Gte Laboratories Incorporated

Sarah S Cousins

Carl F Buhrer

W John Carlsen

Alfred H Bellows

A true n-by-n optical crosspoint matrix switch has n optical fiber outputs each carrying the same light that entered the switch at one of n fiber inputs, maintaining the full optical spectral characteristics although the polarization states may be modified. A mounting plate on a patch panel has an n-by-n array of connection adapters in n rows and no columns. An electromechanical positioning mechanism is utilized to position n input fibers along one row to any of n adapter positions each in a different column on a first side of said plate, and n output fibers along one column to any one of n adapter positions, each in a different row on a second side of said plate. Any input fiber can be connected to any output fiber and none of the adapters are shared by more than one input or one output connector. The electromechanical positioning mechanism includes a pair of cam driven walking legs supporting a fiber carrier one for each column on the first side of said plate and one for each row on the second side of said patch plate. The fiber carriers step linearly from one adapter position to the next, raising and lowering the fiber to break or make connections.

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Boston, MA, United States of America

Sarah S Cousins