Optical switching system

Abstract

The present disclosure belongs to the technical field of optical communications. Provided is an optical switching system. The optical switching system comprises a first optical-fiber array unit, a second optical-fiber array unit, a first micromirror array, a second micromirror array, a first monitoring optical source, and a first detector, wherein the first micromirror array is located on the optical path of the first optical-fiber array unit, the second micromirror array is located on the optical path of the second optical-fiber array unit, and the second micromirror array is located on the optical path of the first micromirror array; the first monitoring optical source is connected to the first optical-fiber array unit, and the first detector is connected to the second optical-fiber array unit; and the first monitoring optical source is used for transmitting, to the first detector by means of the first micromirror array and the second micromirror array, an emitted monitoring optical signal that does not carry service information, so as to determine the power of the monitoring optical signal at a receiving end, which monitoring optical signal is transmitted by the first monitoring optical source. The present disclosure can monitor an insertion loss on an optical transmission link in a scenario in which no service optical signal is transmitted.

Description

Optical switching system

[0001] This disclosure claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411965323.4, filed on December 26, 2024, entitled "Optical Switching System", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to the field of optical communication technology, and in particular to an optical switching system. Background Technology

[0003] Large models have led to a rapid increase in computing power for artificial intelligence (AI) training, which comes from both the performance of the underlying chips and the efficiency of computing clusters.

[0004] The interconnection of computing clusters adopts all-optical switching interconnection, which eliminates the photoelectric conversion and data forwarding process compared to the traditional switch interconnection, thus enabling efficient interconnection between computing clusters.

[0005] However, in all-optical switching, the transmitted optical signal needs to undergo multiple reflections and refractions to reach the receiver, resulting in a certain insertion loss on the optical transmission link. Therefore, in order to enable all-optical switching interconnects to be used in the network architecture of data communication networks (DCNs), it is necessary to monitor the insertion loss on the optical transmission link. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This disclosure provides an optical switching system that can monitor insertion loss on an optical transmission link in scenarios where there is no service optical signal transmission.

[0007] This disclosure provides an optical switching system, which includes a first fiber array unit, a second fiber array unit, a first micromirror array, a second micromirror array, a first monitoring light source, and a first detector;

[0008] The first micromirror array is located in the optical path of the first fiber array unit, the second micromirror array is located in the optical path of the second fiber array unit, and the second micromirror array is located in the optical path of the first micromirror array;

[0009] The first monitoring light source is connected to the first fiber optic array unit, and the first detector is connected to the second fiber optic array unit;

[0010] The first monitoring light source is used to: transmit the emitted monitoring light signal, which does not carry business information, to the first detector through the first micromirror array and the second micromirror array, so as to determine the power of the monitoring light signal emitted by the first monitoring light source at the receiving end.

[0011] In the scheme disclosed herein, after receiving the monitoring optical signal, the first detector converts it into an electrical signal. Based on the electrical signal converted by the first detector, the system controller can determine the power of the monitoring optical signal generated by the first monitoring light source at the receiving end. Then, based on the power of the monitoring optical signal generated by the first monitoring light source at the transmitting end, the controller can determine the insertion loss of the monitoring optical signal on the transmission link. The power of the monitoring optical signal generated by the first monitoring light source at the transmitting end can be sent by the first monitoring light source to the controller. For example, after generating the monitoring optical signal, the first monitoring light source will send the power of the generated monitoring optical signal to the controller.

[0012] This method of using a monitoring optical signal generated by a first monitoring light source for insertion loss monitoring offers advantages over using a service optical signal. The monitoring optical signal-based insertion loss monitoring can be performed at any time, unaffected by the presence or absence of a service optical signal. Furthermore, a single first monitoring light source can monitor the insertion loss of the second micromirror array, thus achieving insertion loss monitoring of the micromirror array while occupying fewer optical ports in the fiber optic array unit.

[0013] Furthermore, in monitoring insertion loss of all micromirrors on the second micromirror array using the first monitoring light source, the pre-stored rotation angles of the micromirrors in the second micromirror array can be corrected based on the power of the optical signal received by the detector at the receiving end. For example, the pre-stored rotation angles of the micromirrors can be corrected using the maximum power of the monitoring optical signal received by the receiving end, such as correcting the pre-stored rotation angles to the rotation angles corresponding to the maximum power.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the optical switching system further includes a first optical mirror assembly arranged in the optical path between the second micromirror array and the second fiber array unit, for transmitting the monitoring optical signal reflected by the second micromirror array to the first detector.

[0015] In the scheme shown in this disclosure, the monitoring light signal emitted by the first monitoring light source is transmitted to the first detector via the first optical mirror assembly. The first detector then converts the received monitoring light signal into an electrical signal. The system controller can determine the power of the monitoring light signal emitted by the first monitoring light source at the receiving end based on the electrical signal converted by the first detector.

[0016] In one possible implementation, the first optical mirror assembly includes a first reflecting mirror, a first scanning mirror, and a second reflecting mirror;

[0017] The first reflector is used to reflect the monitoring light signal reflected by the second micromirror array to the first scanning mirror; the first scanning mirror is used to reflect the monitoring light signal reflected by the first reflector to the second reflector; and the second reflector is used to reflect the monitoring light signal reflected by the first scanning mirror to the first detector.

[0018] In the scheme shown in this disclosure, under the action of the first optical mirror assembly, the monitoring light signals reflected by all the micromirrors of the second micromirror array can be transmitted to the first detector.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the first optical mirror assembly is further configured to transmit a portion of the service optical signal carrying service information from the first fiber array unit to the second micromirror array, and another portion to the first detector, in order to determine the power of the service optical signal input to the first fiber array unit at the receiving end.

[0020] In the scheme shown in this disclosure, under the action of the first optical mirror assembly, a portion of the service optical signal reflected by all the micromirrors of the second micromirror array can be transmitted to the second fiber array unit, and the other portion can be transmitted to the first detector.

[0021] In one possible implementation, the first optical mirror assembly includes a first reflecting mirror, a first scanning mirror, and a second reflecting mirror;

[0022] The first reflector is used to reflect the monitoring optical signal reflected by the second micromirror array to the first scanning mirror, and to transmit part of the service optical signal reflected by the second micromirror array to the second fiber array unit and reflect the other part to the first scanning mirror;

[0023] The first scanning mirror is used to reflect the monitoring optical signal and the service optical signal reflected by the first reflector to the second reflector; the second reflector is used to reflect the monitoring optical signal and the service optical signal reflected by the first scanning mirror to the first detector.

[0024] In the scheme disclosed herein, the first optical mirror assembly can transmit both the monitoring optical signal emitted by the first monitoring light source to the first detector and the service optical signal input from the first fiber optic array unit to the second fiber optic array unit and the first detector. Therefore, when there is service optical signal transmission, the service optical signal can be used to monitor insertion loss on the transmission link; when there is no service optical signal transmission, the monitoring optical signal emitted by the first monitoring light source can be used to monitor insertion loss on the transmission link.

[0025] In one possible implementation, the first optical mirror assembly further includes a first lens for transmitting an optical signal reflected by the first reflector to the first scanning mirror, and for transmitting an optical signal reflected by the first scanning mirror to the second reflector, wherein the optical signal is a monitoring optical signal or a service optical signal.

[0026] In the scheme shown in this disclosure, the first lens serves to converge and diverge, making it easier to direct monitoring or business optical signals onto the first scanning mirror.

[0027] In one possible implementation, the optical switching system further includes a second detector and a second optical mirror assembly, the second detector being connected to the first fiber array, and the second optical mirror assembly being arranged in the optical path between the first fiber array unit and the first micromirror array.

[0028] The second optical mirror assembly is used to: transmit a portion of the monitoring optical signal transmitted by the first monitoring light source to the first micromirror array, so as to the first detector to determine the power of the monitoring optical signal emitted by the first monitoring light source at the receiving end; and transmit another portion to the first fiber optic array unit, so as to the second detector to determine the power of the monitoring optical signal emitted by the first monitoring light source at the transmitting end.

[0029] In the scheme disclosed herein, the power of the monitoring optical signal generated by the first monitoring light source at the transmitting end can be determined by the second detector at the transmitting end. Then, under the action of the second optical mirror assembly, a portion of the monitoring optical signal emitted by the first monitoring light source is transmitted to the first detector at the receiving end to determine the power of the monitoring optical signal at the receiving end, and the other portion is transmitted to the second detector at the transmitting end to determine the power of the monitoring optical signal at the transmitting end.

[0030] In one possible implementation, the second optical mirror assembly includes a first beam splitter, a second scanning mirror, and a third reflecting mirror;

[0031] The first beam splitter is used to transmit a portion of the monitoring light signal output by the first monitoring light source to the first micromirror array and reflect the other portion to the second scanning mirror; the second scanning mirror is used to reflect the monitoring light signal reflected by the first beam splitter to the third reflecting mirror; the third reflecting mirror is used to reflect the monitoring light signal reflected by the second scanning mirror to the second detector.

[0032] In the scheme disclosed herein, the monitoring light signal generated by the first monitoring light source is transmitted to the first beam splitter. Under the action of the first beam splitter, a portion of the monitoring light signal passes through the first beam splitter and is incident on the first micromirror array, thus entering the first detector at the receiving end. Under the action of the first beam splitter, another portion of the monitoring light signal is reflected from the first beam splitter to the second scanning mirror, thus entering the second detector at the transmitting end.

[0033] In one possible implementation, the second optical mirror assembly is further configured to: transmit a portion of the service optical signal transmitted by the first fiber array unit to the first micromirror array for transmission to the second fiber array unit and the first detector to determine the power of the service optical signal emitted by the first fiber array unit at the receiving end; and transmit another portion to the first fiber array unit for transmission to the second detector to determine the power of the service optical signal emitted by the first fiber array unit at the transmitting end.

[0034] In the scheme shown in this disclosure, the service optical signal input to the first fiber optic array unit is transmitted to the second optical mirror assembly. Under the action of the second optical mirror assembly, a portion of the service optical signal passes through the second optical mirror assembly and is incident on the first micromirror array, so as to pass through the first optical mirror assembly and enter the second fiber optic array unit at the receiving end and the first detector at the receiving end. Under the action of the second optical mirror assembly, another portion of the service optical signal enters the second detector at the transmitting end.

[0035] In one possible implementation, the second optical mirror assembly includes a first beam splitter, a second scanning mirror, and a third reflecting mirror;

[0036] The first beam splitter is used to transmit a portion of the monitoring optical signal output by the first monitoring light source to the first micromirror array and reflect the other portion to the second scanning mirror, and to transmit a portion of the service optical signal output by the first fiber array unit to the first micromirror array and reflect the other portion to the second scanning mirror.

[0037] The second scanning mirror is used to reflect the monitoring optical signal and the service optical signal reflected by the first beam splitter to the second detector.

[0038] In the scheme disclosed herein, the service optical signal input to the first fiber optic array unit is transmitted to the first beam splitter. Under the action of the first beam splitter, a portion of the service optical signal passes through the first beam splitter and is incident on the first micromirror array, so as to pass through the first optical mirror assembly and enter the second fiber optic array unit at the receiving end and the first detector at the receiving end. Under the action of the first beam splitter, another portion of the service optical signal is reflected from the first beam splitter to the second scanning mirror, so as to enter the second detector at the transmitting end.

[0039] In one possible implementation, the optical switching system further includes a second monitoring light source and a second detector, the second monitoring light source being connected to the second fiber optic array unit, and the second detector being connected to the first fiber optic array unit;

[0040] The second monitoring light source is used to: transmit the emitted monitoring light signal, which does not carry business information, to the second detector through the second micromirror array and the first micromirror array, so as to determine the power of the monitoring light signal emitted by the second monitoring light source at the receiving end.

[0041] In the scheme disclosed herein, the monitoring light signal emitted by the second monitoring light source strikes a micromirror, such as the second micromirror, in the second micromirror array. Passing through the second micromirror, the signal can then strike all the micromirrors in the first micromirror array. This allows the power of the monitoring light signal passing through all the micromirrors in the first micromirror array at the receiving end to be determined. Based on the power at the receiving end, the angle correction of all the micromirrors in the first micromirror array can be performed. Furthermore, the quality of the micromirrors in the first micromirror array can be determined based on the power at the receiving end. For example, if the power at the receiving end is less than a power threshold, it indicates that the micromirrors in the first micromirror array that have passed through at the current power level are faulty.

[0042] In one possible implementation, the optical switching system further includes a second optical mirror assembly arranged in the optical path between the first micromirror array and the first fiber array unit, for transmitting the monitoring optical signal reflected by the first micromirror array to the second detector.

[0043] In the scheme shown in this disclosure, the monitoring light signal generated by the second monitoring light source is transmitted to the second detector at the receiving end under the action of the second optical mirror assembly, so as to determine the power of the monitoring light signal generated by the second monitoring light source at the receiving end.

[0044] In one possible implementation, the second optical mirror assembly is further configured to: transmit a portion of the monitoring optical signal transmitted by the first monitoring light source to the first micromirror array for transmission to the first detector to determine the power of the monitoring optical signal emitted by the first monitoring light source at the receiving end, and transmit another portion to the first fiber optic array unit for transmission to the second detector to determine the power of the monitoring optical signal emitted by the first monitoring light source at the transmitting end.

[0045] In the scheme disclosed herein, the second optical mirror assembly serves two purposes: firstly, it transmits the monitoring light signal generated by the second monitoring light source to a second detector at the receiving end to determine the power of the monitoring light signal generated by the second monitoring light source at the receiving end; secondly, it transmits the monitoring light signal generated by the first monitoring light source to a second detector at the transmitting end to determine the power of the monitoring light signal generated by the first monitoring light source at the transmitting end; and thirdly, it transmits the monitoring light signal generated by the first monitoring light source to a first detector at the receiving end to determine the power of the monitoring light signal generated by the first monitoring light source at the receiving end.

[0046] In one possible implementation, the second optical mirror assembly includes a first beam splitter, a second scanning mirror, a third reflecting mirror, and a fourth reflecting mirror;

[0047] The fourth reflecting mirror is used to reflect the monitoring light signal reflected to the fourth reflecting mirror via the first micromirror array and the first beam splitter back to the first beam splitter. The first beam splitter is used to transmit the monitoring light signal reflected by the fourth reflecting mirror to the second scanning mirror. The second scanning mirror is used to reflect the monitoring light signal transmitted by the first beam splitter to the third reflecting mirror. The third reflecting mirror is used to reflect the monitoring light signal reflected by the second scanning mirror to the second detector.

[0048] The first beam splitter is used to transmit a portion of the monitoring light signal output by the first monitoring light source to the first micromirror array and reflect the other portion to the second scanning mirror; the second scanning mirror is used to reflect the monitoring light signal reflected by the first beam splitter to the third reflecting mirror.

[0049] In the scheme disclosed herein, the monitoring light signal generated by the second monitoring light source is transmitted through the second micromirror array and the first micromirror array, and then struck by the first beam splitter. Under the action of the first beam splitter, the light signal is reflected to the fourth mirror, and then reflected back to the first beam splitter under the action of the fourth mirror. The light signal is transmitted to the second scanning mirror under the transmission of the first beam splitter, and then reflected to the third mirror under the action of the second scanning mirror. Finally, the light signal is reflected to the second detector at the receiving end to determine the power of the monitoring light signal generated by the second monitoring light source at the receiving end.

[0050] The monitoring light signal generated by the first monitoring light source strikes the first beam splitter. Under the action of the first beam splitter, a portion of the monitoring light signal is transmitted to the first micromirror array and then to the first detector at the receiving end to determine the power of the monitoring light signal generated by the first monitoring light source at the receiving end. The monitoring light signal generated by the first monitoring light source strikes the first beam splitter, and under the action of the first beam splitter, another portion of the monitoring light signal is reflected to the second scanning mirror, then to the third reflecting mirror, and finally to the second detector at the transmitting end to determine the power of the monitoring light signal generated by the second monitoring light source at the transmitting end.

[0051] In one possible implementation, the second optical mirror assembly further includes a second lens for transmitting an optical signal transmitted by the first beam splitter (such as an optical signal reflected by the first beam splitter or an optical signal transmitted by the first beam splitter) to the second scanning mirror, and for transmitting an optical signal reflected by the second scanning mirror to the third reflecting mirror, wherein the optical signal is a monitoring optical signal or a service optical signal.

[0052] In the scheme shown in this disclosure, the second lens serves to converge and diverge, making it easier to project monitoring or business optical signals onto the second scanning mirror.

[0053] In one possible implementation, both the first fiber array unit and the second fiber array unit include an M×N optical port array;

[0054] The optical ports in the M×N optical port array of the first fiber array unit correspond one-to-one with the micromirrors of the first micromirror array, and the optical ports in the M×N optical port array of the second fiber array unit correspond one-to-one with the micromirrors of the second micromirror array.

[0055] In the scheme shown in this disclosure, both the first micromirror array and the second micromirror array include an M×N micromirror array. Then, the optical ports in the M×N optical port array of the first fiber array unit correspond one-to-one with the micromirrors in the M×N micromirror array of the first micromirror array, and the optical ports in the M×N optical port array of the second fiber array unit correspond one-to-one with the micromirrors in the M×N micromirror array of the second micromirror array.

[0056] In one possible implementation, in the M×N optical port array of the first fiber array unit, a portion of the optical ports are connected to the first monitoring light source, and another portion of the optical ports are used to transmit service optical signals carrying service information.

[0057] In one possible implementation, in the M×N optical port array of the second fiber array unit, a portion of the optical ports are connected to the second monitoring light source, and another portion of the optical ports are used to transmit service optical signals carrying service information.

[0058] In one possible implementation, the number of the first monitoring light sources is one, and the first monitoring light source is connected to one optical port in the M×N optical port array of the first fiber optic array unit. For example, the first monitoring light source is connected to any one optical port in the M×N optical port array of the first fiber optic array unit.

[0059] In one possible implementation, the number of second monitoring light sources is one, and the second monitoring light source is connected to one optical port in the M×N optical port array of the second fiber optic array unit. For example, the second monitoring light source is connected to any one optical port in the M×N optical port array of the second fiber optic array unit.

