U.S. patent application number 11/667837 was filed with the patent office on 2010-01-14 for optical crossbar switch.
This patent application is currently assigned to FiberZone Networks Ltd.. Invention is credited to Joseph Arol, Zohar AVRAHAMI, Rahav COHEN, Menachem EIZENSHTAT, Ze'ev GANOR.
Application Number | 20100008623 11/667837 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34959544 |
Filed Date | 2010-01-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100008623 |
Kind Code |
A2 |
Arol; Joseph ; et
al. |
January 14, 2010 |
OPTICAL CROSSBAR SWITCH
Abstract
An optical crossbar switch for optically coupling optic fibers
comprising: at least one first fiber (21) and a plurality of second
fibers (22); a moveable fiber-end carriage (41) coupled to an end
of the at least one first fiber and constrained to move along a
predetermined trajectory; at least one moveable slack-control
carriage (42) coupled to the body of the at least one first fiber
and constrained to move along a predetermined trajectory; and at
least one moving device (70, 80) controllable to move the
carriages; wherein to optically couple a first fiber of the at
least one first fiber to a second fiber of the plurality of second
fibers, the at least one moving device moves the fiber-end carriage
of the first fiber along its trajectory to a position at which the
end of the first fiber is optically coupled to an end of the second
fiber and moves the at least one slack-control carriage to take up
slack in the first fiber generated by movement of its fiber-end
carriage.
Inventors: |
Arol; Joseph; (Kiryat Ono,
IL) ; AVRAHAMI; Zohar; (Tel Aviv, IL) ;
EIZENSHTAT; Menachem; (Ra'anana, IL) ; COHEN;
Rahav; (Ra'anana, IL) ; GANOR; Ze'ev;
(Herzelia, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Allan C. Entis Ph.D., Intellectual Property Ltd.
6 Raoul Wallenberg Street
Ramat Hachayal
Tel Aviv
69719
ISRAEL
97236488630
97236488631
mail@entis-ip.com
|
Assignee: |
FiberZone Networks Ltd.
Azorim Technology Park, 94 Em Hamoshavot Kiryat-Aryeh
Petach-Tikva
IL
49130
|
Prior
Publication: |
|
Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20090214160 A1 |
August 27, 2009 |
|
|
Family ID: |
34959544 |
Appl. No.: |
11/667837 |
Filed: |
November 17, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
November 17, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IL05/01220 |
371 Date: |
July 29, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/IL2004/001058 |
Nov 17, 2004 |
|
|
|
11667837 |
Jul 29, 2008 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
385/17 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 6/3548 20130101;
G02B 6/3508 20130101; G02B 6/3556 20130101; G02B 6/3574
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
385/017 |
International
Class: |
G02B 6/26 20060101
G02B006/26 |
Claims
1. An optical crossbar switch for optically coupling optic fibers
comprising: at least one first fiber and a plurality of second
fibers; a moveable fiber-end carriage coupled to an end of the at
least one first fiber and constrained to move along a predetermined
trajectory; at least one moveable slack-control carriage coupled to
the body of the at least one first fiber and constrained to move
along a substantially same trajectory as the fiber end carriage;
and at least one moving device controllable to move the carriages;
wherein, to optically couple a first fiber of the at least one
first fiber to a second fiber of the plurality of second fibers,
the at least one moving device moves the fiber-end carriage of the
first fiber along its trajectory to a position at which the end of
the first fiber is optically coupled to an end of the second fiber
and moves the at least one slack-control carriage to take up slack
in the first fiber generated by movement of its fiber-end
carriage.
2. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 1 wherein both
ends of a first fiber are coupled to different fiber-end carriages
moveable along predetermined trajectories and the at least one
moving device moves the carriages to positions at which the ends of
the first fiber are optically coupled to ends of different second
fibers to optically couple the second fibers to each other.
3. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 1 wherein the at
least one slack-control carriage comprises two slack control
carriages.
4. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 1 wherein to
optically couple the first fiber to a second fiber the at least one
moving device moves the fiber-end carriage of the first fiber to
align the end of the first fiber facing the end of the second
fiber.
5. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 1 wherein ends of
the second fibers are located at fixed positions.
6. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 1 and comprising a
moveable fiber-end carriage coupled to the end of each second fiber
and a moveable slack-control carriage coupled to the body of each
second fiber, which carriages are constrained to move along
predetermined trajectories.
7. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 6 wherein to
couple a first fiber to a second fiber, the at least one moving
device moves the fiber-end carriage of the second fiber to align
the end of the second fiber facing the end of the first fiber.
8. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 6 wherein a
projection of the trajectory of each fiber-end carriage of the at
least one first fiber crosses the trajectories of the fiber-end
carriages of all the second fibers.
9. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 6 wherein the
projection of the trajectory of the fiber-end carriage of a first
fiber is perpendicular to the trajectories of the fiber-end
carriages of the second fibers that it crosses.
10. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 6 wherein the
trajectories of the fiber-end carriages of the second fibers are
parallel.
11. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 6 wherein the
trajectories of the fiber-end carriages of the second fibers are
coplanar.
12. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 1 wherein the at
least one first fiber comprises a plurality of first fibers.
13. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 12 wherein the
trajectories of the fiber-end carriages of the first fibers are
parallel.
14. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 12 wherein the
trajectories of the fiber-end carriages of the first fibers are
coplanar.
15. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 12 wherein the
trajectories of the fiber-end carriages of the first fibers are
coplanar and the trajectories of the fiber-end carriages of the
second fibers are coplanar and the planes of the trajectories are
parallel.
16. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 1 wherein the
trajectories of the fiber-end carriages are straight-line
trajectories.
17. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 1 wherein the
trajectories of the slack-control carriages are straight-line
trajectories.
18. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 1 wherein for a
given fiber coupled to a fiber-end carriage and at least one
slack-control carriage at least two lengths of the fiber body
extend between the fiber-end carriage and a slack control carriage
of the at least one slack-control carriage and a section of the
fiber body coupled to the at least one slack-control carriage is
free to move along its length.
19. An optical crossbar switch for optically coupling optic fibers
comprising: at least one first fiber and a plurality of second
fibers; a moveable fiber-end carriage coupled to an end of the at
least one first fiber and constrained to move along a predetermined
trajectory; at least one moveable slack-control carriage which is
coupled to the body of the at least one first fiber so that at
least two lengths of the fiber extend between the fiber-end
carriage and slack control carriage and is constrained to move
along a predetermined trajectory; and at least one moving device
controllable to move the carriages; wherein to optically couple a
first fiber of the at least one first fiber to a second fiber of
the plurality of second fibers, the at least one moving device
moves the fiber-end carriage of the first fiber along its
trajectory to a position at which the end of the first fiber is
optically coupled to an end of the second fiber and moves the at
least one slack-control carriage to take up slack in the first
fiber generated by movement of its fiber-end carriage.
20. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 19 wherein a
slack-control carriage of the at least one slack-control carriage
is formed with a channel and the section of the fiber body is
threaded through the channel.
21. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 19 wherein a
slack-control carriage of the at least one carriage is formed with
a groove along which the section of the fiber lies.
22. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 19 wherein a
slack-control carriage of the at least one slack-control carriage
comprises a pulley wheel and the fiber body loops around a region
of the rim of the pulley wheel.
23. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 1 wherein the at
least one moving device for moving carriages comprises at least two
grabbers controllable to simultaneously grab the fiber-end carriage
and the at least one slack-control carriage of a fiber.
24. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 23 wherein the
grabbers are controllable to simultaneously move the fiber-end
carriage and the at least one slack-control carriage of the fiber
along their respective trajectories.
25. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 1 wherein the at
least one moving device for moving the carriages comprises a motor
for each carriage controllable to move the carriage along its
trajectory.
26. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 1 wherein each
carriage is mounted to a guide rail along which the carriage
moves.
27. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 1 and comprising
an array of sockets and wherein to optically couple a first fiber
to a second fiber, the at least one moving device moves the
fiber-end carriage of at least one of the first and second fibers
to a socket and inserts the fiber's fiber end into the socket.
28. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 27 wherein the
socket provides support for maintaining the fiber-end carriage in a
position that provides optical contact of the fibers.
29. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 1 wherein the
fiber-end carriage of a fiber comprises a light director
controllable to direct light that exits the end of the fiber so
that the light is incident on the end of another fiber.
30. An optical crossbar switch for optically coupling optic fibers
comprising: a plurality of optic fibers; a moveable fiber-end
carriage coupled to an end of each of the plurality of optic fibers
and constrained to move along a predetermined trajectory; at least
one moveable slack-control carriage coupled to the body of each
fiber and constrained to move along a predetermined trajectory; at
least one moving device controllable to move the carriages; a light
director coupled to each fiber-end carriage so that for any pair of
the fibers and at least one set of positions of their fiber-end
carriages along their respective trajectories, the light directors
are controllable to direct light between their ends; and wherein to
optically couple a pair of the fibers the at least one moving
device moves their fiber-end carriages to the at least one set of
positions at which their light directors are controllable to direct
light between their fiber ends.
31. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 30 wherein the
light director is controllable to deflect light that exits the
fiber selectively along different directions.
32. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 30 wherein the
light director is controllable not to deflect light that exits the
fiber.
33. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 30 wherein the
light director comprises a light pipe.
34. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 30 wherein the
light director comprises an optical switch controllable to direct
light along different directions.
35. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 34 wherein the
optical switch is controlled electronically.
36. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 34 wherein the
optical switch is controlled acoustically.
37. An optical crossbar switch for optically coupling optic fibers
comprising: a first optic fiber; a light detection discontinuity in
the first fiber that allows a portion of light being transmitted in
the first fiber to exit the fiber; and a first optical detector
operable to detect light exiting the first fiber at the
discontinuity therein.
38. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 37 wherein the
first optical detector is movable to an operative position in
proximity to the discontinuity to detect light exiting the first
fiber.
39. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 38 wherein the
first optical detector is movable from a first position to the
operative position.
40. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 39 wherein the
first position is a parking position.
41. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 39 wherein the
first optical detector is movable from the first position to the
operative position along a first axis into alignment with the
discontinuity in the first fiber at a first distance from the
discontinuity, and along a second axis perpendicular to the first
axis to a second distance from the discontinuity.
42. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 37 wherein the
discontinuity is formed by a bend in the first fiber.
43. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 42 wherein the
bend has a radius of between about 1 mm and about 4 mm.
44. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 37 further
including: a plurality of second fibers: a light detection
discontinuity in each of the second fibers that allows a portion of
light being transmitted in each second fiber to exit the fiber; and
a second optical detector that is operable to detect light exiting
from the second fibers.
45. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 44 wherein: the
first optical detector is movable from a first position to a
selectable operative position in proximity to the discontinuity in
the first fiber to detect light exiting the first fiber; and the
second optical detector is movable from a first position to an
operative position in proximity to the discontinuity in any
selectable one of the fibers of the second plurality of fibers to
detect light exiting the one second fiber.
46. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 45 wherein the
respective first positions of the first and second detectors are
parking positions.
47. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 45 wherein the
first optical detector is movable from its first position along a
first axis into alignment with the discontinuity in the first fiber
at a first distance from the discontinuity therein, and along a
second axis perpendicular to the first axis to a second distance
from the discontinuity in the first fiber.
48. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 47 wherein the
second optical detector is movable from its first position along a
first axis into alignment with the discontinuity in the one second
fiber at a first distance from the discontinuity therein, and along
a second axis perpendicular to the first axis to a second distance
from the discontinuity in the second fiber.
49. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 48 wherein the
first axis of movement of the first detector is perpendicular to
the first axis of movement of the second detector.
50. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 49 wherein the
second axis of movement of the first detector is parallel to the
second axis of movement of the second detector.
51. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 44 wherein the
discontinuities in the first fiber and in the plurality of second
fibers are formed by respective bends in the fibers.
52. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 51 wherein the
bends have radii of between about 1 mm and about 4 mm.
53. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 44 further
including additional optic fibers, which, together with the first
optic fiber, comprise a plurality of first optic fibers, wherein
each additional fiber includes a light detection discontinuity that
allows a portion of light being transmitted therein to exit the
fiber; and wherein the first optical detector is movable from a
first position to an operative position in proximity to the
discontinuity in any selectable one of the fibers of the first
plurality of fibers to detect light exiting the one first
fiber.
54. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 53 further
including: a first carriage assembly coupled to the fibers of the
plurality of first fibers, the carriage assembly being operable to
move of a selected one of the plurality of first fibers to a
position at which it is optically coupled to an end of a selected
second fiber; and a first moving device for controllably moving the
first carriage assembly, wherein the first optical detector is
mounted on the first moving device, and the first moving device is
operable to position the first optical detector in proximity to the
light detection discontinuity in the selected one of the plurality
of first fibers.
55. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 53 further
including: a second carriage assembly coupled to the fibers of the
plurality of second fibers, the second carriage assembly being
operative to move a selected one of the plurality of second fibers
to a position at which it is optically coupled to a selected first
fiber; and a moving device for controllably moving the second
carriage assembly, wherein the second optical detector is mounted
on the second moving device and the second moving device is
operable to position the second optical detector in proximity to
the light detection discontinuity in the selected one of the
plurality of second fibers.
56. An optical crossbar switch according to claim 37 further
including: a carriage assembly coupled to the first fiber, the
carriage assembly being operative to move the first fiber to a
position at which it is optically coupled to a selected second
fiber; and a moving device for controllably moving the carriage
assembly for the first fiber, wherein the first optical detector is
mounted on the moving device.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a National Phase of PCT
Application No. PCT/IL2005/001220, filed on Nov. 17, 2005, which is
a Continuation-in-part of PCT/IL2004/001058 filed on Nov. 17, 2004
entitled "Optical Crossbar Switch", the disclosures of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to crossbar switches and in particular
to optical crossbar switches.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A crossbar switch generally operates to connect any one of a
first plurality of signal ports to any one of a second plurality of
signal ports. Generally, signal ports in the first and second
pluralities of signal ports are bi-directional and any of the first
or second ports in the crossbar switch can be used to both receive
and transmit signals. The crossbar switch operates as a router that
routes a signal received on any one of its ports in the first or
second plurality of ports to a desired port of the other of the
first and second plurality of ports from which the signal is
transmitted. Crossbar switches are typically used, for example, for
routing signals in communication networks such as LANs, WANs, and
telecommunication networks and in routing data signals between
processors comprised in parallel data processing systems.
[0004] In many communication networks, signals are optical signals
that are transmitted along optic fibers and routing is accomplished
by optical crossbar switches. A first plurality of signal ports are
ends of a first plurality of optic fibers and a second plurality of
signal ports are ends of a second plurality of fibers. The crossbar
switch operates to optically couple an end of a given fiber of the
first plurality of optic fibers to an end of a given fiber of the
second plurality of optic fibers, to provide a desired
connection.
[0005] Optical crossbar switches are often required to accommodate
very large numbers of optic fibers. As the number of fibers
increases, the task of efficiently managing connecting and
disconnecting large numbers of optic fiber ends without fibers
becoming entangled becomes increasingly complex. Prior art crossbar
switches for optically coupling and uncoupling large numbers of
optic fibers tend to be complicated, unwieldy pieces of equipment
that require relatively large volumes of operating space to
accommodate the coupling and uncoupling operations.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,021, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference, describes an optical crossbar
switch in which a robot hand connects and disconnects ends of a
plurality of first fibers to ends of a plurality of second fibers,
which second fibers have their ends held stationary in a
rectangular array in a coupling board. As an end of a fiber in the
first plurality of fibers is connected or disconnected to an end of
a fiber in the second plurality of fibers, length of the first
fiber is respectively played out or "reeled in" by a fiber length
adjusting unit which requires its own significant space volume. The
robot hand "mimics" the way in which a human switch board operator
operates a telephone switch board, plugging and unplugging
telephone cables from a switch board. During operation of the
switch, first optic fibers cross each other as they are connected
and unconnected from different second optic fibers. In an
embodiment of the invention, the adjusting unit comprises a pair of
rotatable reels on which surplus portions of the first fiber are
wound. The reels are spring loaded to urge them apart and take up
slack in the fiber wound between them.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,307,983, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference, describes an optical crossbar
switch in which patch fibers are used to connect ends of a
plurality of first fibers to ends of a plurality of second fibers.
A first end of each of the patch fibers is connected to an end of a
first fiber. The ends of the second fibers are mounted to a
circular holding ring. The second ends of the patch fibers are
mounted to a linear conveyor. The conveyor sequentially loads the
second end of each patch fiber at a different desired loading
location on the perimeter of a "loader ring", which is coaxial with
the holding ring that holds the ends of the second fibers and has a
same diameter as the holding ring. The second end of a patch fiber
is loaded to the desired location on the loader ring by suitably
rotating the loader ring about the axis of rotation and translating
the linear conveyor so that the position of the second end of the
patch fiber on the linear conveyor meets the desired location on
the loader ring perimeter. After the loading ring is loaded with
the second ends of the patch fibers, the loading ring is translated
along the common axis it shares with the holding ring to "dock" the
second ends of the patch fibers with the ends of the second fibers.
A configuration of connections between the first and second
pluralities of fibers is determined by the positions of the patch
fiber second ends on the loader ring and an azimuth angle of the
loader ring relative to the holding ring.
[0008] PCT publication WO 02/43432, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference, describes an optical crossbar
switch in which any given one of a plurality of first optic fibers
is optically coupled to any given one of a plurality of second
optical fibers by translating the ends of the given fibers along
different linear trajectories.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] An aspect of some embodiments of the present invention
relates to providing an improved optical crossbar switch that
provides for efficient management of the coupling and uncoupling of
relatively large numbers of optic fibers in a relatively small
volume of space.
[0010] An aspect of some embodiments of the invention relates to
providing an optical crossbar switch wherein large numbers of optic
fibers may be coupled and uncoupled without the fibers becoming
entangled.
[0011] An aspect of some embodiments of the invention relates to
providing an optical crossbar switch for optically coupling and
uncoupling optical fibers wherein substantially no slack is
generated in optic fibers during the process of optically coupling
and uncoupling fibers.
[0012] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, an
optical crossbar switch comprises first and second pluralities of
respectively first and second optic fibers. Each fiber is coupled
to a different pair of moveable "fiber-end" and "slack-control"
carriages. The fiber-end carriage of the pair is coupled to an
optical end, hereinafter a "switch end", of the fiber and the
slack-control carriage is coupled to the body of the fiber. The
crossbar switch comprises at least one device, hereinafter "a
mover", controllable to move the fiber-end carriage of each of the
fibers so as to optically couple the switch end of any first fiber
to the switch end of any second fiber by positioning the ends
opposite to and facing each other. When moving the fiber-end
carriage of a fiber, the at least one mover moves the slack-control
carriage of the fiber to take up slack in the fiber generated by
motion of the fiber-end carriage or to "reel out" a length of fiber
required to enable free motion of the fiber-end carriage.
[0013] In some embodiments of the invention, a same mover is used
to move the fiber-end and slack-control carriages of a plurality of
different first or second fibers. Optionally, the mover comprises
two grabbers, which are controllable to substantially
simultaneously grab the fiber-end and slack-control carriages of a
first or second fiber and move them in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention to couple the fiber to a second or
first fiber respectively. In some embodiments of the invention,
each fiber comprises its own exclusive mover. Optionally, the
exclusive mover comprises a different motor for each of the fiber's
fiber-end and slack-control carriages controllable to move the
carriage.
[0014] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the at
least one mover moves each of the fiber-end carriages of the first
fibers along different, optionally straight-line, first
trajectories. Optionally, the first trajectories are parallel and
coplanar. Similarly, the at least one mover moves each of the
fiber-end carriages of the second fibers along different,
optionally straight-line, second trajectories. Optionally, the
second trajectories are parallel and coplanar. Optionally, the
planes of the first and second trajectories are parallel. A
projection of each of the first trajectories on the plane of the
second trajectories intersects each of the second trajectories.
Optionally, the projection of a first fiber is perpendicular to the
second trajectories. A point at which the projection of a first
trajectory crosses over a second trajectory is referred to as a
"crossover point" of the first and second trajectories, or
alternatively, a crossover point of the first and second fibers
associated with the trajectories.
[0015] To optically couple any given first fiber to any given
second fiber, the at least one mover moves the fiber-end carriage
of each of the given fibers to position the switch ends of the
fibers facing their common crossover point. A minimum dynamic range
of motion, hereinafter a minimum dynamic "coupling range", of a
fiber-end carriage of a given first fiber sufficient to enable the
first fiber to be coupled to any one of the second fibers, is
substantially equal to a maximum distance between crossover points
along the fiber's trajectory.
[0016] In an embodiment of the invention, the at least one mover
moves the slack-control carriage of each optic fiber along a same
trajectory along which it moves the fiber's fiber-end carriage in
order to take up slack in the fiber or reel out fiber length.
