood that the transceiver and FI / FO device disclosed herein can be positioned at any distance from the I / O port to which the transceiver and FI / FO device are connected via fiber optic cable or fiber optic cable. For example, the transceiver and / or FI / FO device can be positioned miles away from the I / O port to which they are coupled, and can be positioned miles away from each other. Dashed lines on the fiber extending along the optical path indicate varying distances.

[0087] Figure 8 Another example optical path switch that can be implemented within System 100 is provided. OCS 102-1 can be a piezoelectrically actuated switch that utilizes the piezoelectric effect to generate an electrical signal by applying mechanical pressure. In one example, OCS 102-1 is a piezoelectric switch made of a piezoelectric material, which may include, but is not limited to, quartz or certain ceramics located between two metal plates. Applying pressure to OCS 102-1 (such as by applying a voltage) causes the piezoelectric material to deform, which in turn generates an electric charge that accumulates on the surface of the piezoelectric material, wherein the amount of charge is proportional to the magnitude of the force. The charge can be detected by the switch, which is then triggered to perform a specific action.

[0088] In a simplified example, using compact piezoelectric actuators 170 to align collimated beams from opposing input and output fiber arrays, a connection can be created between multi-core fiber 106-1 on the forward transmission side 116-1 of OCS 102-1 and multi-core fiber 106-1 on the reverse transmission side 118-1 of OCS 102-1. Each actuator 170 on the forward transmission side 116-1 of OCS 102-1 can be coupled to a first optical port 104A-1, and each actuator 170 located on the reverse transmission side 118-1 of OCS 102-1 can be coupled to a second optical port 104G-1. When OCS 102-1 is implemented in an optical communication system such as System 100, the collimator at the forward transmission side 116-1 of OCS 102-1 can be a second set of collimators coupled to a corresponding actuator 170 located in or adjacent to the internal portion of the forward transmission side 116-1 of OCS 102-1. For example, additionally... Figure 9 As shown, the forward transmission collimator 180A-1 can be positioned inside, beside, or near the forward transmission side 116-1 of the OCS 102-1 and coupled to the first optical port 104A-1. Figure 9 Collimator 180A-1 can be directly coupled to multi-core fiber 106A. Collimator 180G-1 can be located within the reverse transmission side 118-1 of OCS 102-1 and at, beside, or near actuator 170. Actuator 170 may include sensors that can be used to adjust the fibers in multi-core fiber 106 so that each core of the multi-core fiber is correctly positioned and, when collimated, points to the desired port. For example, collimator 180A-1 can collimate the forward transmission signal from core 105A of multi-core fiber 106A and guide the signal along the optical forward transmission path FTx to collimator 180G-1 located at the reverse transmission side 118-1 of OCS 102-1. Collimator 180G-1 will receive forward transmission signal 112-T2a and couple the forward signal to core 105G-1 of multi-core fiber 106G-1. Collimators 180A-1 and 180G-1 can be multi-core collimators, each configured to collimate light from one multi-core fiber to another. As shown, the reverse transmission signal can also travel along the reverse optical path RTx from the second port 104G-1 of the OCS 102-1. Figure 9 The collimator 180G-1 at the location transmits data to the first port of OCS 102-1. Figure 9 The collimator 180A-1 at point ) is shown as a dashed line. Using a piezoelectric actuator can minimize losses, distortion, or interference between paths.

[0089] As previously discussed, other types of switches can also be implemented using multi-core optical fibers at switch ports, according to various aspects of this disclosure. Figures 10A to 10B The schematic diagram illustrates some components and operations of the simplified optical path switch 102-2, such as, Figures 12 to 13 The OCS 102-2 shown can be implemented in a liquid crystal (LC) based 2D optical path switch (such as an LC switch). First, refer to... Figure 10A Example portion 103 of the OCS switch 102-2 can be configured to receive an incoming randomly polarized light signal and separate the light signal into two orthogonally polarized signals. For example, the light signal or forward transmission signal can be split into a first polarized light signal LS1 and a second polarized light signal LS2 by a first polarization beamsplitter (“PBS”) 172. The second polarized light signal LS2 can be rotated to the same polarization state as the first polarized optical path via a polarization rotator 174. LC unit 176 can be a small cavity filled with liquid crystal material that controls the polarization state of the transmitted light by applying a control voltage. In some examples, LC unit 176 can include a plurality of LC units or a stack of LC units configured to each manipulate the direction of the forward and reverse light transmission signals. Following LC unit 176 can be a polarization component, such as another polarization beamsplitter 178, which changes the optical path based on the polarization of the light signal.

[0090] The on / off state of LC unit 176 switches light to different ports. LC unit 176 can modify the polarization of light passing through it, and this LC unit, in combination with PBS 178, guides light to different fiber optic ports. LC unit 176 switches the routing of the optical signal to the desired destination based on the state of the LC unit. In one example, when the LC voltage is "off," the beam does not rotate as it passes through LC unit 176 and PBS 178 and is not guided toward any port (or instead guided to a specific location predetermined by the user), as indicated by the direction of the arrow emanating from PBS 178. However, as... Figure 10B As shown, when the LC voltage is “on,” the beam rotates and can be directed to the second port, or in this example, to the intermediate folding mirror 182. This allows the forward transmission signal to be redirected to the second port along the optical path, and the reverse transmission signal to be redirected from the second port back to the first port.

[0091] like Figure 11As shown, LC unit 176 can also be an LC stack with two or more LC units. For example, as shown, LC unit 176 is a stacked unit with a first LC unit layer 176A, a second LC layer 176B, and a third LC layer 176C. As shown, changes in the optical signal direction are modified based on whether the LC unit layers are "on" or "off". By adding LC layers, the implementation of OCS 102-2 can further help reduce additional LC transmission losses.

