Patents Assigned to Capella Photonics, Inc.
  • Patent number: 9103992
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for switching a beam from a first port to a second port in an optical switch are described. Switching is performed by a single-axis beam steering element and one or more actuatable beam diffraction devices. Each beam diffraction device is actuatable between diffracting and non-diffracting states. Each beam diffraction device is configured to deflect the optical beam when in the diffracting state such that at least part of the optical beam is diffracted outside a detection area of a column of I/O ports. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Capella Photonics, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel P. Day
  • Patent number: 8611742
    Abstract: Optical switches can include collimator elements that accommodate two or more optical ports. This increases the number of ports the switch can accommodate without having to increase the size of other optical components within the switch. Separate deflectors can be used to accommodate optical signals from two different groups of ports. In some embodiments cross-coupling of signals between the two groups can be accomplished through use of re-direction optics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Capella Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Long Yang, Jeffrey E. Ehrlich, Massimo Martinelli
  • Patent number: 8315490
    Abstract: An optical apparatus can include an optical port array having an M×N array of fiber collimator ports. The array of ports is configured such that there is a gap within each column of ports located between two rows of ports. The gap is wide enough to permit a hitless beam switching trajectory to pass between the two rows of ports from one side of the array of ports to an opposite side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Capella Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Long Yang, Mark H. Garrett, Jeffrey E. Ehrlich
  • Publication number: 20120275744
    Abstract: An optical apparatus can include an optical port array having an M×N array of fiber collimator ports. The array of ports is configured such that there is a gap within each column of ports located between two rows of ports. The gap is wide enough to permit a hitless beam switching trajectory to pass between the two rows of ports from one side of the array of ports to an opposite side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Capella Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Long Yang, Mark H. Garrett, Jeffrey E. Ehrlich
  • Publication number: 20120237218
    Abstract: Optical switches can include collimator elements that accommodate two or more optical ports. This increases the number of ports the switch can accommodate without having to increase the size of other optical components within the switch. Separate deflectors can be used to accommodate optical signals from two different groups of ports. In some embodiments cross-coupling of signals between the two groups can be accomplished through use of re-direction optics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: Capella Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Long Yang, Jeffrey E. Ehrlich, Massimo Martinelli
  • Patent number: 8203789
    Abstract: An optical assembly for double passing a transmission grating may include a prism having first, second and third surfaces. A transmission grating may be bonded to the first surface. A first mirror coating may be bonded to the second surface and a second mirror coating to the third surface. The first, second and third surfaces, the transmission grating and the first and second mirror coatings are configured such that light of a predetermined wavelength entering the prism that is incident on the transmission grating is diffracted a first time by the transmission grating towards the second surface, reflected from the second surface to the third surface, reflected from the third surface back to the transmission grating, and diffracted a second time by the transmission grating as the light exits the prism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Capella Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Massimo Martinelli, Long Yang, Jeffrey E. Ehrlich, Mark H. Garrett
  • Patent number: 7912331
    Abstract: Passive optical components may be used to tap the optical power, e.g., from fibers of a wavelength switch system. The passive optical components are realized by a standard photonics light-wave circuit (PLC) integrated to the fiber collimator array of the wavelength switch system. The PLC includes multiple waveguide paths that optically couple optical signals from one or more fiber ports to one or more corresponding free space optical component ports. Optical signals traveling through these waveguide paths are tapped by one or more optical taps and coupled to one or more corresponding tap ports. Each optical tap is located such that an optical signal is tapped after it is coupled into one of the waveguide paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Capella Photonics, Inc.