Optionally, the slack-control carriage operates like a moveable
pulley relative to the fiber-end carriage. The fiber is threaded
into and out of the slack-control carriage looping through at least
one, optionally "U" shaped channel formed in the slack-control
carriage or around a configuration of at least one pulley wheel
comprised in the slack-control carriage. The at least one channel
or pulley wheel configures the fiber so that, optionally, at least
two lengths of the fiber lie between the fiber-end and
slack-control carriages. In accordance with an embodiment of the
invention, the at least one mover moves the slack-control carriage
one half a distance that it moves the fiber-end carriage to
increase or decrease the two lengths of the fiber in order to
respectively take up or reel out fiber as needed. For such an
embodiment, a minimum dynamic range of motion, referred to as a
minimum dynamic "take-up range", for a given slack-control carriage
is substantially equal to one-half the minimum dynamic coupling
range of its associated fiber-end carriage.
[0017] In some embodiments of the invention, the fiber-end and
slack-control carriages of an optic fiber are configured so that
more than two lengths of a fiber lie between the fiber-end and
slack-control carriages. For a given distance that the fiber-end
carriage moves, the slack-control carriage moves a distance equal
to about the given "fiber-end" distance divided by the number of
fiber lengths that lie between the carriages to take up slack or
reel out fiber. For example, in an embodiment of the invention,
four fiber lengths lie between a given fiber-end carriage and its
associated slack-control carriage. In such an embodiment the
slack-control carriage moves about one-fourth the distance that the
fiber-end carriage moves and a minimum dynamic take-up range of the
slack-control carriage is one-fourth the coupling range of the
fiber-end carriage.
[0018] Optionally, to optically couple a first and a second fiber,
subsequent to moving the switch ends of the fibers to their
crossover point, the at least one mover moves the switch ends
towards each other so that they are relatively close or
substantially contiguous. Optionally, the crossbar switch comprises
a "honeycomb" array of sockets located between the planes of the
first and second trajectories. The socket array comprises a
different socket for each fiber crossover point located in the
neighborhood of the crossover point. To optically couple a given
first fiber to a given second fiber, the at least one mover
translates the switch end of the given fibers to their crossover
point and inserts the switch end of each of the fibers into the
socket.
[0019] In some embodiments of the invention, the socket functions
to aid alignment of the switch ends. In some embodiments of the
invention, the socket alternatively or additionally provides
mechanical support for the coupled switch ends. Optionally, the
socket provides mechanical support for the fiber-end carriages to
which the switch ends are mounted and mechanically supports the
carriages in positions that maintain the switch ends optically
coupled.
[0020] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the
crossbar switch is configured so that the first and second
trajectories are arrayed with relatively small pitches and the
dynamic coupling ranges and take-up ranges of the fiber-end and
slack-control carriages are substantially equal to their respective
minimum ranges. Optionally, to enable the relatively small pitches,
the carriages are substantially planar structures having a
relatively small thickness perpendicular to the trajectories along
which they move. As a result, a relatively large number of first
and second fibers can be accommodated by the crossbar switch and
efficiently optically coupled and uncoupled in a relatively small
volume. In addition, because the carriages associated with a given
fiber move along a trajectory that is different from that of the
other fibers, none of the first trajectories cross each other and
none of the second trajectories cross each other and fibers don't
tangle during operation of the switch.
[0021] In some embodiments of the invention, an optical crossbar
switch comprises at least one patch fiber that is used to optically
couple any first fiber of a plurality of "signal" fibers to any
second fiber of the plurality of signal fibers. A first and a
second fiber of the plurality of signal fibers are optically
coupled by optically coupling their respective switch ends to
different "patch" ends of a same patch fiber of the at least one
patch fibers.
[0022] Each of the plurality of signal fibers is optionally coupled
to a fiber-end and a slack-control carriage that move along a
signal fiber trajectory to position the switch end of the signal
fiber along the trajectory without generating substantial slack in
the signal fiber. A first patch end of each patch fiber is mounted
to a first fiber-end carriage and a second patch end of the patch
fiber is mounted to a second fiber-end carriage. Each of the
fiber-end carriages is moveable along an optionally same patch
fiber trajectory that has a crossover point with the trajectory of
each of the signal fibers.
[0023] To optically couple a first signal fiber with a second
signal fiber, the switch ends of the signal fibers are moved to
first and second crossover points respectively of the signal fibers
with a same patch fiber of the at least one patch fiber. At the
first crossover point the first fiber-end carriage of the patch
fiber is moved to align the first patch end of the patch fiber
facing the switch end of the first signal fiber so that optical
signals may be transmitted between the first signal fiber and the
patch fiber. Similarly, at the second crossover point the second
fiber-end carriage of the patch fiber is moved to align the second
patch end of the patch fiber facing the switch end of the second
signal fiber so that optical signals may be transmitted between the
second signal fiber and the patch fiber.
[0024] There is therefore provided, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention, an optical crossbar switch for
optically coupling optic fibers comprising: at least one first
fiber and a plurality of second fibers; a moveable fiber-end
carriage coupled to an end of the at least one first fiber and
constrained to move along a predetermined trajectory; at least one
moveable slack-control carriage coupled to the body of the at least
one first fiber and constrained to move along a predetermined
trajectory; and at least one moving device controllable to move the
carriages; wherein to optically couple a first fiber of the at
least one first fiber to a second fiber of the plurality of second
fibers, the at least one moving device moves the fiber-end carriage
of the first fiber along its trajectory to a position at which the
end of the first fiber is optically coupled to an end of the second
fiber and moves the at least one slack-control carriage to take up
slack in the first fiber generated by movement of its fiber-end
carriage.
[0025] Optionally, both ends of a first fiber are coupled to
different fiber-end carriages moveable along predetermined
trajectories and the at least one moving device moves the carriages
to positions at which the ends of the first fiber are optically
coupled to ends of different second fibers to optically couple the
second fibers to each other. Alternatively or additionally, the at
least one slack-control carriage comprises two slack control
carriages.
[0026] In an embodiment of the invention, to optically couple the
first fiber to a second fiber the at least one moving device moves
the fiber-end carriage of the first fiber to align the end of the
first fiber facing the end of the second fiber.
[0027] In an embodiment of the invention, ends of the second fibers
are located at fixed positions.
[0028] In some embodiments of the invention, the crossbar switch
comprises a moveable fiber-end carriage coupled to the end of each
second fiber and a moveable slack-control carriage coupled to the
body of each second fiber, which carriages are constrained to move
along predetermined trajectories. Optionally to couple a first
fiber to a second fiber, the at least one moving device moves the
fiber-end carriage of the second fiber to align the end of the
second fiber facing the end of the first fiber. Additionally or
alternatively a projection of the trajectory of each fiber-end
carriage of the at least one first fiber crosses the trajectories
of the fiber-end carriages of all the second fibers.
[0029] In some embodiments of the invention, the projection of the
trajectory of the fiber-end carriage of a first fiber is
perpendicular to the trajectories of the fiber-end carriages of the
second fibers that it crosses.
[0030] In some embodiments of the invention, the trajectories of
the fiber-end carriages of the second fibers are parallel.
[0031] In some embodiments of the invention, the trajectories of
the fiber-end carriages of the second fibers are coplanar.
[0032] In some embodiments of the invention, the at least one first
fiber comprises a plurality of first fibers. Optionally, the
trajectories of the fiber-end carriages of the first fibers are
parallel. Additionally or alternatively, the trajectories of the
fiber-end carriages of the first fibers are optionally coplanar.
Additionally or alternatively, optionally, the trajectories of the
fiber-end carriages of the first fibers are coplanar and the
trajectories of the fiber-end carriages of the second fibers are
coplanar and the planes of the trajectories are parallel.
[0033] In some embodiments of the invention, the trajectories of
the fiber-end carriages are straight-line trajectories.
[0034] In some embodiments of the invention, the trajectories of
the slack-control carriages are straight-line trajectories.
[0035] In some embodiments of the invention, the fiber-end and
slack-control carriages associated with a same fiber move along a
substantially same trajectory.
[0036] In some embodiments of the invention, for a given fiber
coupled to a fiber-end carriage and at least one slack-control
carriage at least two lengths of the fiber body extend between the
fiber-end carriage and a slack-control carriage of the at least one
slack-control carriage and a section of the fiber body coupled to
the at least one slack-control carriage is free to move along its
length. Optionally, a slack-control carriage of the at least one
slack-control carriage is formed with a channel and the section of
the fiber body is threaded through the channel. Additionally or
alternatively, a slack-control carriage of the at least one
carriage is optionally formed with a groove along which the section
of the fiber lies. Additionally or alternatively, a slack-control
carriage of the at least one slack-control carriage optionally
comprises a pulley wheel and the fiber body loops around a region
of the rim of the pulley wheel.
[0037] In some embodiments of the invention, the at least one
moving device for moving carriages comprises at least two grabbers
controllable to simultaneously grab the fiber-end carriage and the
at least one slack-control carriage of a fiber. Optionally, the
grabbers are controllable to simultaneously move the fiber-end
carriage and the at least one slack-control carriage of the fiber
along their respective trajectories.
[0038] In some embodiments of the invention, the at least one
moving device for moving the carriages comprises a motor for each
carriage controllable to move the carriage along its
trajectory.
[0039] In some embodiments of the invention, each carriage is
mounted to a guide rail along which the carriage moves.
[0040] An optical crossbar switch according to any of the preceding
claims and comprising an array of sockets and wherein to optically
couple a first fiber to a second fiber, the at least one moving
device moves the fiber-end carriage of at least one of the first
and second fibers to a socket and inserts the fiber's fiber end
into the socket. Optionally, the socket provides support for
maintaining the fiber-end carriage in a position that provides
optical contact of the fibers.
[0041] In some embodiments of the invention, the fiber-end carriage
of a fiber comprises a light director controllable to direct light
that exits the end of the fiber so that the light is incident on
the end of another fiber.
[0042] Optionally, the light director is controllable to deflect
light that exits the fiber selectively along different directions.
Alternatively or additionally, the light director is optionally
controllable not to deflect light that exits the fiber.
Additionally or alternatively the light director optionally
comprises a light pipe. Additionally or alternatively, the light
director optionally comprises an optical switch controllable to
direct light along different directions. Optionally, the optical
switch is controlled electronically. Additionally or alternatively,
the optical switch is optionally controlled acoustically.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0043] A description of examples of embodiments of the present
invention that references figures attached hereto is given below.
In the figures, identical structures, elements or parts that appear
in more than one figure are generally labeled with the same numeral
in all the figures in which they appear. Dimensions of components
and features shown in the figures are chosen for convenience and
clarity of presentation and are not necessarily shown to scale. The
figures are listed below.
[0044] FIG. 1 schematically shows an optical crossbar switch, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0045] FIG. 2A schematically shows details of an optical fiber
comprised in the optical crossbar switch shown in FIG. 1 coupled to
a fiber-end and slack-control carriage, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0046] FIG. 2B schematically shows a portion of a mover comprised
in the optical crossbar switch shown in FIG. 1 and grabbers mounted
to the mover, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0047] FIG. 3 schematically shows top and bottom fibers in the
crossbar switch shown in FIG. 1 in which some fibers are optical
coupled and some fibers are in the process of being optically
coupled, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0048] FIG. 4 schematically shows the fiber-end carriages of a top
and bottom fiber shown in FIG. 3 inserted into a socket, in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0049] FIGS. 5A-5D schematically illustrate motion of a fiber-end
and a slack-control carriage coupled to a fiber that provides for
free motion of the fiber-end carriage without generating slack in
the fiber, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0050] FIG. 6 schematically shows an optical crossbar switch
similar to the optical crossbar switch shown in FIGS. 1 and 3
comprising apparatus for monitoring optical transmissions along
optical fibers in the crossbar switch, in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention;
[0051] FIG. 7 schematically shows a configuration of a plurality of
crossbar switches, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention;
[0052] FIG. 8 schematically shows slotted strips used in producing
a honeycomb array of sockets comprised in a crossbar switch similar
to that shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention;
[0053] FIG. 9 schematically shows a portion of an optical crossbar
switch comprising guide rails for aligning fiber-end and
slack-control carriages with sockets, in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention;
[0054] FIG. 10 schematically shows a side view of a configuration
of a switch-end and a slack-control carriage, in which four lengths
of a fiber extend between the carriages, in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention;
[0055] FIG. 11A schematically shows a fiber-end carriage and a
slack-control carriage mounted with two optical fibers, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0056] FIG. 11B schematically shows top and bottom fiber-end
carriages each mounted with a pair of optical fibers and positioned
to optically couple the pairs of fibers;
[0057] FIG. 12 schematically shows an optical crossbar switch in
which each carriage is moved by its own motor, in accordance with
an embodiment of the invention;
[0058] FIG. 13 schematically shows an enlarged view of a fiber-end
carriage comprised in the optical crossbar switch shown in FIG.
8;
[0059] FIGS. 14A and 14B schematically show an optically crossbar
switch comprising patch fibers for optically coupling any first and
second signal fibers of a plurality of signal fibers in accordance
with an embodiment of the invention;
[0060] FIG. 15 schematically shows a crossbar switch that generates
free space optical channels between signal fibers to optically
couple the fibers, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention;
[0061] FIGS. 16A-16C schematically show positions of mirrors that
are used to generate free space optical channels in a crossbar
switch similar to the crossbar switch shown in FIG. 11, in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and
[0062] FIG. 17 schematically shows an optical crossbar switch for
optically coupling any fiber in the switch to any other fiber in
the switch, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENTS
[0063] FIG. 1 schematically shows an optical crossbar switch 20, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Crossbar
switch 20 comprises a first plurality of optic fibers 21,
hereinafter referred to as "top optic fibers" 21, and a second
plurality of optic fibers 22, hereinafter referred to as "bottom
optic fibers" 22. Optionally, within switch 20, top fibers 21 are
coplanar and perpendicular to bottom fibers 22, which are
optionally coplanar. Each optic fiber 21 and 22 is mounted to a
fiber-end carriage 41 and a slack-control carriage 42, and is shown
in FIG. 1 without obstruction by appurtenances that might be used
to couple the fiber to the carriages in order to more clearly
illustrate how the fiber is spatially configured, in accordance
with an embodiment of the invention.
[0064] Optionally, crossbar switch 20 comprises a rectangular
honeycomb array 24 of columns 25 and rows 26 of sockets 28 located
between the plane of top fibers 21 and the plane of bottom fibers
22. In an embodiment of the invention, each top fiber 21 extends
along a different column 25 of sockets 28 and each bottom fiber 22
extends along a different row 26 of the sockets. A controller 29
controls crossbar switch 20 to optically couple any given one of
top optic fibers 21 to any given one of bottom optic fibers 22 by
inserting fiber-end carriages of the given top and bottom fibers
into a same socket 28. The socket optionally aids in aligning the
optic fibers and provides mechanical support for maintaining the
fiber-end carriages in positions that provide optical contact of
the fibers. In FIG. 1, none of top fibers 21 is connected to a
bottom fiber 22 and all carriages 41 and 42 are in "parking
positions" along the sides of socket array 24. In parking
positions, fiber-end and slack-control carriages 41 and 42 are
optionally supported in parking sockets, which, to prevent clutter,
are not shown in FIG. 1. Parking sockets are discussed below.
[0065] For convenience of presentation, positions and orientations
of components and elements of crossbar switch 20 are referenced
with respect to a coordinate system 30. Rows 26 and columns 25 are
parallel respectively to the x and y-axis of coordinate system 30.
To prevent clutter, only some of identical features of crossbar
switch 20 are labeled with reference numerals.
[0066] FIG. 2A schematically shows details of a fiber 21, its
fiber-end and slack-control carriages 41 and 42 and the way the
fiber is mounted to the carriages. Internal features of the
carriages germane to the discussion, which would normally be hidden
from view in the perspective of the figure, are generally shown in
dashed lines. The fibers themselves are shown as solid lines, even
when hidden from view, for clarity of presentation. Bottom fibers
22 are optionally mounted to their fiber-end and slack-control
carriages 41 and 42 similarly to the way in which top fibers 21 are
mounted to their carriages. The discussion of the way in which a
top fiber 21 is mounted to its carriages applies equally well to
the way in which a bottom fiber 22 is mounted to its carriages.
[0067] Fiber-end carriage 41 optionally comprises a flat plate 50
having a socket prong 51 and a carrying handle 52. Optionally,
socket prong 51 comprises two alignment tines 53, each having a
tooth 54. Optionally, carrying handle 52 comprises two "V" shaped
gripping protrusions 55, each formed by beveled edges 56. Plate 50
is optionally formed to have a "transfer" channel 58 and a "cross"
channel 59 through which fiber 21 is threaded. Slack-control
carriage 42 optionally comprises a flat plate 60 having a
bifurcated socket prong 61 and a carrying handle 62. Optionally,
carrying handle 62 comprises two V shaped gripping protrusions 63,
each formed by beveled edges 64. Optionally, handles 52 and 62 are
identical. Optionally, slack-control carriage 60 is formed to have
a single "U" shaped "return" channel 66 through which fiber 21 is
threaded.
[0068] Fiber 21 is threaded through transfer channel 58 in its
fiber-end carriage 41 so that it passes through the fiber-end
carriage and enters return channel 66 in slack-control carriage 42.
Return channel 66 returns the fiber back to fiber-end carriage 41
where it is received by cross channel 59. Cross channel 59
optionally intersects transfer channel 58 and directs fiber 21 so
that it crosses a portion of the fiber threaded through transfer
channel 58 and continues on to a coupling nub 44 to which an end
45, i.e. a "switch end", of the fiber is anchored. Optionally,
coupling nub 44 protrudes from socket prong 51 and is spring
loaded, optionally by a spring 46, so that it is resiliently
pressed to extend from the socket prong. A suitable stop (not
shown) prevents spring 46 from ejecting nub 44 from socket prong
51. Channels 55 and 56 in fiber-end carriage 41 and channel 64 in
slack-control carriage 42 are formed using any of various methods
and devices known in the art, so that fiber 21 is free to move
easily along the channels.
[0069] It is noted, it is possible to configure channels
differently from the manner in which they are configured in FIG.
2A. For example, transfer channel 58 in fiber-end carriage 41 could
be positioned opposite the top end of U shaped return channel 66 in
slack-control carriage 42 rather than opposite the bottom end of
the return channel. In such a configuration, an optic fiber
threaded through the transfer channel and return channel 66 back to
fiber-end carriage 41 would optionally not be received by
cross-channel 59, but by a channel that does not cross the transfer
channel. The optic fiber would not cross itself in the fiber-end
carriage.
[0070] Optionally, crossbar switch 20 comprises a top mover 70 as
shown in FIG. 1, for moving and positioning fiber-end and
slack-control carriages 41 and 42 of any given top fiber 21 along
column 25 of sockets 28 associated with the given top fiber. In
FIG. 1 top mover 70 is shown in a parking position in which it is
located along an edge of socket array 24 and is not grasping any
carriage 41 or 42.
[0071] Optionally, top mover 70 comprises a carrier beam 72, and
identical fiber-end and slack-control carriage grabbers 73 and 74
respectively. A portion of carrier beam 72 and grabbers 73 and 74
are shown enlarged in FIG. 2B. Each grabber 73 and 74 optionally
comprises a pair of opposed tongs 75 shaped to receive a gripping
protrusion 55 or 63 of carrying handle 52 or 62 respectively and
having a groove 76 shaped to match the bevel shape of edges 56 or
64 of the gripping protrusion. Carrier beam 70 is supported by a
suitable structure (not shown) that maintains the beam parallel to
the x-axis and is controllable by controller 29 to move the carrier
beam parallel to the y-axis so as to align the beam over and
parallel to any column 25 (FIG. 1) of sockets 28.
[0072] Each grabber 73 and 74 is controllable to be moved along
beam 72, i.e. along the x-direction and up and down along the
z-direction. Tongs 75 of the grabber are controllable to be spread
apart and closed toward each other to grasp, hold and release a
carrying handle 52 or 62 as required. Once top mover 70 is aligned
over a column 25 of sockets 28, each grabber 73 and 74 is therefore
controllable to grasp a carriage 41 or 42 of top fiber 21
associated with the column by its handle, move the carriage along
the column of sockets and insert the carriage's socket prong 51
into any one of the sockets in the column.
[0073] The bevel shape of edges 56 and 64 and matching grooves 76
of tongs 75 of a grabber 73 or 74 assure alignment of the tongs
with V-protrusions 55 or 63 of a carriage carrier handle 52 or 62
when the grabber is used to grasp the carriage. The matching bevel
edges 56 or 64 and grooves 76 also tend to promote stability of
coupling between a grabber 73 or 74 and a carriage when carrying
handle 52 or 62 is grasped by the grabber and tends to prevent the
handle from slipping out from the grasp of the grabber.
[0074] Optionally, crossbar switch 20 comprises a bottom mover 80
(FIG. 1) for moving carriages 41 and 42 associated with bottom
optic fibers 22. Optionally, bottom mover 80 comprises a beam 82
and grabbers 83 and 84 and is similar to and operates similarly to
top mover 70 except that its beam 82 is parallel to the y-axis and
moveable along the x-axis.