[0092] like Figure 12 As depicted, in this example, OCS 102-2 is an LC switch that can be implemented in system 100. A collimator lens array can be positioned within OCS 102-2, such that in some examples, each I / O port of OCS 102-2 has a collimator lens. As shown, at port 104A-1, collimator 180A-1 of the collimator lens array is coupled to multi-core fiber 106A. As mentioned, collimator 180A-1 is a different collimator from the collimator used in the previously discussed FI / FO device 108A, such that in this example, there will be two multi-core collimators along the forward transmission path FTx of OCS 102-2. OCS 102-2 can be configured to receive the incoming forward transmission signal 112-T2a. PBS 172 separates the forward transmission signal 112-T2a into two orthogonally polarized signals. For example, the optical signal or forward transmission signal 112-T2a can be split into a first polarized optical signal T-LS1 and a second polarized optical signal T-LS2 by the first polarization beam splitter 172. The second polarized optical signal T-LS2 can be rotated to the same polarization state as the first polarization optical path via the polarization rotator 174. One or more LC units 176 can control the polarization state of the transmitted light by applying a control voltage.

[0093] When the LC unit is "on", LC unit 176 switches the light to different ports. LC unit 176 can modify the polarization of the light passing through it, and this LC unit, in combination with the PBS, effectively guides the light to different fiber ports. When the LC voltage is "on", the second polarized light signal T-LS2 rotates and can be guided to the polarization beamsplitter 178, which in turn guides the polarized light signals T-LS1 and T-LS2 to the folding mirror 182. The folding mirror 182 can be a single mirror or array of mirrors configured to redirect the polarized light signals T-LS1 and T-LS2 to a second port; in this example, the second port can be port 104G-1. As shown, the reverse process occurs. The light signals T-LS1 and T-LS2 are redirected to port 104G-1 via PBS 178-1, LC stack 176-1, and beam rotator 174-1, which recouples the polarized light signals T-LS1 and T-LS2 together via PBS 172-1. Then, the forward transmission signal 112-T2A is transmitted through collimator 180G-1 and port 104G-1, and is again injected into core 105G of the multi-core fiber 106G. This signal can then be transmitted through FI / FO device 108G (…). Figure 2 Collimation is performed.

[0094] The OCS 102-2 can also transmit reverse transmission signals along the reverse optical path RTx, which originates from port 104G-1 and is transmitted to port 104A-1. However, otherwise, this reverse optical path is the reverse of the forward transmission signal path FTx. The process will be the same, except that the optical signal will travel in the opposite direction. For example, as... Figure 13 As shown, the reverse transmission signal 114-R2g (see also) Figure 2 The transmitted light is transmitted via a multi-core fiber 106G. The reverse transmission signal 114-R2g will be split into two orthogonally polarized signals. For example, the reverse transmission signal 114-R2g will be split into a first reverse polarized light signal R-LS1 and a second reverse polarized light signal R-LS2 by a polarization beam splitter 172-1. The second polarized light signal R-LS2 can be rotated to the same polarization state as the first polarization optical path via a polarization rotator 174-1. One or more LC units 176-1 can control the polarization state of the transmitted light by applying a control voltage.

[0095] When the LC unit is "on," LC unit 176-1 modifies the polarization of the light or forward transmission signal passing through it. This LC unit, in combination with PBS 178-1, effectively guides the light to different fiber optic ports. As shown, the polarized light is guided to folded mirror 182. Folded mirror 182 can be a single mirror or array of mirrors configured to redirect polarized light signals R-LS1 and R-LS2 to a second port; in this example, the second port can be port 104A-1. A reverse process may then occur. The polarized reverse light signals R-LS1 and R-LS2 are redirected to port 104A-1 via PBS 178 and LC stack 176. The reverse transmission signal R-LS1 is rotated back by polarization rotator 174, and the two polarized reverse light signals R-LS1 and R-LS2 are redirected by PBS 172, which reconnects or couples the two polarized reverse light signals R-LS1 and R-LS2 together. Then, the reverse transmission signal 114-R2g is transmitted through collimator 180A-1 and is again injected as the reverse transmission signal 114-R1a into core 107A of multi-core fiber 106A. The reverse transmission signal can be transmitted through FI / FO device 108G ( Figure 2 It is further collimated and then transmitted to transceiver 110A.

[0096] Combining multi-core fiber with an LC switch can reduce the overall size of an LC-based 2D optical switch because forward and reverse transmission signals can share the same port. Therefore, the number of collimators in the system is reduced, as each input and output does not require a separate collimator. It should be understood that other types of optical path switches can also be implemented within the system 100. For example, a robotic switch can be implemented.

[0097] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a robotic switch is disclosed that can be used in optical systems (including, but not limited to, the optical communication system 100 previously described herein). Using a robotic switch or robotic device as part of an optical path switch allows robots to replace manual fiber optic patch cords in optical cross-connects. It automates the process of moving fiber optic connectors from one port to another.

[0098] Figure 14AThe OCS 102-3 is shown as an example of a robot switch. Similar to the previous examples, the OCS 102-3 includes multiple I / O ports 104A-2, 104B-2, 104C-2, and 104D-2 on the forward transmission side 116-2 of the OCS 102-3, and corresponding multi-core optical fibers 106A-2, 106B-2, 106C-2, and 106D-2. Multiple I / O ports 104E-2, 104F-2, 104G-2, and 104H-2, and corresponding multi-core optical fibers 106E-2, 106F-2, 106G-2, and 106H-2 can also be located on the reverse transmission side 118-2 of the OCS-102. As in the previous examples, the OCS 102-3 can be implemented in a system that further includes a FI / FO device and a transceiver corresponding to each port.

