Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part application of Serial No. 10/171,298 filed Jun. 13, 2002 entitled, “PHOTONIC SWITCHING APPARATUS FOR OPTICAL COMMUNICATION NETWORK”. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to apparatus and methods for movement of objects; specifically, objects such as mirrors that direct light beams in optical systems and networks.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Fiberoptic technologies and systems have been widely deployed in recent decades. However, certain key components remain expensive and inefficient, which hinders the expansion of optical systems and optical communication networks. One of these components is the wavelength switch, which routes and redirects a light beam from one fiber to another fiber so that the signal can be provisioned and managed according to the demand. A typical wavelength switch used today converts the input light signal into an electronic signal to detect the routing information, switches the electronic signal, and then eventually reconverts it back into a light signal for further transmission. This device, commonly referred to as an Optical-Electrical-Optical (OEO) switch, not only depends on current semiconductor technologies and processes, but also requires a transmitter and a receiver for each transmission port. These factors cause OEQ switches to be large in size (e.g., occupying two or more 7-foot tall racks), to have high power consumption (e.g., kilowatts), to be network protocol and transmission rate dependent, to lack scalability, and to be costly.  
           [0004]    Thus, there is a need for an alternative apparatus for directing a light beam in an optical system that can be manufactured efficiently and provide improved performance in optical systems and fiber optic-based networks.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0005]    The present invention will be understood more fully from the detailed description that follows and from the accompanying drawings, which however, should not be taken to limit the invention to the specific embodiments; shown, but are for explanation and understanding only.  
         [0006]    [0006]FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an actuator-mirror matrix assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an actuator-mirror matrix assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an actuator-mirror bar assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIGS. 4A &amp; 4B are top views of a gimbal used in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 5 illustrates a platform that mounts to the gimbal of FIGS. 4A &amp; 4B in an actuator-mirror assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of an integrated mirror/pedestal  210  utilized in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 7 illustrates an actuator-mirror assembly at an intermediate point of construction according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 8 illustrates an actuator-mirror assembly at a further point of construction according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an actuator-mirror assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIGS. 10A &amp; 10B are top and side views of a magnet-housing arrangement for an actuator-mirror assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 11 is a top view of a magnet-housing arrangement for an actuator-mirror assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional side view of an actuator-mirror assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIGS. 13A &amp; 13B are cross-sectional side views of an actuator-mirror assembly tilted in two different directions in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIGS. 14A &amp; 14B show top and side views of a bobbin coil assembly utilized in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 15 illustrates the relative position of a coil and magnet assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 16 is a top view of a gimbal utilized in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 17 is an exploded side view of a portion of the exemplary actuator-mirror matrix assembly of FIG. 2.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional side view of an actuator-mirror assembly in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 19 illustrates a photonic switch module in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 20 is a block diagram of an open loop control system for positioning a mirror of a photonic switch in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 21 is a block diagram of an open loop control system for positioning a mirror of a photonic switch in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 22 is a high-level block diagram is an example of an electronics circuit that may be used for control of a photonic switch according to the present invention.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 23 is a block diagram of the control electronics utilized in a photonic switch according to another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 24 is a functional circuit diagram for a 256×256 switch fabric according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 25 shows the hardware configuration for a 1024×1024 switch fabric according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 26 illustrates an example of a folded large-matrix photonic switch layout in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 27 is a plot that depicts the effect of pre-filter on an input profile signal used to position a mirror in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 28 is a graph illustrating a two-dimensional circular scan for maximum light searching in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 29 is a graph illustrating a three-dimensional spherical scan for maximum light searching in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 30 is a flowchart of a four-dimensional search algorithm utilized in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 31 is a flowchart of a linear tracking algorithm utilized in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0037]    A photonic switch for use in an optical communication network is described. In the following description numerous specific details are set forth, such as angles, material types, configuratibons, etc., in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, persons having ordinary skill in the opto-electronics arts will appreciate that these specific details may not be needed to practice the present invention.  
         [0038]    According to one embodiment of the present invention, a photonic switch utilizing a tilting actuator-mirror assembly is provided to control the path of a light beam for use in a fiber optic communication network (e.g. an all-optical switch). The present invention also has numerous other consumer, medical, and/or industrial applications. For example, laser marking, optical scanning devices, Windshield auto projection, helmet display, personal digital assistant (“PDA”) and mobile phone projection display, to name a few, can all benefit from the present invention.  
         [0039]    In another embodiment of the present invention, in an optical switch light is guided by a fiber through a collimator, which forms the divergent light rays into a round beam having a specific beam width, onto a first mirror. The first mirror is part of an actuator-mirror assembly that can be tilted to reflect the light beam onto a second mirror. The second mirror is also part of an actuator-mirror assembly that is used to tilt the mirror along x and y-axes. A plurality of actuator-mirror assemblies is arranged in a matrix in which rows or columns of actuator-mirror assemblies are attached to one or more connector bars. The number of actuator-mirror assemblies on a connector bar and the number of bars per matrix depends on the particular application, for example, the port count of a switch.  
         [0040]    According to one embodiment, a photonic switch utilizing a dual-axis tilting actuator is provided as a rotary moving coil actuator suspended by a flexing, electrically conductive gimbal component. The gimbal is comprised of a pair of beams that move about the axis of rotation under the influence of an electromagnetic actuator. The conductive connections in the rotary moving coil actuator are integrated with the flexing part of the gimbal. In various embodiments, the actuator may rotate about either a single axis or a dual axis.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an actuator-mirror matrix assembly  105  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. By way of example, actuator-mirror matrix assembly  105  may be used as a photonic switch for fiber optic communication applications. A photonic switch is typically used to provision the path of light in a fiber optic communication network,  
         [0042]    In the example of FIG. 1, assembly  105  includes actuator-mirror bars (e.g.,  101 ,  102 ,  103 , etc.), each of which comprises two rows of individual actuator-mirror assemblies (e.g., mirror assemblies  106 - 111 , etc.). The actuator-mirror bars are supported by a platform  104  that may also provide electrical connection to the individual actuators. In the particular embodiment shown, platform  104  comprises an aluminum block that supports the bars and also facilitates connection of the bars to a printed circuit board assembly. Matrix assembly  105  comprises six actuator-mirror bars, with each of the bars including 2 rows of 12 mirror plates per row (2×12), for a total of 144 mirror plates, which is sufficient to support a 72-port photonic switch. Each of the individual actuator-mirror assemblies includes a mirror plate that provides a highly reflective surface utilized to direct a laser beam, or other light beam.  
