Patent ID: 6134358
Filing Date: 2000-10-17
Classification: G02B,G02F,H04Q

Abstract:
An optical switch comprisinga first input components having an input port and a plurality of output locations, said first input component being configured to controllably route an input optical signal to any of said plurality of output locations of said first input component, said plurality of output locations of said first input component defining a first spatial arrangement;a second input components having an input port and a plurality of output locations, said second input component being configured to controllably route an input optical signal to any of said plurality of output locations of said second input component;a first output component having at least first and second receiving locations, said first receiving location of said first output component aligned to receive optical signals from one of said plurality of output locations of said first input component, said second receiving location of said first output component aligned to receive optical signals from one of said plurality of output locations of said second input component, said first and second receiving locations of said first output component defining a second spatial arrangement, non-parallel with said first spatial arrangement, said first output component configured to route an optical signal received at either of said first or second receiving locations of said first output component to an output port of said first output component; anda second output component having at least first and second receiving locations, said first receiving location of said second output component aligned to receive optical signals from one of said plurality of output locations of said first input component, said second output component configured to route an optical signal received at either of said first or second receiving locations of said second output component to an output port of said second output component.