[0099] OCS 102-3 may include and / or implement a robotic device or apparatus to physically connect a multi-core fiber at one port of OCS 102-3 to a multi-core fiber at another port of OCS 102-2. In one example, the robotic device may couple two connectors of the multi-core fiber of OCS 102-3 extending from an I / O port into OCS 102-3, such as coupling a connector extending from one side of OCS 102-3 to a connector extending from the opposite side of OCS 102-3. For example, as shown, the forward-side multi-core fiber 106A-2 may be coupled to port 104A-2 at one end and includes a connector 181A-2 at a second end. The forward-transmission-side multi-core fiber 106A-2 may extend from port 104A-2 into OCS 102-3. The reverse-transmission-side multi-core fiber 106E-2 may similarly extend from port 104E-2 into OCS-3. The multi-core fiber optic cable 106E-2 on the reverse transmission side can be connected to the I / O port 104E-2 at one end and has a connector 181E-2. Connectors 181A-2 and 181E-2 can be configured to couple with each other. For example, connectors 181A-2 and 181E-2 can be configured to interlock with each other, such as using male and female connectors, but any type of interconnection can be achieved. For example... Figure 14A As shown, the mating device 179 may additionally or alternatively be used to further secure the forward transmission multi-core fiber 106A-2 and the reverse transmission multi-core fiber 106E-2. In one example, the mating device 179 may be a sleeve or housing extending some or all of the outer periphery of the forward transmission side multi-core fiber and the reverse transmission side multi-core fiber.

[0100] Figure 14BAn example operation of a robotic device configuration is shown, which can connect or couple connectors within OCS 102-3, but the multi-core fiber is not shown. As shown, connector 181A-2 of the forward multi-core fiber 106A-2 can be coupled to connector 181E-2 of the reverse multi-core fiber 106E-2 via the robotic device. The robotic device can be configured to provide a precise connection between the cores of the forward multi-core fiber 106A-2 and the cores of the reverse multi-core fiber 106E-2 when connectors 181A-2 and 181E-2 are coupled together. As shown, OCS 102-3 can be configured to move connector 181E-2 toward connector 181A-2, or to move connector 181E-2 toward 181A-2, or to move both connectors 181A-2 and 181E-2 toward each other. In other examples, OCS 102-3 may further include one or more arms for moving the connectors in OCS 102-3 together. For example, robotic arm 199 can be configured to grasp one end of the forward transmission multi-fiber 106A and connect it to the end of the reverse transmission multi-fiber 1106R within OCS 102-3. In such an example, robotic arm 199 can grasp connector 181A-2 of the forward transmission multi-fiber 106A-2 and connect it to connector 181E-2 of the reverse transmission multi-fiber 1106A. As shown, robotic arm 199 can move connector 181A-2 toward connector 181E-2. In other examples, more than one robotic mechanism or robotic arm can be used to establish the connection, such as a first robotic arm that contacts the forward transmission multi-fiber 106A-2 and brings it closer to the reverse transmission multi-fiber 106E-2, which is being moved by a second robotic arm. Further, if desired, a third robotic arm or device can be used to attach mating device 179 to the forward transmission multi-fiber 106A-2 and the reverse transmission multi-fiber 106E-2. In some examples, the robotic arm can be configured to identify the correct port to which the optical fiber in the fiber optic system 100 should be connected.

[0101] Although not shown, each of the remaining ports 104B-2, 104C-2, 104D-2, 104F-2, 104G-2, and 104H-2 can also be directly connected to each other using forward and reverse transmission multi-core fibers extending from the I / O ports of OCS 102-2. Alternatively, the I / O ports can be coupled to each other on opposite sides of OCS 102-2, but in other examples, I / O ports on the same side of OCS-102 can be implemented.

[0102] Figure 15Another example schematic OCS is shown, featuring a multi-core fiber that can be incorporated into an optical communication system. OCS 1102 can be a MEMS optical path switch with multi-core fiber, and in this example, OCS 1102 can be a MEMS2D switch. OCS 1102 may include an array of I / O ports. In this view, I / O ports 1104A to 1104I are shown positioned along the forward transmission side 1116 of OCS 1102, and I / O ports 1104J to 1104R are shown positioned along the reverse transmission side 1118. However, in each complete I / O port array, a total of 135 I / O ports may exist on the forward transmission side 1116 and a total of 135 I / O ports may exist on the reverse transmission side 1118; however, in other examples, any number of I / O ports may be provided, and the number of ports may be greater than or less than 135. As in the previous example, each I / O port 1104A to 1104R is configured to allow both forward and reverse transmission signals. Multi-core fibers 1106A to 1106I are coupled to their respective ports 1104A to 1104I, and multi-core fibers 1106J to 1106R are coupled to their respective ports along 1104J to 1104R. In this example, the multi-core fibers 1106A to 1106R may be dual-core fibers, including a first core and a second core; however, in other examples, the number of cores in one or more multi-core fibers in the system may be greater than two.

[0103] The OCS 1102 may further include a first collimator lens array 1156, a second collimator lens array 1160, a first packaged MEMS mirror array 1162, a second packaged MEMS mirror array 1164, a first camera module 1185, a second camera module 1186, a first dichroic beam splitter 1187, a second dichroic beam splitter 1188, a third dichroic beam splitter 1189, a first light injection module 1190, and a second light injection module 1191. In this example, the first collimator lens array 1156 and the second collimator lens array 1160 are 2D arrays that can be directly coupled to a multi-core fiber at each port of the OCS 1102. For example, each fiber in the multi-core fibers 1106A to 1106R can be rotated and bonded during collimation manufacturing with the assistance of an imaging system and a fiber maneuver fixture. In this example, multiple mirrors correspond to each of the I / O ports, and in this example, there are 136 mirrors in the first packaged MEMS mirror array 1162 and 136 mirrors in the second packaged MEMS mirror array 1164. However, in other examples, any number of mirrors can be implemented. This allows for a 1:1 ratio between the number of mirrors corresponding to I / O ports 1104A to 1104I on the forward transmission side and the number of mirrors corresponding to I / O ports 1104J to 1104R on the reverse transmission side.