         [0043]    It is appreciated that the number of actuator-mirror assemblies included on an actuator-mirror bar (i.e., the number of rows and columns) may vary, depending, for example, upon the port count of the photonic switch, or other system application.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an actuator-mirror matrix assembly  120  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Individual actuator-mirror bars ( 125 ,  126 ,  127 , etc.) are shown mounted to a platform 124. Each bar supports two rows of actuator-mirror assemblies ( 121 ,  122 ,  123 , etc.). The reflective surface of each mirror faces outward in the matrix assembly of FIG. 2. A printed circuit board assembly (“PCBA”)  130  is, coupled to the underside of each of the bar assemblies  125 ,  126 ,  127 , etc. to drive and control the actuators. The PCBA includes current driver integrated circuits (“IC&#39;s”) and multiplexing circuitry that reduce the number of pin connections between the actuator-mirror matrix assembly  120  and a main PCB (not shown in this view). In the example shown in FIG. 2, gaskets or some other seal or packing may be included between the bars and the platform frame 124 to seal the assembly.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 17 is an exploded side view of a portion (i.e., a 2×24 bar) of the exemplary actuator-mirror matrix assembly of FIG. 2. Individual actuator-mirror assemblies (e.g.,  330 ,  331 ,  332 , etc.) are shown attached to corresponding actuator flex circuits (e.g.,  333 ,  334 ,  335 , etc.) The flex circuits provide electrical connection to the coils housed in each individual actuator-mirror assembly. The actuator-mirror assemblies and the actuator flex circuits are shown comprising bar assembly  340 . An actuator bar connector  341  provides connection between the flex circuits of actuator bar assembly  340  and a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA)  345 . The actuator bar flex circuit  341  includes a female pin connector  342  and the PCBA  345  includes a male pin connector  343 .  
         [0046]    PCBA  345  contains a variety of circuits for driving and controlling the actuator-mirror matrix assembly. Among the various components included on PCBA  345  are current driver IC&#39;s and multiplexing circuitry to reduce the number of pin connections between the actuator mirror bar assembly  360  and a main controller or main PCBA (not shown). PCBA  345  also contains a female pin connector  344  for providing power and control signals to PCBA  345  from a main controller or main PCBA. In this example, the PCBA  350  is the same size as the bar. As is described herein, each actuator-mirror assembly may include four coils, two of which are connected in series. Therefore, two dedicated power drivers may be used to drive each actuator-mirror assembly.  
         [0047]    Referring now to FIG. 3 there is shown is a perspective view of a single actuator-mirror bar assembly  140  (and platform portion  150 ) in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Bar assembly  140  comprises a support bar  150  that supports two columns (i.e.,  141  &amp;  142 ) by twenty-four rows of individual actuator-mirror assemblies ( 143 ,  144 ,  145 , etc.) for a total of forty-eight actuator-mirror assemblies. The number of the actuator-mirror assemblies and the number of bar assemblies per matrix (shown in FIGS. 1 &amp; 2) depend on the particular application. For instance, if the actuator-mirror bar assembly  140  were to be used in an all-optical switch of a fiber communication network, the number of actuator-mirror assemblies included on each bar would depend on the port count of the switch.  
         [0048]    Each of the actuator-mirror assemblies includes subassemblies, such as a mirror-gimbal assembly. These subassemblies may include the actuator wiring and the actuator power drivers. In some applications, the actuator-mirror assemblies may comprise rotary moving coil-object assemblies suspended by a flexing gimbal component that allows the mobile coil-object assembly to move in a desired manner.  
         [0049]    Referring now to FIGS. 4A &amp; 4B, there is shown a top plan view of a gimbal  200  utilized in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Gimbal  200  is made from a single, integral sheet of thin metal. FIG. 4A shows gimbal  200  after removal of the “cutout” areas from the sheet metal. FIG. 4B shows the gimbal after removal of the end section and perimeter material, which step is performed during the construction of the actuator-mirror assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0050]    The sheet metal used for gimbal  200  is preferably a fully hardened material, such as stainless steel, having high fatigue strength. Other materials providing similar properties may also be used. The material selected should allow the gimbal to rotate the attached mirror (or mirror-coil assembly) with a high rotational angle (e.g., +/15 degrees) over millions of movement cycles. The material may also be heat-treated. The sheet metal material is also preferably non-magnetic to prevent reluctance forces induced by the magnets in the actuator. In some cases, the sheet metal may also be coated with a corrosion-resistant material, such as titanium-nickel or gold.  
         [0051]    Gimbal  200  comprises four attachment pads  201 - 204  that are centrally located symmetrical about the x-axis (i.e., longitudinal axis) and y-axis (i.e., transverse axis). A mirror, or mirror-pedestal assembly, is adhesively attached to pads  201 - 204 . Thus, in the completed assembly, pads  201 - 204  are all affixed in a rigid plane, remaining stationary or moving in unison, depending on the particular embodiment of the final actuator-mirror assembly. Thin, elongated beams  191 - 194  support each of pads  201 - 204 , respectively. In operation, pairs of adjacent beams  191  &amp;  192  and  193  &amp;  194  each twist longitudinally about the x-axis to permit the mirror (attached to pads  201 - 204 ) to rotate about the x-axis.  
         [0052]    In FIG. 4A, beams  191  &amp;  192  are shown being integrally connected to end section  251  through respective intermediate sections  221  &amp;  222 . Similarly, beams  193  &amp;  194  are integrally connected to end section  253  through intermediate sections  223  &amp;  224 , respectively. Intermediate sections  221 - 224  are also integrally connected with thin, elongated beams  195 - 198 , respectively, which permit rotation of the mirror about the y-axis. During rotation of the mirror about the x-axis, pairs of adjacent beams  195  &amp;  196  and  197  &amp;  198  remain substantially rigid. Similarly, during rotation of the mirror about the y-axis, pairs of adjacent beams  195  &amp;  196  and  197  &amp;  198  twist longitudinally about the y-axis, while pairs of adjacent beams  191  &amp;  192  and  193  &amp;  194  remain substantially rigid.  
