Optical switching apparatus

Abstract

An optical matrix switch station ( 1 ) is shown mounting a plurality of optical switch units ( 15, 17 ), each of which includes a mirror ( 29 ), moveable in two axes, for purpose of switching light beams from one optical fiber to another. A mirror assembly ( 41 ) is formed from a single body of silicon and comprises a frame portion ( 43 ), gimbals ( 45 ), mirror portion ( 47 ), and related hinges ( 55 ). Magnets ( 53, 54 ) and air coils ( 89 ) are utilized to position the central mirror surface ( 29 ) to a selected orientation. The moveable mirror and associated magnets along with control LED's ( 71 ) are hermetically packaged in a header ( 81 ) and mounted with the air coils on mounting bracket ( 85 ) to form a micromirror assembly package ( 99 ) mounted in each optical switch unit.

1 .- 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A method for use in operating an optical beam switching system for transmitting an optical beam from at least one source to at least one of a plurality of optical receptors, said method comprising the steps of:
 providing one or more beam directing devices in an optical pathway of said optical beam, said beam-directing devices being operative for selectively redirecting said optical beam;   obtaining information from at least one feedback device, indicating an actual beam redirection position associated with at least one of said beam directing devices; and   selectively repositioning said at least one of said beam directing devices based on said information.   
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein said step of obtaining information comprises disposing said at least one feedback device adjacent to at least one of the beam directing devices. 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein said step of obtaining information comprises disposing said at least one feedback device adjacent to at least one of the optical receptors. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein at least one of said beam-directing devices is a movable mirror. 
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein said step of repositioning comprises moving the movable mirror about at least one axis of rotation. 
     
     
         16 . A method as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said step of obtaining information comprises obtaining said information from a radiation emitter device. 
     
     
         17 . A method as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said step of obtaining information comprises obtaining said information from a servo control element. 
     
     
         18 . A method as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said step of obtaining information comprises obtaining said information from a data gathering and transmission element. 
     
     
         19 . A method as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said step of providing comprises providing at least one first beam directing device and at least one second beam directing device, said at least one first beam directing device being operative for redirecting said optical beam between said at least one source and said at least one second beam directing device and said at least one second beam directing device being operative for redirecting said optical beam between said at least one first beam directing device and said at least one of a plurality of optical receptors. 
     
     
         20 . A method as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein said step of providing further comprises providing at least one additional beam directing device operative for redirecting said optical beam between said at least one first beam directing device and said at least one second beam directing device. 
     
     
         21 . A method for use in operating an optical beam switching system for transmitting an optical beam from at least one source to at least one of a plurality of optical receptors, said method comprising the steps of:
 providing one or more beam directing devices in an optical pathway of said optical beam, said beam-directing devices being operative for selectively redirecting said optical beam;   obtaining information from a feedback device, indicating an actual beam redirection position associated with at least one of said beam directing devices;   performing a comparison of the actual beam redirection position with a desired beam-redirection position; and   selectively repositioning the first beam-directing device based on the comparison.   
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein said step of obtaining information comprises disposing at least one radiation emitter adjacent to at least one of the beam directing devices. 
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein said step of obtaining information comprises disposing at least one radiation emitter adjacent to at least one of the optical receptors. 
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein at least one of said beam-directing devices is a movable mirror. 
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 24 , wherein said step of repositioning comprises moving the movable mirror about at least one axis of rotation. 
     
     
         26 . A method as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein said step of obtaining information comprises obtaining said information from a radiation emitter device. 
     
     
         27 . A method as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein said step of obtaining information comprises obtaining said information from a servo control element. 
     
     
         28 . A method as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein said step of obtaining information comprises obtaining said information from a data gathering and transmission element. 
     
     
         29 . A method as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein said step of providing comprises providing at least one first beam directing device and at least one second beam directing device, said at least one first beam directing device being operative for redirecting said optical beam between said at least one source and said at least one second beam directing device and said at least one second beam directing device being operative for redirecting said optical beam between said at least one first beam directing device and said at least one of a plurality of optical receptors. 
     
     
         30 . A method as set forth in  claim 29 , wherein said step of providing further comprises providing at least one additional beam directing device operative for redirecting said optical beam between said at least one first beam directing device and said at least one second beam directing device.