WO1991010150A1 - A fibreoptic switch - Google Patents

A fibreoptic switch Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1991010150A1
WO1991010150A1 PCT/SE1990/000763 SE9000763W WO9110150A1 WO 1991010150 A1 WO1991010150 A1 WO 1991010150A1 SE 9000763 W SE9000763 W SE 9000763W WO 9110150 A1 WO9110150 A1 WO 9110150A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
optofibres
outgoing
devices
incoming
light transmitting
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/SE1990/000763
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Sven Rickhard SJÖLINDER
Original Assignee
Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson filed Critical Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson
Priority to DE69021891T priority Critical patent/DE69021891T2/en
Priority to EP91901414A priority patent/EP0507810B1/en
Priority to BR909007932A priority patent/BR9007932A/en
Publication of WO1991010150A1 publication Critical patent/WO1991010150A1/en
Priority to NO922277A priority patent/NO301617B1/en
Priority to FI922831A priority patent/FI922831A/en
Priority to KR1019920701468A priority patent/KR0133321B1/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B26/00—Optical devices or arrangements for the control of light using movable or deformable optical elements
    • G02B26/08—Optical devices or arrangements for the control of light using movable or deformable optical elements for controlling the direction of light
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/26—Optical coupling means
    • G02B6/35—Optical coupling means having switching means
    • G02B6/3502—Optical coupling means having switching means involving direct waveguide displacement, e.g. cantilever type waveguide displacement involving waveguide bending, or displacing an interposed waveguide between stationary waveguides
    • G02B6/3508—Lateral or transverse displacement of the whole waveguides, e.g. by varying the distance between opposed waveguide ends, or by mutual lateral displacement of opposed waveguide ends
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/26—Optical coupling means
    • G02B6/35—Optical coupling means having switching means
    • G02B6/354—Switching arrangements, i.e. number of input/output ports and interconnection types
    • G02B6/3554—3D constellations, i.e. with switching elements and switched beams located in a volume
    • G02B6/3556—NxM switch, i.e. regular arrays of switches elements of matrix type constellation
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/26—Optical coupling means
    • G02B6/35—Optical coupling means having switching means
    • G02B6/3564—Mechanical details of the actuation mechanism associated with the moving element or mounting mechanism details
    • G02B6/358—Latching of the moving element, i.e. maintaining or holding the moving element in place once operation has been performed; includes a mechanically bistable system