         [0053]    Beams  195  &amp;  196  are shown in FIG. 4A being connected to end section  252  via respective L-shaped mounting sections  240  &amp;  241 . Likewise, beams  197  &amp;  198  are both integrally connected to end section  254  through respective L-shaped mounting sections  242  &amp;  243 . All of the end sections  251 - 254  are attached together through a set of perimeter connecting sections  246 - 249 . For example, end section  251  attaches to end sections  252  &amp;  254  via connecting sections  246  &amp;  249 , respectively. End section  253  attaches to end sections  252  &amp;  254  via connecting sections  247  &amp;  248 , respectively. In this embodiment, end sections  251 - 254  (beyond dashed lines  250  in FIG. 4A) are removed along with the perimeter connecting sections during the assembly process. FIG. 4B shows gimbal  200  after these metal sections have been removed. This assembly process of this embodiment is described in more detail below.  
         [0054]    Each of the mounting sections  240 - 243  of gimbal  200  is fixedly mounted (e.g., with adhesive) to a stationary point or platform mount of the actuator-mirror assembly. FIG. 5 shows one possible implementation of a platform  270  that may be used for this purpose. Platform  270  comprises a base  271  that supports four rigid posts  272 - 275  of equal height. Each of the posts  272 - 275  has a flat end surface  282 - 285 , respectively. The dimensions of end surfaces  282 - 285  and the position of posts  272 - 275  is such that end surfaces  282 - 285  align with the rectangular surface areas of mounting sections  240 - 243  (see FIG. 4B) in a corresponding manner. This permits the mounting sections  240 - 243  to be adhesively attached to corresponding end surfaces  282 - 285 .  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 5 also shows a set of four thin wires  292 - 295 , each of which is adhesively bonded to respective posts of platform  282 - 285 . These wires connect with the coils that comprise the actuator of the final assembly. Two of the wires are used to energize the coils disposed about the x-axis, and the other two are used to energize the coils disposed about the y-axis.  
         [0056]    After gimbal  200  has been mounted to platform  270  each of the wires  292 - 295  are soldered to corresponding tabs of the mounting sections  240 - 243 . For example, if surface  282  is attached to mounting section  240 , wire  292  may be soldered to tab  255 . Continuing with this example, with surfaces  283 - 285  respectively attached to mounting sections  241 - 243 , wires  293 - 295  may be soldered to tabs  256 - 258 , respectively. Note that in gimbal  200  of FIG. 4B each of tabs  255 - 258  provides separate electrical connection with respective pads  202 ,  203 ,  204 , and  201 . This feature is utilized to establish electrical connection to the coils of the actuator-mirror assembly, as discussed in more detail shortly.  
         [0057]    Metal may be removed from a single piece of thin sheet metal to achieve the gimbal cutout patterns shown in FIGS. 4A &amp; 4B using a variety of conventional methods, such as chemical, etching, press cutting, milling, etc. Although a specific rectilinear cutout pattern is shown in these figures, it is understood that other embodiments may have different patterns or a different arrangement of beams, pads, etc., yet still provide rotational movement along the x and y axes in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0058]    In the embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 4A &amp; 4B, beams  191 - 198  are each about 0.05 mm wide, mirror-attachment pads  201 - 204  are each about 0.4 mm×0.6 mm in dimension, and the thickness of the single piece of sheet metal is about 0.0254 mm. Wires  292 - 295  are also about 0.0254 mm thick. In certain embodiments, beams  191 - 198  may be partially etched to make them thinner than the rest of the sheet metal material. For example, beams  191 - 198  may be chemically etched to a thickness less than 0.0254 mm to increase flexibility and thus achieve a higher degree of rotation.  
         [0059]    [0059]FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of an integrated mirror/pedestal  210  utilized in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In the drawing, the polished, reflective surface of mirror  214  faces down and into the page. Integrated mirror/pedestal  210  may be manufactured from a single piece of material such as silicon, Pyrex®, quartz, sapphire, aluminum, or other types of suitable materials. Integrated mirror/pedestal  210  includes a pedestal portion  212  having a flat surface  211 . The length and width of surface  211  is such that it matches or fit within the combined area of pads  201 - 204  (see FIG. 4B). During the assembly process, surface  211  is adhesively bonded to one side of pads  201 - 204 .  
         [0060]    Integrated mirror/pedestal  210  also includes a base plate  213  between pedestal portion  212  and the back of mirror  214 . Base plate is sized smaller than mirror  214  such that a step  216 , comprising a peripheral area of the back of mirror  213 , is realized. It is appreciated that other embodiments may be constructed from discrete parts (e.g., separate mirror, base plate, and pedestal) rather than being manufactured in integral form. In either approach, the mirror may be about 0.25 mm thick and 2×2 mm in area. The mirror surface may be lapped to a highly polished optical-flat surface. A reflective surface can also be applied by numerous methods, including plating or sputtering gold, silver, or aluminum on a layer of nickel.  
         [0061]    [0061]FIG. 7 shows a bottom perspective view of an actuator-mirror assembly after pads  201 - 204  have been bonded to surface  211  of integrated mirror/pedestal  210 . FIG. 7 also shows four coils  206 - 209  adhesively bonded to step  216  around the side back surface of mirror  214 . Thus, coils  206 - 209 , mirror  214 , and pads  201 - 204  of gimbal  200  are all rigidly coupled together, and move as a single unit, in the actuator-mirror assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. Note that although FIG. 7 shows the end sections of gimbal  200  before removal at this stage of the assembly process, this is not required. That is, the end and peripheral connecting sections of gimbal  200  may be removed either before or after attachment to the mirror/pedestal assembly.  
         [0062]    [0062]FIG. 8 is another view of the assembly of FIG. 7 after soldering of pairs of coil wires to the back of pads  201 - 204 . (Note that not all of the cutout portions of the gimbal are shown in this view for clarity reasons.) For example, wires  226  &amp;  227  of coil  208 , and wires  224  &amp;  225  of coil  206 , are shown soldered to pads  202  &amp;  203 , respectively. Similarly, wires  228  &amp;  229  of coil  207 , and wires  230  &amp;  231  of coil  209 , are soldered to pads  204  &amp;  201 , respectively.  
         [0063]    Upon removal of the end sections of gimbal  200 , each of the pads  201 - 204  is electrically connected to a separate one of the mounting sections  240 - 243 . In other words, removal of the end sections of the gimbal creates four distinct conductive paths in the remaining sheet metal material from each of the four mounting sections to a corresponding one of the pads  201 - 204 . According to one embodiment of the present invention, current flows through these four paths to control movement of the attached mirror via coils  206 - 209 . This embodiment therefore utilizes the metal of gimbal  200  to conduct electrical current delivered to the moving coil. That is, the electrical connections to the coil wires are integrated with the flexing part of the gimbal. This arrangement thereby eliminates movement of wires during operation of the mirror-gimbal assembly.  
