US5271075A — Fiber optic switch with remote optical powering

Claim 1

Independent Claim 78 words

A fiber optic switch with remote optical powering for connecting and disconnecting links between fibers, including a switching element, an actuator, and a powering system, comprising: light-into-current converter means; optical powering means; and at least one optical interconnection fiber, disposed such that a lightwave emitted by said optical powering means, travels via said optical interconnection fiber to said light-into-current converter means whereby said light-into-current converter means output current drives said actuator which, in turn, switches said switching element.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 78 words

A fiber optic switch with remote optical powering for connecting and disconnecting links between fibers, including a switching element, an actuator, and a powering system, comprising: light-into-current converter means; optical powering means; and at least one optical interconnection fiber, disposed such that a lightwave emitted by said optical powering means, travels via said optical interconnection fiber to said light-into-current converter means whereby said light-into-current converter means output current drives said actuator which, in turn, switches said switching element.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 35 words

A fiber optic switch as set forth in claim 1, wherein said optical powering means is remotely disposed from said light-into-current converter means and optically coupled to said light-into-current converter means via said interconnection fiber.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 18 words

A fiber optic switch as set forth in claim 2, wherein said switching element is a micromechanical switch.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 72 words

A fiber optic switch as set forth in claim 3, wherein said micromechanical switch comprises: a cylindrical rotor with integrated waveguide patterns said rotor being pivotable in a baseplate. said baseplate having an actuator for said rotor and serving as a bearing for said rotor and as optical coupling means between said fibers and said rotor, disposed such that different fiber links are established by rotation of said rotor by said actuator.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 104 words

A fiber optic switch as set forth in claim 2, wherein said light-into-current converter means comprises wavelength-division demultiplexer means and a light-into-current converter, and said optical powering means comprises a laser source for emitting a powering lightwave with wavelength λ P , and wavelength-division multiplexer means disposed such that said switch is powered by said powering lightwave fed, via said wavelength-division multiplexer means, to said interconnection fiber, propagating therethrough together with lightwaves used for data transmission, separated from the data transmission lightwaves by said wavelength-division demultiplexer means, and fed to said light-into-current converter, thus enabling simultaneous data transmission and powering of said switching element.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 26 words

A fiber optic switch as set forth in claim 5, wherein said light-into-current converter is a photo diode and said laser source is a laser diode.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 104 words

A fiber optic switch as set forth in claim 1, wherein said light-into-current converter means comprises wavelength-division demultiplexer means and a light-into-current converter, and said optical powering means comprises a laser source for emitting a powering lightwave with wavelength λ P , and wavelength-division multiplexer means disposed such that said switch is powered by said powering lightwave fed, via said wavelength-division multiplexer means, to said interconnection fiber, propagating therethrough together with lightwaves used for data transmission, separated from the data transmission lightwaves by said wavelength-division demultiplexer means, and fed to said light-into-current converter, thus enabling simultaneous data transmission and powering of said switching element.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 26 words

A fiber optic switch as set forth in claim 7, wherein said light-into-current converter is a photo diode and said laser source is a laser diode.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 23 words

A fiber optic switch as set forth in claim 1, wherein said switching element comprises a Graded-Refractive-Index-rod (GRIN-rod) lens with integrated planar mirror.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 95 words

A fiber optic switch as set forth in claim 9, wherein said GRIN-rod lens is pivoted in a ferrule, and has a refractive index distribution substantially equal to n(r)=n a (1-Ar 2 /2), wherein n a is the refractive index along the longitudinal axis of said GRIN-rod lens, A is a positive constant, and r is the radial distance from the longitudinal axis of said GRIN-rod lens (90), and a length L 1 =π/√A, wherein A is said positive constant, and has a first and a second end facet substantially perpendicular to its longitudinal axis.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 44 words

A fiber optic switch as set forth in claim 10, wherein said GRIN-rod lens is optically coupled to fibers such that different links between said fibers are established by rotating said GRIN-rod lens with integrated planar mirror relative to the position of the fibers.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 49 words

A fiber optic switch as set forth in claim 9, wherein a planar mirror is integrated substantially at the center of the GRIN-rod lens at distance L 1 /2, and is perpendicular to said first and second end facets and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the GRIN-rod lens.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 42 words

A fiber optic switch as set forth in claim 12, wherein said GRIN-rod lens is pivoted in a ferrule and optically coupled to fibers such that different links between said fibers are established by rotating said GRIN-rod lens with integrated planar mirror.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 15 words

A fiber optic switch of claim 1, wherein said switching element is a micromechanical switch.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 72 words

A fiber optic switch as set forth in claim 14, wherein said micromechanical switch comprises: a cylindrical rotor with integrated waveguide patterns said rotor being pivotable in a baseplate, said baseplate having an actuator for said rotor and serving as a bearing for said rotor and as optical coupling means between said fibers and said rotor, disposed such that different fiber links are established by rotation of said rotor by said actuator.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 132 words

