Optical network switch, system and method of manufacturing an optical network switch

Abstract

The invention relates to an optical network switch (2a) having a first mirror (19a) arranged rotatably, a second mirror (19b) arranged rotatably and a third mirror (19c) arranged rotatably, and also a static plane mirror (17). In a first switching state of the optical network switch (2a), the first mirror (19a) is configured to divert a first optical signal (13a) incident on the first mirror (19a) to the plane mirror (17) and from the plane mirror (17) to the second mirror (19b), which is used to divert the first optical signal (13a) to a defined first exit direction (15a); in a second switching state of the optical network switch (2a), which is different from the first switching state, the first mirror (19a) is used to divert the first optical signal (13a) incident on the first mirror (19a) to the plane mirror (17) and from the plane mirror (17) to the third mirror (19c), which is used to divert the first optical signal (13a) to a second exit direction (15b) which is parallel to the defined first exit direction (15a).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an optical network switch and a system, and more particularly to a communication network. Furthermore, this invention also relates to a method for manufacturing an optical network switch. Background Technology

[0002] Optical network switches, also known as "optical circuit switches (OCS)," are well-known in the field.

[0003] Based on this, the purpose of this invention is to develop a miniaturized optical network switch with high-precision switching behavior. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides an optical network switch as described in claim 1, a system as described in claim 10, particularly a communication network, and a method for manufacturing an optical network switch as described in claim 11.

[0005] An optical network switch has at least a rotatably arranged first reflector, particularly a micro-reflector; a rotatably arranged second reflector, particularly a micro-reflector; and a rotatably arranged third reflector, particularly a micro-reflector. Furthermore, the optical network switch also has a static planar reflector. In a first switching state of the optical network switch, the first reflector is configured to deflect a first optical signal incident thereon to the planar reflector and from the planar reflector to the second reflector. In this case, the second reflector further deflects the first optical signal to a defined first emission direction, which specifically points towards a fourth optical fiber. In a second switching state of the optical network switch, different from the first switching state, the first reflector is configured to deflect the first optical signal incident thereon to the planar reflector and from the planar reflector to the third reflector. The third reflector further deflects the first optical signal to a second emission direction parallel to the defined first emission direction, which specifically points towards a fifth optical fiber different from the fourth optical fiber. The optical network switch of the present invention enables miniaturization, and the structure with the static planar reflector is simple, minimizing error generation.

[0006] Preferably, the optical network switch also has a common carrier substrate for rotatably arranged mirrors (especially the first, second, and third mirrors). By arranging the rotatably arranged mirrors on the same carrier substrate, the positioning accuracy between the mirrors can be improved. For the calibration of the rotatably arranged mirrors, in a single-substrate structure, only the spacing and tilt angle of the planar mirrors relative to the mirror array need to be measured. The rotatably arranged mirrors are particularly constructed as microelectromechanical components (MEMS), in which case the rotatably arranged mirrors are particularly integrally connected to the carrier substrate at the chip level. Preferably, the rotatably arranged mirrors are at least capable of two-dimensional rotation on the carrier substrate, especially two-dimensional tilt. This at least two-dimensional rotation (especially tilt) design enables a stepless switching process.

[0007] Preferably, the optical network switch further includes a camera unit configured to detect the actual position of the rotatable mirror. In this case, the camera unit typically includes a camera, an objective lens, and a collimation monitoring light source. The optical network switch also includes a computing unit configured to compare the actual position of the rotatable mirror with a target position and, based on this comparison, issue a control signal for changing the position of the rotatable mirror. Thus, the optical control loop requires only a single camera unit and a single computing unit, minimizing resource requirements. Preferably, a static plane mirror is arranged horizontally or vertically between the rotatable mirror and the camera unit. This static plane mirror is configured as a dichroic mirror, opaque to the first light signal but transparent to the light from the camera unit. In this case, the camera unit illuminates the rotatable mirror with collimated infrared light.

[0008] Preferably, the optical network switch also has at least one rotatably arranged fourth reflector, particularly a microreflector. In the first switching state of the optical network switch, the fourth reflector is configured to redirect the second optical signal incident upon it to a plane reflector, and from the plane reflector to a third reflector or another rotatably arranged fifth reflector. The third or fifth reflector is configured to redirect the second optical signal to a second emission direction, or a defined third emission direction parallel to the first emission direction, particularly pointing towards a sixth optical fiber different from the fourth and fifth optical fibers. Thus, the fourth reflector can synchronously transmit the second optical signal with the first optical signal. Therefore, a larger communication network can be constructed. Preferably, the rotatably arranged reflectors are arranged in an array. More preferably, the rotatably arranged first and fourth reflectors are arranged side-by-side, particularly adjacent to each other; in this case, the second and third reflectors, and particularly the rotatably arranged fifth reflector, are also arranged side-by-side, particularly adjacent to each other. This results in a simple micromirror array arrangement having: one region for deflecting light signals incident from the incident side using a micromirror, and another region for deflecting light signals on the emitting side using another micromirror. Alternatively, at least one additional mirror, particularly in the form of a second or third mirror, can be arranged between the rotatably arranged first and fourth mirrors. Alternatively, at least one additional mirror, particularly in the form of a rotatably arranged fourth mirror, can be arranged between the rotatably arranged second and third mirrors. This alternating arrangement of the incident and emitting micromirrors in the optical network switch allows for a closer arrangement of the mirrors, resulting in a higher fill factor. The core reason is that the incident light signal does not need to be incident on adjacent mirrors, therefore the mirror spacing does not need to be selected based on the collimating beam diameter and the parameters of the collimating optics.

[0009] Another subject of the invention is a system equipped with the aforementioned optical network switch, particularly a communication network. This system is particularly a computing network. The system also includes a first device for transmitting a first optical signal, particularly a communication device, and a first collimating lens for collimating the first optical signal. Furthermore, the system includes a first optical fiber for guiding, in particular the collimated first optical signal, to a rotatably arranged first reflector of the optical network switch. In a first switching state of the optical network switch, the first reflector is configured to redirect the first optical signal incident thereon to a planar reflector of the optical network switch, and from the planar reflector to a rotatably arranged second reflector of the optical network switch. The second reflector is configured to redirect the first optical signal to a defined first emission direction. Furthermore, in a second switching state of the optical network switch, different from the first switching state, the first reflector is configured to redirect the first optical signal incident thereon to a planar reflector, and from the planar reflector to a rotatably arranged third reflector of the optical network switch. The third reflector is configured to redirect the first optical signal to a second emission direction parallel to the defined first emission direction. The system also has a third device (especially a communication device) and / or a fourth device (especially a communication device) for receiving the first optical signal through the first or second emission direction.

[0010] Another subject of the invention is a method for manufacturing the aforementioned optical network switch, the method first providing a substrate, particularly a silicon substrate. Then, at least rotatably arranged first, second, and third mirrors, particularly micromirrors, are structured from this substrate. This substrate subsequently serves as a carrier substrate for the rotatably arranged mirrors. Next, a static planar mirror is arranged relative to the rotatably arranged mirrors, particularly parallel to the carrier substrate, such that a first optical signal incident on and deflected by the rotatably arranged first mirror can be incident on the planar mirror and directed from the planar mirror to the second mirror.

[0011] Preferably, a camera unit is also provided for detecting the corresponding actual position of the rotatably arranged mirror. In this case, a plane mirror is arranged between the camera unit and the rotatably arranged mirror. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 The first embodiment of the system is shown, which is a communication network with an optical network switch.

[0013] Figure 2 A second embodiment of the system is shown, which takes the form of a communication network with an optical network switch.

