Abstract: A fiber optic switch (400) includes a fiber optic switching module (100) that receives and fixes ends (104) of optical fibers (106). The module (100) includes numerous reflective light beam deflectors (172) which may be selected as pairs for coupling a beam of light (108) between a pair of optical fibers (106). The module (100) also produces orientation signals from each deflector (172) which indicate its orientation. A portcard (406) included in the switch (400) supplies drive signals to the module (100) for orienting at least one deflector (172). The portcard (406) also receives the orientation signals produced by that deflector (172) together with coordinates that specify an orientation for the deflector (172). The portcard (406) compares the received coordinates with the orientation signals received from the deflector (172) and adjusts the drive signals supplied to the module (100) to reduce any difference between the received coordinates and the orientation signals.

Abstract: A fiber optic switch (400) includes a fiber optic switching module (100) that receives and fixes ends (104) of optical fibers (106). The module (100) includes numerous reflective light beam deflectors (172) which may be selected as pairs for coupling a beam of light (108) between a pair of optical fibers (106). The module (100) also produces orientation signals from each deflector (172) which indicate its orientation. A portcard (406) included in the switch (400) supplies drive signals to the module (100) for orienting at least one deflector (172). The portcard (406) also receives the orientation signals produced by that deflector (172) together with coordinates that specify an orientation for the deflector (172). The portcard (406) compares the received coordinates with the orientation signals received from the deflector (172) and adjusts the drive signals supplied to the module (100) to reduce any difference between the received coordinates and the orientation signals.

Abstract: A fiber optic switch includes a fiber optic switching module that receives and fixes ends of optical fibers. The module includes numerous reflective light beam deflectors which may be selected as pairs for coupling a beam of light between a pair of optical fibers. The module also produces orientation signals from each deflector which indicate its orientation. A portcard included in the switch supplies drive signals to the module for orienting at least one deflector. The portcard also receives the orientation signals produced by that deflector together with coordinates that specify an orientation for the deflector. The portcard compares the received coordinates with the orientation signals received from the deflector and adjusts the drive signals supplied to the module to reduce any difference between the received coordinates and the orientation signals. The switch also employs optical alignment to precisely orient pairs of deflectors coupling a beam of light between optical fibers.

Abstract: A computer system has an addressing capability many times greater than the number of address which can be generated by its binary address lines through the use of a plurality of addressable banks (14, 16, 18, 22, 30, 34) (memory, addressable peripherals or addressable system controls) in each of a plurality of different ranges, (II, III, IV) with several different banks in each of said plural address ranges being useable in combination for any given mode of operation or program. Bank selection within an address range is effected within program control by first supplying (1) an address which enables a bank select decoding latch (28), and (2) a data code for selecting the desired bank, whereupon the bank will be latched and enabled for use in a later normal addressing operation.