Patent ID: 6097860
Filing Date: 2000-08-01
Classification: G02B,H04Q

Abstract:
An apparatus for use in an optical matrix switch for selectively connecting a first optical fiber with any of a plurality of second optical fibers via an optical pathway extending across a switch interface between said first and said second optical fibers, said first optical fiber and each of said plurality of second optical fibers being associated with a separate beam directing unit, wherein each of said separate beam directing units is disposed between a respective one of said fibers and said switch interface and includes a moveable mirror associated with said respective one of said fibers for directing optical signals relative to said one optical fiber, said apparatus comprising:optical collecting means for producing a collected beam from radiation emitted by said one fiber; andoptical folding means, separate from said moveable mirror and disposed between said optical collecting means and said switch interface, for folding an optical path between said one fiber and said switch interface;wherein said optical folding means allows for compact switch design using a moveable mirror based beam directing unit.