[0014] Figure 3 A method for manufacturing an optical network switch is illustrated in flowchart form. Detailed Implementation

[0015] Figure 1 A first embodiment of system 1a is shown, which is in the form of a communication network with an optical network switch. System 1a has an optical network switch 2a. In addition, the system has a first device 10a, which is in the form of a first communication device for transmitting a first optical signal 11a. In addition, system 1a also has a first collimating lens 12a for collimating the first optical signal 11a, and a first optical fiber 4a of a rotatably arranged first reflector 19a for guiding the collimated first optical signal 13a to the optical network switch 2a. In a first switching state of the optical network switch 2a, the first reflector 19a is configured to deflect the first optical signal 13a incident thereon to a planar reflector 17 of the optical network switch 2a, and from the planar reflector 17 to a rotatably arranged second reflector 19b of the optical network switch 2a. The second reflector 19b is further configured to deflect the first optical signal 13a to a defined first emission direction 15a, which points to a third optical fiber 9a connected to a third device 16a of system 1a. In a second switching state of the optical network switch 2a, which differs from the first switching state, the first reflector 19a is configured to redirect the first optical signal 13a incident upon it to the plane reflector 17, and from the plane reflector to the rotatably arranged third reflector 19c of the optical network switch 2a. In this embodiment, the third reflector 19c is configured to redirect the first optical signal 13a to a second emission direction 15b parallel to the defined first emission direction 15a, and to the fourth optical fiber 9b connected to the fourth device 16b of the system 1a.

[0016] In the first embodiment, the optical network switch 2a also has a common carrier substrate 18 for the rotatably arranged mirrors 19a to 19e. Here, the rotatably arranged mirrors 19a to 19e are arranged on the carrier substrate 18 at least in two dimensions, and in particular, in two dimensions, tilted.

[0017] In the first embodiment, the optical network switch 2a further includes a camera unit 8 configured to detect the actual positions of the rotatably arranged mirrors 19a to 19e. In addition to the camera 6, the camera unit 8 includes an objective lens and a collimation monitoring light source 7. The optical network switch 2a also includes a computing unit 5 configured to compare the actual positions of the rotatably arranged mirrors 19a to 19e with corresponding target positions, and based on this comparison, issue control signals for changing the corresponding positions of the rotatably arranged mirrors 19a to 19e. A static plane mirror 17 is arranged vertically between the rotatably arranged mirrors 19a to 19e and the camera unit 8, and is configured as a dichroic mirror, opaque to the first light signal 13a, but transparent to the light from the camera unit 8.

[0018] In this first embodiment of system 1a, the optical network switch 2a further includes a fourth rotatable micromirror 19d, which is in the form of a micromirror. In a first switching state of the optical network switch 2a, the fourth mirror 19d is configured to redirect the second optical signal 13b incident thereon to a plane mirror 17, and from the plane mirror 17 to another rotatably arranged fifth mirror 19e. The fifth mirror 19e is configured to redirect the second optical signal 13b to a defined third emission direction 15d parallel to a first emission direction 15a, which points to a fifth optical fiber 9c connected to the fourth device 16b of system 1a. System 1a also includes a second device 10b for transmitting the second optical signal 11b, which is in the form of a communication device. Furthermore, the system includes a second collimating lens 12b for collimating the second optical signal 11b, and a second optical fiber 4b for guiding the collimated second optical signal 13b to the fourth mirror 19d.

[0019] In this embodiment, the rotatable reflectors 19a to 19e are arranged in an array. The first and fourth rotatable reflectors are arranged side by side, as are the second, third, and fifth rotatable reflectors 19b, 19c, and 19e. Incident-side reflectors 19a and 19d are arranged on the first side of the carrier substrate 18, and exit-side reflectors 19c to 19e are arranged on the second side opposite to the first side.

