Abstract: Controllable optical switches in response to feedback signals from optical position sensors that measure switch orientations. The optical position sensors may include local sensors that monitor and measure orientations of individual switches and global sensors that monitor and measure overall alignment of signal beams. Such switches may be used to form non-blocking switching arrays.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 17, 2000
Date of Patent:
June 17, 2003
Assignee:
Versatile Optical Networks, Inc.
Inventors:
Alan C. Burroughs, Leroy Volz, Warren Dalziel, Roger A. Hajjar, Frank Whitehead
Abstract: A laser array system is described. The system includes a plurality of lasers, a switching mechanism, a wavelength locking mechanism, and a laser parameter feedback control. Each laser provides a collimated beam having certain wavelength and power. The beam has at least two parts, first part of the two parts used for stabilization of the wavelength and power. The switching mechanism is configured to receive and sequentially select the first part of the collimated beam from the plurality of lasers. The wavelength locking mechanism is configured to monitor and measure a drift of the wavelength and power of a selected laser. The laser parameter feedback control is configured to adjust laser parameters of the selected laser.