[0104] The first packaged MEMS mirror array 1162 and the second packaged MEMS mirror array 1164 may include multiple sets of microscopic and individually controllable mirrors fabricated using MEMS technology. In this view, the micromirrors are schematically represented by mirrors 1166a, 1166b, and 1166c in the first packaged MEMS mirror array 1162 and mirrors 1166d, 1166e, and 1166f in the second packaged MEMS mirror array 1164. However, it should be understood that any number of mirrors can be aligned along the length of the chip package and arranged in various suitable configurations. In this example, there may be 135 micromirrors in the first packaged MEMS mirror array 1162 and 135 micromirrors in the second packaged MEMS mirror array 1164 to correspond to the number of I / O ports of the OCS 1102, which is 135 in this example.

[0105] MEMS micromirrors 1166 can perform optical steering functions. Providing two MEMS micromirror packages offers four degrees of freedom, allowing for optimal coupling of light from the input and output. The first packaged MEMS mirror array 1162 can be bonded to or coupled to a first semiconductor chip 1192, and / or otherwise packaged on a silicon chip. The second packaged MEMS mirror array 1164 can also be bonded to or coupled to a second semiconductor chip 1193, and / or otherwise packaged on a silicon chip. Mirrors 1166 can be configured such that they can be moved or manipulated with angular precision. For example, mirrors 1166 can be moved by electrostatic or electromagnetic forces. As shown, mirrors 1166a to 1166c can be integrated into a housing or chip package 1168A, and mirrors 1166d to 1166f can be further integrated into a chip package or housing 1168B and hermetically sealed.

[0106] During operation, and as in the previous example, the OCS 1102 is configured such that each port 1104A through 1104R is configured to receive and transmit forward and reverse transmission signals. The forward and reverse transmission signals can be transmitted at the same, similar, or different times through each individual port, and in relation to other ports. As shown in this example, the forward transmission signal 1112-T2e and the reverse transmission signal 1114-R1a are transmitted through I / O ports 1104E and 1104N of the OCS 1102. The forward transmission signal 1112-T2e can be transmitted via a connector that couples port 1104E to each core of a multi-core fiber 1106E, which in this example may be cores 1105E and 1107E. When the forward transmission signal 1112-T2e is transmitted to and enters the OCS 1102, the forward transmission signal 1112-T2e is guided through port 1104E and through the microlens of the first collimator lens array 1156. The forward transmission signal 1112-T2e is collimated and projected onto the dichroic beamsplitter 1187, which then redirects the forward transmission signal 1112-T2e toward the first packaged MEMS mirror array 1162. A monitoring channel is superimposed on the forward transmission signal 1112-T2e, and this monitoring channel assists in the tuning of the mirrors. As shown, the first light injection module 1190 can inject light, such as, but not limited to, 850 nm light, into the first packaged MEMS array 1162. The forward transmission signal 1112-T2e is redirected to the second dichroic beamsplitter 1188 through the micromirror 1166b. The monitoring signal reflected from the first packaged MEMS array 1162 is also received at the first camera module 1185. Servo motors (such as control hardware / firmware) utilize camera image feedback from the camera module 1185 to optimize MEMS actuation of the mirrors in the first and / or second packaged MEMS mirror arrays to minimize optical signal path loss. As shown, the forward transmission signal 1112-T2e is reflected by the second dichroic beam splitter 1188, which redirects the transmission signal 1112-T2e to the second packaged MEMS mirror array 1164. The forward transmission signal 1112-T2e is redirected to the third dichroic beam splitter 1189 via mirror 1166e. The forward transmission signal 1112-T2e is then redirected through the small lens of the second fiber collimator lens array 1160 and through the I / O port 1104N where it exits the OCS 1102. Then, the forward transmission signal 1112-T2e will be coupled or injected into the core 1105N of the multi-core optical fiber 1106N.

[0107] The return or reverse transmission signal 1114-R1n can also be transmitted back through I / O ports 1104N and 1104E, such that the optical path of the reverse transmission signal follows the same optical path as the forward transmission signal 1112-T2e. As shown, the same components can be used to redirect the reverse transmission signal 1114-R1n from I / O port 1104N to I / O port 1104E. For example, mirror 1166b in the first packaged MEMS mirror array 1162, mirror 1166e in the second packaged MEMS mirror array 1164, first dichroic beam splitter 1187, second dichroic beam splitter 1188 and third dichroic beam splitter 1189, first light injection module 1190 and second light injection module 1191, first camera module 1185 and second camera module 1186, and first collimator lens array 1156 and second collimator lens array 1160 can be used to guide the reverse transmission signal 1114-R1n from I / O port 1104N to I / O port 1104E.

[0108] As shown in the figure, the reverse transmission signal 1114-R1n can be transmitted along the core 1107N and through the I / O port 1104N in the direction indicated by arrow B and subsequent arrows after arrow B. The reverse transmission signal 1114-R1n is transmitted through the small lenses of the second collimator lens array 1160 and collimated to the third dichroic beam splitter 1189, which redirects the reverse transmission signal RTx to the micromirrors 1166e of the second packaged mirror array 1164. The second light injection module 1191 also superimposes the monitoring channel or optical signal onto the second packaged MEMS array 1164, which is redirected to the camera module 1186. Servo motors (such as control hardware / firmware) utilize camera image feedback from the camera module 1186 to optimize MEMS actuation of the mirrors in the second packaged MEMS mirror array 1164 and / or the first packaged MEMS mirror array 1162 to minimize optical signal path loss. The reverse transmission signal 1114-R1n is transmitted to a second dichroic beamsplitter 1188, which redirects the reverse transmission signal 1114-R1n to a first packaged MEMS mirror array 1162, which in turn redirects the reverse transmission signal 1114-R1n to a first dichroic beamsplitter 1187. Then, the reverse transmission signal 1114-R1n is redirected to a first collimator lens array 1156 and transmitted through I / O port 1104E. Subsequently, the reverse transmission signal 1114-R1n is coupled to core 1107E of a multi-core optical fiber 1106E.

