Patents Assigned to C Speed Corporation
  • Patent number: 6430331
    Abstract: The present invention provides a double fiber optic cross connect (OXC) package. The double package includes an input optical fiber; a substrate with a first surface and a second surface, optically coupled to the input optical fiber; a first cap optically coupled to the second surface of the substrate; a micromirror array optically coupled to the first cap; a second cap optically coupled to the micromirror array; and an output optical fiber optically coupled to the second cap. The first cap, along with a substrate populated with a micromirror array and a set of sidewalls, form at least one volume which is preferably hermetically sealed. This volume is further enclosed by the second cap with another set of sidewalls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: C Speed Corporation
    Inventors: Paul M. Hagelin, Jeffrey W. Scott, John Fling
  • Patent number: 6430330
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fiber optic cross connect (OXC) package which utilizes a modular approach to substrate population. The OXC includes a slab, where the slab comprises a first surface and a second surface, and a micromirror array coupled to the second surface of the slab, where the micromirror array comprises a plurality of clusters, where each of the plurality of clusters includes at least one micromirror of the micromirror array. In the preferred embodiment, the slab is a substrate. Chips containing micromirrors are fabricated in clusters so that groups of micromirrors can be separately placed onto the substrate. This provides flexibility in how the substrate is populated. In the preferred embodiment, the clusters are in the form of strips. Only strips with known good micromirrors are placed onto the substrate, thus improving the device yield. Also, if any of the micromirrors become damaged after placement, its chip may be replaced without disturbing the other chips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: C Speed Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Merritt Hagelin
  • Patent number: 6396973
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved fiber optic cross connect (OXC) package. The OXC includes a substrate, where light beams may travel through the substrate; a plurality of optical fibers optically coupled to a first surface of the substrate; and a micromirror array coupled to a second surface of the substrate. In the preferred embodiment, this substrate is optically transparent to the wavelengths of interest. The light beams enter the substrate from one surface, traverses the substrate, and exits from an opposite surface of the substrate. The opposite surface is populated with micromirrors. By folding the light beams in a switch architecture with the substrate, the size of the switch package is reduced. Using the substrate in combination with a modular approach to substrate population allows for a single die switch with a higher die yield and scalability. Integrated circuits may be placed on the same substrate as the micromirrors, and the complexity of the assembly process is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: C Speed Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Merritt Hagelin, Amal Ranjan Bhattarai
  • Patent number: 6386716
    Abstract: An optical mirror system with multi-axis rotational control is disclosed. The mirror system includes an optical surface assembly, and at least one leg assembly coupled to the optical surface assembly. The at least one leg assembly supports the optical surface above a substrate. A system and method in accordance with the present invention can operate with many different actuator mechanisms, including but not limited to, electrostatic, thermal, piezoelectric, and magnetic. An optical mirror system in accordance with the present invention accommodates large mirrors and rotation angles. Scanning mirrors can be made with this technique using standard surface-micromachining processes, or a deep RIE etch process. A device in accordance with the present invention meets the requirements for a directly scalable, high port count optical switch, utilizing a two mirror per optical I/O port configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: C Speed Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Merritt Hagelin, John J. Fling
  • Patent number: 6374007
    Abstract: The present invention provides a double fiber optic cross connect (OXC) package. The double package includes a substrate with a first surface and a second surface; a micromirror array coupled to the second surface of the substrate; a first cap optically coupled to the micromirror array; and a second cap optically coupled to the micromirror array. The first cap, along with a substrate populated with a micromirror array and a set of sidewalls, form a volume which is preferably hermetically sealed. This volume is further packaged by the second cap with another set of sidewalls. With the first cap, only a short distance is used in redirecting the light. This short distance is uniform for each micromirror in the switch. The major portion of the beam is thus available for scanning. With the second cap, the light beam is folded during the switching operation, resulting in a smaller switch package. By folding the light in the switch architecture, the size of the switch package is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: C Speed Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Merritt Hagelin, Amal Ranjan Bhattarai
  • Patent number: 6347167
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an optical cross connect (OXC) package which minimizes optical loss and crosstalk while also reducing the size of the package. The method includes directing a light beam from a first collimator of a plurality of collimators to a first micromirror of a plurality of micromirrors; folding the light beam from the first micromirror onto a second micromirror of the plurality of micromirrors; and directing the light beam from the second micromirror to a second collimator of the plurality of collimators, wherein a uniform redirection length is provided between each of the plurality of collimators and each of the plurality of micromirror. In the preferred embodiment, the OXC package comprises a first cap with reflecting surfaces and a second cap. With the first cap, only a short distance is used in redirecting the light. This allows for the major portion of the light to be available for scanning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: C Speed Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Merritt Hagelin
  • Patent number: 6318871
    Abstract: An optical mirror system in accordance with the present invention is disclosed. The optical mirror system comprises a mirror frame and an optical surface coupled to the mirror frame. The mirror system further includes an electrostatic shield coupled to optical surface and the mirror frame and an electrode system for causing the optical surface to be rotated without being deformed. In operation, primary and secondary electrodes are utilized. Differential capacitive sensing may be used to reduce the noise in the sense signal. The mirror can be fabricated using standard surface-micromachining processes, and aside from one-time assembly operations, the device has no frictional wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: C Speed Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Merritt Hagelin
  • Patent number: 6283601
    Abstract: An optical mirror system with multi-axis rotational control is disclosed. The mirror system includes an optical surface assembly, and at least one leg assembly coupled to the optical surface assembly. The at least one leg assembly supports the optical surface above a substrate. A system and method in accordance with the present invention can operate with many different actuator mechanisms, including but not limited to, electrostatic, thermal, piezoelectric, and magnetic. An optical mirror system in accordance with the present invention accommodates large mirrors and rotation angles. Scanning mirrors can be made with this technique using standard surface-micromachining processes, or a deep RIE etch process. A device in accordance with the present invention meets the requirements for a directly scalable, high port count optical switch, utilizing a two mirror per optical I/O port configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: C Speed Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Merritt Hagelin, John J. Fling