Abstract: An optical links diagnostic system (LDS) and its operation within an optical circuit switch (OCS) for measurement and diagnosis of fiber-optic network fiber performance and quality is disclosed. The LDS can contain two photodetectors, a laser source, and be coupled to an OCS. Optical circulators can further be linked to the OCS. The LDS can be used both as an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) or as an optical return loss (ORL) meter and can automate the diagnosis of the fiber optical network fiber insertion loss and return loss.

Abstract: An optical links diagnostic system (LDS) and its operation within an optical circuit switch (OCS) for measurement and diagnosis of fiber-optic network fiber performance and quality is disclosed. The LDS can contain two photodetectors, a laser source, and be coupled to an OCS. Optical circulators can further be linked to the OCS. The LDS can be used both as an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) or as an optical return loss (ORL) meter and can automate the diagnosis of the fiber optical network fiber insertion loss and return loss.

Abstract: A programmable beam blocker includes a liquid crystal based grid of pixels, one or more groups of pixels, or plurality of pixels, corresponding to individual beams of light. The application of a voltage through one pixel can change the phase of the liquid crystal material to prevent the transmission of light through it.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a component, such as a MEMS mirror or other generally disc-shaped component, having a variable mesh pattern across a backside surface thereof. The variable mesh includes ribs having a first thickness near a center portion or axis of rotation of the components, and a second narrower thickness at portions farther from the center or axis of rotation.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a component, such as a MEMS mirror or other generally disc-shaped component, having a variable mesh pattern across a backside surface thereof. The variable mesh includes ribs having a first thickness near a center portion or axis of rotation of the components, and a second narrower thickness at portions farther from the center or axis of rotation.

Abstract: An optical assembly includes a light source for providing a beam of light, a lens system configured to expand and collimate the beam of light, and a configurable beam injector, wherein the beam injector contains a first grid plate and a second grid plate to block individual beams of light. The first grid plate and the second grid plate may be configured such that each grid plate respectively corresponds to particular MEMS mirrors. The grid plates can be configured to have pathways that allow for beams of light to be passed through and other pathways which are blocked to prevent the passage of light. The first grid plate and second grid plate may thus block or allow for transmission of beams of lights to those particular MEMS mirrors. The second grid plate can be configured to be easily swappable during or removable to allow for a different set of beams of light, corresponding to a different set of MEMS mirrors, to be blocked.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an improved method of parking a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) mirror in an array of MEMS mirrors to protect against single high voltage channel failures in a driver. Two separate voltages are applied to each MEMS mirror to move and park the mirror out of a camera sensor field of view in a servo system. For example, a first voltage may be applied in a positive X direction and a second voltage may be applied in a positive Y direction which will move the mirror in a diagonal direction. If one of the high voltage channels fail, the mirror will still be parked and outside of the camera sensor field of view. If a high voltage channel fails, the servo system can park a mirror affected by the failure in an opposite corner. Moreover, if 2-axis parking is not feasible, the mirror can use single-voltage parking.

Abstract: An optical assembly includes a light source for providing a beam of light, a lens system configured to expand and collimate the beam of light, and a configurable beam injector, wherein the beam injector contains a first grid plate and a second grid plate to block individual beams of light. The first grid plate and the second grid plate may be configured such that each grid plate respectively corresponds to particular MEMS mirrors. The grid plates can be configured to have pathways that allow for beams of light to be passed through and other pathways which are blocked to prevent the passage of light. The first grid plate and second grid plate may thus block or allow for transmission of beams of lights to those particular MEMS mirrors. The second grid plate can be configured to be easily swappable during or removable to allow for a different set of beams of light, corresponding to a different set of MEMS mirrors, to be blocked.

Abstract: An optical circuit switch including a two-dimensional fiber collimator includes a hole plate to hold and align a plurality of optical fibers. Fiber pathways within the hole plate can be formed using a femtosecond laser irradiation chemical etching (FLICE) technique. The use of the FLICE technique allows for extremely precise channels to be formed which allows for fibers to be aligned more closely with their intended alignment. The technique also allows for the channels or fiber pathways to be formed in a thicker material, which allows for greater structural support and robustness of the fiber collimator in use.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for preventing or minimizing optical crosstalk in an optical circuit switch (“OCS”). The OCS may include a collimator lens assembly. The collimator lens assembly may include a lens array defined by a plurality of ports. Each port may include a lenslet and a spacer paired with each lenslet. Crosstalk may occur when light from other ports enter the target port's optical fiber. The collimator lens assembly may include an insert positioned relative to the lenslet. The insert may define an aperture that allows light from the target port to pass through. The insert may prevent a portion of light from adjacent ports from passing through the aperture. The insert may be located between the lenslet and spacer, on the curved surface of the lenslet, or on a plate located at a distance from the front of the lenslet.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for an example integrated optics assembly. The integrated optics assembly may include an optics mount, a substrate including a heat sink, and a photonic integrated circuit (“PIC”). The optics mount may be adapted to support a light source on a first end of the optics mount. The first end of the optics mount may be coupled to a region of the substrate including the heat sink. The heat sink may remove or dissipate the heat produced by the light source. A second end of the optics mount may be coupled to the PIC such that the optics mount extends between the substrate and the PIC. This may decrease the amount of space the optics mount takes up on the PIC thereby allowing the overall size of the PIC to be decreased. Decreasing the size of the PIC may allow for more PICS per wafer.

