DMD Chip Lens Array for Large-Capacity Optical Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical switch technologies, such as MEMS chip switches, are inadequate for large-capacity optical fiber communication systems as they cannot efficiently handle the increasing demand for communication information and addresses, leading to bandwidth compression and interference issues, and lack the scalability to match the capacity of electronic program-controlled exchanges.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) technology, which uses DMD chips with multiple lenses arranged in arrays to achieve high reflection angles and extended connectivity, enabling the creation of large-capacity optical switches with input/output capabilities exceeding tens of thousands of lines, allowing for efficient switching and reduced interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If MEMS chip optical fiber switches with 4×4 or 1×n structure are used, then the switching capacity is limited to about ten lines, but the structure is simple and easy to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber switch is divided into multiple DMD chips, each functioning as an independent switching module. Each DMD chip contains multiple lenses that can be independently controlled to reflect laser beams to different output optical fibers. This segmentation allows the system to achieve large-capacity switching (10,000 to 10 million lines) by combining multiple modular units, resolving the contradiction between switching capacity and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from the traditional two-dimensional matrix structure (4×4 or 1×n) to a one-dimensional array structure where DMD chips are arranged in sequence. Each DMD chip processes multiple optical fibers simultaneously through its array of lenses, effectively adding a dimensional aspect to the switching capacity without proportionally increasing structural complexity.
2Reliability
If optical-electrical-optical conversion is performed multiple times through electronic devices, then the bandwidth is compressed and performance is reduced, but the system can handle cable breaks and faults
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electronic conversion system with a pure optical switching system using DMD chips. The DMD chip's micro-mirrors and lenses directly redirect optical signals without converting to electrical signals, eliminating bandwidth compression and performance degradation while maintaining fault tolerance through redundant optical path configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The DMD chip acts as an intermediary device that directly switches optical signals between input and output optical fibers without requiring electrical conversion. This intermediary optical switching mechanism preserves signal integrity and bandwidth while providing fault tolerance through multiple controllable optical paths.
3Quantity of substance
If small-capacity optical switches are used, then the structure is simple, but they cannot match the capacity of ten-thousand-line electronic switches
Solution Approach 1:
The DMD chip is designed as a universal switching module that can be configured for different switching capacities by adjusting the number of active lenses and optical fiber connections. The same basic DMD chip structure can support both small-capacity and large-capacity switching applications, providing multi-functionality that resolves the contradiction between capacity and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple DMD chips are nested or arranged in sequence to build up switching capacity. Each DMD chip handles a portion of the total switching task, and their combined capability achieves 10,000 to 10 million line capacity. This nested arrangement allows incremental scaling of capacity without proportionally increasing individual component complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables the development of optical switches capable of handling over 10,000 to 10 million lines, ensuring uninterrupted communication by quickly rerouting optical fibers when faults occur, thereby overcoming the limitations of existing technologies and meeting the demands of high-speed optical fiber communication systems.
Implementation Method 1
the lenses reflect the rays to the corresponding output optical fibers
Data Source
AI summary
An optical switch for optical fiber large-capacity stored program control exchanges. Optical transmission among optical fibers is performed through the reflection of lasers by a lens part of DMD chips. The lens part of the DMD chips consists of at least two single lenses or at least two lens basic units arranged in an one-dimensional array. The lens basic units are formed by arranging a number of single lenses in an n×n matrix, wherein 2≤n≤10. The one-dimensional array is arranged in such a direction that lasers do not interfere with each other after reflection. The area of the single lenses or that of the lens basic units is no less than the cross-sectional area of a single optical fiber.