In a fiber optic network, a remotely optically powered bypass/insert optical switch for connecting or disconnecting a station to the network, comprising: a distribution panel being insertable in said network, including a wavelength-division demultiplexer, a light-into-current converter, a switching element, and an actuator for said switching element, at least one interconnection fiber, and powering means disposed at a station, comprising a powering laser diode and a wavelength-division multiplexer, coupled such that said powering means is connected via said at least one interconnection fiber to said distribution panel for connecting and disconnecting fiber links, whereby a powering lightwave is fed via said wavelength-division multiplexer and said interconnection fiber to said distribution panel where it is coupled via said wavelength-division demultiplexer to said light-into-current converter, and converted into electric current for driving said actuator.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 132 words

In a fiber optic network, a remotely optically powered bypass/insert optical switch for connecting or disconnecting a station to the network, comprising: a distribution panel being insertable in said network, including a wavelength-division demultiplexer, a light-into-current converter, a switching element, and an actuator for said switching element, at least one interconnection fiber, and powering means disposed at a station, comprising a powering laser diode and a wavelength-division multiplexer, coupled such that said powering means is connected via said at least one interconnection fiber to said distribution panel for connecting and disconnecting fiber links, whereby a powering lightwave is fed via said wavelength-division multiplexer and said interconnection fiber to said distribution panel where it is coupled via said wavelength-division demultiplexer to said light-into-current converter, and converted into electric current for driving said actuator.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 28 words

A bypass/insert optical switch as set forth in claim 16, wherein said at least one interconnection fiber is simultaneously used for data transmission and powering of said switch.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 36 words

A bypass/insert optical switch as set forth in claim 17, wherein said fiber optic network is a dual fiber network and said station is during insert state looped into each of the fibers of said network.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 37 words

A bypass/insert optical switch as set forth in claim 16, wherein said fiber optic network is a dual fiber network and said station is during insert state looped into each of the two fibers of said network.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 183 words

A GRIN-rod lens, having a parabolic refractive index distribution, for use as a fiber optic switch to which optical fibers are attached comprising: a ferrule in which said lens is rotatable, said ferrule serving as a bearing and providing alignment of said fibers; actuator means for rotating said lens; where said lens has a refractive index distribution substantially equal to n(r)=n a (1-Ar 2 /2), wherein n a is the refractive index along the longitudinal axis of said GRIN-rod lens, has a length L 1 =π/√A, wherein A is said positive constant, and has a first and a second end facet disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and an integrated planar mirror located in the center of the GRIN-rod lens at a position substantially at L 1 /2, disposed perpendicular to said first and second end facet and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the GRIN-rod lens, and disposed such that different fiber links are established by rotating the GRIN-rod lens around its longitudinal axis, and thereby changing the position of the GRIN-rod lens with mirror relative to the position of said fibers.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 183 words

A GRIN-rod lens, having a parabolic refractive index distribution, for use as a fiber optic switch to which optical fibers are attached comprising: a ferrule in which said lens is rotatable, said ferrule serving as a bearing and providing alignment of said fibers; actuator means for rotating said lens; where said lens has a refractive index distribution substantially equal to n(r)=n a (1-Ar 2 /2), wherein n a is the refractive index along the longitudinal axis of said GRIN-rod lens, has a length L 1 =π/√A, wherein A is said positive constant, and has a first and a second end facet disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and an integrated planar mirror located in the center of the GRIN-rod lens at a position substantially at L 1 /2, disposed perpendicular to said first and second end facet and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the GRIN-rod lens, and disposed such that different fiber links are established by rotating the GRIN-rod lens around its longitudinal axis, and thereby changing the position of the GRIN-rod lens with mirror relative to the position of said fibers.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 17 words

A GRIN-rod lens as set forth in claim 20, wherein said mirror comprises an evaporated aluminum layer.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 104 words

A GRIN-rod lens as set forth in claim 21, wherein said actuator means comprises a shape memory alloy wire fixed via a lever to said GRIN-rod lens, and coated with an insulation layer and a resistive layer, the resistive layer being connected via a metal bridge to a first end of said wire, disposed such that said actuator means moves from one position to another position responsive to an electric current from a current source to a second end of the wire such that the current flows through said wire and via said metal bridge and said resistive layer back to the current source.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 28 words

A GRIN-rod lens as set forth in claim 20, wherein said GRIN-rod lens comprises two half-sections and said mirror is formed by a gap between said two half-sections.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 104 words

A GRIN-rod lens as set forth in claim 23, wherein said actuator means comprises a shape memory alloy wire fixed via a lever to said GRIN-rod lens, and coated with an insulation layer and a resistive layer, the resistive layer being connected via a metal bridge to a first end of said wire, disposed such that said actuator means moves from one position to another position responsive to an electric current from a current source to a second end of the wire such that the current flows through said wire and via said metal bridge and said resistive layer back to the current source.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 104 words

A GRIN-rod lens as set forth in claim 20, wherein said actuator means comprises a shape memory alloy wire fixed via a lever to said GRIN-rod lens, and coated with an insulation layer and a resistive layer, the resistive layer being connected via a metal bridge to a first end of said wire, disposed such that said actuator means moves from one position to another position responsive to an electric current from a current source to a second end of the wire such that the current flows through said wire and via said metal bridge and said resistive layer back to the current source.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1996-12-13	1997-06-14	1997-12-14	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2000-12-13	2001-06-14	2001-12-14	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2004-12-13	2005-06-14	2005-12-14	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Fiber optic switch with remote optical powering

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