[0075] Controller 29 controls crossbar switch 20 to optically
couple any given one of top fibers 21 to any given one of bottom
fibers 22 by controlling top and bottom movers 70 and 80 to move
the respective fiber-end carriages 41 of the given fibers to a
socket 28 at their common crossover point and to insert their
respective socket prongs 51 into the socket.
[0076] FIG. 3 schematically shows crossbar switch 20 after
controller 29 has controlled top and bottom movers 70 and 80 to
optically couple a top fiber 21 labeled 21-1 to a bottom fiber 22
labeled 22-1. Fiber-end carriage 41 of top fiber 21-1, indicated by
alphanumeric 41-1T, and fiber-end carriage 41 of bottom fiber 22-1,
indicated by alphanumeric 41-1B, are inserted into a common socket
28 labeled 28-1.
[0077] FIG. 3 also schematically shows controller 29 controlling
top and bottom movers 70 and 80 to optically couple top and bottom
fibers 21 and 22 labeled respectively by alphanumerics 21-2 and
22-2. Top mover 70 is shown moving fiber-end and slack-control
carriages of top fiber 21-2, which are labeled 41-2T and 42-2T
respectively, so as to couple the fiber to bottom fiber 22-2.
Carriages 41-2T and 42-2T are shown just prior to being inserted
into appropriate sockets 28. Portions of crossbar switch 20 are
cutaway to show a portion of bottom mover 80 being controlled to
couple bottom fiber 22-2 to top fiber 21-2. In the portion of mover
80 shown in FIG. 3, grabber 84 is shown grasping and moving
slack-control carriage 42, labeled 42-2, of bottom fiber 22-2.
Grabber 82 (FIG. 1), which is moving fiber-end carriage 41 of the
fiber, is not seen in the figure.
[0078] FIG. 4 schematically shows a greatly enlarged view of
fiber-end carriages 41-1T and 41-1B inserted into socket 28-1,
which is shown in dashed lines. Once inserted, spring loaded
coupling nubs 44 of the fiber-end carriages resiliently press
switch ends 45 of the fibers together to provide optical coupling
between the ends and thereby of the fibers. Alignment of switch
ends 45 of fibers 21-1 and 22-1 is optionally provided by alignment
tines 53 of respective fiber-end carriages 41-1T and 41-1B of top
and bottom fibers 21-1 and 22-1. When fiber-end carriages 41-1T and
41-1B of the fibers are inserted into socket 28-1, alignment tines
53 of fiber-end carriage 41-1B of bottom fiber 22-1 grasp fiber-end
carriage 41-1T of top fiber 21-1 and align ends 45 of the top and
bottom fibers in the y-direction. Alignment tines 53 of fiber-end
carriage 41-1T of top fiber 21-1 grasp fiber-end carriage 41-1B of
bottom fiber 22-1 and align ends 45 of the fibers in the
x-direction.
[0079] In some embodiments of the invention, tines 53 of socket
prongs 51 of fiber-end carriages 41, in addition to aligning
fiber-end carriages 41 and thereby ends 45 of top and bottom fibers
21 and 22 that are optically coupled, function to lock the
fiber-end carriages of the fibers together once the carriages are
inserted into a socket 28. For example, in some embodiments of the
invention tines 53 are elastic. When fiber-end carriages 41 of top
and bottom fibers 21 and 22 are inserted into a same socket 28,
teeth 54 of the tines of one carriage snap into matching grooves
(not shown) in the other carriage to lock the carriages together.
When required to decouple the fibers, controller 29 controls top
and bottom movers 70 and 80 to pull fiber-end carriages 41 out of
the socket into which they are inserted with sufficient force to
unsnap the teeth from their grooves. The dimensions and/or internal
shape of sockets 28 are adapted to accommodate motion of the
elastic tines during insertion into and extraction from the sockets
of the fiber-end carriages.
[0080] Springs 46, which resiliently press coupling nubs 44 against
each other, are configured so that they do not apply sufficient
force to unsnap teeth 54 once the carriages are locked together. It
is noted that once fiber-end carriages 41 are inserted into a
socket 28 to optically couple a top fiber 21 to a bottom fiber 22,
the fiber-end carriages maintain in their positions optionally
without power consumption until they are decoupled by operation of
movers 70 and 80.
[0081] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, when
controller 29 (FIGS. 1 and 3) moves a fiber-end carriage 41 of a
top or bottom fiber 21 or 22, it controls the fiber's slack-control
carriage 42 to move in concert and take up slack in the fiber or
reel out fiber length as required by the fiber-end carriage motion.
Whichever way along a column of sockets that the controller moves
the fiber-end carriage, it simultaneously moves the slack-control
carriage in the same direction along the column but at half the
velocity at which it moves the fiber-end carriage along the
column.
[0082] By way of example, FIGS. 5A-5D schematically illustrate
motion of fiber-end and slack-control carriages 41 and 42 of a top
fiber 21 along a column 25 of sockets 28 as controller 29 (FIGS. 1
and 3) controls mover 70 to align the fiber-end carriage with a
particular socket 28-1 and insert the fiber-end carriage into the
socket.
[0083] In FIG. 5A controller 29 has controlled mover 70 and
grabbers 73 and 74 to grasp fiber-end and slack-control carriages
41 and 42 by their respective carrier handles 52 and 62 and lift
them out of their parking positions. In parking positions, the
carriages are optionally inserted into and supported by parking
sockets 90, which are shown for convenience of presentation half as
deep as sockets 28. It is noted that since a parking socket 90
receives only a single carriage, while a socket 28 is required to
receive two carriages (fiber-end carriages 41 of a top and a bottom
fiber 21 and 22 when it is used to couple fibers) a parking socket
90 may in general be shallower than a socket 28.
[0084] In FIG. 5B, mover 70 has moved fiber-end carriage 41 from
its parking position to align the carriage with a particular socket
labeled 28-1. In order to provide sufficient length of fiber 21 so
that fiber-end carriage 41 is free to move to socket 28-1 without
generating slack in the fiber, controller 29 controls grabber 74
holding slack-control carriage 42 to translate the slack-control
carriage along socket column 25 a distance equal to half that by
which grabber 73 translates fiber-end carriage 41.
[0085] Distances between the parking positions of fiber-end and
slack-control carriages 41 and 42 and sockets 28 are such that when
fiber-end carriage 41 is aligned with a socket 28, translation of
slack-control carriage 41 aligns the slack-control carriage with a
socket 28, a parking socket 90 or with a wall 91 that separates
adjacent sockets or parking sockets.
[0086] In FIG. 5B, slack-control carriage 42 is aligned with a
socket 28 labeled 28-2. In FIG. 5C controller 29 has controlled
grabbers 73 and 74 to insert socket prong 51 of fiber-end carriage
41 into socket 28-1 and bifurcated socket prong 61 of slack-control
carriage 42 into socket 28-2. Controller 29 is now free to control
mover 70 to release carriages 41 and 42 and proceed to move a
different set of fiber-end and slack-control carriages.
[0087] FIG. 5D schematically shows a case in which slack-control
carriage 42 is aligned with a wall 91 that separates two sockets
28. Fiber-end carriage 41 is translated along column 25 to align
the carriage with a socket 28-3 adjacent to socket 28-1. In FIG.
5D, fiber-end carriage 41 has been moved by a distance greater than
that shown in FIG. 5C equal to a distance between adjacent sockets
28. In order to provide a length of top fiber 21 sufficient to
provide free motion of the fiber-end carriage without generating
slack in the fiber, slack-control carriage 42 is translated along
column 25 by a distance (additional to that shown in FIG. 5C) equal
to half a distance between adjacent sockets 28. As a result,
slack-control carriage 42 is aligned with wall 91 between socket
28-2 and a socket 284. When fiber-end carriage 41 is inserted into
socket 28-3, slack-control carriage 42 is inserted into sockets
28-2 and 28-4 and its bifurcated socket prong 61 straddles wall 91
between the sockets.
[0088] When moving fiber-end carriage 41 back to its parking
position, controller 29 reverses the motions of fiber end and
slack-control carriages 41 and 42 schematically shown in FIGS.
5A-5D. The controller controls grabber 73 to translate fiber-end
carriage 41 back to its parking position along column 25 at a speed
that is twice the speed that it controls grabber 74 to translate
slack-control carriage 42 back to its parking position.
[0089] In some embodiments of the invention, each fiber 21 is
formed with a discontinuity such as a slight bend, a break or
thinning in the fiber cladding, or an optical shunt that causes a
relatively small fraction of light transmitted along the fiber to
exit the fiber. The light that exits a fiber 21 in the vicinity of
the discontinuity is sensed and used to detect and monitor light
transmission through the fiber.
[0090] FIG. 6 schematically shows each fiber 21 formed with a
discontinuity in the shape of a small bend 400 that causes a
relatively small portion of the light transmitted in the fiber to
exit the fiber. A bend 400 having a radius between about 1 mm and
about 5 mm will generally cause between about 1% to about 5% of
light transmitted along the fiber to exit the fiber in the vicinity
of the bend. Optionally, bends 400 are formed at positions along
the lengths of fibers 21 that lie outside of array 24 and lie
substantially along a same straight line perpendicular to the
fibers. Optionally, carrier beam 72 has at least one optical
detector 402 mounted to the beam for detecting light that exits
fibers 21 in the neighborhoods of their respective bends 400.
[0091] To detect and monitor light transmission through a
particular fiber 21, controller 29 translates carrier beam 72 along
the y-direction until optical detector 402 is aligned above bend
400 in the fiber and positioned to detect light that exits the
fiber in the vicinity of the bend. Optionally, detector 402 is
controllable by controller 29, using any of various motors or
actuators and techniques known in the art, to be moved in the z
direction so that it can be placed substantially contiguous with
the bend. Signals generated by detector 400 responsive to light
that it detects exiting a fiber 21 from its bend 400 are optionally
transmitted to controller 29 which processes the signals to monitor
characteristics, such as quality and data rate, of transmissions in
the fiber
[0092] Discontinuities or shunts are similarly formed in optic
fibers 22 to "siphon off" relatively small portions of the light
transmitted along the fibers 22 in order to monitor optical
transmission in the fibers. Optionally, carrier beam 82 is equipped
similarly to carrier beam 72 with at least one optical detector 402
for sensing the siphoned off light.
[0093] The inventors have found that a crossbar switch in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention, similar to crossbar
switch 20 can be configured to accommodate and switch a relatively
large number of optic fibers in a relatively small spatial volume.
