Patent ID: 6836353
Filing Date: 2004-12-28
Classification: H04J,H04Q

Abstract:
An optical switching system, the system comprising:a housing; an input device coupled to the housing; an output device coupled to the housing; a first switch fabric coupled between the input device and coupled between the output device, the first switch fabric comprising a plurality of MEMS based switching devices, one or more of the MEMS based switching device being capable of deflecting optical signals; a second switch fabric coupled between the input device and coupled between the output device, the second switch fabric comprising a plurality of MEMS based switching devices, one or more of the MEMS based switching device being capable of deflecting optical signals; an input fiber bundle coupled to the input device; an output fiber bundle coupled to the output device; a first switching device coupled to the first switch fabric and coupled to the second switch fabric, the first switching device also being coupled to the input device for receiving a beam from one of the input fibers and directing the beam to the first switch fabric or the second switch fabric depending upon a predetermined criteria; a second switch device coupled to the first switch fabric and coupled to the second switch fabric, the second switching device also being coupled to the output device for receiving the beam from either the first switch fabric or the second switch fabric depending upon the predetermined criteria; and a control device coupled to the first switch device and the second switch device, the control device providing a signal to determine if the beam is to be directed to the first switch fabric or the second switch fabric based upon the predetermined criteria.