         [0064]    Following attachment of the gimbal to platform  270  (see FIG. 5) wires  292 - 295  may be soldered to tabs  255 - 258  to establish an electrical connection to coils  206 - 209 . Thus, the conductive paths provided through the flexing beams of gimbal  200  may be used to energize the coils in order to control tilting of the mirror along the x-axis and the y-axis. By way of example, one pair of wires  292 - 295  may be used to energize one pair of opposing coils (i.e., coils  207  &amp;  209 ) to control rotation of the mirror about the x-axis, with the remaining pair of Wires  292 - 295  being used to energize the other pair of opposing coils (i.e., coils  206  &amp;  208 ) to control rotation of the mirror about the y-axis. In the final assembly, permanent magnets are attached within the central opening of each of the coils  206 - 209 .  
         [0065]    Torque is developed on the mirror-coil assembly upon application of an appropriate current through the coils, in the presence of the permanent magnetic field. The direction of the force is made to be opposite on each side of the mirror-coil assembly such that the resulting torque rotates or tilts the mirror attached to the top of gimbal  200 . Since the mirror-coil assembly is fixedly attached to gimbal  200 , gimbal pads  201 - 204  and mirror  214  rotate together as the mirror-coil assembly rotates. When the applied current is interrupted or halted, the restoring spring force of gimbal  200  returns the assembly to a rest position.  
         [0066]    [0066]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an actuator-mirror assembly according to the present invention. The actuator-mirror assembly shown in FIG. 9 rotates about a single axis. In this embodiment, two coils  50  and  55  are adhesively attached to step  216  on opposite sides of mirror  214  and base plate  213 . The gimbal for this embodiment comprises two rectilinear, or I-bar, shaped members  10   a  &amp;  10   b  of thin sheet metal. Ends  12   a  &amp;  12   b  ′ of respective I-bar members  10   a  &amp;  10   b  are bonded to surface  211  of pedestal  212 . Wires  60   a  &amp;  60   b  of coil  50  are soldered to ends,  12   a  &amp;  12   b , respectively. Likewise, wires  65   a  &amp;  65   b  of coil  55  are also soldered to ends  12   a  &amp;  12   b , respectively. A stationary platform similar to that shown in FIG. 5, but having two posts, supports the assembly of FIG. 9, with the end surfaces of the posts being bonded to ends  14   a  &amp;  14   b  of I-bar members  10   a  &amp;  10   b . A wire attached to each of the mounting posts may be soldered to ends  14   a  &amp;  14   b  to provide electrical connection through the gimbal members  10   a  &amp;  10   b  to energize coils  50  &amp;  55 .  
         [0067]    [0067]FIGS. 10A &amp; 10B show top and side views of a magnet-housing arrangement for a single actuator-mirror assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. This magnet-housing arrangement, for example, may be utilized in the actuator-mirror assembly shown in FIG. 7. Magnets  81 - 84  are bonded on the side surfaces of steel returns  85 , attached to a base  86 . Magnets  81 - 84  are positioned adjacent the moving coils (e.g.; coils  206 - 209 ). The polarities of the magnets are shown by conventional nomenclature for north (N) and south (S). In one embodiment, the magnet material is Neodymium-Iron-Boron. Of course, other types of magnetic materials may be used as well.  
         [0068]    [0068]FIG. 11 shows a top view of a larger magnet-housing arrangement for use with multiple actuator-mirror assemblies.  
         [0069]    [0069]FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional side view of an actuator-mirror assembly utilizing gimbal  200  according to one embodiment of the present invention. A pair of magnets  87  is shown attached to a steel return on opposite sides of the mirror-coil-gimbal assembly. One pair of magnets  87  are positioned adjacent coil  206 , and the other pair of magnets  87  are positioned adjacent coil  209 . Each of the coils is bonded to a notched edge surface of mirror plate  214 . A pedestal  214  is shown attached to the back of mirror plate  214  and also to pads  201  &amp;  202  of gimbal  200 . The end surfaces of posts  74  &amp;  75  are shown respectively bonded to mounting sections  240  &amp;  243 , with wires  94  &amp;  95  soldered to sections  240  and  243  in accordance with the wiring scheme described above.  
         [0070]    Also included in the cross-section of FIG. 12 is an optional balancing plate  80  attached to the bottom of the coils  206 - 209 . Balancing plate  80  acts to counter-balance the weight of the mirror so that the center of rotation is at the center of gravity. This feature improves external shock and dynamic settling of the actuator. As shown in FIG. 12, balancing plate  80  comprises a solid, flat metal plate with several openings that allow the stationary posts to attach to the gimbal and also permit the gimbal-mirror-coil assembly to move. Instead of having-several openings to accommodate mounting of the mirror-coil-gimbal onto stationary posts, balancing plate  80  may also be implemented with a single, centrally located opening. For instance, balancing plate  80  may comprise a rectangular frame having its sides adhesively attached to the coils, as shown in FIGS. 13A &amp; 13B.  
         [0071]    The embodiment of FIG. 12 further illustrates the use of an optional damper coating  333 , which covers beams  191 - 198  and gimbal pads  201 - 204 . Damper coating  333  comprises a low viscosity polymer (e.g., an ultraviolet curing resin) that becomes a flexible gel upon curing. Damper coating  333  acts to damp gimbal resonances and improve the settling time of the actuator; yet, because coating  333  is flexible, it does not appreciably affect the stiffness of the gimbal. Damper coating  333  also improves reliability by minimizing the effect of external shock and vibration.  
         [0072]    [0072]FIGS. 13A &amp; 13B are cross-sectional side views of an actuator-mirror assembly with appropriate current applied to coils  206  &amp;  209  to tilt mirror  214  in two different directions along a single longitudinal axis of movement. Note that in FIGS. 13A &amp; 13B only the rigid sections of gimbal  200  are shown for clarity reasons. Precise movement of mirror  214  along both the x-axis and y-axis is achieved by controlling the current applied to the four coils  206 - 209  for the embodiments described above.  