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a fibreoptic switch which will 4 enable one or more of an n number of incoming optofibres to be 5 connected with a respective one of an m number of outgoing optofibres.
  • a switch affords a possibility of disposing connections in an ordered array.
  • the connections in the case of opto techniques, the connections
  • the switch includes a plurality of optical dividers each connected 25 to a respective incoming optofibre, a plurality of optical switches disposed at the matrix intersection points, and a v plurality of optical combiners each connected to a respective outgoing optifibre.
  • Each switch includes an optoelectric element, an amplifier and an electrooptic element. Because of the large
  • the object of the present invention is to avoid the drawbacks of known switchs by providing an optical switch which is inexpensive and reliable and to which current need only be supplied when a change-over is made, and which is of simple construction.
  • This object is achieved with a switch which includes a matrix block provided with light transmission devices which extend in an n number of rows and m number of columns between an input side and an output side, and in that the incoming optofibres on the input side are each displaceable linearly along a respective row of light transmission devices and the outgoing optofibres on the output side are each displaceable linearly along a respective column of light transmission devices.
  • This arrangement enables incoming optofibres to be displaced respectively along their corresponding rows to a desired column of light transmission devices and an outgoing optofibre in a corresponding column to be displacedto a corresponding row of light transmissiondevices for mutual connection of the selected optofibres.
  • the light transmission devices are preferablywaveguides, optical fibres or the like.
  • the incoming and outgoing optofibres are advantageously arranged on slides or like devices capable of being displaced in corresponding guide grooves in the matrix block, said light transmission devices terminating in the bottoms of respective guide grooves.
  • Each slidewill preferably include a spring-biasedball capable of engaging a recess provided in each guide groove and corresponding to eachrowand column of light transmission devices respectively, so as to enable respective optofibres to be set to their correct positions.
  • the slides can be moved in the guide grooves with the aid of steppingmotors or the like, and, when seen in cross section, the slides will preferably have a trapezoidal configuration with the trapezium base facing towards the matrix block.
  • the guide grooves are correspondingly configured and the optofibres terminate in the base of the trapezoidal slides.
  • An optical switch constructed in accordance with the invention t- provides several advantages.
  • One advantage is that there is no
  • connection 4 5 need to directly remount the connections, i.e. the optofibres, thereby avoiding tangles.
  • the particular arrangement of a matrix enables the maximum number of coupling possibilities to be obtained, i.e. themaximumpossiblenumberof combinationsbetween inputs and outputs.
  • the optofibres are disposed on slides or the like capable of being displaced in corresponding guide grooves in the matrix
  • the slides can be displaced in the guide grooves with the aid of stepping motors or the like, and because the slides have a trapezoidal cross-section with thebase facing towards the matrix block and because the guide grooves have a corresponding con- 25 figuration, the optofibres can be accurately positioned with the aid of simple means and the mechanical construction is reliable. No separate means are required to hold the slides in position on the matrix block.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an inventive optical switch
  • Figure 2 is a sectional view of one part of the switch illustrated in Figure 1.
  • Figure 1 illustrates in perspective a preferred embodiment of an inventive optical switch.
  • the switch includes a matrix block 1 having a plurality of light transmission devices 2 which are arranged in n number of rows and m number of columns. For the sake of illustration, only four rows and four columns have been shown on the drawing, although it will be understood that any number of rows and columns may be provided and that the number of rows and columns is only restricted by the size of the switch and by what can be considered reasonable from the aspect of construction. Neither need the rows and columns be of mutually equal numbers, as in the case of the illustrated embodiment, but can be varied independently of one another.
  • the light transmission devices 2 extend through the matrix block 1 from an input side to an output side and consist of waveguides, optical fibres or simply of a hole which extends through thematrix block, provided that the block is narrow.
  • the incoming optifibres 3 on the input side are arranged on slides 4 which are inserted in guide grooves 5 in the matrix block 1 and which can be displaced therealong.
  • the guide grooves 5 are disposed so that each of said grooves will extend along a respec ⁇ tive row of the n number of rows of light transmitting devices 2, with the light transmitting devices terminating in the bottom of respective grooves 5.
  • the outgoing optofibres 6 on the output side are disposed on slides 7, which are inserted in guide grooves 8 in the matrix block 1 and can be displaced therealong.
  • the grooves 8 are disposed perpendicularly to the grooves 5 and each of the grooves 8 extends along a respective column of the m number of columns of light transmitting devices 2, and the light transmittingdevices terminate inthebottom of respective grooves 8.
  • the slides 4 and 7 When seen in cross-section, the slides 4 and 7 have a trapezoi ⁇ dal configuration, with the base of the trapezium facing towards the matrix block 1.
  • the guide grooves 5 and 8 have a corresponding configuration, so as to guide and hold the slides positively in the matrix block. Both the incoming and outgoing optofibres 3 and 6 are therewith terminated in the base of the trapezoidal slides.
  • the aforedescribed arrangement enables connections to be made selectively between the incoming and outgoing optofibres. For instance, the incoming optofibre in row 1 can be moved to the third column and the outgoing optofibre in column 3 can be moved to row 1, so as to connect these two optofibres together. Similarly, remaining optofibres can be moved selectively to desired rows and columns respectively, so as to establish the desired connections.
  • each slide 4 or 7 is provided with a spring-biased ball 9 in the base of the slide, immediately adjacent the optofibre, as illustrated in Figure 2, which is a sectional view of part of a guide groove 5 or 8 in the matrix block and a part of a corresponding slide 4 or 7.
  • Each guide groove 5 or 8 is provided with corresponding recesses 10 in which the spring-biased ball 9 can engage and which are located imme- diately adjacent the mouths of the light transmission devices 2.
  • the aforesaid optofibres both the incoming and the outgoing fibres, may also include groups of optofibres, such as band fibre cable having, for instance, eight fibres, in which case each incoming fibre group can be connected to an outgoing optofibre group. It will also be understood that the invention is not restricted to the aforedescribed and illustrated embodiment, and that modifica ⁇ tions can be made within the scope of the following Claims.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Light Control Or Optical Switches (AREA)
  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
  • Switches Operated By Changes In Physical Conditions (AREA)
  • Keying Circuit Devices (AREA)
  • Use Of Switch Circuits For Exchanges And Methods Of Control Of Multiplex Exchanges (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fibreoptic switch for enabling one or more of n number of incoming optofibres to be connected selectively with a respective one of m number of outgoing optofibres. According to the invention, the switch includes a matrix block (1) having light transmitting devices (2) which extend in n number of rows and m number of columns between an input side and an output side. On the input side, the incoming optofibres (3) can be displaced linearly along a respective row of the rows of light transmitting devices (2), and the outgoing optofibres (6) on the output side can be displaced linearly along a respective column of the columns of light transmitting devices (2). A selected incoming optofibre (3) can therewith be displaced along its corresponding row to a desired column of light transmitting devices (2), and an outgoing optofibre (6) in a corresponding column can be displaced to a corresponding row of light transmitting devices (2), so as to mutually connect the selected optofibres.