[0060] In the scheme disclosed herein, there is one first monitoring light source, connected to one optical port of the first fiber optic array unit. The monitoring light signal generated by the first monitoring light source strikes one micromirror in the first micromirror array (e.g., the first micromirror itself), and the first micromirror reflects the incident light signal onto all the micromirrors of the second micromirror array. Therefore, one first monitoring light source can cause the generated monitoring light signal to strike all the micromirrors of the second micromirror array, enabling monitoring of the corners of all the micromirrors in the second micromirror array, as well as monitoring of insertion loss on the transmission link where all the micromirrors of the second micromirror array are located. It is evident that occupying one optical port of the first fiber optic array unit is sufficient to monitor all the micromirrors of the second micromirror array.

[0061] In the scheme disclosed herein, there is one second monitoring light source, connected to one optical port of the second fiber optic array unit. The monitoring light signal generated by the second monitoring light source strikes one micromirror in the second micromirror array (e.g., the second micromirror itself), and the second micromirror reflects the incident light signal back to all the micromirrors of the first micromirror array. Therefore, one second monitoring light source can cause the generated monitoring light signal to strike all the micromirrors of the first micromirror array, enabling monitoring of the corners of all the micromirrors in the first micromirror array, as well as monitoring of insertion loss on the transmission link where all the micromirrors of the first micromirror array are located. It is evident that occupying one optical port of the second fiber optic array unit is sufficient to monitor all the micromirrors of the first micromirror array.

[0062] In one possible implementation, the second fiber array unit further includes an M×1 optical port array, which is located on one side of the M×N optical port array along the arrangement direction of the N columns of optical ports.

[0063] There are multiple first detectors, and the optical ports in the M×1 optical port array of the second fiber array unit are connected to the first detectors one by one.

[0064] In one possible implementation, the first fiber array unit further includes an M×1 optical port array, which is located on one side of the M×N optical port array along the arrangement direction of the N columns of optical ports.

[0065] There are multiple second detectors, and the optical ports in the M×1 optical port array of the first optical fiber array unit are connected to the second detectors one by one.

[0066] In the scheme shown in this disclosure, there are multiple first detectors, such as M. Each of the M first detectors is connected to one of the M optical ports in the M×1 optical port array of the second fiber optic array unit. Then, the optical ports in the M×N optical port array of the second fiber optic array unit are used to transmit service optical signals, while the optical ports in the M×1 optical port array are used to connect to the first detectors. This arrangement ensures that the first detectors and service optical signals do not interfere with each other.

[0067] In the scheme shown in this disclosure, there are multiple second detectors, such as M detectors. Each of the M second detectors is connected to one of the M optical ports in the M×1 optical port array of the first fiber optic array unit. The optical ports in the M×N optical port array of the first fiber optic array unit are used to transmit service optical signals, while the optical ports in the M×1 optical port array are used to connect to the second detectors. This arrangement ensures that the second detectors and the service optical signals do not interfere with each other. Attached Figure Description

[0068] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an optical switching system provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0069] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a monitoring light signal generated by a first monitoring light source provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure being transmitted to a first detector at a receiving end;

[0070] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the optical port of an optical fiber array unit provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0071] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a monitoring light signal emitted by a first monitoring light source provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure being transmitted to a first detector via a first optical mirror assembly;

[0072] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a service optical signal input to a first fiber array unit provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, which is transmitted to a second fiber array unit and a first detector via a first optical mirror assembly;

[0073] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a monitoring light signal generated by a first monitoring light source provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, transmitted to a second detector at the transmitting end via a second optical mirror assembly, and transmitted to a first detector at the receiving end via the second optical mirror assembly and the first optical mirror assembly;

[0074] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a service optical signal input to a first fiber array unit provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, transmitted to a second detector at the transmitting end via a second optical mirror assembly, and transmitted to a second fiber array unit and a first detector at the receiving end via the second optical mirror assembly and the first optical mirror assembly;

[0075] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a monitoring light signal generated by a second monitoring light source provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure being transmitted to a second detector at the receiving end via a second optical mirror assembly;

[0076] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing the transmission of a monitoring light signal generated by a first monitoring light source, provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, to a second detector at the transmitting end via a second optical mirror assembly, and to a first detector at the receiving end via the second optical mirror assembly and the first optical mirror assembly.

[0077] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of a service optical signal input to a second fiber array unit provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, transmitted via a second optical mirror assembly to a first fiber array unit and a second detector at the receiving end;

[0078] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of a monitoring light signal generated by a second monitoring light source provided in another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, which is transmitted to a first detector at the transmitting end via a first optical mirror assembly, and to a second detector at the receiving end via a first optical mirror assembly and a second optical mirror assembly;

[0079] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram showing the transmission of a monitoring light signal generated by a first monitoring light source, provided in another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, to a second detector at the transmitting end via a second optical mirror assembly, and to a first detector at the receiving end via the second optical mirror assembly and the first optical mirror assembly.

[0080] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 11. First fiber optic array; 12. Second fiber optic array; 21. First micromirror array; 22. Second micromirror array; 31. First monitoring light source; 32. Second monitoring light source; 41. First detector; 42. Second detector; 51. First reflector; 52. Second reflector; 53. Third reflector; 54. Fourth reflector; 55. Fifth reflector; 61. First lens; 62. Second lens; 71. First scanning mirror; 72. Second scanning mirror; 81. First beam splitter; 82. Second beam splitter. Detailed Implementation

[0081] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this disclosure clearer, the embodiments of this disclosure will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0082] This embodiment provides an optical switching system, which can be an optical circuit switch (OCS) system applied in a data communication network (DCN) network architecture, an optical cross-connect (OXC) system applied in wavelength division multiplexing, or an optical large-scale switching network system.

[0083] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of an optical switching system. Referring to Figure 1, the optical switching system includes optical switching equipment, which is an optical transmission device that can exchange optical signals between different optical paths. Specifically, it can be an optical circuit switch (OCS) device or an optical cross-connect (OXC) device.

[0084] Referring to Figure 1, the optical switching device includes two fiber array units (FAUs) and two micromirror array units. For ease of explanation, the two fiber array units are referred to as the first fiber array unit 11 and the second fiber array unit 12, respectively, and the two micromirror arrays are referred to as the first micromirror array 21 and the second micromirror array 22, respectively.

[0085] The first fiber array unit 11 and the second fiber array unit 12 each include multiple optical ports, and the first micromirror array 21 and the second micromirror array 22 each include multiple micromirrors.

[0086] Specifically, the first micromirror array 21 and the second micromirror array 22 can be microelectromechanical system (MEMS) micromirror arrays.

[0087] Referring to Figure 1, the first micromirror array 21 is located on the optical path of the first fiber array unit 11, that is, each micromirror of the first micromirror array 21 is located on the optical path of one optical port of the first fiber array unit 11, and the micromirrors of the first micromirror array 21 correspond one-to-one with the optical ports of the first fiber array unit 11. The second micromirror array 22 is located on the optical path of the second fiber array unit 12, that is, each micromirror of the second micromirror array 22 is located on the optical path of one optical port of the second fiber array unit 12, and the micromirrors of the second micromirror array 22 correspond one-to-one with the optical ports of the second fiber array unit 12.

[0088] In the first fiber array unit 11 and the second fiber array unit 12, one serves as the input fiber array unit and the other as the output fiber array unit. For example, the first fiber array unit 11 serves as the input fiber array unit and the second fiber array unit 12 serves as the output fiber array unit. Alternatively, the second fiber array unit 12 serves as the input fiber array unit and the first fiber array unit 11 serves as the output fiber array unit.

[0089] The second micromirror array 22 is located in the optical path of the first micromirror array 21. For example, the scanning field of view of each micromirror in the first micromirror array 21 covers all the micromirrors in the second micromirror array 22, and the scanning field of view of each micromirror in the second micromirror array 22 covers all the micromirrors in the first micromirror array 21. Therefore, an optical signal incident on a micromirror of the first micromirror array 21 can be transmitted to all the micromirrors of the second micromirror array 22, and an optical signal incident on a micromirror of the second micromirror array 22 can also be transmitted to all the micromirrors of the first micromirror array 21.

[0090] In order to reduce the rotation angle of each micromirror in the first micromirror array 21 and the second micromirror array 22, a reflector is arranged in the optical path between the first micromirror array 21 and the second micromirror array 22, as shown in Figure 2. Specifically, the reflector can be a concave reflector with a concave reflecting surface.

[0091] Then, the optical signal output from each optical port of the first fiber array unit 11, such as a service optical signal carrying service information, is transmitted to a micromirror on the first micromirror array 21 (the micromirror corresponding to the transmitting optical port). After the micromirror rotates, it passes through a concave reflector and hits a micromirror on the second micromirror array 22 (the micromirror corresponding to the receiving target optical port). After the micromirror rotates, it is transmitted to the target optical port of the second fiber array unit 12 and output outward through the target optical port.

[0092] Thus, the service optical signal (i.e., the optical signal carrying service information) transmitted between the first fiber array unit 11 and the second fiber array unit 12 completes the line switching under the action of the first micromirror array 21 and the second micromirror array 22.

[0093] In long-term use, the optical switching system will experience insertion loss because the service optical signal passes through multiple devices as it travels from the first fiber array unit 11 to the second fiber array unit 12. Each device will generate a certain amount of insertion loss. Moreover, after long-term use, the rotation angle of the micromirrors in the micromirror array will deviate from the set rotation angle. Therefore, there will be a certain amount of insertion loss in the transmission link.

