Abstract: A method and system for automatically setting output power levels of optical transmitters in an optical communications arrangement. The optical communications arrangement includes at least a first and a second node, wherein the transmitter of the first node is optically coupled to a receiver in the second node, and the transmitter in the second node is optically coupled to a receiver in the first node. Respective sequences of power-level messages are transmitted from the transmitters to the receivers. Each power-level message indicates an output power level used by the transmitter to transmit the message, and each power-level message in a sequence is transmitted at an increasing power level.

Abstract: A fault tolerant optical switch architecture improves the level of reliability in an optical communication system by incorporating an optical switch backup that engages quickly upon notification of a failure mode of a primary switch. In an example embodiment, an arrangement for optical communication between first and second nodes includes a first optical switch having first-switch transmit and receive channels and a second optical switch having second-switch transmit and receive channels. The first and second optical switches of the optical communications arrangement conduct self-tests and indicate whether the self-tests have failed. The arrangement also includes an optical coupler that receives the first-switch and second-switch transmit channels and provides an output for transmit to at least one of the first and second nodes.

Abstract: An optical switching device uses a first set containing at least one MEMS mirror that receives light from a light source. A second set of MEMS mirrors are arranged to receive light from the mirror(s) of the first set. The mirrors can be independently aimed so any mirror of the first set can direct light to any mirror of the second set. A set of light collectors collects light reflected from the second set of mirrors. A collimating lens may be included between any of the mirrors and the light sources/collectors. The MEMS mirrors may be activated by being flipped down or otherwise disconnect any mirror of the first or second set.

Abstract: An optical sensing device uses a set of source mirrors directing light from a set of light sources to a movable collector mirror. Each of the light sources has a unique wavelength. The collector mirror is coupled to a MEMS actuator that moves the collector mirror in response to a physical phenomena. A light collector gathers light from the collector mirror and the physical phenomena can be measured by determining the relative intensity associated with each of the light sources in the light gathered at the collector.

Abstract: An optical connector provides the reliability of a butt-coupled connection with the mating simplicity of an expanded-beam coupling arrangement. In an example embodiment, an optical fiber connector arrangement includes a first ferrule having an expanded-beam arrangement disposed therein. The expanded-beam arrangement within the first ferrule includes a first lens that is coupled to a first optical fiber and a second lens that is coupled to a second optical fiber, wherein the second optical fiber protrudes from the first ferrule. The connector arrangement further includes a second ferrule arranged to receive the first ferrule. The second ferrule supports a third optical fiber and is shaped to receive the first ferrule. The second optical fiber is butt-coupled to the third optical fiber within the second ferrule when the second ferrule is engaged with the first ferrule.

Abstract: An optical connector having alignment members for aligning with a connector on two mutually perpendicular axis with the optical connector including a displaceable block carrying optical fibers therein that is spatially positionable along a third axis to provide optical communication through the optical connector even though the optical connector may not have continuous optical fibers extending therethrough.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement and system facilitate the measurement of polarized light intensities for use in object identification and classification. In an example embodiment, an imaging sensor for polarizing light from a light source includes an array of light detecting elements that converts light into a plurality of photocurrent signals. The sensor also includes a rotatable disk positioned between a light source and the light detecting array and parallel to the light detecting array. The rotatable disk includes a plurality of linear members that are opaque and parallel to each other that polarize light from the light source passed to the light-detecting array. The sensor further includes a circuit arrangement configured to generate a data set of polarization vector components, the polarization vector components being generated as a function of a set of the photocurrent signals that are sampled as a function of a position of the rotating disk.