[0020] Figure 2 A second embodiment of system 1b is shown, which is in the form of a communication network. The difference from the first embodiment is that an additional mirror, in the form of a third mirror 19c and a fifth mirror 19e, is arranged between the first reflector 19a and the rotatably arranged fourth reflector 19d. Furthermore, another mirror, in the form of a rotatably arranged fourth mirror 19d, is arranged between the second reflector 19b and the rotatably arranged third reflector 19c, thereby allowing a larger spacing 25 between the first optical signal 13c incident on the first reflector 19a and the second optical signal 13d incident on the fourth reflector 19d. The fourth reflector 19d reflects the incident second optical signal 13d towards the plane reflector 17 in the opposite direction to the first optical signal 13b reflected by the first reflector 19a. Therefore, on the emission side, a larger spacing is also formed between the defined first emission direction 15a and second emission direction 15b relative to the third emission direction 15d, which has a connecting fifth optical fiber 9d and a fifth device 16d.

[0021] Figure 3A method for manufacturing an optical network switch is illustrated in flowchart form. Here, in step 100, a substrate, particularly a silicon substrate, is provided. In a subsequent step 110, at least a first, second, and third rotatably arranged mirror, particularly a micromirror, are structured from the substrate. Here, the substrate serves particularly as a common carrier substrate for the rotatably arranged mirrors. In a further step 120, a static plane mirror is arranged relative to the rotatably arranged mirror such that a first optical signal incident on and deflected by the first rotatably arranged mirror is directed toward and from the plane mirror to the second mirror. In particular, the static plane mirror is arranged parallel to the carrier substrate. The method then concludes.

[0022] In an optional step 130 following step 120, a camera unit is also provided for detecting the corresponding actual position of the rotatably arranged mirror. A plane mirror is arranged between the camera unit and the rotatably arranged mirror.

Claims

1. An optical network switch (2a, 2b) having at least the following features: - A rotatable first reflecting mirror (19a), especially a micromirror; and - A rotatable second mirror (19b), especially a micromirror; and - A rotatable third mirror (19c), especially a micromirror; and - Static plane mirror (17); In the first switching state of the optical network switches (2a, 2b), the first reflector (19a) is configured to redirect the first optical signal (13a, 13c) incident on the first reflector (19a) to the plane reflector (17), and from the plane reflector (17) to the second reflector (19b), wherein the second reflector (19b) is configured to redirect the first optical signal (13a, 13c) to a defined first emission direction (15a). In the second switching state of the optical network switch (2a, 2b), which is different from the first switching state, the first reflector (19a) is configured to redirect the first optical signal (13a, 13c) incident on the first reflector (19a) to the plane reflector (17), and from the plane reflector (17) to the third reflector (19c), wherein the third reflector (19c) is configured to redirect the first optical signal (13a, 13c) to a second emission direction (15b) parallel to the defined first emission direction (15a).

2. The optical network switch (2a, 2b) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The optical network switches (2a, 2b) also have a common carrier substrate (18) for rotatably arranged mirrors (19a, 19b, 19c, 19d, 19e), especially for the first mirror (19a), the second mirror (19b) and the third mirror (19c).

3. The optical network switch (2a, 2b) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The rotatably arranged mirrors (19a, 19b, 19c, 19d, 19e) are rotatably arranged, and especially tiltably arranged, on the carrier substrate (18) in at least two dimensions.

4. The optical network switch (2a, 2b) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The optical network switch (2a, 2b) also has a camera unit (8) configured to detect the actual positions of the rotatable mirrors (19a, 19b, 19c, 19d, 19e). The optical network switch also has a computing unit (5) configured to compare the actual positions of the rotatable mirrors (19a, 19b, 19c, 19d, 19e) with the corresponding target positions, and to issue control signals for changing the positions of the rotatable mirrors (19a, 19b, 19c, 19d, 19e) based on the comparison.

5. The optical network switch (2a, 2b) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The static plane mirror (17) is arranged, in particular, in a horizontal or vertical direction between the rotatable mirrors (19a, 19b, 19c, 19d, 19e) and the camera unit (8), wherein the static plane mirror (17) is constructed as a dichroic mirror, which is opaque to the first light signal (13a, 13c) and transparent to the light of the camera unit (8).

