Abstract: A scanning optical spectrometer with a detector array is disclosed, in which position of focused spot of light at the input of a dispersive element such as arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) with a slab input, is scanned using a micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) tiltable micromirror so as to make the dispersed spectrum of light scan over the detector array coupled to the AWG. Sub-spectra recorded using individual detectors are concatenated by a processor unit to obtain the spectrum of input light.

Abstract: A scanning optical spectrometer with a detector array is disclosed, in which position of focused spot of light at the input of a dispersive element such as arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) with a slab input, is scanned using a micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) tiltable micromirror so as to make the dispersed spectrum of light scan over the detector array coupled to the AWG. Sub-spectra recorded using individual detectors are concatenated by a processor unit to obtain the spectrum of input light.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for calibrating a MEMS actuator of a hybrid MEMS-PLC optical switch or router is described. Two calibrating waveguides, embedded monolithically adjacent to the waveguides that provide the PLC output functions, are used for referencing a MEMS mirror tilt angle by maximizing optical coupling of light, reflected off the MEMS mirror, into one or each of the two calibrating waveguides. The input light is provided by either a waveguide carrying a live optical signal, or by a special input waveguide, coupled to an LED, for providing a calibrating light. Two emitting waveguides, embedded monolithically adjacent to the waveguides that provide the PLC input functions, can be used.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compensator of attenuation drift in an optical multi-wavelength switch (MWS) which uses input signal amplitude dither and external VOA dither cancellation to determine relative position of MEMS micro mirror hence indirectly determining attenuation level.

Abstract: A scanning optical spectrometer with a detector array is disclosed, in which position of focused spot of light at the input of a dispersive element such as arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) with a slab input, is scanned using a micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) tiltable micromirror so as to make the dispersed spectrum of light scan over the detector array coupled to the AWG. Sub-spectra recorded using individual detectors are concatenated by a processor unit to obtain the spectrum of input light.

Abstract: A scanning optical spectrometer with a detector array is disclosed, in which position of focused spot of light at the input of a dispersive element such as arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) with a slab input, is scanned using a micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) tiltable micromirror so as to make the dispersed spectrum of light scan over the detector array coupled to the AWG. Sub-spectra recorded using individual detectors are concatenated by a processor unit to obtain the spectrum of input light.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for calibrating a MEMS actuator of a hybrid MEMS-PLC optical switch or router is described. Two calibrating waveguides, embedded monolithically adjacent to the waveguides that provide the PLC output functions, are used for referencing a MEMS mirror tilt angle by maximizing optical coupling of light, reflected off the MEMS mirror, into one or each of the two calibrating waveguides. The input light is provided by either a waveguide carrying a live optical signal, or by a special input waveguide, coupled to an LED, for providing a calibrating light. Two emitting waveguides, embedded monolithically adjacent to the waveguides that provide the PLC input functions, can be used.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compensator of attenuation drift in an optical multi-wavelength switch (MWS) which uses input signal amplitude dither and external VOA dither cancellation to determine relative position of MEMS micro mirror hence indirectly determining attenuation level.

Abstract: An array of optical elements for processing a spatially dispersed optical beam including monitoring optical elements for determining the position of the optical beam in the array is disclosed. The monitoring optical elements have a width that varies in ay direction normal to the array axis, enabling the determination of the beam position across the monitoring elements in both x and y directions. The monitoring optical elements are preferably disposed in the end portions of the array for the beam tilt determination. The optical elements can be e.g. liquid crystal pixels or micro-mirrors.

Abstract: An array of optical elements for processing a spatially dispersed optical beam including monitoring optical elements for determining the position of the optical beam in the array is disclosed. The monitoring optical elements have a width that varies in ay direction normal to the array axis, enabling the determination of the beam position across the monitoring elements in both x and y directions. The monitoring optical elements are preferably disposed in the end portions of the array for the beam tilt determination. The optical elements can be e.g. liquid crystal pixels or micro-mirrors.

Abstract: An optical spectrum analyzer for analyzing at least n wavelengths of light is disclosed having a tunable filter with an input port and an output port and a periodic output response with a free spectral range FSR and having a bandwidth B. An AWG is optically coupled to receive light from the output port; and for distributing the light spatially at other locations in a wavelength dependent manner. Optically coupled with the AWG are m detectors for detecting wavelength or channel information. The number of detectors, m is less than n when a single detector is associated with a single channel; and m is less than 2n when two detectors are associated with a single channel.

Abstract: An optical spectrum analyzer for analyzing at least n wavelengths of light is disclosed having a tunable filter with an input port and an output port and a periodic output response with a free spectral range FSR and having a bandwidth B. An AWG is optically coupled to receive light from the output port; and for distributing the light spatially at other locations in a wavelength dependent manner. Optically coupled with the AWG are m detectors for detecting wavelength or channel information. The number of detectors, m is less than n when a single detector is associated with a single channel; and m is less than 2n when two detectors are associated with a single channel.

Abstract: Sun sensors or position sensors may be used to determine the angular location of the sun or other object with respect to the sensor. The sun sensor provides high resolution over a wide field of regard. A position or sun sensor comprises a sensor housing, a plurality of pinholes formed In the sensor housing, a detector mounted within the housing and a method of processing the information detected. The detector is mounted in the sensor housing. Each pinhole has a field of view and the detector receives the images from each field of view. Each field of view is defined by the position of the pinhole relative to the detector. The images are received in an overlay relationship thereby providing a field of regard. The processing method determines the presence and location of an object In a field of regard.