Abstract: An optical switching unit comprising: a plurality of arrays of multiple optical waveguides; and a switching structure controllable to direct light received from any of the optical waveguides in a first array of the plurality of arrays to one or more optical waveguides of each other array in the plurality of arrays.

Abstract: An optical switch with a plurality of actuators includes a controller configured to control the operation of a plurality of channels, where each channel has at least one electrical driver and at least one actuator, by interleaving periods of voltage switching output with periods of no voltage switching output for one or more drivers whilst the output voltage is switching from one level to another level. Alternatively, an optical switch with a plurality of actuators comprises a controller configured to control the operation of a plurality of channels, where each channel has at least one electrical driver and at least one actuator, by switching the output voltage from one level to another level for at least one driver of a first channel whilst at least one oilier driver of at least one other channel is in a relatively high impedance mode.

Abstract: An optical switch with a plurality of actuators includes a controller configured to control the operation of a plurality of channels, where each channel has at least one electrical driver and at least one actuator, by interleaving periods of voltage switching output with periods of no voltage switching output for one or more drivers whilst the output voltage is switching from one level to another level. Alternatively, an optical switch with a plurality of actuators comprises a controller configured to control the operation of a plurality of channels, where each channel has at least one electrical driver and at least one actuator, by switching the output voltage from one level to another level for at least one driver of a first channel whilst at least one oilier driver of at least one other channel is in a relatively high impedance mode.

Abstract: A network protection switching mechanism comprises a plurality of optical switches located at a plurality of nodes; a plurality of optical communication paths between said switches; switch based fault detectors located as part of at least two switches which generate detection results representative of the identification of a fault; switch based controllers located as part of said at least two switches; and internal switch-communication means between said fault detectors and said controllers which facilitate the transmission of detection results from said fault detectors to said controllers; wherein said controllers directly cause switching to an alternative optical communication path dependent upon the receipt of said detection results; whereby autonomous switch based protection without dependence on either inter-switch control communication or higher level network control communication is achieved.

Abstract: An optical beam steering arrangement, comprises: a moveable optical element; actuating means for causing the movement of said element; a connecting means between said element and said actuating means for transmitting movement from said actuating means to said element; and flexure means which carry said optical element and are compliant with the displacement of said optical element.

Abstract: A network protection switching mechanism comprises a plurality of optical switches located at a plurality of nodes; a plurality of optical communication paths between said switches; switch based fault detectors located as part of at least two switches which generate detection results representative of the identification of a fault; switch based controllers located as part of said at least two switches; and internal switch-communication means between said fault detectors and said controllers which facilitate the transmission of detection results from said fault detectors to said controllers; wherein said controllers directly cause switching to an alternative optical communication path dependent upon the receipt of said detection results; whereby autonomous switch based protection without dependence on either inter-switch control communication or higher level network control communication is achieved.

Abstract: An optical switch, comprises: a plurality of N input ports (2); a plurality of M output ports (24); and a plurality of displaceable beam steering arrangements (1) which, during switching, displace; N being greater or equal to 3 while M is greater or equal to 2; the plural number of displaceable arrangements substantially corresponding to either N or M; wherein said displaceable arrangements displace to and from positions of interception of substantially entire beams originating from said input ports and direct said beam on a path to said output port.

Abstract: An optical switch, comprises: a plurality of N input ports (2); a plurality of M output ports (24); and a plurality of displaceable beam steering arrangements (1) which, during switching, displace; N being greater or equal to 3 whilst M is greater or equal to 2; the plural number of displaceable arrangements substantially corresponding to either N or M; wherein said displaceable arrangements displace to and from positions of interception of substantially entire beams originating from said input ports and direct said beam on a path to said output port.

Abstract: An optical guide switching assembly in which steering devices are used to assembly deflect radiation from a transmitting guide to a selected receiving guide. Each of the steering devices includes a collimator for light emerging from the transmitting guide and an actuator to cause relative movement between the collimator and the guide to cause the deflection, or to move the guide and collimator together. The actuator can be piezoelectric and of either a foil type, or a monolithic type, and mechanical leverage can be used to improve deflection. Capacitive sensing means provide positional information for feedback control, preferably in a diagonal switching arrangement.

Abstract: To steer a beam in an optical switch, a collimator joined to an optical fiber along a Z-axis is mounted in a gimbal for rocking movement about X and Y axes. A piezoelectric actuator extends along the Z-axis and is symmetric about the fiber. An angular position sensor on the collimator provides feedback for use in steering the beam.

Abstract: An actuator comprises a laminate of interleaved layers of electrode plates and piezoelectric material; wherein an upper region (in use) of electrode plates is adapted when energized to effect deflections in up and down directions; a lower region of electrode plates is adapted when energized to effect deflections in up and down directions; and one or more further regions of electrode plates are adapted when energized to effect deflections in left and right directions.

Abstract: An optical beam steering arrangement, comprises: a moveable optical element; actuating means for causing the movement of said element; a connecting means between said element and said actuating means for transmitting movement from said actuating means to said element; and flexure means which carry said optical element and are compliant with the displacement of said optical element.

Abstract: An optical switch comprises an optical input (902) and an optical output (904), the switch further comprising a wavelength selective switch element (912) for directing light of a selected wavelength between the input (902) and the optical output (904), wherein the switch element is tuneable to a plurality of different wavelengths. By having tuneable switch elements, the switch can be made having fewer elements and therefore more compact.