US4580873A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical matrix switch
Assignee: Nokia Bell Labs
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Filing: 1983-12-30
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Granted: 1986-04-08
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Expires: 2003-12-30
Abstract
Abstract An m×n optical switch is formed on a semiconductor substrate. Grooves are etched at the edges of the substrate to accommodate input and output optical fibers so that the output fibers are placed orthogonal to the light paths of the input fibers. An array of photodetectors is provided at an edge opposite to that of the input fibers to receive the input signals. At each crosspoint defined by the input and output fibers is an electromechanically actuated mirror which in one state permits passage of light from its associated input fiber, and in another state deflects the light to its associated output fiber.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank H. Levinson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 09:32
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/35; G02B6/3564; G02B6/3568; G02B6/357; G02B6/3586; G02B6/3588; G02B6/351; G02B6/3512; G02B6/354; G02B6/3544; G02B6/3546; G02B6/3584
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
An optical switch comprising: a semiconductor substrate comprising a major surface; a first linear array of optical fibers providing input signals and a second linear array of optical fibers for receiving the signals from the first array, the second array being situated essentially orthogonal to the first array; a two-dimensional array of rotatably mounted reflecting elements formed on the semiconductor surface, each reflecting element comprising a membrane with at least one reflecting surface, which array is aligned with the arrays of fibers so that in a horizontal position each element will allow the passage of light from an associated input fiber and in a vertical position will deflect light from an associated input fiber to an associated output fiber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
An optical switch comprising: a semiconductor substrate comprising a major surface; a first linear array of optical fibers providing input signals and a second linear array of optical fibers for receiving the signals from the first array, the second array being situated essentially orthogonal to the first array; a two-dimensional array of rotatably mounted reflecting elements formed on the semiconductor surface, each reflecting element comprising a membrane with at least one reflecting surface, which array is aligned with the arrays of fibers so that in a horizontal position each element will allow the passage of light from an associated input fiber and in a vertical position will deflect light from an associated input fiber to an associated output fiber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein the substrate further comprises grooves formed at two adjacent edges of the substrate for receiving said fibers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein the device further includes a linear array of photodetectors opposite said input fibers so that each photodetector receives light from an associated input fiber at least when the light is undeflected by one of the reflecting elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein the membrane is caused to rotate by the application of a voltage between the membrane and a conductive pad associated with that membrane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein the arrays of fibers comprise at least 100 input fibers and 100 output fibers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein each reflecting element includes pin members extending from two sides thereof which are mounted in grooves in the semiconductor substrate, and the portion of the substrate under each membrane is etched so that the reflecting element, is free to rotate about the pin members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device according to claim 6 wherein the pin members are formed off the center axis of the element so that the center of gravity of the element will keep it at rest in a horizontal position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device according to claim 6 wherein the etched portion of the substrate under each reflecting element includes a ledge portion to provide a vertical stop for the reflecting element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein the membrane comprises silicon.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4153329A
Cited
JPS54139704A
Cited
JPS54161952A
Cited
JPS54161951A
Cited
JPS56150707A
Cited
US4521069A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-04-07 | 1989-10-07 | 1990-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-04-07 | 1993-10-07 | 1994-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-04-07 | 1997-10-07 | 1998-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |