Calient Networks, Inc.

Calient Technologies, Inc.

David Edward Welsh

Roger Jonathan Helkey

John E Bowers

Xuezhe Zheng

Adrian Keating

Tony Walter

Robert G Anderson

Bin Liu

Daniel Jacob Blumenthal

Charles Matthew Corbalis

Kevin J White

Kevin Seichi Yamada

Peter Hunt

Shifu Yuan

Roger Jonathon Helkey

John Matthew Chong

Yuanjian Xu

Chandrasekhar Pusarla

Walt Joseph Fant

James R Sechrist

Dan Blumenthal

Walter Joseph Fant

Paul Wills

Bart Erwin

David Kinghorn

Olivier Jerphagnon

R Kehl Sink

A wavelength-selective optical switch for switching arbitrary wavelengths between optical fibers in mesh networks, using interference filters for separating optical wavelengths, and two-dimensional arrays of micromirrors for switching. Broadband switch inputs and outputs are provided for adding and dropping arbitrary wavelengths at each node of the network. A two-stage multiplexer and two-stage demultiplexer are provided to simplify the free-space demultiplexer and multiplexer. Mechanisms are provided that allows full non-blocking functionality in the presence of finite yield of the micromirror arrays.

Wavelength dependent optical switch

An optical switching apparatus is provided. Generally, a plurality of optical input switches is provided. A plurality of optical output switches is provided. A plurality of central optical switches connected between the plurality of input switches and plurality of output switches is provided. A plurality of test light sources, where each test light source is connected to an optical input switch, is provided. A first plurality of optical detectors connected to the optical output switches is provided.

Method and apparatus for monitoring optical switches

An optical switch embodiment includes a switching array of arranged to accomplish switching of input light beams to any of a plurality of output channels and an array of beam monitoring elements for indirectly measuring and providing information used for adjusting output beams. The beam monitoring element further includes means for measuring the angular misalignment and the positional misalignment of a monitor beam and adjusting the reflectors based on monitor beam information such that optical beams are output from the switch having the desired optical characteristics, such as optimized power. Another optical switch embodiment includes an array of rhomboid prism assemblies positioned to receive the output beams from the switching array and such that the beams are split into substantially parallel working and monitor beams. Whereby the working beams pass into the plurality of output channels and the monitor beams pass into the plurality of beam monitoring elements where they are measured to provide information for adjusting the angular misalignment and the positional misalignment of the working beam.

Method and apparatus for indirect adjustment of optical switch reflectors

Optical switch package

The invention provides an optical switch comprising a housing, an input optical fiber, a mirror substrate, an input pivoting mirror, an output optical fiber, a first optical splitter, and a first optical detector. The input optical fiber propagates a light beam and is secured to the housing. The mirror substrate is secured to the housing. The input pivoting mirror is located in a path of the light beam after leaving the input optical fiber. The input pivoting mirror is pivotally secured to the mirror substrate. Pivoting of the mirror relative to the mirror substrate alters an angle with which the light beam is reflected therefrom. The output optical fiber is secured to the housing and has an end through which the light beam enters after being reflected by the input pivoting mirror. The first optical splitter is located in a path of the light beam after leaving the input optical fiber. The first optical splitter splits the light beam into a first propagated portion and a first monitoring portion. The first propagated portion is propagated through the output optical fiber and the first monitoring portion is detected by the first optical detector.

Optical switch with internal monitoring

A method and apparatus hermetically sealing a fiber array block is described. In one embodiment, a fiber array plate is fabricated and an array of tapered holes formed therein. An adhering metal layer, such as a titanium, nickel and gold multilayer, is deposited upon the fiber array plate. A solder preform is positioned on the fiber array plate so that the array of holes in the solder preform corresponds to the array of holes in the array plate. Fibers having an adhering metal layer deposited thereon, are then inserted through the fiber array plate. The tapered holes make the fiber insertion process easier. The fiber array plate is then heated such that the solder preform melts causing the solder to fill any gaps between the fiber array plates and the fiber. When the solder cools a hermetic seal is formed while the fibers remain accurately positioned.

Method and apparatus for hermetically sealing fiber array blocks

An optical cross-connect with integrated optical signal tap is disclosed. In one embodiment, the switch includes two or more optical fiber input ports, lenses to produce collimated beams, one or more optical taps to couple a portion of the optical power from one or more input ports to one or more sample ports, movable mirrors to connect any input port with any output port, two or more optical fiber output ports, and lens to couple collimated beams into the output ports.

Optical cross-connect switch with integrated optical signal tap

An optical switch having switch mirror arrays controlled by scanning beams that reduce the amount of electrical connections required and reduce the complexity for constructing large optical switches. Movement of the switch mirror arrays is controlled by one or more scanning beams. The optical switch includes one or more arrays of optical switch inputs and outputs and one or more arrays of movable mirrors to direct light beams from the optical switch inputs to the optical switch outputs. The optical switch also includes one or more control elements to control the movable mirrors based on scanning beams directed to the one or more control elements.

Optical switch having switch mirror arrays controlled by scanning beams

Growing community of inventors

Yorba Linda, CA, United States of America

David Edward Welsh