Description

A FIBREOPTIC SWITCH
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a fibreoptic switch which will 4 enable one or more of an n number of incoming optofibres to be 5 connected with a respective one of an m number of outgoing optofibres.
PRIOR ART
A switch affords a possibility of disposing connections in an ordered array. In the case of opto techniques, the connections
10 consist of optofibres. Manual installation of these fibres in the absence of any ordered lay-out will ultimately result in an unbelievable bundle of tangled fibres which is almost impossible to unravel or which requires expensive de-installation. Attempts have beenmade to provide mechanical solutions whichwill overcome
15 these problems. One solution has been to arrange incoming and outgoing optofibres perpendicularly to one another in one plane, and to mount raisable and lowerable mirrors or like light deflec¬ ting devices at the points at which the fibre axes intersect one another. The drawback with this solution is that it requires the
20 provision of many optical components of high precision. Attenua¬ tion in signal transmission is also high.
Other solutions attempted with switches of this kind have included arranging the incoming and outgoing optofibres in a matrix system.
The switch includes a plurality of optical dividers each connected 25 to a respective incoming optofibre, a plurality of optical switches disposed at the matrix intersection points, and a v plurality of optical combiners each connected to a respective outgoing optifibre. Each switch includes an optoelectric element, an amplifier and an electrooptic element. Because of the large
30 number of structural components involved, a switch of this kind is expensive and complicated, particularly in the case of large switchs affording many coupling possibilities. The switch also requires a continuous supply of current. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to avoid the drawbacks of known switchs by providing an optical switch which is inexpensive and reliable and to which current need only be supplied when a change-over is made, and which is of simple construction. This object is achieved with a switch which includes a matrix block provided with light transmission devices which extend in an n number of rows and m number of columns between an input side and an output side, and in that the incoming optofibres on the input side are each displaceable linearly along a respective row of light transmission devices and the outgoing optofibres on the output side are each displaceable linearly along a respective column of light transmission devices. This arrangement enables incoming optofibres to be displaced respectively along their corresponding rows to a desired column of light transmission devices and an outgoing optofibre in a corresponding column to be displacedto a corresponding row of light transmissiondevices for mutual connection of the selected optofibres.
The light transmission devices arepreferablywaveguides, optical fibres or the like. The incoming and outgoing optofibres are advantageously arranged on slides or like devices capable of being displaced in corresponding guide grooves in the matrix block, said light transmission devices terminating in the bottoms of respective guide grooves.
Each slidewill preferably include a spring-biasedball capable of engaging a recess provided in each guide groove and corresponding to eachrowand column of light transmission devices respectively, so as to enable respective optofibres to be set to their correct positions.
An advantage is affordedwhen the slides can be moved in the guide grooves with the aid of steppingmotors or the like, and, when seen in cross section, the slides will preferably have a trapezoidal configuration with the trapezium base facing towards the matrix block. The guide grooves are correspondingly configured and the optofibres terminate in the base of the trapezoidal slides.
An optical switch constructed in accordance with the invention t- . provides several advantages. One advantage is that there is no
4 5 need to directly remount the connections, i.e. the optofibres, thereby avoiding tangles. The particular arrangement of a matrix enables the maximum number of coupling possibilities to be obtained, i.e. themaximumpossiblenumberof combinationsbetween inputs and outputs.
10 The use of a wave conductor, optical fibre or the like as the light transmission devices affords the advantage that low attenuation can be achieved in all set-ups.
Because the optofibres are disposed on slides or the like capable of being displaced in corresponding guide grooves in the matrix
15 blocks, there is obtained a very simple mechanical construction. The provision on each slide of a spring-biased ball, which can engage in a recess formed in each guide groove and corresponding to each row and column of light transmitting devices respectively, affords the advantage of enabling respective optofibres to be