         [0073]    [0073]FIGS. 14A &amp; 14B show top and side views of a bobbin-coil assembly utilized in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the coils  301 ,  302 ,  303 , and  304  are made from fine copper wire with single-built insulation, and are each wrapped around a post member on a side of bobbin  310 . Coils  301 ,  302 ,  303 , and  304  are physically located between one or more permanent magnets (not shown in this view) in the final assembly. FIG. 15 shows the relative position of a coil and magnet assembly in accordance with this alternative embodiment. The coil windings are supported by and encircle the protruding side members of bobbin  310 , shaped in accordance with the dimensions of the permanent magnets. Bobbin pedestal  330  provides a surface for bonding (e.g., adhesive attachment) to a gimbal that suspends bobbin  310  between the permanent magnets.  
         [0074]    By way of example, in the embodiment of FIGS. 14A&amp; 14B, each coil may include approximately  48  turns made from  6  layers, with each layer having  8  turns. The number of turns and layers may vary based on the type of coil used, the application, etc. Bobbin  310  may be made from a variety of machined materials (e.g., polymers) as is known in the art. In operation, application of current through the coils generates a magnetic field that interacts with the field of the permanently mounted magnets to torque to tilt the actuator.  
         [0075]    The bobbin coil assembly of FIGS. 14A &amp; 14B may be bonded to a variety of conventional gimbals FIG. 16 shows a top view of a conventional gimbal  320  of a type well known in the industry, which may be used to suspend the bobbin-coil assembly shown in FIGS. 14A &amp; 14B. Gimbal  320  is formed of a single sheet of material (e.g., sheet metal) that provides for dual-axis rotation of the bobbin-coil assembly. Bobbin pedestal  330  may, for instance, be bonded to central area  323  of gimbal  320 .  
         [0076]    [0076]FIG. 18 shows a cross-sectional side view of an actuator-mirror assembly in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In this view, permanent magnets  396  &amp;  397  are positioned on steel returns  395  &amp;  394  adjacent coils  381  &amp;  382 , respectively. Coils  381  &amp;  382  are located on opposite sides of a bobbin  310 , which is bonded to the center of a-gimbal  320 , such as that shown in FIG. 16. In this example, gimbal  320  is secured to stationary steel returns  394  &amp;  395 . A mirror  391  is secured on the center-top area of gimbal  320 .  
         [0077]    Torque is developed on the bobbin-coil assembly upon application of an appropriate current through coils  381  &amp;  382 , in the presence of the permanent magnetic field. The direction of the force is made to be opposite on each side of bobbin  310  such that the resulting torque rotates or tilts mirror  391  attached to the top of gimbal  320 . The bobbin-coil assembly is attached to a gimbal  320  and therefore the gimbal  320  and the mirror  391  will rotate as the-bobbin-coil assembly rotates. When the applied current is interrupted or halted, the restoring spring force of gimbal  320  returns the assembly to the rest position shown in FIG. 18.  
         [0078]    [0078]FIG. 19 shows a photonic switch module  430  for use in an optical communication network in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The photonic switch module  430  shown in FIG. 19 includes a fiber lens matrix  425 , a reference mirror  440 , and an actuator-mirror matrix assembly  435 , as described above. Fiber lens matrix  425  includes accurately drilled receptor holes. Each of the fiber-lens receptacles functions as an optical port, which, in the described embodiment includes an optical fiber coupler connected to a lens. The input portions of the holes are fitted with a collimator or lens  453  to direct light provided by a fiber optic coupler onto the mirror of an individual actuator-mirror assembly. Each of the lenses  453  acts to collect and collimate the light beams passing through matrix  425 . Lens  453  may comprise a gradient index lens, a molded aspherical lens, or some other type of lens known in the art. The embodiment of FIG. 19 may also include an intensity monitoring feedback loop that includes a photodiode to detect a portion of the beam of light, and an optical fiber coupler having a first end connected to an optical fiber and a second end connected to the photodiode.  
         [0079]    In the example of FIG. 19, respective input and output optical fibers  454  and  456  are each shown connected to a coupler  455  that is secured to a housing (not shown) by a fiber connector  458 . The housing accommodates arrays of input/output fibers for the switch module. Coupler  455  in this example is a 1×2 coupler that passes most of the light signal (e.g., 95%-99%) to the mirror array. A small amount of light (i.e., 1%-5%) is redirected to the photo-detector where it can be amplified and transmitted to a central control center in the main PCBA as part of the signal feedback loop., Fiber lens matrix  425  and actuator-mirror matrix assembly  435  are configured and positioned such that each input/output fiber receptacle of matrix  425  is precisely aligned with a corresponding mirror of assembly  435 . Each lens  453 , therefore, is associated with a dedicated actuator-mirror assembly  436 .  
         [0080]    To ease the impact of beam divergence and reduce signal loss of the light beam, the diameter of the collimator lens  453  is chosen dependent upon the overall traveling distance of the light beam switched from input fiber  454  to output fiber  456 . A mirror of a first actuator-mirror assembly  436  functions to direct a light beam  460  received from fiber  454  to a reference mirror  440 . Reference mirror  440  then reflects light beam  460  to a destination mirror  437  of a second actuator-mirror assembly. Mirror  437  functions to redirect light beam  460  to output fiber  456 . Reference mirror  440  and the mirrors of assemblies  436  may be coated with a reflective layer in gold or aluminum to provide high reflectivity (e.g., 98%).  
         [0081]    The geometric layout of switch module  430  allows the light beam to travel with minimum distance and with minimum light energy loss. The distance between the fiber-lens matrix  425  and the mirror-actuator assembly  435  as well as the tilting angles for the reference mirror  440  and the mirror-actuator assembly  435  are specified to ensure a uniform and minimized traveling distance for the light beam. For a  1096 -port photonic switch, for instance, a typical traveling distance is 1400 mm and the corresponding Raleigh beam diameter (which may expand by 40% over this distance) is about 1.66 mm. Collimator lenses with diameters of 1.8 mm may be chosen in this example to suppress the divergence and reduce the light loss due to the beam divergent issue.  
         [0082]    The input and output mirrors of the photonic switch described above are controlled by an intelligent, software-based control system in one implementation. Feed forward and pre-shaping notch filtering may be utilized to eliminate unwanted dynamics of the mechanical structure in the mirror based photonic switch according to one embodiment of the present invention. The input sequence is time optimal in that it is designed to move the mirror from one radial position to another in minimum time. The filter is designed to shape this input sequence in order to prevent the fundamental resonance from vibrating during move and settling periods.  