[0109] refer to Figure 16Although not shown in this view, the transceiver array can be located on the forward transmission side of OCS 1102, and the transceiver array can be located on the reverse transmission side of OCS 1102. Each transceiver can be coupled to an I / O port on OCS 1102 such that there is a one-to-one correspondence between each transceiver and each I / O port on the forward transmission side, and a one-to-one correspondence between each transceiver and an I / O port on the reverse transmission side. Additionally, in this example, there may be an equal number of I / O ports on the forward transmission side 1116 and the reverse transmission side 1118. However, in other examples, one or more I / O ports may not correspond to a single transceiver. Although only one transceiver 1110E is depicted on the forward transmission side 1116 of OCS 1102 and only one transceiver 1110N is depicted on the reverse transmission side 1118 of OCS 1102, it should be understood that there are multiple transceivers corresponding to the I / O ports of OCS 1102.

[0110] As in the previous example, the transceiver in the optical communication system can transmit forward transmission signals and receive reverse transmission signals via a corresponding single-core optical fiber. Single-core optical fiber 1120E is depicted as coupled to transceiver TX-E via connector 1130E. Single-core optical fiber 1120E extends from transmitter TX-3 to FI / FO device 1108E, carrying the forward transmission signal from transmitter TX-3 to the FI / FO device. Similarly, single-core optical fiber 1122E can be coupled to receiver RX-E via connector 1130E and extends to FI / FO device 1108E. Single-core optical fiber 1122E carries and transmits the reverse transmission signal received from FI / FO device 1108 to receiver RX-E.

[0111] As in the previous example, the FI / FO device 1108E is configured to couple a single-core fiber 1120E to a multi-core fiber 1106E, and specifically to core 1105E of the multi-core fiber 1106E, and to couple the single-core fiber 1120E to core 1107E of the multi-core fiber 1106E. The multi-core fiber 1106E can be coupled to the OCS 1102 via a connector at I / O port 1104E and is configured to transmit a forward receive signal 112-T2a and a reverse transmit signal 1114-R1a. It should be understood that the transceiver 110E and the FI / FO device 1108E can be positioned close to or far from each other, including several miles apart, as indicated by the dashed lines. Similarly, the OCS 1102 and the FI / FO device 1108E can be positioned close to or far from each other.

[0112] The reverse path will be similar, as described above. For example, at the output side of OCS 1102, multi-core fiber 1106N can be coupled to port 1104N using a connector. The collimated reverse transmission signal 1114-R1n will be injected or coupled to core 1105N of multi-core fiber 1106N. The reverse transmission signal 1114-R1n will then be decoupled within FI / FO device 1108N and coupled to single-core fiber 1120N, which can then be coupled to receiver RX-N of transceiver 1110N. The reverse transmission signal can be transmitted from transmitter TX-N of transceiver 1110N to receiver RX-E of transceivers 1110E to 1110N via OCS 1102, as described above.

[0113] This configuration reduces the total number of mirrors and ports required in the system because both the forward transmission signal 1112-T2a and the reverse transmission signal 1114-R1g can be precisely reflected back to the mirror. This configuration also eliminates back reflections and crosstalk present in existing bidirectional systems.

[0114] In the examples disclosed herein, the forward and reverse transmission signals and the corresponding core fibers carrying the signals are schematically shown for illustrative purposes in several of the accompanying drawings. Although the core fibers and / or the forward and reverse transmission signals may be shown in upper and / or lower positions relative to each other in the drawings, it should be understood that they may be arranged in any other orientation relative to each other, such as, but not limited to, being adjacent to each other or being arranged in opposite orientations.

[0115] According to one aspect of this disclosure, an optical communication system includes: a forward transceiver and a reverse transceiver that perform optical communication along an optical path; an optical path switch (“OCS”) optically coupled to the forward and reverse transceivers; a first single-core optical fiber and a second single-core optical fiber, both coupled to the forward transceiver; a multi-core optical fiber coupled to the first optical port; and a fan-in / fan-out device (“FI / FO device”). The OCS has at least a first optical port and a second optical port, and provides communication between the forward and reverse transceivers along the optical path. The first single-core optical fiber can be configured to transmit forward optical transmission signals received from the forward transceiver to the reverse transceiver via the OCS. The second single-core optical fiber can be configured to transmit reverse optical transmission signals transmitted from the reverse transceiver to the forward transceiver via the OCS. The fan-in / fan-out device may further include a first collimator and a second collimator aligned with each other along the optical path. The FI / FO device may be configured to couple a forward optical transmission signal transmitted through the first single-core fiber to the core optics of the multi-core fiber. The first optical port may be coupled to the multi-core fiber. The first optical port may be configured to both transmit the forward optical transmission signal received from the first optical port to the second optical port and receive a reverse optical transmission signal transmitted from the second optical port along the optical path; and / or

[0116] This core is the first core of the multi-core optical fiber, and the reverse optical transmission signal transmitted through the OCS is coupled to the second core of the multi-core optical fiber; and / or

[0117] The second optical port is configured to transmit, along the optical path, both the forward optical transmission signal received from the first optical port to the reverse transceiver and the reverse optical transmission signal received from the reverse transceiver to the first transceiver; and / or

[0118] The second optical port is configured to transmit, along the optical path, both forward optical transmission signals received from the forward transceiver to the reverse transceiver and reverse optical transmission signals received from the reverse transceiver to the forward transceiver; and / or

[0119] The first single-core optical fiber and the second single-core optical fiber are single-mode optical fibers; and / or

[0120] The first single-core optical fiber and the second single-core optical fiber include single-mode optical fiber; and / or

[0121] The multi-core optical fiber is a first multi-core optical fiber, and the optical communication system further includes a second multi-core optical fiber. The optical path switch further includes a multi-core optical fiber collimator; and a reflector etched onto a silicon chip. The reflector can be tilted to redirect forward optical transmission signals received from the first core of the first multi-core optical fiber at the first optical port of the OCS to the third core of the second multi-core optical fiber at the second optical port of the OCS switch, and to redirect reverse optical transmission signals received from the second multi-core optical fiber to the first core of the first multi-core optical fiber, such that both the forward and reverse optical transmission signals are reflected by the reflector and transmitted through the first optical port; and / or