20 positioned very accurately.
Because the slides can be displaced in the guide grooves with the aid of stepping motors or the like, and because the slides have a trapezoidal cross-section with thebase facing towards the matrix block and because the guide grooves have a corresponding con- 25 figuration, the optofibres can be accurately positioned with the aid of simple means and the mechanical construction is reliable. No separate means are required to hold the slides in position on the matrix block.
The invention will now be described in more detail with reference 30 to an exemplifying embodiment thereof and with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an inventive optical switch,
Figure 2 is a sectional view of one part of the switch illustrated in Figure 1.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Figure 1 illustrates in perspective a preferred embodiment of an inventive optical switch. The switch includes a matrix block 1 having a plurality of light transmission devices 2 which are arranged in n number of rows and m number of columns. For the sake of illustration, only four rows and four columns have been shown on the drawing, although it will be understood that any number of rows and columns may be provided and that the number of rows and columns is only restricted by the size of the switch and by what can be considered reasonable from the aspect of construction. Neither need the rows and columns be of mutually equal numbers, as in the case of the illustrated embodiment, but can be varied independently of one another. The light transmission devices 2 extend through the matrix block 1 from an input side to an output side and consist of waveguides, optical fibres or simply of a hole which extends through thematrix block, provided that the block is narrow.
The incoming optifibres 3 on the input side are arranged on slides 4 which are inserted in guide grooves 5 in the matrix block 1 and which can be displaced therealong. The guide grooves 5 are disposed so that each of said grooves will extend along a respec¬ tive row of the n number of rows of light transmitting devices 2, with the light transmitting devices terminating in the bottom of respective grooves 5. Similarly, the outgoing optofibres 6 on the output side are disposed on slides 7, which are inserted in guide grooves 8 in the matrix block 1 and can be displaced therealong. The grooves 8 are disposed perpendicularly to the grooves 5 and each of the grooves 8 extends along a respective column of the m number of columns of light transmitting devices 2, and the light transmittingdevices terminate inthebottom of respective grooves 8. When seen in cross-section, the slides 4 and 7 have a trapezoi¬ dal configuration, with the base of the trapezium facing towards the matrix block 1. The guide grooves 5 and 8 have a corresponding configuration, so as to guide and hold the slides positively in the matrix block. Both the incoming and outgoing optofibres 3 and 6 are therewith terminated in the base of the trapezoidal slides.
The aforedescribed arrangement enables connections to be made selectively between the incoming and outgoing optofibres. For instance, the incoming optofibre in row 1 can be moved to the third column and the outgoing optofibre in column 3 can be moved to row 1, so as to connect these two optofibres together. Similarly, remaining optofibres can be moved selectively to desired rows and columns respectively, so as to establish the desired connections.
Movement of the slides, and therewith of the optofibres, to the desired rows and columns can be effected with the aid of stepping motors or the like (not shown) which drive the slides. In order to ensure that the correct setting is obtained, each slide 4 or 7 is provided with a spring-biased ball 9 in the base of the slide, immediately adjacent the optofibre, as illustrated in Figure 2, which is a sectional view of part of a guide groove 5 or 8 in the matrix block and a part of a corresponding slide 4 or 7. Each guide groove 5 or 8 is provided with corresponding recesses 10 in which the spring-biased ball 9 can engage and which are located imme- diately adjacent the mouths of the light transmission devices 2. This arrangement enables movement of respective slides to be accurately controlled, so that the optofibre and the light trans¬ mitting device will be in alignment with one another, therewith to achieve the best possible light transmission and the smallest possible attenuation.
It will be understood that the aforesaid optofibres, both the incoming and the outgoing fibres, may also include groups of optofibres, such as band fibre cable having, for instance, eight fibres, in which case each incoming fibre group can be connected to an outgoing optofibre group. It will also be understood that the invention is not restricted to the aforedescribed and illustrated embodiment, and that modifica¬ tions can be made within the scope of the following Claims.

