A.R. Papazian

1100 x 1100 port MEMS-based optical crossconnect with 4-dB maximum loss

We present a microelectromechanical systems-based beam steering optical crossconnect switch core with port count exceeding 1100, featuring mean fiber-to-fiber insertion loss of 2.1 dB and maximum insertion loss of 4.0 dB across all possible connections. The challenge of efficient measurement and optimization of all possible connections was met by an automated testing facility. The resulting connections feature optical loss stability of better than 0.2 dB over days, without any feedback control under normal laboratory conditions.

238 x 238 micromechanical optical cross connect

This letter describes a 238/spl times/238 beam-steering optical cross connect constructed using surface micromachined mirrors. Its innovative optical configuration resulted in superior optical performance, achieving a mean fiber-to-fiber insertion loss of 1.33 dB and a maximum insertion loss for all 56 644 connections of 2 dB.

256/spl times/256 port optical cross-connect subsystem

This paper describes the subsystem design and performance of a 256/spl times/256-port micromechanical beam-steering optical cross-connect with 1.33-dB average loss, which can provide 238/spl times/238-port cross-connect with a maximum loss of less than 2dB. This paper describes the design chosen and analyzes the tolerance ranges required to produce low loss and simulate the expected loss distribution of the fabric. The method of establishing and testing the connections is also described. The simulation is compared with the measured system, and the expected and measured static and dynamic crosstalk are compared.

Compact 64 x 64 micromechanical optical cross connect

Describes a 64 x 64 beam steering optical cross connect constructed using surface micromachined mirrors. It used a curved mirror as a Fourier transform element and to fold the optical system. Both micromechanical switches mirror arrays are fabricated on a single chip and packaged in a single package. The switch fabric size, at 100×120×20 mm, is compatible with mounting on a standard circuit card. The cross connect achieves a mean fiber-to-fiber insertion loss of 1.9 dB.

Performance of large scale MEMS-based optical crossconnect switches

Summary form only given. It has been demonstrated that large-scale transparent optical switches can be built using micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology. An added advantage of transparent switches is that the switching function is independent of data rate and data format. In this paper, we discuss a three-dimensional MEMS optical crossconnect (OXC) switch fabric, with a focus on the optical performance.

Micromechanical optical crossconnect with 4-F relay imaging optics

We describe a novel optical configuration for a microelectromechanical system (MEMS)-based beam-steering optical crossconnect. It incorporates 4-F imaging optics to relay light to the MEMS chip. This makes the system more tolerant to fiber-microlens misalignment. The use of a relay plus Fourier lens and patterned mirror removes the skew angle on the MEMS array and reduces the maximum angle for the MEMS mirror. A prototype 110 /spl times/ 110 crossconnect employing imaging optics was constructed to validate the approach. This achieved a mean fiber-to-fiber insertion loss of 2.9 dB.

Integrated array of 1/spl times/N optical switches for wavelength-independent and WDM applications

This paper describes an optical configuration that allows effective arrangement of multiple 1/spl times/N optical switches as an integrated array. An experimental compact module of 16 arrayed 1 /spl times/ 8 optical switches, built by utilizing a cylindrical lens, achieves uniform performance and a mean fiber-to-fiber insertion loss of 2.75 dB. This paper also discusses various layouts that use the proposed optical switching module for both wavelength-independent and wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) applications.