Abstract: Systems and methods for aligning an optical fiber are provided herein. The method may include providing an optical fiber having a first end and a second end, where the first end of the optical fiber has a predefined manufacturing property. For example, the predefined manufacturing property of the first end of the optical fiber may include a predefined cleave angle. The method may also include positioning the optical fiber such that the first end of the optical fiber faces a microlens array (MLA) alignment system. In an example embodiment, the MLA alignment system may include a tilt sensing device and a position sensing device. The method may also include emitting a light beam from the first end of the optical fiber toward the MLA alignment system.

Abstract: A controller for controlling power consumption of devices within a building management system (BMS) is shown. The controller includes a processing circuit configured to determine, via a plurality of devices, an active device. The processing circuit is further configured to determine a power consumption of the active device using at least one of an address of the active device or an attribute from a device object associated with the active device. The processing circuit is further configured to compute a total power consumption value of one or more active devices of the plurality of devices, the one or more active devices comprising the active device. The processing circuit is further configured to compare the total power consumption value with a threshold value and, in response to determining that the total power consumption value is greater than the threshold value, arbitrating the power supplied from the bus to the active device.

Abstract: An multiport, multi-wavelength optical switch having and array of angular beam-directing devices employs an anamorphic optical system that transforms a beam corresponding to a given wavelength of a given multi-wavelength input channel into a beam, at a plane of the angular beam-directing device array, having an elliptical Gaussian-beam waist in the angular-directing direction of the beam-directing device and in the orthogonal direction, with the waist in the angular-direction being larger than the waist in the orthogonal direction. Planar and non-planar emitter/receivers for use with the switch are disclosed.

Abstract: A moveable micromirror includes a supporting structure, a flexible post extending from the supporting structure, and a table extending radially from the end of the post along a plane generally perpendicular to the post, the table having a reflective surface facing away from the supporting structure. The post, preferably formed of single-crystal silicon, is dimensioned to be sufficiently flexible to allow the reflective surface to be selectively moveable and positionable, with at least two degrees of freedom, when urged by a suitable actuating force. A method of making an array of moveable micromirrors of this type includes deep etching a silicon substrate so as to form posts surrounded by trenches, etching back the surface of the substrate around the posts so as to allow the posts to protrude beyond the surface of the substrate, and affixing a table with a reflective surface thereon to the tops of a plurality of the posts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a collimator assembly for use in an optical switch. The collimator assembly includes an integrated LED/photodiode plane disposed in a dual microlens array. The integrated LED/photodiode plane results in a relatively simple way to manufacture high port count collimator arrays with integrated monitoring capabilities. The LED/photodiode plane can be readily produced using standard electronics manufacturing technology.

Abstract: An optical fiber collimator (100) in an optical system, includes a pair of optical fibers (108) having emitting cleaved planes (112) to provide a substantially uniform angled side surface for forming a prescribed angle (101) relative to the optical axis (105) of the optical system. The pair of optical fibers (108) are disposed coplanarly in the object plane of the optical system for sharing the optical axis and separated from each other and from the optical axis on the same object plane. Optically coupled to the pair of fibers, a microlens (106) has a sloped rear surface (114) opposite a rotationally symmetric microlens surface (116) which bound a volume having a homogeneous index of refraction. The pair of fibers (108) are positioned near the focal plane containing the optical axis (105) of the microlens for the generation or reception of collimated beams at the prescribed angle (101) relative to the optical axis (105) of the microlens (106).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a collimator assembly for use in an optical switch. The collimator assembly includes an integrated LED/photodiode plane disposed in a dual microlens array. The integrated LED/photodiode plane results in a relatively simple way to manufacture high port count collimator arrays with integrated monitoring capabilities. The LED/photodiode plane can be readily produced using standard electronics manufacturing technology.

Abstract: A symmetric optical switch for selectively switching wavelength channels between four optical inputs. The symmetric optical switch includes two dispersive elements receiving optical inputs from respective optical fibers where the optical inputs are dispersed into a plurality of wavelength-separated input channels. The symmetric optical switch also includes a plurality of circulators disposed on each optical fiber and a switching array mechanism that receives the plurality of wavelength-separated input channels from each of the dispersive elements. The shutter array simultaneously switches one or more pairs of the wavelength-separated input channels between four optical inputs. Each circulator that is disposed on the associated optical fiber operates with the shutter array to form an eight port device so as to independently switch wavelength channels.

Abstract: A moveable micromirror includes a supporting structure, a flexible post extending from the supporting structure, and a table extending radially from the end of the post along a plane generally perpendicular to the post, the table having a reflective surface facing away from the supporting structure. The post, preferably formed of single-crystal silicon, is dimensioned to be sufficiently flexible to allow the reflective surface to be selectively moveable and positionable, with at least two degrees of freedom, when urged by a suitable actuating force. A method of making an array of moveable micromirrors of this type includes deep etching a silicon substrate so as to form posts surrounded by trenches, etching back the surface of the substrate around the posts so as to allow the posts to protrude beyond the surface of the substrate, and affixing a table with a reflective surface thereon to the tops of a plurality of the posts.

Abstract: An optical device is provided. The optical crossbar switch includes a waveguide body for directing a plurality of optical signals between an input block and an output block. The waveguide body includes a plurality of intersecting signal waveguides, and at least one pair of intersecting alignment waveguides. A reflective alignment trench is formed at the intersection of the at least one pair of alignment waveguides for reflecting light prior to filling the reflective alignment trench with an optical matching fluid.

Abstract: Wavelength dispersion and spatial light modulation are combined having regard for polarization management within a feedback control system for dynamically adjusting spectral power distributions among different wavelength channels. Micro-optic, hybrid, and planar implementations are proposed along with coupling schemes to larger fiber optic systems. Utility is found throughout multi-channel wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) transmission systems.