Claims

1. A fibreoptic switch for enabling selective connection of one ormore of an n number of incoming optofibres with a respective one of an m number of outgoing optofibres, ch a r a c t e r i z e d
* 5 in that the switch includes a matrix block (1) having light trans¬ mission devices (2) which extend in n number of rows and m number of columns between an input side and an output side; in that the incoming optofibres (3) on the input side are each displaceable linearly along a respective row of the rows of light transmission
10 devices (2) ; in that the outgoing optofibres (6) on the output side are displaceable linearly along a respective column of the columns of light transmitting devices (2) ; and in that a selected incoming optofibre (3) can be displaced along its corresponding row to a desired column of light transmitting devices and an
15 outgoing optofibre (6) in a corresponding column can be displaced to a corresponding row of light transmitting devices for mutual connection of the selected optofibres.
2. A switch according to Claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the light transmission devices (2) are waveguides, optical
20 fibres or the like.
3. A switch according to Claim 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that both the incoming and outgoing optofibres (3, 6) are arranged on slides (4, 7) or corresponding devices which can be displaced in corresponding guide grooves (5, 8) in the matrix block; and in
25 that the light transmitting devices (2) terminate in the bottom of the guide grooves.
4. A switch according to Claim 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that each slide (4, 7) includes a spring-biased ball (9) which can engage in a recess (10) provided in each guide groove (5, 8) and
30 corresponding to each row and column respectively of light trans¬ mitting devices (2) , for placing respective optofibres in their correct positions.
5. A switch according to any one of Claims 3 or 4, ch a ra c ¬ t e r i z e d in that the slides (4, 7) can be displaced in the guide grooves (5, 8) by means of stepping motors or the like.
6. A switch according to any one of Claims 3 to 5, ch a r a c - t e r i z e d in that in cross-section the slides (4, 7) have a trapezoidal configuration with the base facing towards the matrix block (1) and in that the guide grooves (4, 8) have a corresponding configuration.
7. A switch according to Claim 6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the optofibres (3, 6) exit in the base of the trapezoidal slides.
PCT/SE1990/000763 1989-12-21 1990-11-22 A fibreoptic switch WO1991010150A1 (en)

Priority Applications (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE69021891T DE69021891T2 (en) 1989-12-21 1990-11-22 FIBER OPTICAL SWITCH.
EP91901414A EP0507810B1 (en) 1989-12-21 1990-11-22 A fibreoptic switch
BR909007932A BR9007932A (en) 1989-12-21 1990-11-22 OPTICAL FIBER SWITCH
NO922277A NO301617B1 (en) 1989-12-21 1992-06-10 Fiber optic switch
FI922831A FI922831A (en) 1989-12-21 1992-06-17 FIBEROPTISK VAEXEL.
KR1019920701468A KR0133321B1 (en) 1989-12-21 1992-06-19 A fibreoptic switch

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE8904324A SE465235B (en) 1989-12-21 1989-12-21 FIBEROPTICAL VAEXEL
SE8904324-4 1989-12-21

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1991010150A1 true WO1991010150A1 (en) 1991-07-11

Family

ID=20377840

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/SE1990/000763 WO1991010150A1 (en) 1989-12-21 1990-11-22 A fibreoptic switch

Country Status (14)

Country Link
US (1) US5050955A (en)
EP (1) EP0507810B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH05504418A (en)
KR (1) KR0133321B1 (en)
AU (1) AU638529B2 (en)
BR (1) BR9007932A (en)
CA (1) CA2069762C (en)
DE (1) DE69021891T2 (en)
DK (1) DK0507810T3 (en)
ES (1) ES2076514T3 (en)
FI (1) FI922831A (en)
NO (1) NO301617B1 (en)
SE (1) SE465235B (en)
WO (1) WO1991010150A1 (en)

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JP3186293B2 (en) * 1992-02-26 2001-07-11 住友電気工業株式会社 Optical fiber wiring switching apparatus and its wiring switching method
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US5382028A (en) * 1993-11-02 1995-01-17 Sciandra; Charles C. Apparatus and method of play for a disc tossing game
US5729642A (en) * 1995-10-02 1998-03-17 The Boeing Company N×N optical switch array using electro-optic and passive waveguide circuits on planar substrates
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US20040013354A1 (en) * 2002-07-17 2004-01-22 Jonathan Simon Systems and methods for selectively routing optical signals
US8068715B2 (en) 2007-10-15 2011-11-29 Telescent Inc. Scalable and modular automated fiber optic cross-connect systems
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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DK0507810T3 (en) 1995-11-13
JPH05504418A (en) 1993-07-08
SE8904324D0 (en) 1989-12-21
SE465235B (en) 1991-08-12
NO922277D0 (en) 1992-06-10
EP0507810A1 (en) 1992-10-14
CA2069762C (en) 1998-02-03
NO301617B1 (en) 1997-11-17
DE69021891T2 (en) 1996-02-22
FI922831A0 (en) 1992-06-17
NO922277L (en) 1992-06-10
KR920704176A (en) 1992-12-19
EP0507810B1 (en) 1995-08-23
BR9007932A (en) 1992-10-27
US5050955A (en) 1991-09-24
ES2076514T3 (en) 1995-11-01
KR0133321B1 (en) 1998-04-14
FI922831A (en) 1992-06-17
DE69021891D1 (en) 1995-09-28
AU638529B2 (en) 1993-07-01
CA2069762A1 (en) 1991-06-22
SE8904324L (en) 1991-06-22
AU6973291A (en) 1991-07-24

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