Creo Srl

Valentin Karasyuk

Thomas Walter Steiner

Michel G Laberge

An optical cross-connect switch is disclosed for switching optical communication signals between any of a plurality of input optical channels and any of a plurality of output optical channels. The switch comprises a first pattern projector configured to project one or more first control signal radiation patterns and a plurality of output encoders. Each output encoder is associated with one of the plurality of output optical channels. Each output encoder is positioned, relative to its associated output optical channel and the first pattern projector, to receive the first control signal radiation patterns and to detect at least a portion of one or more corresponding output Moir&#xe9; interference patterns produced by the control signal radiation patterns. Each output encoder is configured to generate a corresponding output control signal indicative of an intensity of detected output Moir&#xe9; interference patterns.

Optical cross-connect switch

A method and apparatus are disclosed for an optical fiber cross-connect switch incorporating an absolute position encoder and a magnetic actuation system into its alignment system. The switch comprises two optically opposed arrays of fiber-optic switching units, each of which contains a single fiber active to send or receive an optical communication signal. The magnetic actuation system comprising four magnetically polarizable actuator branches positioned surrounding the fiber and a magnetizable disk circumferentially attached to the fiber end. Selective magnetic polarization of the actuator branches bends the fiber end. A two-dimensional Moir&eacute; type position encoder determines the absolute position of the fiber end. The encoder comprises at east one plurality of radiation sources, which emits pulses of radiation (control signals) directed toward the switching units. Each switching unit is equipped with a reticle, an optical system that focuses the control signals onto the reticle, and a single photodetector, which measures the power of the control signals transmitted through the reticle. A controller uses the measured control signals to determine the two-dimensional position of the fiber in that switching unit and to generate actuation signals, which form the input for the actuation system.

Optical cross connect switch having improved alignment control system

A method and apparatus are disclosed for a two-dimensional Moir&eacute; type absolute position encoder and an associated control system. A reticle having a pattern variation in two orthogonal directions is illuminated with radiation from a source which is structured so as to create a two dimensional Moir&eacute; interference at the reticle. Radiation pulses from the radiation source are multiplexed in time and the resulting interference fringes are converted into electronic signals using a detector. A controller uses the electrical signals to determine the absolute position of the reticle in two dimensions to within the area of a particular cell. After determining the particular cell location, the controller also employs the signals from the groups of radiation stripes to calculate an accurate position of the reticle within the cell.

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Ottawa, Canada

Valentin Karasyuk