Apparatus and method for providing an optical cross-connect

Abstract

An optical cross-connect for shifting the location of one or more light beams in and array of light beams is provided. An exemplary embodiment of an optical cross connect includes an input array for inputting an array of light beams; at least a portion of a spherical lens; a plurality of microelectrical mechanical devices; and a plurality of mirrors. The microelectrical mechanical devices are located at a distance away from the spherical lens that is approximately equal to the focal point of the spherical lens. The microelectrical mechanical devices include a plurality of individually controllable pixels for directing one or more light beams in the array of light beams through the at least a portion of a spherical lens and onto two or more mirrors. The two or more mirrors may be located at a distance away from the spherical lens that is approximately equal to the focal point of the spherical lens and are located generally opposite of one or more microelectrical mechanical devices. Each of the two or more mirrors may be positioned at different angles with respect to one another so that light beams incident each mirror are shifted differently with respect to one another and land on a subsequent microelectrical mechanical devices. Some exemplary embodiments also provide for grouping of the light beams prior to shifting their location, and regrouping the light beams after shifting their locations.