Optical Switch Beam Steering Reduction via Intermediary Lenses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical switches with high port counts require large beam steering angles and fiber array sizes, which can lead to increased manufacturing complexity and potential cross-talk issues due to the introduction of lenses between mirror arrays.
Innovation Solution
The optical switch design incorporates a set of optical elements in the region of optical coupling between beam-forming and beam-steering elements, which increases the size and spacing of optical beams, allowing for reduced beam steering angles and smaller fiber array sizes without introducing cross-talk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional optical switches use high port counts with large beam steering angles, then switching capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cross-talk issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameters by introducing optical elements that modify beam propagation characteristics. Specifically, it transforms diverging beams into parallel beams or controls their divergence, thereby reducing the required beam steering angles while maintaining high port count switching capability. This parameter transformation resolves the contradiction by enabling versatile switching without requiring large steering angles that complicate manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical elements (lenses, beam shaping components) as intermediary components between the fiber array and beam steering elements. These intermediaries transform the beam characteristics before they reach the steering elements, reducing the steering angle requirements and simplifying the overall device manufacturing while preserving switching capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fiber array size is increased to accommodate high port counts, then switching capacity is improved, but cross-talk issues and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the spatial distribution and propagation characteristics of optical beams using optical elements. By controlling beam divergence and positioning, it enables smaller fiber arrays to achieve the same effective switching capacity, thereby reducing alignment precision requirements and manufacturing difficulty while maintaining switching capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces additional optical dimensions by manipulating beam propagation in multiple spatial dimensions through optical elements. This transforms the problem from requiring larger physical arrays to achieving equivalent capacity through controlled beam transformation, reducing manufacturing precision demands.
3Device complexity
If beam steering angle is reduced, then device complexity is reduced, but fiber array size must be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms beam propagation parameters using optical elements, converting diverging beams into parallel or controlled divergence beams. This transformation reduces the required beam steering angles while maintaining compact fiber array sizes, effectively resolving the contradiction between reduced device complexity and controlled array size.
Solution Approach 2:
Optical elements serve as intermediaries that decouple the relationship between fiber array size and beam steering angle. By transforming beam characteristics before steering, these intermediaries enable small arrays with low steering angles, simultaneously achieving reduced complexity and compact size.
4Ease of manufacture
If optical elements are introduced to reduce beam steering angles, then manufacturing is simplified, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces optical elements as intermediaries that simplify the overall device manufacturing by reducing beam steering angle requirements. While these elements add local complexity, they eliminate the need for high-precision steering mechanisms, resulting in net simplification of manufacturing processes and reduced cross-talk issues.
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 design achieves reduced beam steering requirements and smaller optical port and beam-forming element arrays, while avoiding cross-talk, thereby simplifying manufacturing and improving performance.
Implementation Method 1
a first set of optical elements to cause an area of a projected beam-array field at a plane of the first array of beam-forming elements to be larger than an area of the first array of beam-forming elements
Implementation Method 2
a second set of optical elements to cause an area of a projected beam-array field at a plane of a second array of beam-forming elements of the optical device to be larger than an area of the second array of beam-forming elements
Data Source
AI summary
An optical switch may include a first array of optical ports, a first array of beam-forming elements, and a first array of beam steering elements. The optical switch may further include a first set of optical elements to cause an area of a projected beam-array field at a plane of the first array of beam-forming elements to be larger than an area of the first array of beam-forming elements. The first set of optical elements may be in a region of optical coupling between the first array of beam-forming elements and the first array of beam steering elements. The optical switch may include a second array of beam steering elements, a second array of beam-forming elements, and a second array of optical ports.