Patent ID: 6600849
Filing Date: 2003-07-29
Classification: G02B,H04J,H04Q

Abstract:
A control system for an optical cross-connect having a switch core defined by first and second independently movable beam deflectors adapted to selectively define an optical path between a pair of ports of the optical cross-connect, and an optical element having optical power disposed in a propagation path of light beams between the first and second beam deflectors, the control system comprising:a pilot light source adapted to insert a respective pilot light into the switch core substantially colinearly with live traffic; a respective optical sensor associated with each beam deflector and adapted to detect a predetermined geometric property of the pilot light emerging from the switch core from the associated beam deflector, the predetermined geometric property being unambiguously associated with an angular position of the associated beam deflector; and a feedback path adapted to actively control a position of the associated beam deflector based on the detected geometric property.