    Inventor: Long Yang
  • Patent number: 7863752
    Abstract: A MEMS device and fabrication method are disclosed. A bottom substrate having an insulating layer sandwiched between an upper layer and a lower layer may be bonded to a device layer. One or more portions of the upper layer may be selectively removed to form one or more device cavities. Conductive vias may be formed through the lower layer at locations that underlie the one or more device cavities and electrically isolated from the lower layer. Devices may be formed from the device layer. Each device overlies a corresponding device cavity. Each device may be connected to the rest of the device layer by one or more corresponding hinges formed from the device layer. One or more electrical contacts may be formed on a back side of the lower layer. Each contact is electrically connected to a corresponding conductive via.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Capella Photonics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Ostrom
  • Publication number: 20100214643
    Abstract: A MEMS device and fabrication method are disclosed. A bottom substrate having an insulating layer sandwiched between an upper layer and a lower layer may be bonded to a device layer. One or more portions of the upper layer may be selectively removed to form one or more device cavities. Conductive vias may be formed through the lower layer at locations that underlie the one or more device cavities and electrically isolated from the lower layer. Devices may be formed from the device layer. Each device overlies a corresponding device cavity. Each device may be connected to the rest of the device layer by one or more corresponding hinges formed from the device layer. One or more electrical contacts may be formed on a back side of the lower layer. Each contact is electrically connected to a corresponding conductive via.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: Capella Photonics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Ostrom
  • Patent number: 7756368
    Abstract: Switching optical signals containing a plurality of spectral channels characterized by a predetermined channel spacing is described. A selected beam deflector array may be selected from among a plurality of available beam deflector arrays configured to accommodate spectral channels of different channel spacings. The selected beam deflector array is configured to accommodate spectral channels of the predetermined channel spacing. The spectral channels are selectively optically coupled to the selected beam deflector array, which selectively optically couples the spectral channels between one or more input ports and one or more output ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Capella Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark H. Garrett, Joseph E. Davis
  • Patent number: 7539371
    Abstract: A micromirror for use in an optical apparatus may comprise a reflective portion, configured to be rotatable about a switching axis and an attenuation axis that is different from the switching axis. The reflective portion may include an edge that is substantially parallel to the attenuation axis. The edge may include one or more edge features that protrude above a plane of the micromirror surface and/or are submerged below the plane of the micromirror surface, and/or have an edge shape that deviates from a straight line. Alternatively, an array of micromirrors may have mirrors characterized by sawtooth features disposed along edges that are substantially parallel to the attenuation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Capella Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Massimo Martinelli, Long Yang, Mark H. Garrett, Robert Ostrom, Joseph E. Davis
  • Publication number: 20090028503
    Abstract: Switching optical signals containing a plurality of spectral channels characterized by a predetermined channel spacing is described. A selected beam deflector array may be selected from among a plurality of available beam deflector arrays configured to accommodate spectral channels of different channel spacings. The selected beam deflector array is configured to accommodate spectral channels of the predetermined channel spacing. The spectral channels are selectively optically coupled to the selected beam deflector array, which selectively optically couples the spectral channels between one or more input ports and one or more output ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: Capella Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark H. Garrett, Joseph E. Davis
  • Publication number: 20080266637
    Abstract: A micromirror for use in an optical apparatus may comprise a reflective portion, configured to be rotatable about a switching axis and an attenuation axis that is different from the switching axis. The reflective portion may include an edge that is substantially parallel to the attenuation axis. The edge may include one or more edge features that protrude above a plane of the micromirror surface and/or are submerged below the plane of the micromirror surface, and/or have an edge shape that deviates from a straight line. Alternatively, an array of micromirrors may have mirrors characterized by sawtooth features disposed along edges that are substantially parallel to the attenuation axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: Capella Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Massimo Martinelli, Long Yang, Mark H. Garrett, Robert Ostrom, Joseph E. Davis
  • Patent number: 7263253
    Abstract: A wavelength selective switch architecture for ROADMs for switching the spectral channels of a multi-channel, multi-wavelength optical signal between input and output ports employs a biaxial MEMS port mirror array for optimal coupling efficiency and ITU grid alignment, an anamorphic beam expander for expanding input optical signals to create an elongated beam profile, a diffraction grating for spatially separating the spectral channels, an anamorphic focusing lens system, an array of biaxial elongated channel MEMS micromirrors, a built-in Optical Channel Monitor, and an electronic feedback control system. The bi-axial channel micromirrors are rotatable about one axis to switch spectral channels between ports, and are rotatable about an orthogonal axis to vary the coupling of the spectral channel to an output port and control attenuation of the spectral signal for complete blocking or for a predetermined power level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Capella Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Davis, Mark H. Garrett, Brian Tremaine, Michael Darling
