Method and arrangement for controlling a light switch for optical signals

Claim 1

In a control arrangement for the control of a plurality of light switches each constructed as a directional coupler in integrated technology, of the type in which optical signals are guided through a pair of light waveguides on a substrate, in which two light waveguides are arranged on the substrate and each include an input, an output and a section parallel and at least closely adjacent a like section of the other waveguide along a switching path, in which the light is selectively switchable for direct through connection or cross-connection between the inputs and outputs, in which each light switch comprises at least one electrically conductive and controllable electrode for controlling through and cross-connections, the improvement therein comprising: a semiconductor substrate carrying a digital/analog converter whose analog output is stabilized with respect to DC supply voltage fluctuations, said digital/analog converter including an output connected to said at least one electrode, said digital/analog converter including an input for receiving digital signals; a byte generator connected to said input of said digital/analog converter and operable to provide digital words thereto, each of said digital words corresponding to the individual analog voltage requirement of an individually determined one of said light switches for controlling said determined light switch by said corresponding digital word generated by said light generator, said byte generator comprising first and second memories, said first memory storing words corresponding to through connection of said light waveguide, and said second memory storing words corresponding to cross-connection of said light waveguides, said byte generator also comprising a third memory storing information regarding whether said first or second memory is to supply a word to said digital/analog converter; and transfer switch means connected between said first and second memories and said digital/analog converter and connected to and operated by said third memory.

Claim 10

A method for controlling optoelectronic crosspoints of an exchange system, each of the crosspoints having light waveguides with at least closely parallel sections as intermediate lines extending through the crosspoints for carrying optical signals, each of the crosspoints comprising an optical switch manufactured in integrated technology with the light waveguides on a substrate, each of the light switches comprising electrically activatable electrodes for direct or cross switching the optical signals, comprising the steps of: cyclically reversing the polarity of electrical fields across some of the light switches; while simultaneously reversing the polarity of the fields of all switches on the same substrate in response to a polarity reversal command.

Claim 11

A method for controlling optoelectronic crosspoints of an exchange system, each of the crosspoints having light waveguides with at least closely parallel sections as intermediate lines extending through the crosspoints for carrying optical signals, each of the crosspoints comprising an optical switch manufactured in integrated technology with the light waveguides on a substrate, each of the light switches comprising electrically activatable electrodes for direct or cross switching the optical signals, comprising the steps of: cyclically reversing the polarity of electrical fields across some of the light switches; while simultaneously reversing the polarity of the fields of all switches on the same substrate in response to a polarity reversal command.