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:
Feb. 03, 2004
Filed:
Sep. 06, 2001
Avigdor Huber, Yehud, IL;
Assaf Nahum, Gedera, IL;
Atzmon Ofri, Kiriat Ekron, IL;
Michael M. Tilleman, Kfar Sava, IL;
Idan Paiss, Tel Aviv, IL;
Richard Tasgal, Tel Aviv, IL;
Galia Goldner, Tel Aviv, IL;
William A. Bodkin, Needham, MA (US);
Tera Op (USA) Inc., Wilmington, DE (US);
Abstract
A spatial light modulator (SLM) has electrically controllable microelectromechanical reflectors arranged in a chain-like manner along an axis such that an optical beam propagates by reflection from an input down the chain to an output. Each reflector can be moved to a selected one of a number of discrete switching positions. The position determines the angle at which the beam is reflected toward the next reflector in the chain. The combination of positions in which the reflectors are oriented is determinative of the angle at which the signal exits the output. The SLM can be included in a switch. An SLM in the input section of the switch can be adjusted to direct the beam such that it impinges upon a selected switch output. Multiple SLMs can be included in an array to provide a cross-connect or crossbar switch.