         [0083]    Referring now to FIG. 20 there is shown a block diagram of an open loop control system to position a mirror of a photonic switch in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Using the system shown, the individual mirrors of the actuator-mirror matrix assembly (see FIGS. 1 and 2) are switched between various positions. An input command profile (block  501 ) produces the trajectory that the mirror has to follow to go from point A to point B, for example. A discrete pre-filter (block  502 ) is implemented as a biquad band reject filter with a transfer function given as:  
           G ( s )=( A·z   2   +B·z+C )/( D·z   2   +E·z+F )  
         [0084]    Pre-filter  502  eliminates unwanted oscillations of the mirrors in the actuator-mirror matrix assembly. FIG. 27 is a plot that depicts the effect of pre-filter on the input profile signal used to position a mirror. Waveform  490  show the command profile without filtering, and waveform  491  is the position response following filtering by block  502 .  
         [0085]    Continuing with the control system circuit of FIG. 20, torque constant block  503  provides a gain that converts current into torque. The output of block  503  is coupled to the “+” input of summing block  504 . The “−” inputs to block  504  are provided from the feedback outputs of blocks  509  and  508 , which provide the responses due to the spring constant of the gimbal and the friction of the gimbal, both of which act to oppose the movement of the mirror. For example, block  508  provides a damping gain (kv) that converts velocity into a torque term that is subtracted from the input torque term generated by block  503 . Similarly, block  509  provides a damping gain that converts position into a; torque term subtracted from the input torque.  
         [0086]    The output of summing block  504  is coupled to inertia conversion block  505 , which converts torque into acceleration expressed in radians/(seconds) 2 . Inertia is converted into velocity (radians/second) by block  511 . At block  507  radians are converted into degrees, with the output representing the signal to achieve a desired mirror position in the switching mechanism (shown as block  510 ).  
         [0087]    Referring now to FIG. 21 there is shown a block diagram for open loop control of mirror position for a photonic switch mechanism in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Note that in a particular embodiment, a portion (or all) of the component control circuitry may be physically located behind the actuator-mirror assemblies. FIG. 20 shows an open loop block diagram with a discrete pre-filter  502  to remove unwanted mechanical resonances. FIG. 21, on the other hand, shows a feedback mechanism that measures the light intensity and feeds it back to the discrete filter (block  522 ) using a scanning algorithm of compensation block  521 .  
         [0088]    The algorithm functions to search and detect maximum light intensity in an all-optical switch having one input port and one output port, each port having two axes. The algorithm is implemented in a digital signal processor (DSP) to control the input and output mirrors so as to pass the maximum amount of light through the switch. In other words, the algorithm finds the optimum coordinate positions for the input and output mirrors where light transmitted through the switch is maximized (i.e., maximum light intensity). The algorithm achieves maximum light throughput in the optical switch utilizing a four-dimensional (“4-D”) mathematical calculation. A four dimensional calculation is utilized because the input and output mirrors are each capable of movement in two directions: the x-axis and the y-axis. That is, each mirror has a dedicated mirror actuator assembly that can rotate in both horizontal (x) and vertical (y) directions in order to pass the light to the designated output collimator lens.  
         [0089]    [0089]FIG. 28 is a graph that illustrates a two-dimensional version of the calibration scan algorithm. The x and y axes of the graph correspond to the x and y directions of pivotal motion of the mirror. Current applied to x and y mirror coils causes deflection in the corresponding axial direction. The algorithm starts with an initial mirror location, or starting origin, and then begins scanning the mirror in a radius about that origin. With each circumferential pass, the radius is decreased slightly. By way of example, in FIG. 28 the initial x, y coordinates are 10 mA, 10 mA of command current. Each circle is divided into fifty segments.  
         [0090]    At each segment position the light intensity is measured (by a sensor positioned at the output of the optical switch) and compared to the light intensity reading obtained at the origin. If, at any point during the scan, the light intensity measured at a particular radial location is greater than the intensity measured at the origin, the scan continues with the origin is shifted to the particular radial location. The same process is then repeated for the new origin, but with a slightly smaller starting radius. The algorithm keeps shifting the origin each time a new mirror position produces a greater light intensity. Eventually the mirror converges to a position (i.e., an ending origin) that produces a maximum light intensity value.  
         [0091]    [0091]FIG. 29 is a graph that illustrates a three-dimensional version of the calibration algorithm. The three dimensions correspond to the x and y axes of one mirror and one axis of the other mirror. The 3-D version of the algorithm is seen as a sphere with varying radius.  
         [0092]    The preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes an algorithm that generates a 4-D “sphere-like” mathematical structure for the four axes of rotation of the input and output mirrors. During the calibration process the input and output mirrors move simultaneously; hence, the 4-D space. In other words, the algorithm of the present invention moves the x and y axes of both the input and output mirrors at the same time to search for a maximum output light intensity in an all-optical switch. A high-level description language code listing of the mathematical search routine utilized in one embodiment of the invention is provided below.  
                                                                                               for radius = rstart : radiusdelta : 0   % radius in mA                %   for radius = 0 : −radiusdelta : rstart                 for theta = −pi : pi/ratio : pi                for phi = − pi : pi/ratio : pi                for t×4 = − pi : pi/ratio : pi                x = radius*sin(theta)*cos(phi) + originx;           y = radius*sin(theta)*sin(phi) + originy;           z = radius*cos(theta) + origin.z;           ×4 = −((cos(t×4)−sin(t×4))*radius) + origin×4                      
 
         [0093]    where x, y, z, and x4 denote a four-dimensional coordinate position, theta is an angle, originx, originy, originz, and originx4 denote a position of the origin, and radius is a distance (in mA) from the origin. A listing of the complete four-dimensional scanning and maximum light searching algorithm utilized in one embodiment of the invention is provided at the end of the detailed description.  
         [0094]    Like the 2-D version described previously, in the 4-D version of the algorithm a portion of the output light intensity is measured at each coordinate position or at specified time intervals. The light intensity measurement is read back into the DSP. If the current reading, is greater than the previous reading, then the current reading is stored as the new maximum and the previous reading is discarded. At the same time, a new search origin is defined based on the coordinates for the input and output mirrors that produced the new maximum light intensity reading.  