[0122] The first collimator and the second collimator include microlens collimators with different focal lengths; and / or

[0123] The first collimator includes a first microlens having a first focal length, and the second collimator includes a second microlens having a second length different from the first focal length; and / or

[0124] The first collimator and the second collimator are further configured to duplex the forward optical transmission signal transmitted through the first core of the multi-core optical fiber and the reverse optical transmission signal transmitted through the first optical port and the second core of the multi-core optical fiber; and / or

[0125] The FI / FO device further includes a laser diode configured to illuminate the first single-core optical fiber; and / or

[0126] The multi-core optical fiber is a dual-core optical fiber, wherein the core of the multi-core optical fiber is a first core, and the multi-core optical fiber further includes a second core; and / or

[0127] The second core is optically coupled to the second single-core optical fiber; and / or

[0128] The optical signal transmitted along the optical path is a forward optical transmission signal when transmitted from the forward transceiver to the reverse transceiver via the OCS, and the optical signal is the reverse optical transmission signal when transmitted from the second transceiver to the first transceiver via the OCS; and / or

[0129] The forward optical transmission signal and the reverse optical transmission signal are simultaneously transmitted through the first optical port and the second optical port; and / or

[0130] The forward optical transmission signal and the reverse optical transmission signal are transmitted in series; and / or

[0131] The multi-core optical fiber is a first multi-core optical fiber, the FI / FO device is a first FI / FO device, and the system further includes a third single-core optical fiber, a fourth single-core optical fiber, a second multi-core optical fiber, and a second FI / FO device. The third single-core optical fiber, the fourth single-core optical fiber, the second multi-core optical fiber, and the second FI / FO device extend along the optical path. The third single-core optical fiber is configured to transmit a reverse optical transmission signal received from the reverse transmission transceiver to the second multi-core optical fiber. The second FI / FO device couples the third single-core optical fiber to the second multi-core optical fiber. The fourth single-core optical fiber is configured to transmit a forward optical transmission signal received from the second multi-core optical fiber to the reverse transceiver. The second FI / FO device couples the fourth single-core optical fiber to the second multi-core optical fiber; and / or

[0132] The forward optical transmission signal is a first transmission signal; the reverse optical transmission signal is a first reverse optical transmission signal; the optical path is a first optical path; the forward transceiver is a first forward transceiver; the reverse transceiver is a first reverse transceiver; and the OCS further includes a third optical port and a fourth optical port. The optical communication system further includes a second forward transceiver, a second reverse transceiver, a third FI / FO device, and a fourth FI / FO device; a third multi-core optical fiber coupled to the third optical port and a fourth multi-core optical fiber coupled to the fourth optical port; a fifth single-core optical fiber; a sixth single-core optical fiber, a seventh single-core optical fiber, and an eighth single-core optical fiber. The second forward transceiver and the second reverse transceiver optically communicate with each other along a second optical path extending through the OCS. The fifth single-core optical fiber is configured to transmit the second forward optical transmission signal received from the second forward transceiver to the third multi-core optical fiber. The third FI / FO device optically couples the fifth single-core optical fiber to the third multi-core optical fiber. The sixth single-core fiber is configured to transmit a second reverse optical transmission signal received from the third multi-core fiber to the second forward transceiver. The third FI / FO device optically couples the third multi-core fiber to the sixth single-core fiber. The seventh single-core fiber is configured to transmit a second forward optical transmission signal received from the fourth multi-core fiber to the second reverse transmission transceiver. The fourth FI / FO device optically couples the seventh single-core fiber to the fourth multi-core fiber. The eighth single-core fiber is configured to transmit a second reverse optical transmission signal received from the second reverse transceiver to the fourth multi-core fiber. The fourth FI / FO device optically couples the eighth single-core fiber to the fourth multi-core fiber. The third optical port is coupled to the third multi-core fiber and configured to receive and transmit the second forward optical transmission signal and the second reverse optical transmission signal. The fourth optical port is coupled to the fourth multi-core fiber and configured to receive and transmit the second forward optical transmission signal and the second reverse optical transmission signal; and / or

[0133] A third single-core fiber is coupled to the first transceiver, and a fourth single-core fiber is coupled to the first transceiver. The third single-core fiber is optically coupled to the third core of the multi-core fiber, and the fourth single-core fiber is optically coupled to the fourth core of the multi-core fiber; and / or

[0134] The system further includes: a second multi-core optical fiber coupled to the second optical port; a third single-core optical fiber; and a fourth single-core optical fiber. The second multi-core optical fiber includes a second core and a third core. The third single-core optical fiber can be optically coupled to the forward and reverse transmission transceivers. The fourth single-core optical fiber can be optically coupled to the forward and reverse transmission transceivers. The third single-core optical fiber can be optically coupled to the second core of the multi-core optical fiber. The fourth single-core optical fiber can be optically coupled to the third core of the second multi-core optical fiber; and / or

[0135] The OCS further includes one of a microelectromechanical system (“MEMS”) switch, a piezoelectric actuator switch, a robot switch, or a liquid crystal switch; and / or

[0136] The OCS further includes: a MEMS switch comprising two packaged MEMS mirror arrays, each packaged MEMS mirror array further comprising a semiconductor chip; and two collimator lens arrays; and / or

[0137] The MEMS switch further includes two cameras and three dichroic beam splitters.