  • Publication number: 20070166034
    Abstract: Methods for adjusting dither amplitude for MEMS mirrors in optical switches and optical switches employing such a method are disclosed. A dither amplitude of one or more MEMS mirrors may be adjusted in an optical switch having an input port, and an array of one or more MEMS mirrors that can be selectively optically coupled to one or more of N?3 optical input/output (I/O) ports. The MEMS mirrors are aligned mirrors to achieve nominal peak coupling at each of the N collimators. Digital-to-analog (DAC) settings for positioning mirrors in an open control loop as a function of the selected collimator are stored to a non-volatile memory. The DAC settings are used to determine a dither amplitude DITHER(x) for one of the MEMS mirrors positioned to couple optical signals to an output port at a position x.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Applicant: Capella Photonics, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Tremaine
  • Patent number: RE42368
    Abstract: This invention provides a novel wavelength-separating-routing (WSR) apparatus that uses a diffraction grating to separate a multi-wavelength optical signal by wavelength into multiple spectral channels, which are then focused onto an array of corresponding channel micromirrors. The channel micromirrors are individually controllable and continuously pivotable to reflect the spectral channels into selected output ports. As such, the inventive WSR apparatus is capable of routing the spectral channels on a channel-by-channel basis and coupling any spectral channel into any one of the output ports. The WSR apparatus of the present invention may be further equipped with servo-control and spectral power-management capabilities, thereby maintaining the coupling efficiencies of the spectral channels into the output ports at desired values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Capella Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Tai Chen, Jeffrey P. Wilde, Joseph E. Davis
  • Patent number: RE42521
    Abstract: This invention provides a novel wavelength-separating-routing (WSR) apparatus that uses a diffraction grating to separate a multi-wavelength optical signal by wavelength into multiple spectral channels, which are focused onto an array of corresponding channel micromirrors. The channel micromirrors are individually controllable and continuously pivotable to reflect the spectral channels into selected output ports. As such, the inventive WSR apparatus is capable of routing the spectral channels on a channel-by-channel basis and coupling any spectral channel into any one of the output ports. The WSR apparatus of the invention may further employ a polarization diversity scheme, whereby polarization-sensitive effects become inconsequential and insertion loss is minimized. The WSR apparatus of the invention may additionally be equipped with servo-control and channel equalization capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Capella Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark H. Garrett, Masud Mansuripur, Jeffrey P. Wilde, Pavel G. Polynkin, Joseph E. Davis
  • Patent number: RE42678
    Abstract: This invention provides a novel wavelength-separating-routing (WSR) apparatus that uses a diffraction grating to separate a multi-wavelength optical signal by wavelength into multiple spectral characters, which are then focused onto an array of corresponding channel micromirrors. The channel micromirrors are individually controllable and continuously pivotable to reflect the spectral channels into selected output ports. As such, the inventive WSR apparatus is capable of routing the spectral channels on a channel-by-channel basis and coupling any spectral channel into any one of the output ports. The WSR apparatus of the present invention may be further equipped with servo-control and spectral power-management capabilities, thereby maintaining the coupling efficiencies of the spectral channels into the output ports at desired values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Capella Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Wilde, Joseph E. Davis
  • Patent number: RE47905
    Abstract: This invention provides a novel wavelength-separating-routing (WSR) apparatus that uses a diffraction grating to separate a multi-wavelength optical signal by wavelength into multiple spectral channels, which are then focused onto an array of corresponding channel micromirrors. The channel micromirrors are individually controllable and continuously pivotable to reflect the spectral channels into selected output ports. As such, the inventive WSR apparatus is capable of routing the spectral channels on a channel-by-channel basis and coupling any spectral channel into any one of the output ports. The WSR apparatus of the present invention may be further equipped with servo-control and spectral power-management capabilities, thereby maintaining the coupling efficiencies of the spectral channels into the output ports at desired values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Capella Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Tai Chen, Jeffrey P. Wilde, Joseph E. Davis
  • Patent number: RE47906
    Abstract: This invention provides a novel wavelength-separating-routing (WSR) apparatus that uses a diffraction grating to separate a multi-wavelength optical signal by wavelength into multiple spectral characters, which are then focused onto an array of corresponding channel micromirrors. The channel micromirrors are individually controllable and continuously pivotable to reflect the spectral channels into selected output ports. As such, the inventive WSR apparatus is capable of routing the spectral channels on a channel-by-channel basis and coupling any spectral channel into any one of the output ports. The WSR apparatus of the present invention may be further equipped with servo-control and spectral power-management capabilities, thereby maintaining the coupling efficiencies of the spectral channels into the output ports at desired values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Capella Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Wilde, Joseph E. Davis