Patent ID: 6424759
Filing Date: 2002-07-23
Classification: G02B,H04Q

Abstract:
An optical switch, comprising:(a) a plurality of primary optical ports arranged in a row; (b) a plurality of secondary optical ports arranged in a column; (c) a perforated support plate having first and second surfaces opposite each other, the perforated support plate having at least one aperture through the first and second surfaces; (d) a reflector array comprising a plurality of movable optical reflectors arranged in a plurality of columns and rows, each of the movable optical reflectors individually movable with respect to the support plate, each of the movable optical reflectors capable of occupying an on position to intercept incoming light on a respective first optical path from a respective one of the primary optical ports or an off position away from the respective first optical path, each of the movable optical reflectors having a reflection surface angled with respect to the respective first optical path when the movable optical reflector is in the on position to reflect the light onto a respective second optical path leading to a respective one of the secondary optical ports, wherein each of the movable optical reflectors is switched from the on position to the off position by moving toward the aperture away from the respective first optical path, and wherein each of the movable optical reflectors is switched from the off position to the on position by moving away from the aperture onto the respective first optical path; (e) means for switching the movable optical reflectors between their on and off positions; (f) a plurality of primary lenses arranged in a row, each of the primary lenses positioned adjacent a-respective one of the primary optical ports to collimate the incoming light on the respective first optical path; and (g) a plurality of secondary lenses arranged in a column, each of the secondary lenses positioned adjacent a respective one of the secondary optical ports to collimate light on the respective second optical path.