The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 14, 1993
Filed:
Mar. 17, 1992
Fritz Gfeller, Rueschlikon, CH;
Peter L Heinzmann, Windlach, CH;
Oliver Martin, Adliswil, CH;
Johann R Mueller, Langnau am Albis, CH;
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
This invention relates to a remotely optically powered fiber optic switch, e.g. in a fiber optic network, and a GRIN-rod (Graded-Refractive-Index-rod) lens with integrated planar mirror as a switching element, in particular suited for fiber optic switches. A distribution panel, in which the switching element, a wavelength-division demultiplexer, a light-into-current converter, and an actuator for the switching element are situated, is remotely optically powered from a station in the network. Part of this station is a laser diode which feeds a powering lightwave via a wavelength-division multiplexer into an optical fiber interconnecting the station with the distribution panel, which fiber can also be used for data transmission. The light-into-current converter receives the powering lightwave and generates an electric current for driving the actuator and moving the switching element. A GRIN-rod lens with integrated planar mirror serves as switching element by rotating it in a ferrule and establishing different light paths depending on the position of the integrated mirror with respect to lightwaves optically coupled to the end facets of the GRIN-rod.