Patent ID: 6539138
Filing Date: 2003-03-25
Classification: G02B,H04Q

Abstract:
A system for transmitting optical signals through free space, the system comprising:(A) at least one optical fiber, the optical fiber being adapted to transmit optical signals; (B) a plurality of nodes, the nodes being adapted to transmit and receive optical signals; and (C) an optical switch in optical communication with the optical fiber and the plurality of nodes, the optical switch comprising: (a) a first switch element, the first switch element comprising: (i) at least one detector positioned to receive optical signals transmitted by the optical fiber; (ii) at least one emitter array, the emitter being positioned to transmit optical signals to the plurality of nodes; (iii) a controller in communication with the detector and the emitter array, the controller being adapted to cause the emitter array to transmit the optical signal transmitted by the optical fiber; (b) a second switch element, the second switch element comprising: (i) at least one detector array positioned to receive optical signals transmitted by at least one of the plurality of nodes; (ii) at least one emitter, the emitter being positioned to transmit optical signals to the optical fiber; (iii) a controller in communication with the detector and the emitter, the controller being adapted to cause the emitter to transmit the optical signal transmitted by the at least one of the plurality of nodes; and (c) a mirror, the mirror being positioned to reflect optical signals between the first and second switch elements and the plurality of nodes, wherein the optical signal transmitted by the emitter array of the first switch element is reflected to at least one of the plurality of nodes and an optical signal transmitted by at least on of the plurality of nodes is reflected to the detector of the second switch element.