6. The optical network switch (2a, 2b) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The optical network switches (2a, 2b) also have at least one rotatably arranged fourth reflector (19d), particularly a micro-reflector, wherein, in a first switching state of the optical network switches (2a, 2b), the fourth reflector (19d) is configured to redirect a second optical signal (13b, 13d) incident on the fourth reflector (19d) to the plane reflector (17), and from the plane reflector (17) to the third reflector (19c) or another rotatably arranged fifth reflector (19e), wherein the third reflector (19c) or the fifth reflector (19e) is configured to redirect the second optical signal (13b, 13d) to a second emission direction (15b), or a defined third emission direction (15c) parallel to the first emission direction (15a).

7. The optical network switch (2a, 2b) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The rotatable reflectors (19a, 19b, 19c, 19d, 19e) are arranged in an array.

8. The optical network switch (2a, 2b) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The rotatable first reflector (19a) and the rotatable fourth reflector (19d) are arranged side by side, especially adjacent to each other, and the rotatable second reflector (19b), the rotatable third reflector (19c) and especially the rotatable fifth reflector (19e) are arranged side by side, especially adjacent to each other.

9. The optical network switch (2a, 2b) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, At least one additional mirror, particularly in the form of a second mirror (19b) or a third mirror (19c), is arranged between the rotatable first mirror (19a) and the rotatable fourth mirror (19d).

10. A system (1a, 1b), particularly a communication network, having: - The optical network switch (2a, 2b) according to any one of claims 1 to 9; and - A first device (10a) for transmitting first optical signals (13a, 13c), particularly a communication device; and - A first collimating lens (12a) for collimating the first optical signals (13a, 13c); and - A first optical fiber (4a) for guiding, in particular collimated, first optical signals (13a, 13c) to the optical network switches (2a, 2b) via a rotatably arranged first reflector (19a). in, In the first switching state of the optical network switches (2a, 2b), the first reflector (19a) is configured to redirect the first optical signal (13a, 13c) incident on the first reflector (19a) to the planar reflector (17) of the optical network switches (2a, 2b), and to the rotatably arranged second reflector (19b) of the optical network switches (2a, 2b) from the planar reflector, wherein the second reflector (19b) is configured to redirect the first optical signal (13a, 13c) to a defined first emission direction (15a). In a second switching state of the optical network switches (2a, 2b) that differs from the first switching state, the first reflector (19a) is configured to redirect the first optical signal (13a, 13c) incident on the first reflector (19a) to the planar reflector (17), and from the planar reflector to a rotatably arranged third reflector (19c) of the optical network switches (2a, 2b). The third reflector (19c) is configured to redirect the first optical signal (13a, 13c) to a second emission direction (15b) parallel to the defined first emission direction (15a). The system (1a, 1b) further includes a third device (16a), particularly a communication device, and / or a fourth device (16b), for receiving the first optical signal (13a, 13c) via the first emission direction (15a) or the second emission direction (15b).

11. A method for manufacturing an optical network switch (2a, 2b) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, The method comprises the following steps: - Provide (100) substrates, especially silicon substrates; and - From the substrate, at least a first mirror (19a), a second mirror (19b), and a third mirror (19c), particularly micromirrors, are shaped (110) and arranged rotatably, wherein the substrate serves, in particular, as a carrier substrate (18) for the rotatably arranged mirrors (19a, 19b, 19c, 19d, 19e); and - The static plane mirror (17) is arranged (120) relative to the rotatable mirrors (19a, 19b, 19c, 19d, 19e) in such a way that a first optical signal (13a, 13c) incident on the first rotatable mirror (19a) and deflected by the first mirror (19a) is directed toward the plane mirror (17) and from the plane mirror (17) toward the second mirror (19b).

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, Additionally, a camera unit (8) is provided (130) for detecting the corresponding actual positions of the rotatably arranged mirrors (19a, 19b, 19c, 19d, 19e), wherein the plane mirror (17) is arranged between the camera unit (8) and the rotatably arranged mirrors (19a, 19b, 19c, 19d, 19e).

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