Patent ID: 7149427

Claim:
A transmitter optical module, comprising: a light source for generating a modulated beam of light; a micromirror array assembly, comprising a plurality of micromirrors arranged in an array, for reflecting the modulated light beam; and control circuitry for controllably and individually rotating the plurality of micromirrors to direct the reflected modulated light beam in a desired direction; a plurality of permanent magnets, at least one permanent magnet coupled to each of the plurality of micromirrors; and an array of coil drivers, the coil drivers arranged into a plurality of groups, each group associated with one of the plurality of micromirrors in the array, and mounted to the frame of the plurality of micromirrors so that each group of coil drivers is in proximity to the at least one permanent magnet attached to its associated micromirror; and wherein the control circuitry is coupled to each of the coil drivers in the array of coil drivers, for energizing the coil drivers to controllably rotate the plurality of micromirrors to direct the reflected modulated light beam in a desired direction.