         [0095]    [0095]FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing the operation of one embodiment of the 4-D calibration algorithm of the present invention. The routine begins with block  801  wherein current signals applied to the mirror actuator coils move the input and output mirrors to their predetermined origin positions. The origin positions may simply comprise starting positions of the input and output mirrors. The output light intensity is then read by a photo detector positioned to receive a portion of the light reflected from the output mirror. This reading is stored in the DSP as the initial intensity reading, i.e., “old-light” (block  802 ).  
         [0096]    At block  803 , new positions for the input an output mirrors are calculated based on a set of search parameters (i.e., radius, # of steps in each circle, change in radius size, etc.) and the 4-D sphere-like equations. The input and output mirrors are placed in their new locations by applying proportional currents to the mirror actuator coils in block  804 .  
         [0097]    The output light intensity is read at each position step or at specified time intervals and the measured value is read back into the DSP, i.e., “new-light” (block  805 ). The new-light value is then compared to the old-light value, as shown by decision block  806 . If the current new-light reading is greater than the old-light value, the new-light reading is stored and the old-light reading is discarded. The origin of the 4-D sphere-like equations is shifted to the new location (block  807 ). In other words, a new search origin is defined based on the coordinates where the new-light reading was obtained. On the other hand, if the new-light reading is less than or equal to the old-light reading, the scan continues at the specified radius and circle step increments. As previously discussed, both the radius and step size may be altered until a new-light value is obtained that exceeds the old-light value.  
         [0098]    If a new-light reading is measured that is greater than a maximum value previously recorded (decision block  808 ) the input and output mirrors are both moved to the x, y coordinates that produced the new maximum light intensity value (block  809 ). These coordinates are defined as the new origin and the scan and search routine returns to block  803 . At this point the search parameters may be altered to define a slightly smaller radius, smaller radius steps, etc. Eventually, as the 4-D origin for the input and output mirrors is repeatedly shifted, the algorithm converges on a location that produces an optimum (i.e., maximum) light intensity reading, at which point the routine ends. This optimum intensity reading may then be converted into an insertion loss specified in dB.  
         [0099]    Practitioners in the art will appreciate that the 4-D algorithm described above may be utilized to calibrate an all-optical switch at the factory before the product is shipped. In such a case, the algorithm parameters may be set with a relatively large starting radius to find the light and then find the input and output mirror coordinates that produce the maximum light throughput. This process may be repeated for every port. Alternatively the 4-D algorithm may be executed each time the optical switch is powered-up, or on a periodic basis to insure optimum performance.  
         [0100]    During the normal operation of the optical switch the calibrated coordinates may be used to position the input and output mirrors by application of appropriate currents to the mirror actuator coils. At this point, the computer program may enter a tracking mode, where it attempts to maintain the maximum light intensity by continuously monitoring light intensity. It is appreciated, for example, that the position of both the input and output mirrors can drift due to changes in environmental conditions (temperature, vibration, etc.) and power supply voltage. A low radius, 4-D linear search routine may be invoked to correct the positions of the input and output mirrors so as to maintain maximum light throughput. In one embodiment, the tracking algorithm performs a linear scan in which the radius selected depends upon how far away the light intensity reading is from the maximum reading, i.e., the intensity difference between the sensed or monitored light and the maximum reading.  
         [0101]    [0101]FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing the operation of a 4-D linear tracking algorithm according to one embodiment of the present invention. The tracking process starts (block  820 ) after the mirrors have been moved to their newly calibrated positions arrived at following the execution of the calibration algorithm described above. During the tracking phase, each mirror (input and output) is linearly swept across the x and y axis (block  821 ) in both the positive and negative directions. In one implementation, the input mirror is incrementally stepped along different locations of the x-axis, followed by incremental steps along the y-axis. At each incremental position, the output light intensity is read (block  822 ) and compared against the old light intensity value (block  823 ), which initially is the maximum light intensity value obtained from the calibration routine. If the new light reading exceeds the old reading (block  823 ), the origin is shifted ( 825 ) and the program sequences to the next axis or mirror (block  826 ) where scanning continues. In other words, the tracking routine continuously looks for a better light intensity value.  
         [0102]    In the event that all locations along the first axis (e.g., x-axis) have been read and none of the light intensity values measured is greater than the old-light value (block  824 ), the tracking routine sequences to the next axis (e.g., y-axis). Once both the x-axis and the y-axis of one mirror (e.g., the input mirror) have been searched, the tracking routine sequences to the next mirror (e.g., the output mirror) and linear scanning along the x and y axes continues as described above.  
         [0103]    Broadly speaking, for both the calibration and tracking algorithms the mirrors are iteratively moved to try to locate apposition that produces a better light intensity value. If a particular position produces a better light intensity value, the origin is shifted to the particular position and the scanning process is repeated.  
         [0104]    [0104]FIG. 22 is a high-level block diagram illustrating one possible implementation of the electronics that may be used for control of a photonic switch according to the present invention. Note that the pre-filter and/or scanning algorithm functions may be realized using a digital signal processor such as the ADSP- 2191 .  
         [0105]    [0105]FIG. 23 is a block diagram of the control electronics utilized in a photonic switch according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, DSP  601  comprises a fixed-point 160 MHz processor with a 6.25 ns instruction cycle. The DSP firmware reads the feedback information from the analog-to-digital converter (ADC)  602 , performs compensation, and writes the command into the DAC  603 . In addition, DSP  601  has the capability to calibrate the positions of the input and output mirrors in order to minimize the differential optical loss. In this particular implementation, DSP  601  has 3 serial ports each connected to a serial DAC  603 . This allows a large number of mirrors (e.g., 48) under control of a single DSP  601 .  
         [0106]    In operation, the control electronics of FIG. 23, operate for a 16×16 port switch with 32 mirrors. An analog light intensity signal from each of the 32 mirrors is coupled through mutiplexor  605  to ADC  602 . ADC  602  converts the analog intensity, signal into a digital 16-bit number that is received by serial port  605  of DSP  601 . DSP  601  includes three serial ports  605 ,  606 , and  607 , and a memory  608 . DSP  601  performs the necessary calculations and sends the appropriate position signal to the mirrors through the 32-channel DAC  603 . Quad drivers  610 ,  611 ,  612 , etc., convert the position signal, into a torque voltage to control the actuator-mirror assemblies. To drive the individual motors, the quad power amplifiers (i.e., the quad drivers  610 ,  611 ,  612 , etc.) are used delivering 250 mA each.  