[0138] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a microelectromechanical system (“MEMS”) switch includes a first optical port, a second optical port, a first multi-core optical fiber, a second multi-core optical fiber, a first MEMS die mirror array and a second MEMS die mirror array, and a first multi-core fiber collimator and a second multi-core fiber collimator optically coupled to the first MEMS die mirror array and the second MEMS die mirror array. The first multi-core optical fiber is coupled to the first optical port and includes a first core and a second core. The second multi-core optical fiber is coupled to the second optical port and includes a third core and a fourth core. The first MEMS die mirror array and the second MEMS die mirror array are optically coupled to the first optical port and the second optical port. The first multi-core fiber collimator and the second multi-core fiber collimator are optically coupled to the first die mirror array and the second die mirror array. The first core of the first multi-core optical fiber is configured to transmit a forward transmission signal along the optical path through the first optical port to the third core of the second multi-core optical fiber at the second optical port. The third core of the second multi-core optical fiber is configured to transmit a reverse transmission signal along the optical path through the second optical port to the first core of the first multi-core optical fiber at the first optical port. The first identical mirror in the first MEMS die mirror array and the second identical mirror in the second MEMS die mirror array are configured to simultaneously transmit the forward transmission signal and the reverse transmission signal between the first optical port and the second optical port; and / or

[0139] The first connector directly couples the first multi-core optical fiber to the first optical port and directly couples the second multi-core optical fiber to the second optical port; and / or

[0140] The first connector couples the first multi-core optical fiber to the first optical port, and the second connector couples the second multi-core optical fiber to the second optical port; and / or

[0141] The optical path is a first optical path, the forward transmission signal is a first transmission signal, the reverse transmission signal is a first reverse transmission signal, and the MEMS switch further includes a third multi-core fiber and a fourth multi-core fiber. The third multi-core fiber is coupled to a third optical port and may further include a fifth core and a sixth core. The fourth multi-core fiber is coupled to a fourth optical port and may further include a seventh core and an eighth core. The fifth core of the third multi-core fiber is configured to transmit the second forward transmission signal along the second optical path through the third optical port to the seventh core of the fourth multi-core fiber at the second optical port. The eighth core of the fourth multi-core fiber is configured to transmit the second reverse transmission signal along the second optical path through the fourth optical port to the sixth core of the third multi-core fiber at the third optical port. Another identical mirror in the first MEMS die mirror array and another identical mirror in the second MEMS die mirror array are configured to simultaneously transmit the second forward transmission signal and the second reverse transmission signal between the third optical port and the fourth optical port; and / or

[0142] The MEMS switch further includes two cameras and three dichroic beam splitters.

[0143] Unless otherwise stated, the foregoing alternative examples are not mutually exclusive, but can be implemented in various combinations to achieve unique advantages. Since these and other variations and combinations of the features discussed above can be utilized without departing from the subject matter defined by the claims, the foregoing description should be presented in an illustrative rather than restrictive manner. Furthermore, the examples described herein and the provision of terms expressed as "such as," "comprising," etc., should not be construed as limiting the subject matter of the claims to the specific examples; rather, these examples are intended to illustrate only one of many possible implementations. Additionally, the same or similar reference numerals in different figures identify the same or similar elements.

Claims

1. An optical communication system, characterized in that, include: A forward transceiver and a reverse transceiver, the forward transceiver and the reverse transceiver communicating optically along an optical path; An optical path switch (OCS) is optically coupled to the forward transceiver and the reverse transceiver. The OCS has at least a first optical port and a second optical port. The OCS provides communication between the forward transceiver and the reverse transceiver along the optical path. A first single-core fiber and a second single-core fiber, both coupled to the forward transmission transceiver, the first single-core fiber being configured to transmit a forward optical transmission signal received from the forward transmission transceiver to the reverse transmission receiver via the OCS, and the second single-core fiber being configured to transmit a reverse optical transmission signal transmitted from the reverse transmission transceiver to the forward transmission transceiver via the OCS. A multi-core optical fiber, wherein the multi-core optical fiber is coupled to the first optical port; as well as A fan-in / fan-out FI / FO device, the FI / FO device further comprising a first collimator and a second collimator aligned with each other along the optical path. The FI / FO device is configured to couple the forward optical transmission signal transmitted through the first single-core fiber with the core optics of the multi-core fiber, and The first optical port is coupled to the multi-core optical fiber, and the first optical port is configured to both transmit the forward optical transmission signal received from the first optical port to the second optical port and receive the reverse optical transmission signal transmitted from the second optical port along the optical path.

2. The system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The core of the multi-core optical fiber is the first core of the multi-core optical fiber, and the reverse optical transmission signal transmitted through the OCS is coupled to the second core of the multi-core optical fiber.

3. The system as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The second optical port is configured to transmit, along the optical path, both the forward optical transmission signal received from the forward transceiver to the reverse transceiver and the reverse optical transmission signal received from the reverse transceiver to the forward transceiver.

4. The system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first single-core optical fiber and the second single-core optical fiber include single-mode optical fibers.

5. The system as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The multi-core optical fiber is a first multi-core optical fiber, and the system further includes a second multi-core optical fiber, and The OCS further includes: Multi-core fiber collimator; and A reflector, etched onto a silicon chip, is tilted to redirect a forward optical transmission signal received from the first core of the first multi-core fiber at the first optical port of the OCS to the third core of the second multi-core fiber at the second optical port of the OCS, and to redirect a reverse optical transmission signal received from the second multi-core fiber to the first core of the first multi-core fiber, such that both the forward and reverse optical transmission signals are reflected by the reflector and transmitted through the first optical port.

6. The system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first collimator includes a first microlens having a first focal length, and the second collimator includes a second microlens having a second length different from the first focal length.

7. The system as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The first collimator and the second collimator are further configured to duplex the forward optical transmission signal transmitted through the first core of the multi-core optical fiber and the reverse optical transmission signal transmitted through the first optical port and the second core of the multi-core optical fiber.

8. The system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The FI / FO device further includes a laser diode configured to illuminate the first single-core optical fiber.

9. The system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The multi-core optical fiber is a dual-core optical fiber, wherein the core of the multi-core optical fiber is a first core, and the multi-core optical fiber further includes a second core.

10. The system as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The second core is optically coupled to the second single-core optical fiber.

11. The system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The optical signal transmitted along the optical path is the forward optical transmission signal when it is transmitted from the forward transceiver to the reverse transceiver via the OCS, and the optical signal is the reverse optical transmission signal when it is transmitted from the reverse transceiver to the forward transceiver via the OCS.