[0094] Currently, service optical signals are generally used to monitor insertion loss on the transmission link. For example, during the transmission of service optical signals from the first fiber array unit 11 to the second fiber array unit 12, a portion of the service optical signal enters the detector at the receiving end to determine the power of the service optical signal at the receiving end. The system controller then determines the insertion loss of the service optical signal on the transmission line based on the power of the service optical signal at the receiving end and the power at the transmitting end. However, when there is no service optical signal transmission, it is impossible to monitor the insertion loss on the transmission link.

[0095] Therefore, this embodiment provides an optical switching system, which includes a monitoring light source. The optical signal generated by the monitoring light source is used for insertion loss monitoring. Thus, even in scenarios where there is no service optical signal transmission, the system can still monitor insertion loss on the transmission link.

[0096] In addition, the optical switching system provided in this embodiment can also detect whether the rotation angle of each micromirror in the micromirror array has reached the optimal rotation angle. If the rotation angle of the micromirror is not the optimal rotation angle, the rotation angle of the micromirror can be corrected so that the micromirror rotates at the optimal rotation angle, which can reduce the insertion loss on the transmission link.

[0097] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the optical switching system. Referring to Figure 2, the optical switching system includes not only the first fiber array unit 11, the second fiber array unit 12, the first micromirror array 21 and the second micromirror array 22 mentioned above, but also a first monitoring light source 31 and a first detector 41. The first monitoring light source 31 is connected to the first fiber array unit 11, and the first detector 41 is connected to the second fiber array unit 12.

[0098] Referring again to Figure 2, the monitoring optical signal emitted by the first monitoring light source 31 can be transmitted to the first detector 41 via the first micromirror array 21 and the second micromirror array 22. After receiving the monitoring optical signal, the first detector 41 converts the monitoring optical signal into an electrical signal to determine the power of the monitoring optical signal emitted by the first monitoring light source 31 at the receiving end. This power is used to determine the insertion loss on the transmission link of the monitoring optical signal from the first fiber array unit 11 to the second fiber array unit 12.

[0099] For example, after the system controller obtains an electrical signal from the first detector 41, it can determine the power of the monitoring optical signal emitted by the first monitoring light source 31 at the receiving end based on the electrical signal. Then, the controller obtains the power of the monitoring optical signal emitted by the first monitoring light source 31 at the transmitting end. After that, the controller can determine the insertion loss of the monitoring optical signal on the transmission link based on the power difference between the power at the receiving end and the power at the transmitting end of the monitoring optical signal emitted by the first monitoring light source 31.

[0100] In one example, the power of the monitoring light signal emitted by the first monitoring light source 31 at the transmitting end can be determined in at least two ways: Method 1, the first monitoring light source 31 sends the signal to the controller; Method 2, the power is determined by a detector at the transmitting end. For example, a detector (denoted as the second detector 42) is also arranged on the side where the first monitoring light source 31 is located, and the power of the monitoring light signal emitted by the first monitoring light source 31 at the transmitting end is determined by the second detector 42. The scheme of determining the power of the monitoring light signal emitted by the first monitoring light source 31 at the transmitting end by Method 2 will be introduced later. Below, we will first introduce the process of the monitoring light signal emitted by the first monitoring light source 31 being transmitted to the first detector 41.

[0101] It should be noted that, in order to ensure that the monitoring optical signal does not affect the transmission of the service optical signal, the monitoring optical signal does not carry service information, and the wavelength of the monitoring optical signal is different from that of the service optical signal. For example, the wavelength band of the monitoring optical signal does not overlap with that of the service optical signal.

[0102] The following describes the connection between the first monitoring light source 31 and the first detector 41 and the fiber optic array unit, respectively.

[0103] (1) Connection between the first monitoring light source 31 and the first fiber optic array unit 11.

[0104] Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of the optical port structure of the first fiber array unit 11 or the second fiber array unit 12. Referring to Figure 3, both the first fiber array unit 11 and the second fiber array unit 12 include an M×N optical port array, that is, an optical port array formed by M rows of optical ports and N columns of optical ports.

[0105] In this configuration, the optical ports in the M×N optical port array of the first fiber array unit 11 correspond one-to-one with the micromirrors in the M×N micromirror array of the first micromirror array 21, and the optical ports in the M×N optical port array of the second fiber array unit 12 correspond one-to-one with the micromirrors in the M×N micromirror array of the second micromirror array 22.

[0106] In the M×N optical port array of the first fiber optic array unit 11, a portion of the optical ports are connected to the first monitoring light source 31 for transmitting monitoring light signals, while the remaining optical ports are used to transmit service optical signals. For example, there may be one or more first monitoring light sources 31, and each first monitoring light source 31 is connected to one optical port in the M×N optical port array of the first fiber optic array unit 11.

[0107] As described above, the scanning field of view of any micromirror in the first micromirror array 21 covers all the micromirrors in the second micromirror array 22, and the scanning field of view of any micromirror in the second micromirror array 22 covers all the micromirrors in the first micromirror array 21. Therefore, having only one first monitoring light source 31 is sufficient to ensure that the generated monitoring light signal is incident on all the micromirrors in the second micromirror array 22.

[0108] For example, a first monitoring light source 31 is connected to any one of the M×N optical ports (denoted as the first optical port) in the first fiber optic array unit 11. The monitoring light signal generated by the first monitoring light source 31 is incident on the micromirror (denoted as the first micromirror) corresponding to the first optical port in the first micromirror array 21. By adjusting the rotation angle of the first micromirror and the rotation angle of any one of the micromirrors in the second micromirror array, the first micromirror can reflect the incident monitoring light signal onto any one of the micromirrors in the second micromirror array 22. Therefore, although there is only one first monitoring light source 31, the generated monitoring light signal can hit all the micromirrors in the second micromirror array 22.

[0109] It can be seen that by using only one first monitoring light source 31, which occupies one optical port in the M×N optical port array of the first fiber array unit 11, it is possible to monitor the insertion loss on the transmission link where all the micromirrors of the second micromirror array 22 are located, and also to monitor whether the rotation angle of all the micromirrors of the second micromirror array 22 is a better rotation angle.

[0110] Of course, there can be multiple first monitoring light sources 31. Each first monitoring light source 31 is connected to one optical port in the M×N optical port array of the first fiber array unit 11. This scheme of multiple first monitoring light sources 31 can realize parallel monitoring of insertion loss on multiple transmission lines and improve the efficiency of insertion loss monitoring.

[0111] (2) Connection between the first detector 41 and the second fiber array unit 12.

[0112] Referring again to Figure 3, the second fiber array unit 12 also includes an M×1 optical port array, that is, a column of optical ports. The M×1 optical port array is located on one side of the M×N optical port array along the arrangement direction of the N columns of optical ports. For example, the M×1 optical port array can be arranged next to the first column or the last column of the M×N optical port array.

[0113] There are multiple first detectors 41, for example, there are M first detectors 41 in total. The optical ports in the M×1 optical port array of the second fiber array unit 12 are connected one by one to the first detectors 41.

[0114] Referring to Figure 3, there may be a gap between the M×1 optical port array of the second fiber array unit 12 and the M×N optical port array of the second fiber array unit 12, so that the service optical signal sent to the second fiber array unit 12 can enter the optical port in the M×N optical port array, and the optical signal sent to the first detector 41 (which may be a monitoring optical signal or a service optical signal) can enter the optical port in the M×1 optical port array.

[0115] Of course, the aforementioned M×1 optical port array can also be a 1×N optical port array, that is, a row of optical ports. For example, the 1×N optical port array is located on one side of the M×N optical port array along the arrangement direction of the M rows of optical ports. For example, the 1×N optical port array can be arranged next to the first row or the last row of the M×N optical port array. Then, the number of first detectors 41 is N, and the optical ports in the 1×N optical port array of the second fiber array unit 12 are connected one-to-one with the N first detectors 41. In the following description, as shown in Figure 3, the second fiber array unit 12 includes examples of M×N optical port arrays and M×1 optical port arrays.

[0116] It should be noted that, in addition to the M×N optical port array and the M×1 optical port array, the first fiber array unit 11 and the second fiber array unit 12 also include multiple optical ports for other functions (such as auxiliary optical positioning, deletion of service lens positioning, etc.). For example, continuing to refer to Figure 3, a row of optical ports is arranged in front of the first row of the M×N optical port array, and a row of optical ports is also arranged after the last row of the M×N optical port array. An optical port is arranged in front of the first row of the M×1 optical port array, and an optical port is arranged after the last row of the M×1 optical port array.

[0117] The above describes the connection between the first monitoring light source 31 and the first fiber optic array unit 11, and the connection between the first detector 41 and the second fiber optic array unit 12. The following will describe the process of transmitting the monitoring light signal emitted by the first monitoring light source 31 to the first detector 41.

[0118] As described above, each micromirror of the first micromirror array 21 corresponds one-to-one with each optical port in the M×N optical port array of the first fiber array unit 11, and each micromirror of the second micromirror array 22 corresponds one-to-one with each optical port in the M×N optical port array of the second fiber array unit 12. However, the first detector 41 is not connected to the optical port of the M×N optical port array of the second fiber array unit 12, but is connected to the optical port of the M×1 optical port array next to the M×N optical port array.