By way of a numerical example, in accordance with an embodiment of
the invention, plates 50 and 60 of carriages 41 and 42 are
optionally between about 0.5 mm to about 2.5 mm thick and have a
width and height of about 20 mm and 50 mm respectively. (Thickness
is a dimension along the y-axis in FIG. 2A, width a dimension along
the x-axis and height a dimension along the z-axis). Optionally,
socket prong 51 comprised in fiber-end carriage 41 and bifurcated
socket prong 61 comprised in slack-control carriage 42 have widths
(along the x-axis in FIG. 2A) between 0.5 mm and 2.5 mm.
Optionally, socket prong 51 has a length (along the z-axis) between
about 1 mm to 10 mm and bifurcated socket prong 61 a length between
about 1 mm to 5 mm.
[0094] Plates 50 and 60 may be fabricated using any of many
different methods known in the art. For example, the plates may be
fabricated from a sandwich comprising an inner layer of a suitable
light material such as a plastic foam bonded between two external
skins, optionally formed from a metal or plastic. Alternatively,
for example, the plates may be formed by welding together
optionally mirror-image planar plastic pieces, each having an
external profile similar to that of carriage plates 50 and 60. When
welded together, structures on sides of the pieces that face each
other form channels through which an optical fiber is threaded,
e.g. channels 58 and 59 in fiber-end carriage 41 and channel 66 in
slack-control carriage 42.
[0095] Sockets 28 in honeycomb array 24 optionally have dimensions
that match dimensions of socket prong 51 and bifurcated prong 61.
For example, in some embodiments of the invention, sockets 28 have
dimensions along the x and y-axes equal to about the width of the
prongs 51 and 61, i.e. for prongs having a width of 1.5 mm for
example, each socket has internal dimensions along the x and y-axes
equal to about 1.5 mm. Optionally, sockets 28 have a depth along
the z-axis between 2 mm to 10 mm. In some embodiments of the
invention, walls separating adjacent sockets 28 in honeycomb array
24 have a thickness equal to about 0.2 mm.
[0096] Assume that the crossbar switch is intended to accommodate
1000 top fibers 21 and 1000 bottom fibers 22 and in conformity with
the dimensions noted above that each socket 28 in the crossbar
switch has a cross section parallel to the plane of the array that
is about 1.5 mm. Assume further that each row 26 and column 25 of
sockets 28 comprises about 6 cm of parking sockets 90 and that
movers 70 and 80 require operating and clearance distance above
honeycomb array 24 equal to about a height of a carriage plus about
20 cm. Then the crossbar switch requires a volume of about
1.56.sup.2 m.times.0.5 m equal to about 1.2 m.sup.3 to manage the
coupling and uncoupling of the fibers.
[0097] A plurality of crossbar switches in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention, such as a crossbar switch similar to
crossbar switch 20 (FIG. 1), may also be packed in a relatively
small volume. For example, FIG. 7 schematically shows a plurality
of four crossbar switches 20 compactly configured in a checkerboard
array 410. Assuming that each crossbar switch 20 comprises 1000 top
fibers 21 and 1000 bottom fibers 22, array 410 provides a total of
4.times.10.sup.6 different fiber connections. Honeycomb socket
arrays 24 of crossbar switches 20 are optionally coplanar and each
honeycomb array is positioned so that the rows of sockets 28 (FIG.
1) of the honeycomb array are accurately aligned either parallel or
perpendicular to the x-axis. As a result, a single top carrier 70
and a single bottom carrier 80 are sufficient to control placement
of all fiber-end carriages and slack-control carriages in
checkerboard array 410. If each crossbar switch 20 has the
dimensions noted in the preceding paragraph, checkerboard array
occupies about 4.8 m.sup.2.
[0098] Honeycomb socket array 24 may be formed using any of many
different methods known in the art. Optionally, honeycomb array 24
is formed using techniques, methods and materials used to provide
radiation collimators, for example, for CT scanners. Such methods
are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,363,136, 4,054,800,
4,450,706 and 3,943,366, the disclosures of which are incorporated
herein by reference. In FIGS. 1 and 3, the array is shown, by way
of example, constructed from thin, identical, strips of a suitable
material that are slotted with uniformly spaced slots. A first set
of the strips are oriented parallel to each other and inserted one
into the slots of the other of a second set of the strips that are
parallel to each other and orientated perpendicular to the first
set of strips. The strip spacing and thickness of the strips
determine the size of the honeycomb sockets.
[0099] The inventors have found that a relatively large and
mechanically stable and robust honeycomb array may be formed using
slotted strips that are inserted one into the slots of the other in
which rather than having a same spacing between all slots in all
the strips, some of the strips have non-uniform spacing. When
assembled, the non-uniform spacing distorts the strips sufficiently
to generate stress in the strips that provide the assembled array
with mechanical stability. The inventors have determined that a
robust, mechanically stable "stress reinforced" honeycomb structure
in which dimensions of the sockets in the honeycomb are
substantially uniform may be produced with a relatively moderate,
non-uniformity in slot spacing of some of the strips.
[0100] In an embodiment of the invention a "stress reinforced"
honeycomb comprises a first set of parallel strips comprising a
plurality of groups of identical strips formed with uniformly
spaced slots. The groups of uniformly slotted strips are
interleaved with pairs of strips formed with slots that are
non-uniformly spaced. The strips of the first set are inserted one
into the slots of strips of a second, optionally identical, set of
strips that are oriented in a direction perpendicular to the first
set of strips.
[0101] FIG. 8 schematically shows slotted strips 500, 501 and 502
that are optionally used to form such a stress reinforced honeycomb
socket array, and relationships between the locations of their
slots. Strip 500 has slots 510 that are uniformly spaced apart by a
distance D.sub.O and is representative of the plurality of strips
that are used to provide the groups of uniformly slotted strips.
Strips 501 and 502 are formed with non-uniformly spaced slots 511
and are representative of strips in the pairs of strips that
interleave the groups of uniformly slotted strips 500. Optionally,
any two adjacent slots 511 are separated by one of two distances
D.sub.1 and D.sub.2. Optionally, a first and fifth slot 510 of any
five consecutive slots 511 are separated by a distance equal to
4D.sub.O=(2D.sub.1+2D.sub.2). Optionally, strip 501 is identical to
strip 502, reversed from right to left.
[0102] By way of a numerical example, optionally, strips 500, 501
and 502 are formed from sheet metal, optionally stainless steel,
about 0.2 mm thick, slots 510 and 511 are 0.3 mm wide, D.sub.O=2.2
mm, D.sub.1=2.12 mm and D.sub.2=2.28 mm. Strips having these
dimensions are used to form a honeycomb socket array in accordance
with an embodiment of the invention, in which the sockets have 2
mm.times.2 mm square "apertures". Dimensions and shape of the
stress reinforced honeycomb socket array may be varied by varying
the length and the number of strips used. For example, the array
may be rectangular or square and have a side dimension as large as
or greater than a meter. The reinforcing stress generated in the
assembled array by the non-uniformly slotted strips may be varied
by varying the degree of non-uniformity in the spacing of the slots
and/or the number of uniformly slotted strips sandwiched between
non-uniformly slotted strips. For a given degree of non-uniformity
in the slotting, stress decreases with increasing number of the
uniformly slotted strips between non-uniformly slotted strips. By
way of example, the inventors have found that for a square
honeycomb array about a half meter on a side formed from strips
having dimensions similar to those noted above, advantageously
about eight uniformly slotted strips are sandwiched between
non-uniformly slotted strips.
[0103] Features of a crossbar switch similar to crossbar switch 20,
in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, may vary from
those described above. For example, in some embodiments of the
invention, fiber-end carriages of top and bottom fibers 21 and 22
inserted into a socket 28 and switch ends 45 of their fibers may be
held together by devices similar to tines 53 that are parts of
coupling nubs 44 (FIG. 2A). Many and varied methods and devices for
holding ends of optic fibers together to provide optical contact of
the fibers are known in the art and any of these may be adapted for
use with fiber-end carriages in accordance with an embodiment of
the invention. In some embodiments of the invention, apparatus for
holding fiber-end carriages 41 and switch ends 45 of their
respective optic fibers 21 and 22 together comprise magnetized
regions that attract and hold each other together when the
carriages are inserted into a same socket 28. Such "magnetized"
apparatus optionally comprises components that are parts of socket
28.
[0104] In some embodiments of the invention, honeycomb array 24 has
a configuration that resembles more closely in its structure a
natural honeycomb and comprises rows and columns of interlaced
hexagonal sockets rather than square sockets. In some embodiment of
the invention, an array similar to array 24 comprises "guide
runners" that aid in maintaining carriages aligned with their
respective columns or rows of sockets.
[0105] FIG. 9 schematically shows a portion, partially cutaway, of
a honeycomb array 100 of optionally square sockets 102 comprising
top and bottom runners 104 and 106 that maintain alignment of
carriages of top and bottom fibers with their respective columns
and rows of sockets. The figure schematically shows a slack-control
carriage 42 of a top fiber 21 and a slack-control carriage 42 of a
bottom fiber 22 between their associated guide runners 104 and 106
respectively after the carriages have been moved to accommodate
coupling of fibers in the crossbar switch.
[0106] In some embodiments of the invention, more than two lengths
of an optic fiber are extended between a fiber-end carriage and its
associated slack-control carriage in a crossbar switch. FIG. 10
schematically shows a side view of a configuration, in accordance
with an embodiment of the invention, in which four lengths of a
fiber 110 extend between a fiber-end carriage 112 and its
associated slack-control carriage 114. To maintain the lengths of
fiber 110 between the carriages substantially without slack,
slack-control carriage 114 moves in a same direction along which
fiber-end carriage 112 moves but at a quarter of the speed.
[0107] In some embodiments of the invention, a crossbar switch
similar to crossbar switch 20 comprises a plurality of top and
bottom movers 70 and 80 to administer coupling and uncoupling of
optic fibers 21 and 22. In some embodiments of the invention, each
pair of fiber-end and slack-control carriages comprises its own
mover. Optionally, the mover comprises a different motor coupled to
each carriage for moving the carriage.
[0108] In many applications a pair of optical fibers is used to
provide a communication link between first and second signal ports.
Each of the fibers in the pair functions as a simplex link between
the ports that transmits optical signals in a direction opposite to
that of the other fiber. A first one of the fibers carries
transmissions from the first port to the second port and the second
of the fibers carries transmissions from the second port to the
first port.
[0109] In some embodiments of the invention, a crossbar switch is
configured to support such applications and a pair of optical
fibers is mounted to and threaded through the channels of top and
bottom fiber-end and slack-control carriages in the crossbar
switch. Fiber-end and slack-control carriages in the crossbar
switch are moved and positioned to couple any top pair of optical
fibers to any bottom pair of optical fibers and control slack in
the fibers similarly to the manner in which crossbar switch 20
operates to couple top and bottom fibers 21 and 22 and control
their slack.