Abstract: A fault tolerant optical switch architecture improves the level of reliability in an optical communication system by incorporating an optical switch backup that engages quickly upon notification of a failure mode of a primary switch. In an example embodiment, an arrangement for optical communication between first and second nodes includes a first optical switch having first-switch transmit and receive channels and a second optical switch having second-switch transmit and receive channels. The first and second optical switches of the optical communications arrangement conduct self-tests and indicate whether the self-tests have failed. The arrangement also includes an optical coupler that receives the first-switch and second-switch transmit channels and provides an output for transmit to at least one of the first and second nodes.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically setting output power levels of optical transmitters in an optical communications arrangement. The optical communications arrangement includes at least a first and a second node, wherein the transmitter of the first node is optically coupled to a receiver in the second node, and the transmitter in the second node is optically coupled to a receiver in the first node. Respective sequences of power-level messages are transmitted from the transmitters to the receivers. Each power-level message indicates an output power level used by the transmitter to transmit the message, and each power-level message in a sequence is transmitted at an increasing power level.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement and system facilitate the measurement of polarized light intensities for use in object identification and classification. In an example embodiment, an imaging sensor for polarizing light from a light source includes an array of light detecting elements that converts light into a plurality of photocurrent signals. The sensor also includes a rotatable disk positioned between a light source and the light detecting array and parallel to the light detecting array. The rotatable disk includes a plurality of linear members that are opaque and parallel to each other that polarize light from the light source passed to the light-detecting array. The sensor further includes a circuit arrangement configured to generate a data set of polarization vector components, the polarization vector components being generated as a function of a set of the photocurrent signals that are sampled as a function of a position of the rotating disk.

Abstract: An optical connector provides the reliability of a butt-coupled connection with the mating simplicity of an expanded-beam coupling arrangement. In an example embodiment, an optical fiber connector arrangement includes a first ferrule having an expanded-beam arrangement disposed therein. The expanded-beam arrangement within the first ferrule includes a first lens that is coupled to a first optical fiber and a second lens that is coupled to a second optical fiber, wherein the second optical fiber protrudes from the first ferrule. The connector arrangement further includes a second ferrule arranged to receive the first ferrule. The second ferrule supports a third optical fiber and is shaped to receive the first ferrule. The second optical fiber is butt-coupled to the third optical fiber within the second ferrule when the second ferrule is engaged with the first ferrule.

Abstract: An optical-interconnect arrangement is disclosed in various embodiments. In one embodiment, an optical-interconnect node includes a an optical-link section and a processor-link section. The optical-link section includes an optical combiner and an optical splitter. The combiner combines an optical signal of a local node with optical signals from other connected nodes, and the combined signals are carried on a common waveguide. Each node has an optical splitter that splits the optical signals for local processing. The processor-link section includes a demultiplexer and a transmitter. The optical signals from a splitter are input to a demultiplexer, which separates and converts the optical signals to respective electrical signals. The transmitter converts a local electrical signal to an optical signal having a wavelength associated with the node.

Abstract: A backplane assembly for a cluster of modules with the backplane assembly comprised of an electrical backplane and an optical backplane which has optical connectors that extend through openings in the electrical backplane to thereby share a connector shell with the electrical backplane with the clearance between the optical connectors and the electrical backplane sufficiently great so as to permit the optical backplane to be attached or detached from the cluster of modules without having to disconnect the electrical backplane.

Abstract: An optical connector is formed by mounting mating optical cable ferrules in separate connector housing sections and then joining the sections together.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for simultaneous transmission of a multiplicity of independent optical data signals without having to precisely align each source of the optical data signals with a single fiber-optic strand including an emitter array for emitting a multiplicity of optical data signals onto one end face of a coherent fiber-optic bundle having a plurality of fiber-optic strands bundled in a contiguous arrangement; and a photodiode array having optical data signals receiving area with the receiving area having a minimum dimension at least as large as a second end of the plurality of fiber-optic strands to enable the optical data signals to travel from the emitter to the photodiode receiving area over one or more of the plurality of fiber-optic strands.

Abstract: A novel optical connector of the type useful for interconnecting operational modules comprises a polymer backplane for supporting a plurality of polymer waveguides on a formable substrate. Each said waveguide is provided with a receiving end and a transmitting end. Each end is precisely located juxtaposed a spherical ball lens located in a precision recess formed in the lower cladding layer of said substrate. A housing comprising a transparent window is mounted opposite each ball lens. In one form a plurality of window connectors extends transversely from a backplane substrate to provide a high speed optical data bus.