12. The system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The forward optical transmission signal and the reverse optical transmission signal are transmitted simultaneously through the first optical port and the second optical port.

13. The system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The forward optical transmission signal and the reverse optical transmission signal are transmitted in series.

14. The system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The multi-core optical fiber is a first multi-core optical fiber, the FI / FO device is a first FI / FO device, and the system further includes a third single-core optical fiber, a fourth single-core optical fiber, a second multi-core optical fiber, and a second FI / FO device, wherein the third single-core optical fiber, the fourth single-core optical fiber, the second multi-core optical fiber, and the second FI / FO device extend along the optical path. The third single-core fiber is configured to transmit the reverse optical transmission signal received from the reverse transmission transceiver to the second multi-core fiber, wherein the second FI / FO device couples the third single-core fiber to the second multi-core fiber, and The fourth single-core fiber is configured to transmit forward optical transmission signals received from the second multi-core fiber to the reverse transceiver, wherein the second FI / FO device couples the fourth single-core fiber to the second multi-core fiber.

15. The system as described in claim 14, characterized in that, The forward optical transmission signal is a first optical transmission signal, the reverse optical transmission signal is a first reverse optical transmission signal, the optical path is a first optical path, the forward transceiver is a first forward transceiver, and the reverse transceiver is a first reverse transceiver. The OCS further includes a third optical port and a fourth optical port. The optical communication system further includes: A second forward transceiver and a second reverse transceiver optically communicate along a second optical path extending through the OCS. The third FI / FO device and the fourth FI / FO device are positioned along the second optical path; A third multi-core optical fiber coupled to the third optical port and a fourth multi-core optical fiber coupled to the fourth optical port; A fifth single-core optical fiber, configured to transmit the second forward optical transmission signal received from the second forward transmission transceiver to the third multi-core optical fiber, wherein the third FI / FO device optically couples the fifth single-core optical fiber to the third multi-core optical fiber. A sixth single-core optical fiber is configured to transmit a second reverse optical transmission signal received from the third multi-core optical fiber to the second forward transmission transceiver, wherein the third FI / FO device optically couples the third multi-core optical fiber to the sixth single-core optical fiber. A seventh single-core optical fiber, configured to transmit the second forward optical transmission signal received from the fourth multi-core optical fiber to the second reverse transceiver, wherein the fourth FI / FO device optically couples the seventh single-core optical fiber to the fourth multi-core optical fiber; and An eighth single-core optical fiber, configured to transmit the second reverse optical transmission signal received from the second reverse transceiver to the fourth multi-core optical fiber, wherein the fourth FI / FO device couples the eighth single-core optical fiber to the fourth multi-core optical fiber. The third optical port is coupled to the third multi-core optical fiber and is configured to receive and transmit the second forward optical transmission signal and the second reverse optical transmission signal, and the fourth optical port is coupled to the fourth multi-core optical fiber and is configured to receive and transmit the second forward optical transmission signal and the second reverse optical transmission signal.

16. The system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, Further includes: A second multi-core optical fiber is coupled to the second optical port; A third single-core fiber, which is optically coupled to the forward transmission transceiver and the reverse transmission transceiver; And a fourth single-core fiber, which is optically coupled to the forward transmission transceiver and the reverse transmission transceiver. The second multi-core optical fiber further includes a second core and a third core, and The third single-core fiber is optically coupled to the second core of the multi-core fiber, and the fourth single-core fiber is optically coupled to the third core of the second multi-core fiber.

17. The system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The OCS further includes one of a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) switch, a piezoelectric actuator switch, a robot switch, or a liquid crystal switch.

18. A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) switch, characterized in that, include: First optical port; Second optical port; A first multi-core optical fiber, coupled to the first optical port, includes a first core and a second core; The second multi-core optical fiber, coupled to the second optical port, includes a third core and a fourth core; A first MEMS die mirror array and a second MEMS die mirror array, each of the first MEMS die mirror array and the second MEMS die mirror array being optically coupled to the first optical port and the second optical port; as well as A first multi-core fiber collimator and a second multi-core fiber collimator are optically coupled to the first MEMS die mirror array and the second MEMS die mirror array, respectively. Wherein, the first core of the first multi-core optical fiber is configured to transmit the forward transmission signal along the optical path through the first optical port to the third core of the second multi-core optical fiber at the second optical port. Wherein, the third core of the second multi-core optical fiber is configured to transmit the reverse transmission signal along the optical path to the first core of the first multi-core optical fiber at the first optical port via the second optical port, and The first identical mirror in the first MEMS die mirror array and the second identical mirror in the second MEMS die mirror array are configured to simultaneously transmit the forward transmission signal and the reverse transmission signal between the first optical port and the second optical port.

19. The MEMS switch as described in claim 18, characterized in that, It further includes a first connector and a second connector, the first connector coupling the first multi-core optical fiber to the first optical port, and the second connector coupling the second multi-core optical fiber to the second optical port.

20. The MEMS switch as described in claim 18, characterized in that, The optical path is a first optical path, the forward transmission signal is a first transmission signal, the reverse transmission signal is a first reverse transmission signal, and the MEMS switch further includes: A third multi-core optical fiber, coupled to a third optical port, and comprising a fifth and a sixth core; and A fourth multi-core optical fiber, which is coupled to a fourth optical port and includes a seventh core and an eighth core; The fifth core of the third multi-core optical fiber is configured to transmit the second forward transmission signal along the second optical path to the seventh core of the fourth multi-core optical fiber at the second optical port via the third optical port. Wherein, the eighth core of the fourth multi-core optical fiber is configured to transmit the second reverse transmission signal along the second optical path through the fourth optical port to the sixth core of the third multi-core optical fiber at the third optical port, and Wherein, another identical mirror in the first MEMS die mirror array and another identical mirror in the second MEMS die mirror array are configured to simultaneously transmit the second forward transmission signal and the second reverse transmission signal between the third optical port and the fourth optical port.

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