[0110] FIG. 11A schematically shows a top fiber-end carriage 441-T
and its associated top slack-control carriage 442-T threaded with a
pair 421 of top fibers 421-1 and 421-2 comprised in a crossbar
switch (not shown) similar to crossbar switch 20 shown in FIG. 1.
Fibers 421-1 and 421-2 are mounted to and threaded through
fiber-end and slack control carriages 441-T and 442-T similarly to
the manner in which top fiber 21 is mounted to and threaded through
fiber-end and slack control carriages 41 and 42 shown in FIG. 2A.
As for carriages 41 and 42 in FIG. 2A, carriages 441-T and 442-T
are assumed to be moved along a direction indicated by the x-axis
of a coordinate system 30 and the planes of carriages 441-T and
442-T are assumed to be parallel to the x-axis Ends 445-1 and 445-2
of fibers 421-1 and 421-2 respectively are mounted to a dual fiber
coupling nub 444 (the ends and the fibers and the coupling nub are
most clearly shown in an inset 430) using any of various methods
and devices known in the art so that the x and y coordinates of the
fiber ends relative to fiber-end carriage 441-T are accurately
maintained and a line 431 through the fiber ends is oriented and
accurately maintained at a predetermined angle with respect to the
x-axis. Optionally, the predetermined angle is about 45.degree.
[0111] Fibers 421-1 and 421-2 are optionally spring loaded in dual
fiber coupling nub 444 using any of various devices and methods
known in the art so that they are resiliently urged in the negative
z-direction. Whereas by way of example, in FIGS. 11A and 11B a
resilient element 46 is shown spring loading dual fiber coupling
nub 444, in some embodiments of the invention each fiber 421-1 and
421-2 is independently spring loaded. The spring loading
facilitates optical coupling of fibers 421-1 and 421-2 with fibers
in bottom fiber pairs.
[0112] FIG. 11B schematically illustrates fiber-end carriage 441-T
positioned in a socket 28, shown in dashed lines, of a honeycomb
socket array of the crossbar switch in which they are comprised to
optically couple fiber pair 421 with a bottom pair 422 of fibers
442-1 and 442-2. A region in which top and bottom fiber pairs 421
and 422 are coupled is shown in an enlarged view in an inset 433.
Bottom fiber pair 422 is mounted to a bottom fiber-end carriage 441
and ends 446-1 and 446-2 of fibers 442-1 and 442-2 respectively are
mounted to a dual fiber coupling nub 448 similarly to the way in
which fiber pair 221 is mounted to dual coupling nub 444. Dual
coupling nub 448 maintains the positions of fiber ends 446-1 and
446-2 so that a line 435 through the ends is accurately oriented at
a same angle with respect to the x-axis as is line 431. In some
embodiments of the invention, a crossbar switch does not comprise a
honeycomb array of sockets in which carriages are mounted. FIG. 12
schematically shows a crossbar switch 120, in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention, that does not comprise an array of
sockets into which fiber-end carriages are inserted to optically
couple top and bottom fibers. Crossbar switch 120 comprises
features similar to those of a crossbar switch described in PCT
publication WO 02/43432, the disclosure of which is incorporated
herein by reference.
[0113] By way of example, crossbar switch 120 comprises a first
plurality of three top optic fibers 21 and a second plurality of
four bottom optic fibers 22. Crossbar switch 120 is therefore a
"3.times.4" crossbar switch configured to optically couple any one
of the three top optic fibers 21 to any one of the four bottom
optic fibers 22. To prevent clutter, only some of identical
features of crossbar switch 20 are labeled with reference
numerals.
[0114] Each top optic fiber 21 is optionally mounted to a front
panel 132 of a top fiber-end carriage 130, which is mounted to a
top guide rail 134. The optic fiber is also mounted to a front
panel 133 of a slack-control carriage 131. Fiber 21 is mounted to
front panels 132 and 133 optionally via a system of channels not
shown similar to channels 58, 59 and 66 shown in FIG. 2A. Top guide
rails 134 are optionally parallel to the x-axis of coordinate
system 30 and, by way of example, are coplanar and have a
rectangular cross-section. The plane of top guide rails 134 is
parallel to the xy-plane.
[0115] Details and features of fiber-end carriage 130 and other
elements of crossbar switch 120 are more easily seen in a magnified
view of a region of the crossbar switch shown in FIG. 13. A
piezoelectric motor 140 is optionally mounted to a back panel 142
of each fiber-end carriage 130. In some embodiments of the
invention, piezoelectric motor 140 is of a type described in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,616,980 to Zumeris et al, or in PCT Applications
PCT/IL99/00288 and PCT/IL99/00576 entitled "Multilayer
Piezoelectric Motor", the disclosures of which are incorporated
herein by reference.
[0116] Piezoelectric motor 140 comprises a thin rectangular
piezoelectric vibrator 144 having two face surfaces 146 and,
optionally, a friction nub 148. Piezoelectric motor 140 is mounted
to back panel 142 using techniques known in the art and is shown,
by way of example, being held in place by four tangs 150 (only two
of which are numbered). Tangs 150 press on long edge surfaces 152
of piezoelectric motor 140, preferably, at nodal regions along the
edge surfaces of the motor. A suitable spring 154 or other source
of resilient force is coupled between a short edge surface 156 of
piezoelectric motor 140 and a lip 158 that extends from back panel
142. Spring 154 operates to resiliently urge piezoelectric motor
140 towards guide rail 134 so that friction nub 148 presses on an
edge surface 160 of guide rail 134.
[0117] Vibrator 144 optionally has four quadrant electrodes 162 on
one face surface 146 and a single large electrode (not shown) on
the other face surface 146 of the vibrator. A controller 164
electrifies quadrant electrodes 162 to generate appropriate
vibrations in friction nub 148 that move fiber-end carriage 130
along its guide rail 134 selectively in either the positive or the
negative x-direction. Methods and electrification configurations
for electrifying quadrant electrodes 162 to provide desired
vibrations in friction nub 148 are described in U.S. Pat. No.
5,616,980 and in PCT applications PCT/IL99/00288 and
PCT/IL99/00576, referenced above.
[0118] A position-sensing device 170, such as an optical, magnetic
or capacitive position sensor, is optionally mounted to each top
fiber-end carriage 130 and transmits signals responsive to
coordinates of positions of the fiber-end carriage along its guide
rail 134 to controller 164. In FIGS. 12 and 13, position-sensing
device 170 is schematically shown as an optical position sensing
device that generates coordinate position signals responsive to
fiducial markings 172 on guide rail 134. Controller 164 uses the
coordinate signals to control motion and position of top fiber-end
carriage 30.
[0119] Slack-control carriage 131 (FIG. 12) is constructed
similarly to fiber-end carriage 130 but comprises a front panel 133
instead of front panel 132.
[0120] Referring again to FIG. 12, bottom optic fibers 22 are,
optionally, similarly mounted to fiber-end and slack-control
carriages 130 and 131 that are moved back and forth by
piezoelectric motors 140 along, optionally, coplanar bottom guide
rails 178 that are parallel to the y-axis. Switch end 45 of a
bottom fiber 22 mounted to a fiber-end carriage 130 points in the
positive z-direction. To optically couple a top fiber 21 to a
bottom fiber 22 controller 164 controls fiber-end carriages 130 of
the fibers to move their switch ends 45 along their respective
guide rails 134 and 178 so that the switch ends face each other.
The controller controls slack-control carriage 131 of each fiber to
move along the guide rail in concert with movement of the fiber's
fiber-end carriage 130 to adjust fiber length between the carriages
and enable free motion of the fiber-end carriage without generating
slack in the fiber.
[0121] Optionally, controller 164 comprises a memory in which
alignment coordinates are stored for each pair of top and bottom
optic fibers 21 and 22. The alignment coordinates define positions
of the fiber-end carriages along their respective guide rails 134
and 178 for which switch ends 45 of the pair of fibers are aligned
facing each other. To align a particular top fiber 21 with a
particular bottom fiber 22 controller 164 controls their fiber-end
carriages 130 to move the fiber ends to the appropriate alignment
coordinates stored in the memory. Optionally, once switch ends 45
of a top and bottom fiber 21 and 22 are aligned facing each other,
a device on the fiber-end carriage of at least one of the aligned
fibers is controllable to move at least one of one of the switch
ends to reduce a distance between the switch ends. Optionally, the
device is controllable to bring the switch ends substantially in
contact with each other. Suitable devices for moving switch ends
towards each other are described in PCT publication WO 02/43432
referenced above.
[0122] In some embodiments of the invention, a crossbar switch
comprises patch fibers for optically coupling fibers. FIGS. 14A and
14B schematically show a crossbar switch 200 comprising a plurality
of patch fibers 202 that are used to optically couple any given
first fiber of a plurality of signal fibers 222 to any given second
signal fiber of the plurality of fibers. FIG. 14A schematically
shows crossbar switch 200 in a state in which none of the signal
fibers are coupled to each other by a patch fiber. FIG. 10B
schematically shows a patch fiber 202 and two signal fibers 222
being positioned so that the patch fiber can optically couple the
signal fibers.
[0123] Signal fibers 222 have switch ends 45 and are optionally
configured similarly to bottom fibers 22 shown in FIG. 1A and FIG.
3 and each is coupled to a fiber-end carriage 41 and a
slack-control carriage 42. A portion of a fiber-end carriage 41
associated with a signal fiber 222 is shown enlarged for clarity of
presentation in an inset 230. Optionally, crossbar switch 200
comprises a socket array 24 comprising rows and columns 26 and 25
of sockets 28 and at least one mover 80. The mover is controllable
to insert a fiber end 45 of each signal fiber 222 into any desired
socket 28 along a low 26 of sockets 28 associated with the signal
fiber without substantially generating slack in the fiber.
[0124] Each patch fiber 202 comprises first and second patch ends
203 and 204 mounted to first and second fiber-end carriages 205 and
206 respectively, optionally, similarly to the way in which fiber
end 45 of a fiber 21 shown in FIG. 2A is mounted to fiber-end
carriage 41. A portion of fiber-end carriages 205 and 206 and patch
ends 203 and 204 are schematically shown enlarged for clarity of
presentation in insets 231 and 232. Optionally, the patch fiber is
mounted to first and second slack-control carriages 207 and 208
respectively similarly to the manner in which fiber 21 is mounted
to slack-control carriage 42 (e.g. FIG. 2A). Optionally, a mover 70
is controllable to grab and move first fiber-end carriage 205 and
first slack-control carriage 207 associated with first patch end
203 of a patch fiber 202 to position the patch end in any given
socket 28 along a column 25 of the sockets associated with the
patch fiber without generating substantial slack in the fiber.
