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US5581643A
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Optical waveguide cross-point switch
Assignee: Nortel Networks Ltd
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Filing: 1994-12-08
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Granted: 1996-12-03
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Expires: 2014-12-08
Abstract
Abstract An optical waveguide cross-point switch capable of full broadcast and strictly non-blocking operation. The device has a matrix of a plurality of input waveguides and a plurality of output waveguides (M×N). A reflecting surface associated with each intersection may be selectively activated to direct an optical signal on the input line to the associated output line. The reflecting surface may also be employed so as to convert an M×N matrix into a 2 (M×N) rearrangeable cross-point switch. Each waveguide is capable of switching a data rate of 10 Gb/s or more. For example, with eight wavelength channels used to impart optical signals to a 16×16 switch a data rate of 1.28 Terabits/second is achievable.
Inventors
- 👤 Chi Wu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 10:41
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/29; G02F1/31; G02F1/313; H; H04; H04Q; H04Q11/00; H04Q11/0001; H04Q11/0005; H04Q2011/0007; H04Q2011/0013; H04Q2011/0024; H04Q2011/0052
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
An optical cross-point switch comprising: a first waveguide having an input end for receiving an optical signal; a second waveguide intersecting said first waveguide, said second waveguide having an output end for selectively delivering said optical signal to a receiver; a switching element at the intersection of said first and second waveguides, said switching element having first and second interconnected y-branch optical couplers, said first optical coupler having a first branch waveguide with a first end diverging from the first waveguide and a second distal end, said second optical coupler having a second branch waveguide with a second end merging with said second waveguide and a first distal end, said first and second distal ends being optically interconnected by reflecting means having n incident angle of less than 90°; and electrode means associated with said switching element whereby an electrical bias selectively applied to said electrode means causes said optical signal to be switched from said first waveguide to said waveguide.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
An optical cross-point switch comprising: a first waveguide having an input end for receiving an optical signal; a second waveguide intersecting said first waveguide, said second waveguide having an output end for selectively delivering said optical signal to a receiver; a switching element at the intersection of said first and second waveguides, said switching element having first and second interconnected y-branch optical couplers, said first optical coupler having a first branch waveguide with a first end diverging from the first waveguide and a second distal end, said second optical coupler having a second branch waveguide with a second end merging with said second waveguide and a first distal end, said first and second distal ends being optically interconnected by reflecting means having n incident angle of less than 90°; and electrode means associated with said switching element whereby an electrical bias selectively applied to said electrode means causes said optical signal to be switched from said first waveguide to said waveguide.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical cross-point switch as defined in claim 1, having a plurality of laterally spaced first waveguides.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical cross-point switch as defined in claim 1, having a plurality of laterally spaced second waveguides.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical cross-point switch as defined in claim 1, having a plurality of laterally spaced first and second waveguides forming a matrix.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
An optical cross-point switch as defined in claim 4, said reflecting means being an etched mirror.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical cross-point switch as defined in claim 4, said reflecting means being a distributed Bragg reflector having an incident angle of approximately 45°.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optical cross-point switch as defined in claim 4, said first and second Y-branch optical couplers having asymmetrical arms.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical cross-point switch as defined in claim 4, a different optical signal being launched into each of said plurality of first waveguides.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical cross-point switch as defined in claim 8, each of said different optical signals being carried on a discrete wavelength carrier.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
An optical cross-point switch as defined in claim 1, fabricated on a III-V compound alloy substrate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical cross-point switch as defined in claim 10, said III-V compound alloy being GaAs based material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical cross-point switch as defined in claim 10, said III-V compound alloy being InP based material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optical cross-point switch as defined in claim 1, fabricated on a silicon substrate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optical cross-point switch as defined in claim 1, fabricated on a polymer substrate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optical cross-point switch as defined in claim 1, fabricated on a Si/Ge alloy.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
An optical cross-point switch as defined in claim 1, fabricated on photorefractive material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
An optical cross-point switch as defined in claim 16, said photorefractive material being LiNbO 3 .
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optical cross-point switch as defined in claim 1, fabricated on silica based material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
An optical cross-point switch as defined in claim 1, fabricated in a II-VI compound alloy substrate.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical cross-point switch as defined in claim 1 having an optical amplifier in one of said first and second optical couplers.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
An optical cross-point switch as defined in claim 1 having an optical amplifier in one of said first and second waveguides.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
An optical cross-point switch as defined in claim 1, said receiver being an optical photodetector.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optical cross-point switch as defined in claim 22, said photodetector being monolithically integrated at said output end.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-12-03 | 2000-06-03 | 2000-12-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-12-03 | 2004-06-03 | 2004-12-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-12-03 | 2008-06-03 | 2008-12-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |