Global Patent Index - EP 1121616 A2

EP 1121616 A2 20010808 - FLEXIBLE, MODULAR, COMPACT FIBER OPTIC SWITCH

Title (en)

FLEXIBLE, MODULAR, COMPACT FIBER OPTIC SWITCH

Title (de)

FLEXIBLER, MODULARER, KOMPAKTER FASEROPTISCHER SCHALTER

Title (fr)

COMMUTATEUR A FIBRES OPTIQUES, COMPACT, MODULAIRE ET SOUPLE

Publication

EP 1121616 A2 20010808 (EN)

Application

EP 99970167 A 19990915

Priority

  • US 9921139 W 19990915
  • US 10032698 P 19980915
  • US 13076599 P 19990423
  • US 14268599 P 19990707
  • US 14495399 P 19990721

Abstract (en)

[origin: WO0020899A2] A fiber optic switch (400) includes a fiber optic switching module (100) that receives and fixes ends (104) of optical fibers (106). The module (100) includes numerous reflective light beam deflectors (172) which may be selected as pairs for coupling a beam of light (108) between a pair of optical fibers (106). The module (100) also produces orientation signals from each deflector (172) which indicate its orientation. A portcard (406) included in the switch (400) supplies drive signals to the module (100) for orienting at least one deflector (172). The portcard (406) also receives the orientation signals produced by that deflector (172) together with coordinates that specify an orientation for the deflector (172). The portcard (406) compares the received coordinates with the orientation signals received from the deflector (172) and adjusts the drive signals supplied to the module (100) to reduce any difference between the received coordinates and the orientation signals. The switch (400) also employs optical alignment to precisely orient pairs of deflectors (172) coupling a beam of light (108) between optical fibers (106).

IPC 1-7

G02B 6/35

IPC 8 full level

B81B 3/00 (2006.01); G02B 6/32 (2006.01); G02B 6/35 (2006.01); G02B 26/08 (2006.01); H04B 10/00 (2013.01); H04B 10/27 (2013.01); H04Q 11/00 (2006.01); G02B 6/36 (2006.01)

CPC (source: EP KR)

G02B 6/32 (2013.01 - EP); G02B 6/327 (2013.01 - EP); G02B 6/3518 (2013.01 - EP); G02B 26/00 (2013.01 - KR); G02B 26/0833 (2013.01 - EP); G02B 26/0841 (2013.01 - EP); G02B 26/085 (2013.01 - EP); H04Q 11/0005 (2013.01 - EP); G02B 6/352 (2013.01 - EP); G02B 6/3556 (2013.01 - EP); G02B 6/357 (2013.01 - EP); G02B 6/3584 (2013.01 - EP); G02B 6/3588 (2013.01 - EP); G02B 6/3636 (2013.01 - EP); G02B 6/3656 (2013.01 - EP); H04Q 2011/003 (2013.01 - EP); H04Q 2011/0039 (2013.01 - EP); H04Q 2011/0043 (2013.01 - EP)

Citation (search report)

See references of WO 0020899A2

Designated contracting state (EPC)

DE FR GB IT

DOCDB simple family (publication)

WO 0020899 A2 20000413; WO 0020899 A3 20000720; CA 2344487 A1 20000413; CA 2344487 C 20041130; EP 1121616 A2 20010808; JP 2002526803 A 20020820; KR 20010085809 A 20010907

DOCDB simple family (application)

US 9921139 W 19990915; CA 2344487 A 19990915; EP 99970167 A 19990915; JP 2000574963 A 19990915; KR 20017003390 A 20010315