[0119] Therefore, in order for the optical signals reflected from each micromirror of the second micromirror array 22 to enter the optical ports of the M×1 optical port array of the second fiber array unit 12, the optical switching system also includes a first optical mirror assembly.

[0120] Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of the transmission of monitoring optical signals in an optical switching system. Referring to Figure 4, the first optical mirror assembly is arranged in the optical path between the second micromirror array 22 and the second fiber array unit 12, and is used to transmit the monitoring optical signal reflected by the second micromirror array 22 to the first detector 41.

[0121] For example, the monitoring light signal generated by the first monitoring light source 31 is transmitted to the first micromirror of the first micromirror array 21 through the first optical port of the first fiber array unit 11. After being reflected by the first micromirror of the first micromirror array 21, it is reflected to any one of the micromirrors of the second micromirror array 22. The monitoring light signal is reflected from the second micromirror array 22 to the first optical mirror assembly. After being transmitted through the first optical mirror assembly, it is transmitted to the first detector 41. The first detector 41 converts the received monitoring light signal into an electrical signal and transmits it to the system controller. The controller uses this to determine the insertion loss of the monitoring light signal emitted by the first monitoring light source 31 in the transmission link.

[0122] Referring again to Figure 4, the first optical mirror assembly includes a first reflecting mirror 51, a first scanning mirror 71, and a second reflecting mirror 52. The first reflecting mirror 51 is located in the reflected light path of the second micromirror array 22, the first scanning mirror 71 is located in the reflected light path of the first reflecting mirror 51, and the second reflecting mirror 52 is located in the reflected light path of the first scanning mirror 71.

[0123] Referring to Figure 4, the monitoring light signal emitted by the first monitoring light source 31 is reflected by the first micromirror array 21 and the second micromirror array 22 to the first reflector 51, then reflected from the first reflector 51 to the first scanning mirror 71, then reflected from the first scanning mirror 71 to the second reflector 52, and then reflected from the second reflector 52 to the optical port (i.e., the optical port in the M×1 optical port array) of the second fiber array unit 12 connected to the first detector 41, and then enters the first detector 41.

[0124] The first scanning mirror 71 can translate within a two-dimensional plane to receive the light signal (such as a monitoring light signal) reflected by any one of the micromirrors in the M×N micromirror array of the second micromirror array 22. Then, through translational movement, it reflects the received light signal to the second reflecting mirror 52. The optical path of the second reflecting mirror 52 corresponds to the M×1 optical port of the second fiber array unit 12. These optical ports are respectively connected to a first detector 41, thereby transmitting the light signal reflected by any one of the micromirrors in the M×N micromirror array of the second micromirror array 22 to a first detector 41.

[0125] In one example, in order to reduce the movement space of the first scanning mirror 71, referring to FIG4, the first optical mirror assembly may further include a first lens 61, which may be a convex lens. The first lens 61 is used to transmit the light signal (such as a monitoring light signal) reflected by the first reflecting mirror 51 to the first scanning mirror 71, and transmit the monitoring light signal reflected by the first scanning mirror 71 to the second reflecting mirror 52.

[0126] Referring to Figure 4, the monitoring light signal emitted by the first monitoring light source 31 is reflected by the first micromirror array 21 and the second micromirror array 22 to the first reflecting mirror 51, then reflected from the first reflecting mirror 51 to the first lens 61, transmitted from the first lens 61 to the first scanning mirror 71, reflected from the first scanning mirror 71 to the first lens 61, transmitted from the first lens 61 to the second reflecting mirror 52, and then reflected from the second reflecting mirror 52 to the optical port (i.e., the optical port in the M×1 optical port array) of the second fiber array unit 12 connected to the first detector 41, and then enters the first detector 41.

[0127] In one example, the service optical signal input to the first fiber array unit 11 can also enter the first detector 41 to monitor insertion loss on the transmission link. Accordingly, as shown in Figure 5, which is a schematic diagram of service optical signal transmission in an optical switching system (the first monitoring light source 31 is not shown in Figure 5), the first optical mirror assembly is also used to transmit a portion of the service optical signal carrying service information transmitted from the first fiber array unit 11 to the second micromirror array 22 to the second fiber array unit 12, and another portion to the first detector 41, to determine the power of the service optical signal input to the first fiber array unit 11 at the receiving end.

[0128] Specifically, continuing to refer to Figure 5, the first reflector 51 is also used to transmit part of the service optical signal reflected by the second micromirror array 22 to the optical port of the second fiber array unit 12 (i.e., one optical port in the M×N optical port array), and reflect the other part to the first lens 61, so that it enters the first detector 41 via the first lens 61, the first scanning mirror 71 and the second reflector 52.

[0129] For example, the service optical signal output from the optical port of the first fiber array unit 11 that is not connected to the first monitoring light source 31 is transmitted to the first reflector 51 via the first micromirror array 21 and the second micromirror array 22. Most (e.g., 99%) of the service optical signal is transmitted through the first reflector 51 to the optical port of the second fiber array unit 12 (i.e., one optical port in the M×N optical port array), and then transmitted outward through the second fiber array unit 12. Continuing to refer to Figure 5, a small portion (e.g., 1%) of the service optical signal transmitted to the first reflector 51 is reflected by the first reflector 51 to the first lens 61, transmitted through the first lens 61 to the first scanning mirror 71, reflected from the first scanning mirror 71 to the second reflector 52, and then reflected from the second reflector 52 to the optical port of the second fiber array unit 12 (i.e., one optical port in the M×1 optical port array), so as to enter the first detector 41. In this way, the controller can determine the power of the service optical signal transmitted by the first fiber array unit 11 at the receiving end based on the electrical signal sent by the first detector 41, and then determine the insertion loss of the service optical signal on the transmission link based on the power of the service optical signal transmitted by the first fiber array unit 11 at the transmitting end (i.e., at the first fiber array unit 11).

[0130] In one example, if the first monitoring light source 31 cannot send the power of the emitted monitoring optical signal to the system controller, the power of the monitoring optical signal at the transmitting end can be determined by the detector at the transmitting end. Accordingly, the optical switching system also includes a second detector 42, which is connected to the first fiber array 11.

[0131] Similar to how the M first detectors 41 are connected one-to-one with the M optical ports in the M×1 optical port array of the second fiber array unit 12, as shown in Figure 3, the first fiber array unit 11 also includes an M×N optical port array and an M×1 optical port array. The optical ports in the M×N optical port array of the first fiber array unit 11 are used to transmit service optical signals, and the optical ports in the M×1 optical port array of the first fiber array unit 11 are connected to the second detectors 42. For example, the M optical ports in the M×1 optical port array of the first fiber array unit 11 are connected one-to-one with the M second detectors 42.

[0132] To realize the monitoring optical signal emitted by the first monitoring light source 31, a portion is transmitted to the first detector 41 at the receiving end, and another portion is transmitted to the second detector 42 at the transmitting end. Correspondingly, the optical switching system also includes a second optical mirror assembly, which is arranged in the optical path between the first fiber array unit 11 and the first micromirror array 21. The second optical mirror assembly is used to: transmit a portion of the monitoring optical signal transmitted by the first monitoring light source 31 to the first micromirror array 21, and then via the first micromirror array 21 and the second micromirror array 22 to the first detector 41 to determine the power of the monitoring optical signal emitted by the first monitoring light source 31 at the receiving end; and transmit the other portion of the monitoring optical signal transmitted by the first monitoring light source 31 to the first fiber array unit 11, and then to the second detector 42 to determine the power of the monitoring optical signal emitted by the first monitoring light source 31 at the transmitting end.

[0133] Figure 6 shows a schematic diagram of the transmission of monitoring optical signals in an optical switching system. Referring to Figure 6, the second optical mirror assembly includes a first beam splitter 81, a second scanning mirror 72, and a third reflecting mirror 53. The first beam splitter 81 transmits a portion of the monitoring optical signal output from the first monitoring light source 31 to the first micromirror array 21, and reflects the other portion to the second scanning mirror 72. The second scanning mirror 72 reflects the monitoring optical signal reflected by the first beam splitter 81 to the third reflecting mirror 53. The third reflecting mirror 53 reflects the monitoring optical signal reflected by the second scanning mirror 72 to the second detector 42.

[0134] For example, referring to Figure 6, the monitoring light signal emitted by the first monitoring light source 31 is transmitted to the first beam splitter 81 through the first optical port of the first fiber optic array unit 11 (i.e., the optical port connected to the first monitoring light source 31 in the M×N optical port array). The first beam splitter 81 transmits most (e.g., 99%) of the monitoring light signal to the first micromirror array 21, so that it is transmitted to the first detector 41 via the second micromirror array 22 and the first optical mirror assembly. Continuing to refer to Figure 6, the first beam splitter 81 reflects a small portion (e.g., 1%) of the monitoring light signal to the second scanning mirror 72. The second scanning mirror 72 reflects the monitoring light signal to the third reflecting mirror 53. The third reflecting mirror 53 then reflects the monitoring light signal to a certain optical port in the M×1 optical port array of the first fiber optic array unit 11, and enters the second detector 42 connected to that optical port.

[0135] Similar to the first scanning mirror 71, the second scanning mirror 72 is also capable of translational movement in a two-dimensional plane to reflect the optical signal to the optical port in the M×1 optical port array of the first fiber array unit 11, and then into the second detector 42.

[0136] Similarly, in order to reduce the movement space of the second scanning mirror 72, as shown in FIG6, the second optical mirror assembly may also include a second lens 62. The second lens 62 may be a convex lens. The second lens 62 is used to transmit the light signal reflected by the first beam splitter 81 into the second scanning mirror 72, and also to transmit the light signal reflected by the second scanning mirror 72 into the third reflecting mirror 53.

[0137] Referring again to Figure 6, the monitoring light signal emitted by the first monitoring light source 31 is transmitted to the first beam splitter 81 through the first optical port of the first fiber optic array unit 11 (i.e., the optical port connected to the first monitoring light source 31 in the M×N optical port array). The first beam splitter 81 transmits most (e.g., 99%) of the monitoring light signal to the first micromirror array 21, and then through the second micromirror array 22 and the first optical mirror assembly to the first detector 41. Referring again to Figure 6, the first beam splitter 81 reflects a small portion (e.g., 1%) of the monitoring light signal to the second lens 62, which transmits it to the second scanning mirror 72. The second scanning mirror 72 reflects the monitoring light signal back to the second lens 62, which transmits it to the third reflecting mirror 53. The third reflecting mirror 53 then reflects the monitoring light signal to one of the optical ports in the M×1 optical port array of the first fiber optic array unit 11, and then into the second detector 42 connected to that optical port.

[0138] As described above, the service optical signal input to the first fiber array unit 11 can also enter the first detector 41 to monitor the insertion loss on the transmission link. Therefore, the power of the service optical signal input to the first fiber array unit 11 at the transmitting end can also be determined by transmitting it to the second detector 42 via the second optical mirror assembly. Accordingly, as shown in Figure 7, which is a schematic diagram of service optical signal transmission in an optical switching system, the second optical mirror assembly is also used to transmit a portion of the service optical signal input to the first fiber array unit 11 to the first micromirror array 21, and then, via the first micromirror array 21, the second micromirror array 22, and the first optical mirror assembly, to the second fiber array unit 12 and the first detector 41, to determine the power of the service optical signal input to the first fiber array unit 11 at the receiving end. Continuing to refer to Figure 7, the second optical mirror assembly is also used to transmit another portion of the service optical signal input to the first fiber array unit 11 to the second detector 42, to determine the power of the service optical signal input to the first fiber array unit 11 at the transmitting end.

[0139] Specifically, referring to Figure 7, the first beam splitter 81 is also used to transmit a portion (e.g., 99%) of the service optical signal input to the first fiber array unit 11 into the first micromirror array 21, so that it is reflected by the first micromirror array 21 and the second micromirror array 22 to the first reflector 51. The first reflector 51 then transmits a portion (e.g., 99%) of the incident service optical signal into the second fiber array unit 12 for output, and reflects another portion (e.g., 1%) to the first lens 61, and then through the first lens 61, the first scanning mirror 71 and the second reflector 52, to one optical port in the M×1 optical port array of the second fiber array unit 12, so that it enters the first detector 41 connected to the optical port, thereby determining the power of the service optical signal input to the first fiber array unit 11 at the receiving end.

[0140] Referring again to Figure 7, the first beam splitter 81 is also used to reflect another part (e.g., 1%) of the service optical signal input to the first fiber array unit 11 to the second lens 62. The second lens 62, the second scanning mirror 72, and the third reflecting mirror 53 then reflect the signal to one of the optical ports in the M×1 optical port array of the first fiber array unit 11, so that it enters the second detector 42 connected to the optical port, thereby determining the power of the service optical signal input to the first fiber array unit 11 at the transmitting end.

[0141] In one example, the optical switching system may further include a second monitoring light source 32 to monitor the insertion loss on the transmission link from the second fiber array unit 12 to the first fiber array unit 11, and whether the rotation angle of any micromirror in the first micromirror array 21 has reached an optimal angle. If the rotation angle of the micromirror is not the optimal angle, the rotation angle of the micromirror can be corrected so that the micromirror rotates at the optimal angle, thereby reducing the insertion loss on the transmission link.

[0142] Figure 8 shows a schematic diagram of the optical switching system. Referring to Figure 8, the second monitoring light source 32 is connected to the second fiber optic array unit 12, just as the first monitoring light source 31 is connected to the first fiber optic array unit 11. In the M×N optical port array of the second fiber optic array unit 12, a portion of the optical ports are connected to the second monitoring light source 32 to transmit monitoring optical signals, while the remaining optical ports are used to transmit service optical signals. For example, there may be one or more second monitoring light sources 32, and each second monitoring light source 32 is connected to one optical port in the M×N optical port array of the second fiber optic array unit 12.

[0143] As described above, the scanning field of view of any micromirror in the first micromirror array 21 covers all the micromirrors in the second micromirror array 22, and the scanning field of view of any micromirror in the second micromirror array 22 covers all the micromirrors in the first micromirror array 21. Therefore, having only one second monitoring light source 32 is sufficient to ensure that the generated monitoring light signal is incident on all the micromirrors in the first micromirror array 21.

[0144] For example, a second monitoring light source 32 is connected to any one of the optical ports (denoted as the second optical port) in the M×N optical port array of the second fiber optic array unit 12. The monitoring light signal generated by the second monitoring light source 32 is incident on the micromirrors (denoted as the second micromirrors) of the second micromirror array 22 corresponding to the second optical port. By adjusting the rotation angle of the second micromirror and the rotation angle of any one of the micromirrors in the first micromirror array 21, the second micromirror can reflect the incident monitoring light signal onto any one of the micromirrors in the first micromirror array 21. Therefore, although there is only one second monitoring light source 32, the generated monitoring light signal can hit all the micromirrors in the first micromirror array 21.

[0145] It can be seen that by using only one second monitoring light source 32, which occupies one optical port in the M×N optical port array of the second fiber array unit 12, it is possible to monitor the insertion loss on the transmission link where all the micromirrors of the first micromirror array 21 are located, and also to monitor whether the rotation angle of all the micromirrors of the first micromirror array 21 is a better rotation angle.

[0146] Of course, there can be multiple second monitoring light sources 32. Each second monitoring light source 32 is connected to one optical port in the M×N optical port array of the second fiber array unit 12. This scheme of multiple second monitoring light sources 32 can realize parallel monitoring of insertion loss on multiple transmission lines and improve the efficiency of insertion loss monitoring.

[0147] The optical switching system must also include a second detector 42 to receive the monitoring optical signal emitted by the second monitoring light source 32. The relevant introduction of the second detector 42 can be found above and will not be repeated here.

[0148] Referring to Figure 8, the second monitoring light source 32 is used to transmit the emitted monitoring light signal to the second detector 42 through the second micromirror array 22 and the first micromirror array 21, so as to determine the power of the monitoring light signal emitted by the second monitoring light source 32 at the receiving end.

[0149] For example, continuing to refer to Figure 8, the second monitoring light source 32 is used to transmit the emitted monitoring light signal to the second detector 42 through the second micromirror array 22, the first micromirror array 21 and the second optical mirror assembly.

[0150] Referring again to Figure 8, the second optical mirror assembly is used to transmit the monitoring light signal emitted by the second monitoring light source 32 and reflected by the first micromirror array 21 to the second detector 42 to determine the power of the monitoring light signal emitted by the second monitoring light source 32 at the receiving end. Of course, as described above, the second optical mirror assembly can also be used to transmit a portion of the monitoring light signal transmitted by the first monitoring light source 31 to the first micromirror array 21 for transmission to the first detector 41 to determine the power of the monitoring light signal emitted by the first monitoring light source 31 at the receiving end, and another portion to the first fiber optic array unit 11 for transmission to the second detector 42 to determine the power of the monitoring light signal emitted by the first monitoring light source 31 at the transmitting end.

[0151] Specifically, referring to Figure 8, the second optical mirror assembly includes not only the first beam splitter 81, the second scanning mirror 72 and the third reflecting mirror 53 mentioned above, but also a fourth reflecting mirror 54.

[0152] The monitoring light signal emitted by the second monitoring light source 32 is transmitted to the first beam splitter 81 via the second micromirror array 22 and the first micromirror array 21. The first beam splitter 81 reflects the monitoring light signal to the fourth reflector 54, which in turn reflects the monitoring light signal back to the first beam splitter 81. The first beam splitter 81 then transmits the monitoring light signal to the second lens 62, and then, via the second lens 62 and the third reflector 53, it is transmitted to one of the optical ports in the M×1 optical port array of the first fiber optic array unit 11. The signal then enters the second detector 42 connected to that optical port, thereby determining the power of the monitoring light signal emitted by the second monitoring light source 32 at the receiving end.

[0153] Figure 9 shows a schematic diagram of the transmission of monitoring optical signals in an optical switching system. Referring to Figure 9, the monitoring optical signal emitted by the first monitoring light source 31 is transmitted to the second detector 42 via the second optical mirror assembly, the first micromirror array 21, the second micromirror array 22, and the first optical mirror assembly. For a detailed description, please refer to the above description and it will not be repeated here.

[0154] In a scheme where the second optical mirror assembly includes a fourth reflector 54, the service optical signal transmitted from the second fiber array unit 12 to the first fiber array unit 11 can also be monitored for insertion loss on the transmission link.

