Patent ID: 6487330
Filing Date: 2002-11-26
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An optical communication equipment comprising:an optical signal input terminal, to which an optical video signal is input; an electric signal input terminal, to which an electric audio signal is input; an optical switch for switching an output of said optical video signal input from said optical signal input terminal; an electro-optical signal converter for converting said electric signal from said electric signal input terminal to an optical signal and synthesizing the converted audio signal with an output optical signal from said optical switch; and a controller having two output terminals from which the synthesized optical signal is output, for switching said optical switch upon judgment of an error in said synthesized signal from one of said two output terminals; wherein said optical switch comprises: a substrate made of a first material; a separation layer formed on said substrate; a plurality of cantilever beams formed in parallel to one another on said separation layer, and connected at tip ends thereof to a connection member; at least one input optical waveguide core made of said first material and formed on said cantilever beams; a plurality of output optical waveguide cores fixed in opposition to said at least one input optical waveguide core; a press member fixed to said substrate to cross at least one of the tip ends of said cantilever beams; a cover for covering the whole of said cantilever beams; and switch drive means for shifting said cantilever beams.