Abstract: A method and apparatus for training an optical switch include a splitter for splitting an optical signal into a plurality of reduced power optical signals, the plurality of reduced power optical signals being applied to respective input ports of the optical switch, and a plurality of output power measuring devices for measuring the optical power of the optical signals at each of a plurality of output ports of the optical switch. The method and apparatus further include a controller, for adapting operational parameters within respective communications paths of the optical switch in a manner tending to reduce the optical attenuation imparted to switched optical signals within each communications path, the optical attenuation being determined using the input and output power measuring devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for training an optical cross-connect or switch fabric.

Abstract: Signal losses in an optical cross-connect having steerable switching elements for routing optical signals are substantially reduced by controllably and selectively training the steerable switching elements as a function of measured input and output power of a cross-connected optical signal. More specifically, adjustments to the alignment of one or more steerable switching elements associated with a particular cross-connection are performed in a non-intrusive manner to increase the optical signal power in an optical signal while maintaining an active cross-connection of the optical signal. In one illustrative embodiment, optical monitoring arrangements monitor the optical signal power of optical signals coupled to the cross-connect inputs and outputs. The cross-connect includes a switching fabric comprising a plurality of steerable MEMS mirror elements used as switching elements for controllably and selectively directing the light beams within the cross-connect.

Abstract: An optical signal processing circuit including one or more modules. Each module performs a particular optical signal processing function such as filtering, switching, multiplexing/demultiplexing, monitoring or amplifying one or more optical signals. The modules can be combined to form a wide variety of optical signal processing circuits and systems.