Abstract: A diagnostic voltage or current path can be used for each MEMS actuator control channel to detect and diagnose faults in the actuator control signal path. Multiple measurement points provide additional capabilities of isolating faults among multiple subassemblies or components in the control signal path. The diagnostic voltage or current path uses ADC(s) and multiplexers to monitor multiple control channels and/or multiple measurement points in each control channel. Digitized voltages, or currents in the case of magnetic actuators, read from the diagnostic ADC are compared to expected values to detect and isolate faults.

Abstract: An optical links diagnostic system (LDS) and its operation within an optical circuit switch (OCS) for measurement and diagnosis of fiber-optic network fiber performance and quality is disclosed. The LDS can contain two photodetectors, a laser source, and be coupled to an OCS. Optical circulators can further be linked to the OCS. The LDS can be used both as an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) or as an optical return loss (ORL) meter and can automate the diagnosis of the fiber optical network fiber insertion loss and return loss.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for an example integrated optics assembly. The integrated optics assembly may include an optics mount, a substrate including a heat sink, and a photonic integrated circuit (“PIC”). The optics mount may be adapted to support a light source on a first end of the optics mount. The first end of the optics mount may be coupled to a region of the substrate including the heat sink. The heat sink may remove or dissipate the heat produced by the light source. A second end of the optics mount may be coupled to the PIC such that the optics mount extends between the substrate and the PIC. This may decrease the amount of space the optics mount takes up on the PIC thereby allowing the overall size of the PIC to be decreased. Decreasing the size of the PIC may allow for more PICS per wafer.

Abstract: An optical circuit switch including a two-dimensional fiber collimator includes a hole plate to hold and align a plurality of optical fibers. Fiber pathways within the hole plate can be formed using a femtosecond laser irradiation chemical etching (FLICE) technique. The use of the FLICE technique allows for extremely precise channels to be formed which allows for fibers to be aligned more closely with their intended alignment. The technique also allows for the channels or fiber pathways to be formed in a thicker material, which allows for greater structural support and robustness of the fiber collimator in use.

Abstract: An optical assembly includes a light source for providing a beam of light, a lens system configured to expand and collimate the beam of light, and a configurable beam injector, wherein the beam injector contains a first grid plate and a second grid plate to block individual beams of light. The first grid plate and the second grid plate may be configured such that each grid plate respectively corresponds to particular MEMS mirrors. The grid plates can be configured to have pathways that allow for beams of light to be passed through and other pathways which are blocked to prevent the passage of light. The first grid plate and second grid plate may thus block or allow for transmission of beams of lights to those particular MEMS mirrors. The second grid plate can be configured to be easily swappable during or removable to allow for a different set of beams of light, corresponding to a different set of MEMS mirrors, to be blocked.

Abstract: A programmable beam blocker includes a liquid crystal based grid of pixels, one or more groups of pixels, or plurality of pixels, corresponding to individual beams of light. The application of a voltage through one pixel can change the phase of the liquid crystal material to prevent the transmission of light through it.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an improved method of parking a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) mirror in an array of MEMS mirrors, wherein the method protects against single high voltage channel failures in a driver. Two separate voltages are applied to each MEMS mirror to move and park the mirror out of a camera sensor field of view in a servo system. For example, a first voltage may be applied in a positive X direction and a second voltage may be applied in a positive Y direction. This will then move the mirror in a diagonal direction. In the event one of the high voltage channels fail, the mirror will still be parked and outside of the camera sensor field of view. Using two voltages, every mirror will have 4 possible parking positions. In the event of a high voltage channel failure, the servo system can park a mirror affected by the failure in an opposite corner. Moreover, if 2-axis parking is not feasible, such as if both Y axes fail, the mirror can use single-voltage parking.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a component, such as a MEMS mirror or other generally disc-shaped component, having a variable mesh pattern across a backside surface thereof. The variable mesh includes ribs having a first thickness near a center portion or axis of rotation of the components, and a second narrower thickness at portions farther from the center or axis of rotation.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for preventing or minimizing optical crosstalk in an optical circuit switch (“OCS”). The OCS may include a collimator lens assembly. The collimator lens assembly may include a lens array defined by a plurality of ports. Each port may include a lenslet and a spacer paired with each lenslet. Crosstalk may occur when light from other ports enter the target port's optical fiber. The collimator lens assembly may include an insert positioned relative to the lenslet. The insert may define an aperture that allows light from the target port to pass through. The insert may prevent a portion of light from adjacent ports from passing through the aperture. The insert may be located between the lenslet and spacer, on the curved surface of the lenslet, or on a plate located at a distance from the front of the lenslet.