         [0107]    DSP  601  also combines  64   k  words of SRAM configured as  32   k  words of data memory,  32   k  words of program memory, and access of up to 16M words of external memory. DSP  601  also includes a UART  613  for personal computer communications via bus  614 ; general purpose programmable flag pins; and an eight or 16-bit host port interface.  
         [0108]    [0108]FIG. 24 shows a 256×256 switch fabric in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. To minimize the number of interconnect wires the electronics may be divided in to  3  PCB&#39;s  630 ,  640 , and  650 . The main PCB  640  includes the DSPs and ADCs. The detector PCB  630  carries the photo detector, muxes and buffer amplifiers. The DAC/driver PCB&#39;s  650 ,  651 ,  652 , etc., hold DACs and drivers and are integrated with the mirror bars.  
         [0109]    [0109]FIG. 25 shows the hardware configuration for a 1024×1024 switch fabric in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The electronics for the 1024×1024 are the same as the electronics illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 24, there are simply a greater number of each component (e.g., more ADCs  660 ,  661 ,  662 , etc.).  
         [0110]    [0110]FIG. 26 shows an example of a folded, matrix switch according to another embodiment of the present invention. An input fiber-lens array  700  is shown directing a light beam  705  to a first actuator-mirror matrix assembly  701 , which directs beam  705  to a second actuator-mirror matrix assembly  702 . Assembly  702  redirects light beam  702  to one of the fibers of output fiber-lens array  703 .  
         [0111]    The following is a high-level description language code listing of the four-dimensional scanning and maximum light searching algorithm utilized in one embodiment of the invention:  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 % Target4d.m is a Matlab file for a 4 dimensional scanning and maximum light searching       % algorithm.       % Mansur Kiadeh © Lightbay Networks, Corp. 2001-2003 (17 U.S.C. § 401)       echo off       %clear all;            %........................................................   load parameters.............................................       %symbolgen;   % load all dsp symbols       t00=clock;   % time the search       igain=13.17e−3;   % power driver conversion       rstart=.06;   % sphere radius in ma       radiusdelta=−.01;   % −.01; % radius delta in ma *1.4       ratio=−rstart/radiusdelta;   % to be used to divide the circle by       ratio=4;       rangex4=.2;   % range of the linear scan in mA.       stpx4=−.01;   % step of linear scan in mA       pass.old=−1;   % initialize       pass.x=0;       pass.y=0;       pass.z=0;       adch=1;   % ADC channel       vmax=3.5;   % max. light reading in volts before conversion       to mW.       maxlight=0;       rad=0;   % radius for display       scount=1;   % count for spherical scan       1count=1;   % count for linear scan       maxcount=1;       outputx=          ;       outputy=          ;       maxlight=          ;       cntmax=          ;            %...............................................   input channel numbers and initial coordinates..........            %chxiyz=input (‘enter Xi, Yi, Xo &amp; Yo Chanells.. ‘);       chxiyz=chn12;       chxi=chxiyz (1,1);       chxo=chxiyz (1,2);       chyi=chxiyz (1,3);       chyo=chxiyz (1,4);       %originxyz=input (‘enter Xi, Yi, Xo &amp; Yo start current in ma.. ‘);       originxyz=xy12;       origin.x=originxyz (1,1);       origin.y=originxyz (1,2);       origin.z=originxyz (1,3);       origin.x4=originxyz (1,4);       %       writedm(symbol.a_DAC_Channels_Move_To.address+chxi,igain*(origin.x));       % initial value to dac #ch       %writedm(symbol.a_DAC_Channels_Move_To. address+chxi,igain*(origin.x));       % initial value to dac #ch       writedm(symbol.a_DAC_Channels_Move_To.address+chxo,igain*(origin.y));       % initial value to dac #ch       %writedm(symbol.a_DAC_Channels_Move_To. address+chxo,igain*(origin.y));       % initial value to dac #ch       writedm(symbol.a_DAC_Channels_Move_To.address+chyi,igain*(origin.z));       %       writedm(symbol.a_DAC_Channels_Move_To.address+chyo,igain*(origin.x4));       %            %   read light 3 times and average            pass.old=2.5* (readdm(symbol.a_ADC_Channels.address+adch) +1);       % adc in volts       %       adcx=pass.old;       disp( ‘ ‘ )       disp( ‘ ‘ )       disp ([‘first adc reading in micro watts: ′,num2str(adcx)])            %................................................   start of the spherical scan &amp; search..........................            for radius=rstart:radiusdelta:0   % in mA.            %   for radius=0:−radiusdelta:rstart           for theta=−pi:pi/ratio:pi                for phi=−pi:pi/ratio:pi                for tx4=−pi:pi/ratio:pi                x=radius*sin(theta)*cos(phi) +origin.x;           y=radius*sin(theta)*sin(phi) +origin.y;           z=radius*cos(theta)+origin.z;           x4=−((cos(tx4)−sin(tx4))*radius)+origin.x4;           writedm(symbol.a_DAC_Channels_Move_To.address+chxi,igain*(x));            % initial value to dac #ch       %                writedm(symbol.a_DAC_Channels_Move_To.address+chxo,igain*(y));            % initial value to dac #ch                writedm(symbol.a_DAC_Channels_Move_To.address+chyi,igain*(z)); %           %           writedm(symbol.a_DAC_Channels_Move_To.address+chyo,igain*(x4));                pass.new=2.5*(readdm(symbol.a_ADC_Channels.address+adch)+1);                % adc in volts                adcx=pass.new           icc=1                if ( pass.new &gt; pass.old + .005)                pass.x=x           pass.y=y           pass.z=z           pass.x4=x4           pass.old=pass.new;           newlight=pass.new;           maxlight (:,maxcount) =newlight;           cntmax (maxcount) =maxcount;           maxcount=maxcount+1;           origin.x=pass.x           origin.y=pass.y           origin.z=pass.z           origin.x4=pass.x4           rad=radius*1.4                end                outputx (:,scount) =x;           outputy (:,scount) =y;           outputz (:,scount) =z;           outputx4 (:,scount) =x4;           scount=scount+1;                if adcx &gt; 3.95 break, end %                end                if adcx &gt; 3.95 break, end                end                if adcx &gt; 3.95 break, end                end                if adcx &gt; 3.95 break, end                end           % update all 4 coils of the switch            xi12=x;       yi12=y;       xo12=z;       yo12=x4;       sw12n

Technology Category: 3