[0155] Figure 10 shows a schematic diagram of service optical signal transmission in an optical switching system. Referring to Figure 10, the service optical signal input to the M×N optical port array of the second fiber array unit 12 is transmitted to the first beam splitter 81 via the second micromirror array 22 and the first micromirror array 21. The first beam splitter 81 transmits a portion (e.g., 99%) of the service optical signal through the M×N optical port array of the first fiber array unit 11 and outputs it outwards. The first beam splitter 81 also transmits the remaining portion (e.g., 1%) of the service optical signal back to the first fiber array unit 11. The incident optical signal is reflected by the fourth reflector 54 to the first beam splitter 81. The first beam splitter 81 then transmits the optical signal reflected by the fourth reflector 54 to the second lens 62. The signal is then reflected by the second lens 62, the second scanning mirror 72, and the third reflector 53 to the optical port of the M×1 optical port array of the first fiber array unit 11, and thus enters the second detector 42 connected to the optical port. This allows the power of the input optical signal of the second fiber array unit 12 at the receiving end to be determined.

[0156] In the scheme where the second optical mirror assembly includes a fourth reflector 54, the service optical signal transmitted from the first fiber array unit 11 to the second fiber array unit 12 can also be monitored for insertion loss on the transmission link. Refer to the above description and Figure 7 for further details.

[0157] In one example, the monitoring light signal emitted by the second monitoring light source 32 can also be transmitted to the first detector 41 via the first optical mirror assembly to determine the power of the transmitting end. Accordingly, as shown in Figure 11, which is a schematic diagram of the transmission of monitoring light signals in an optical switching system, the features included in the first optical mirror assembly are the same as those included in the second optical mirror assembly in Figure 11. Referring to Figure 11, the first optical mirror assembly includes a second beam splitter 82, a second reflector 52, a first lens 61, and a first scanning mirror 71. The monitoring light signal emitted by the second monitoring light source 32 is incident on the second beam splitter 82. The second beam splitter 82 transmits a portion (e.g., 99%) of the monitoring light signal to the second micromirror array 22, so that it enters the second detector 42 via the second optical mirror assembly to determine the power of the receiving end. Continuing to refer to Figure 11, the second beam splitter 82 reflects another portion (e.g., 1%) of the monitoring light signal to the first lens 61, so that it is transmitted to the first detector 41 via the first lens 61, the first scanning mirror 71, and the second reflector 52 to determine the power of the transmitting end.

[0158] In one example, to transmit the optical signal (such as a monitoring optical signal or a service optical signal) reflected by the second micromirror array 22 to the first detector 41, as shown in Figure 12, the first optical mirror assembly also includes a fifth reflecting mirror 55. The monitoring optical signal reflected by the second micromirror array 22 is incident on the second beam splitter 82, reflected by the second beam splitter 82 to the fifth reflecting mirror 55, reflected by the fifth reflecting mirror 55 back to the second beam splitter 82, and then transmitted by the second beam splitter 82 to the first lens 61. After passing through the first lens 61, the first scanning mirror 71, and the second reflecting mirror 52, it is reflected to the optical port in the M×1 optical port array of the second fiber optic array unit 12, and then enters the first detector 41. Thus, the power of the monitoring optical signal emitted by the first monitoring light source 31 at the receiving end is determined.

[0159] In one example, to transmit the service optical signal reflected by the second micromirror array 22 to the first detector 41, continuing to refer to Figure 12, the service optical signal reflected by the second micromirror array 22 is incident on the second beam splitter 82. The second beam splitter 82 transmits a portion of the incident service optical signal to the optical ports in the M×N optical port array of the second fiber array unit 12, and outputs it outward. The second beam splitter 82 reflects another portion of the incident service optical signal to the fifth reflector 55, which then reflects it back to the second beam splitter 82. The second beam splitter 82 then transmits it to the first lens 61, and via the first lens 61, the first scanning mirror 71, and the second reflector 52, it is reflected back to the optical ports in the M×1 optical port array of the second fiber array unit 12, and enters the first detector 41. Thus, the power of the service optical signal input to the first fiber array unit 11 at the receiving end is determined.

[0160] The above is a solution for monitoring insertion loss on transmission lines. As mentioned above, this embodiment can also monitor whether the rotation angle of the micromirrors in the micromirror array is an optimal rotation angle.

[0161] For example, the system's memory pre-stores the rotation angles of each micromirror in the first micromirror array 21 reflected onto each micromirror in the second micromirror array 22, and the rotation angles of each micromirror in the second micromirror array 22 reflected onto each micromirror in the first micromirror array 21. Refer to Table 1 below for the rotation angles of each micromirror reflected from the first micromirror array 21 onto each micromirror in the second micromirror array 22.

[0162] Table 1: Rotation angle of each micromirror reflected from the first micromirror array 21 to the second micromirror array 22.

[0163] Each micromirror typically rotates within an xy plane. The rotation angle of a micromirror generally includes the rotation angle around the x-axis and the rotation angle around the y-axis.

[0164] For example, when the system controller controls a micromirror (denoted as micromirror 1) in the first micromirror array 21 to reflect onto a micromirror (denoted as micromirror 2) in the second micromirror array 22, it controls the rotation of micromirror 1 in the first micromirror array 21 and micromirror 2 in the second micromirror array 22 based on pre-stored rotation angles of micromirror 1 in the first micromirror array 21 and micromirror 2 in the second micromirror array 22. The controller then corrects the pre-stored rotation angles of micromirror 1 in the first micromirror array 21 and micromirror 2 in the second micromirror array 22 based on the maximum power value received by the detector at the receiving end. For example, the rotation angle of micromirror 1 in the first micromirror array 21 corresponding to the maximum power value is determined as the corrected rotation angle of micromirror 1 in the first micromirror array 21 and stored. The rotation angle of micromirror 2 in the second micromirror array 22 corresponding to the maximum power value is determined as the corrected rotation angle of micromirror 2 in the second micromirror array 22 and stored. Then, when controlling micromirror 1 in the first micromirror array 21 to reflect onto micromirror 2 in the second micromirror array 22 next time, the rotation of the two micromirrors is controlled based on the corrected rotation angle.

[0165] It should be noted that when there is service optical signal transmission on one or more transmission lines, the service optical signal is used to monitor the insertion loss and micromirror rotation on these transmission lines. When there is no service optical signal transmission on one or more transmission lines, the monitoring optical signal is used to monitor the insertion loss and micromirror rotation on these transmission lines.

[0166] It should be noted that the above-mentioned conditions for triggering monitoring can be that, when the monitoring cycle is reached, the system controller controls the first monitoring light source 31 or the second monitoring light source 32 to generate a monitoring light signal. Alternatively, the system's operation panel has a monitoring button. After the technician operates the monitoring button, the monitoring button sends a command to the controller. After receiving the command, the controller controls the first monitoring light source 31 or the second monitoring light source 32 to generate a monitoring light signal.

[0167] In one example, the monitoring light signal generated by the first monitoring light source 31 and the second monitoring light source 32 can be continuous light or modulated pulsed light.

[0168] In scenarios where the monitoring optical signal is pulsed light, the backscattered Rayleigh light generated by the monitoring optical signal on the transmission link can be used as a basis. Since the Rayleigh scattering signals generated at different locations on the transmission link return to the input end at different times, the location information corresponding to the scattered light can be determined based on the time delay, thereby realizing spatial fault location.

[0169] It should be noted that the first fiber array unit 11, the second fiber array unit 12, the first micromirror array 21, the second micromirror array 22, the first optical mirror assembly, and the second optical mirror assembly can be integrated into a single device (such as an OXC device or an OCS device), while the first monitoring light source, the second monitoring light source, the first detector, and the second detector are all located outside the device. Alternatively, the first optical mirror assembly and the second optical mirror assembly can also be located outside the device.

[0170] It should be noted that two or more optical mirrors that are adjacent in position can be individually arranged optical mirrors or different surfaces on a structural component (such as a prism). For example, in Figure 8, the first reflecting mirror 51 and the second reflecting mirror 52 can be two individually arranged optical mirrors or two surfaces integrated on a structural component. This embodiment does not limit the specific implementation structure of the above-mentioned optical mirrors (such as reflecting mirrors, lenses, and beam splitters).

[0171] In this embodiment, insertion loss monitoring is performed using a monitoring optical signal generated by a first monitoring light source. Compared to using a service optical signal for insertion loss monitoring, this method allows for real-time monitoring, unaffected by the presence or absence of a service optical signal. Furthermore, a single first monitoring light source can monitor the insertion loss of all micromirrors in the second micromirror array, thus achieving insertion loss monitoring of all micromirrors while occupying fewer optical ports in the fiber optic array unit.

[0172] The terminology used in the embodiments of this disclosure is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the disclosure. Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in the embodiments of this disclosure should be understood in their ordinary sense by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. The terms "first," "second," and similar terms used in this specification and claims do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different components. Similarly, "a" or "an," and similar terms do not indicate a quantity limitation, but rather indicate the presence of at least one. The terms "comprising," "including," and similar terms mean that the elements or objects preceding "comprising" or "including" encompass the elements or objects listed following "comprising" or "including" and their equivalents, but do not exclude other elements or objects. "Upper," "lower," "left," "right," etc., are used only to indicate relative positional relationships; when the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly. "A plurality" refers to two or more, unless otherwise expressly defined.

[0173] The above description is merely an optional embodiment of this disclosure and is not intended to limit this disclosure. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the principles of this disclosure should be included within the protection scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. An optical switching system, characterized in that, The optical switching system includes a first fiber array unit (11), a second fiber array unit (12), a first micromirror array (21), a second micromirror array (22), a first monitoring light source (31), and a first detector (41); The first micromirror array (21) is located in the optical path of the first fiber array unit (11), the second micromirror array (22) is located in the optical path of the second fiber array unit (12), and the second micromirror array (22) is located in the optical path of the first micromirror array (21); The first monitoring light source (31) is connected to the first fiber optic array unit (11), and the first detector (41) is connected to the second fiber optic array unit (12); The first monitoring light source (31) is used to transmit the emitted monitoring light signal without carrying business information to the first detector (41) through the first micromirror array (21) and the second micromirror array (22) to determine the power of the monitoring light signal emitted by the first monitoring light source (31) at the receiving end.

2. The optical switching system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The optical switching system further includes a first optical mirror assembly, which is arranged in the optical path between the second micromirror array (22) and the second fiber array unit (12) to transmit the monitoring optical signal reflected by the second micromirror array (22) to the first detector (41).

3. The optical switching system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first optical mirror assembly includes a first reflecting mirror (51), a first scanning mirror (71), and a second reflecting mirror (52); The first reflector (51) is used to reflect the monitoring light signal reflected by the second micromirror array (22) to the first scanning mirror (71); the first scanning mirror (71) is used to reflect the monitoring light signal reflected by the first reflector (51) to the second reflector (52); the second reflector (52) is used to reflect the monitoring light signal reflected by the first scanning mirror (71) to the first detector (41).

4. The optical switching system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first optical mirror assembly is also used to transmit a portion of the service optical signal carrying service information from the first fiber array unit (11) to the second micromirror array (22), and another portion to the first detector (41), so as to determine the power of the service optical signal input to the first fiber array unit (11) at the receiving end.

5. The optical switching system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first optical mirror assembly includes a first reflecting mirror (51), a first scanning mirror (71), and a second reflecting mirror (52); The first reflector (51) is used to reflect the monitoring optical signal reflected by the second micromirror array (22) to the first scanning mirror (71), and to transmit part of the service optical signal reflected by the second micromirror array (22) to the second fiber array unit (12) and reflect the other part to the first scanning mirror (71). The first scanning mirror (71) is used to reflect the monitoring optical signal and the service optical signal reflected by the first reflector (51) to the second reflector (52); the second reflector (52) is used to reflect the monitoring optical signal and the service optical signal reflected by the first scanning mirror (71) to the first detector (41).

6. The optical switching system according to claim 3 or 5, characterized in that, The first optical mirror assembly further includes a first lens (61), which is used to transmit the light signal reflected by the first reflector (51) to the first scanning mirror (71) and to transmit the light signal reflected by the first scanning mirror (71) to the second reflector (52), wherein the light signal is a monitoring light signal or a service light signal.

7. The optical switching system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The optical switching system further includes a second detector (42) and a second optical mirror assembly. The second detector (42) is connected to the first fiber array (11), and the second optical mirror assembly is arranged in the optical path between the first fiber array unit (11) and the first micromirror array (21). The second optical mirror assembly is used to: transmit a portion of the monitoring optical signal transmitted by the first monitoring light source (31) to the first micromirror array (21) to the first detector (41) to determine the power of the monitoring optical signal emitted by the first monitoring light source (31) at the receiving end, and transmit the other portion to the first fiber array unit (11) to the second detector (42) to determine the power of the monitoring optical signal emitted by the first monitoring light source (31) at the transmitting end.

8. The optical switching system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The second optical mirror assembly includes a first beam splitter (81), a second scanning mirror (72), and a third reflecting mirror (53); The first beam splitter (81) is used to transmit part of the monitoring light signal output by the first monitoring light source (31) to the first micromirror array (21) and reflect the other part to the second scanning mirror (72); the second scanning mirror (72) is used to reflect the monitoring light signal reflected by the first beam splitter (81) to the third reflecting mirror (53); the third reflecting mirror (53) is used to reflect the monitoring light signal reflected by the second scanning mirror (72) to the second detector (42).

9. The optical switching system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The second optical mirror assembly is further configured to: transmit a portion of the service optical signal transmitted by the first fiber array unit (11) to the first micromirror array (21) for transmission to the second fiber array unit (12) and the first detector (41) to determine the power of the service optical signal emitted by the first fiber array unit (11) at the receiving end; and transmit another portion to the first fiber array unit (11) for transmission to the second detector (42) to determine the power of the service optical signal emitted by the first fiber array unit (11) at the transmitting end.

10. The optical switching system according to claim 9, characterized in that, The second optical mirror assembly includes a first beam splitter (81), a second scanning mirror (72), and a third reflecting mirror (53); The first beam splitter (81) is used to transmit part of the monitoring light signal output by the first monitoring light source (31) to the first micromirror array (21) and reflect the other part to the second scanning mirror (72), and to transmit part of the service light signal output by the first fiber array unit (11) to the first micromirror array (21) and reflect the other part to the second scanning mirror (72). The second scanning mirror (72) is used to reflect the monitoring optical signal and the service optical signal reflected by the first beam splitter (81) to the second detector (42).

11. The optical switching system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The optical switching system further includes a second monitoring light source (32) and a second detector (42), the second monitoring light source (32) being connected to the second fiber array unit (12), and the second detector (42) being connected to the first fiber array unit (11); The second monitoring light source (32) is used to transmit the emitted monitoring light signal without carrying business information to the second detector (42) through the second micromirror array (22) and the first micromirror array (21) to determine the power of the monitoring light signal emitted by the second monitoring light source (32) at the receiving end.

12. The optical switching system according to claim 11, characterized in that, The optical switching system further includes a second optical mirror assembly, which is arranged in the optical path between the first micromirror array (21) and the first fiber array unit (11) to transmit the monitoring optical signal reflected by the first micromirror array (21) to the second detector (42).

13. The optical switching system according to claim 12, characterized in that, The second optical mirror assembly is further configured to: transmit a portion of the monitoring light signal transmitted by the first monitoring light source (31) to the first micromirror array (21) for transmission to the first detector (41) to determine the power of the monitoring light signal emitted by the first monitoring light source (31) at the receiving end, and transmit the other portion to the second detector (42) to determine the power of the monitoring light signal emitted by the first monitoring light source (31) at the transmitting end.

14. The optical switching system according to claim 13, characterized in that, The second optical mirror assembly includes a first beam splitter (81), a second scanning mirror (72), a third reflecting mirror (53), and a fourth reflecting mirror (54); The fourth reflector (54) is used to reflect the monitoring light signal reflected to the fourth reflector (54) via the first micromirror array (21) and the first beam splitter (81) back to the first beam splitter (81). The first beam splitter (81) is used to transmit the monitoring light signal reflected by the fourth reflector (54) to the second scanning mirror (72). The second scanning mirror (72) is used to reflect the monitoring light signal transmitted by the first beam splitter (81) back to the third reflector (53). The third reflector (53) is used to reflect the monitoring light signal reflected by the second scanning mirror (72) back to the second detector (42). The first beam splitter (81) is used to transmit part of the monitoring light signal output by the first monitoring light source (31) to the first micromirror array (21) and reflect the other part to the second scanning mirror (72); the second scanning mirror (72) is used to reflect the monitoring light signal reflected by the first beam splitter (81) to the third reflecting mirror (53).

15. The optical switching system according to claim 8, 10, or 14, characterized in that, The second optical mirror assembly further includes a second lens (62), which is used to transmit the optical signal transmitted by the first beam splitter (81) to the second scanning mirror (72) and to transmit the optical signal reflected by the second scanning mirror (72) to the third reflecting mirror (53), wherein the optical signal is a monitoring optical signal or a service optical signal.

16. The optical switching system according to any one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that, The number of the second monitoring light source (32) is one, and the second monitoring light source (32) is connected to one optical port of the second fiber array unit (12).

17. The optical switching system according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that, The number of the first monitoring light source (31) is one, and the first monitoring light source (31) is connected to one optical port of the first fiber array unit (11).

18. The optical switching system according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that, Both the first fiber array unit (11) and the second fiber array unit (12) include an M×N optical port array; The optical ports in the M×N optical port array of the first fiber array unit (11) correspond one-to-one with the micromirrors of the first micromirror array (21), and the optical ports in the M×N optical port array of the second fiber array unit (12) correspond one-to-one with the micromirrors of the second micromirror array (22). In the M×N optical port array of the first fiber array unit (11), a portion of the optical ports are connected to the first monitoring light source (31), and the other portion of the optical ports are used to transmit service optical signals carrying service information.

19. The optical switching system according to claim 18, characterized in that, The second fiber array unit (12) further includes an M×1 optical port array, which is located on one side of the M×N optical port array along the arrangement direction of the N columns of optical ports; There are multiple first detectors (41), and the optical ports in the M×1 optical port array of the second fiber array unit (12) are connected to the first detectors (41) one by one.

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