Similarly, mover 70 is controllable to grab and move second
fiber-end and slack-control carriages 206 and 208 to position
second end 204 in any socket 28 of the same column 25 of the
sockets.
[0125] To optically couple any first signal fiber 222 to any second
signal fiber 222 controller 29 controls mover 80 to grab and move
fiber-end and slack-control carriages 41 and 42 of the two fibers
to insert fiber ends 45 of the fibers in sockets 28 of a same given
column 25 of the sockets. Controller 29 uses a patch fiber 202
associated with the same given column of sockets to optically
couple the ends 45 of the first and second fibers. The controller
controls mover 70 to move first and second fiber-end carriages 205
and 206 and their associated first and second slack-control
carriages 207 and 208 to insert first and second ends 203 and 204
of the patch fiber into sockets 28 in the column of sockets into
which ends 45 of the signal fibers are inserted. In FIG. 14B
fiber-end carriage 206 and its associated slack-control carriage
208 of a patch fiber 202 are shown inserted into sockets 28
appropriate for optically coupling two signal fibers 222. The patch
fiber's fiber-end and slack-control carriages 205 and 207 are shown
in the process of being positioned and inserted into appropriate
sockets 28.
[0126] Whereas mover 70 in FIGS. 14A and 14B comprises two
grabbers, a mover similar to mover 70, in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention may comprise, for example, four
grabbers. Mover 70 in FIGS. 14A and 14B can be operated to
simultaneously move and position only two of the four carriages
associated with a given patch fiber 202 shown in the figures. A
mover comprising four carriages can be operated to simultaneously
move and position all four of the carriages shown associated with
an optic fiber in the figures.
[0127] It is noted that in optical crossbar switch 200 each patch
fiber 202 is mounted to two slack-control carriages, i.e. first and
second slack-control carriages 207 and 208. In some embodiments of
the invention, a number of slack-control carriages different from
two may be used to take up slack and real out patch fiber length.
For example, a single slack-control carriage may be used.
[0128] It is further noted that whereas a crossbar switch, such as
crossbar switch 20 shown in FIG. 1, can be controlled to optically
couple any top fiber 21 to any bottom fiber 22, the switch is not
controllable to optically couple a top fiber to another top fiber
or a bottom fiber to another bottom fiber. In contradistinction, a
crossbar switch similar to crossbar switch 200 can be controlled to
optically couple any signal fiber 222 in the switch to any other
signal fiber 222 in the switch.
[0129] In a crossbar switch in accordance with some embodiments of
the invention, any first signal fiber of a plurality of signal
fibers is optically coupled to any second fiber of the plurality of
signal fibers using optical devices or systems that direct light,
hereinafter "light directors", to generate a free space optical
channel that optically couples the fibers.
[0130] FIG. 15 schematically shows a crossbar switch 250 that
generates free space optical channels between signal fibers 252
comprised in the switch, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention. Signal fibers 252 are optionally mounted to fiber-end
and slack-control carriages 261 and 262 that move along guide rails
264 similarly to the manner in which bottom fibers 22 in crossbar
switch 120 (FIG. 12) are mounted to fiber-end and slack-control
carriages 130 and 131 that move along guide rails 178.
[0131] Each fiber-end carriage 261 comprises a light director,
optionally a "coupling mirror" 270, having at least two tilt
positions. In a first, clockwise tilt position, mirror 270 receives
light from a switch end 45 of signal fiber 252 mounted to fiber-end
carriage 261 and directs it along the positive x-direction. In a
second counterclockwise tilt position, mirror 270 receives light
from fiber 252 and directs the light along the negative
x-direction. In the clockwise and counterclockwise tilt positions,
mirror 270 receives light propagating along the negative and
positive x-directions respectively and directs the light to enter
switch end 45 of the fiber. Coupling mirrors 270 may be mounted to
fiber-end carriages 261 and controlled to be selectively tilted to
clockwise and counterclockwise tilt positions using any of various
techniques and devices known in the art. For example, mirrors 270
may be micro fabricated mirrors controlled by electrostatic forces
or mechanically tilted using suitable actuators or motors.
[0132] To optically couple a first signal fiber 252 to a second
signal fiber 252 the signal fibers are moved to a same
y-coordinate. Mirror 270 associated with the signal fiber of the
first and second signal fibers having a smaller x-coordinate is
tilted to the clockwise tilt position and mirror 270 associated
with the other of the first and second fibers is tilted to the
counterclockwise tilt position. The tilted mirrors direct optical
signals exiting switch end 45 of one of first and second fibers 252
to enter the switch end of the other of the two fibers. FIG. 15
schematically shows first and second signal fiber 252 optically
coupled by their respective mirrors 270 and optical signals
represented by a dashed arrowed line 272 being transmitted between
the two fibers.
[0133] In some embodiments of the invention, coupling mirrors have,
in addition to clockwise and counterclockwise tilt positions, a
"neutral position" in which light exiting a fiber with which the
mirror is associated is not deflected by the reflector. Such
"three-way" coupling mirrors are, optionally, incorporated in an
optical crossbar switch, such as for example a crossbar switch
similar to crossbar switch 120 shown in FIG. 12, which comprises an
array of top and bottom fibers, in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention. Whereas crossbar switch 120 is controllable
to optically couple any top fiber 21 to any bottom fiber 22 the
crossbar switch is not controllable to optically couple a top fiber
to a top fiber or a bottom fiber to a bottom fiber. In a crossbar
switch similar to crossbar switch 120 and incorporating three-way
mirrors, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the
three-way mirrors enable the crossbar switch to optically couple
any bottom fiber to any top fiber and in addition to couple any
bottom fiber to any other bottom fibers and any top fiber to any
other top fiber. Operation of a three-way coupling mirror is
schematically shown in FIGS. 16A-16C and a crossbar switch
comprising top and bottom fibers and three-way coupling mirrors is
shown in FIG. 17 and discussed below.
[0134] FIGS. 16A-16C schematically show a cross-section of an optic
fiber 280 having a switch end 45 mounted to a fiber-end carriage
281, optionally similar to fiber-end carriage 261 (FIG. 15), having
a three-way mirror 282, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention. The figures show three-way mirror 282 in clockwise,
neutral and counterclockwise tilt positions respectively. In the
clockwise position (FIG. 16A), mirror 282 deflects light
represented by dashed arrowed line 284 from fiber 280 in the
positive x-direction. In the counterclockwise tilt position (FIG.
16A), the mirror deflects light 284 in the negative x-direction and
in the neutral position (FIG. 16B) mirror 282 does not deflect the
light.
[0135] FIG. 17 schematically shows an optical crossbar switch 300
similar to optical crossbar switch 120 (FIG. 12), but comprising in
addition, three-way coupling mirrors, in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention. Each top and bottom fiber 21 and 22 is
coupled to a fiber-end carriage 281 having a three-way mirror 282
(FIGS. 16A-16C) and a slack-control carriage 133, similar to that
comprised in crossbar switch 120. When a mirror 282 of a given top
or bottom fiber 21 or 22 is in its neutral position, (FIG. 16B) the
given fiber may be optically coupled to any bottom or top fiber 22
or 21 respectively also having its mirror in a neutral position. To
optically couple any bottom fiber 22 to any other bottom fiber 22
of crossbar switch 300, fiber-end carriages 281 of the fibers and
their coupling mirrors 282 are controlled similarly to the way
fiber-end carriages 261 and coupling mirrors 270 in crossbar switch
250 (FIG. 15) are controlled to optically couple two signal fibers
252. Any top fiber 21 in crossbar switch 300 is similarly optically
coupled to any other top fiber 21 in the crossbar switch.
[0136] Light directors in accordance with embodiments of the
invention may comprise other than mirrors, and may have degrees of
freedom of motion different from those described above. For
example, a light director may be a surface of a beam splitter,
comprise a light pipe that can be oriented in different positions
to direct light in desired directions or comprise an electronically
or acoustically controlled optical switch to direct light. A
coupling mirror in accordance with an embodiment of the invention
is not necessarily constrained to be rotatable to different tilt
positions and may in addition, or alternatively, be rotatable about
an axis, e.g. the z-axis, perpendicular to an axis about which the
mirror is tilted to different tilt positions. Rotation about the
z-axis may be used to optically couple fibers located at different
y-coordinates.
[0137] It is noted, that whereas coupling mirrors are shown in use
with crossbar switches in accordance with embodiments of the
invention that do not comprise socket arrays, coupling mirrors may
be used with crossbar switches in accordance with embodiments of
the invention that do comprise socket arrays. For example,
fiber-end carriages and an associated socket array may be
configured so that when a fiber-end carriage is inserted into one
side of a socket in the socket array, its coupling mirror protrudes
to the other side of the socket. On the other side of the socket,
the coupling mirror may be tilted to deflect light from a fiber
coupled to the fiber-end carriage in a desired direction. For a
crossbar switch comprising arrays of top and bottom fibers, (e.g.
FIG. 1) the fiber arrays are optionally associated with top and
bottom socket arrays respectively. When a fiber-end carriage of a
top or bottom fiber is inserted into a socket of its top or bottom
socket array, an associated coupling mirror protrudes to the other
side of the socket.
[0138] Furthermore, whereas in the exemplary embodiments described
all the fiber were configured in planar arrays, in some embodiments
of the invention optic fibers are configured in other than planar
arrays. For example, the fibers may be configured in cylindrical
arrays such as described in WO 02/43432 referenced above, with at
least some of the fibers connected to fiber-end and slack-control
carriages to control position of their switch ends and slack.
[0139] It is also noted that whereas in the exemplary embodiments,
the fiber ends of all fibers comprised in a crossbar switch are
moveable by a fiber-end carriage, it is of course possible to have
a crossbar switch in accordance with an embodiment of the invention
in which some of the fiber ends in the switch are held stationary
in a fixed array. For example, in an embodiment of the invention,
ends of, optionally, "bottom" fibers may be held in fixed positions
in an optionally rectangular array of rows and columns of bottom
fiber ends. Each of a plurality of "top" fibers in the crossbar
switch is optionally coupled to a fiber-end and slack-control
carriage similarly to the way top fibers 21 in crossbar switch 20
are coupled to fiber-end and slack-control carriages 41 and 42. The
trajectory of each top fiber is optionally aligned with a different
row of fiber ends in the rectangular array of bottom fiber ends and
the carriages associated with the fiber controllable to connect the
top fiber with any of the fibers having its end located in the
row.
[0140] It is additionally noted that methods and devices for
managing optically coupling and uncoupling optic fibers may be used
in manual crossbar switches. For example, instead of a mechanical
mover controlled by a controller for moving fiber-end and
slack-control carriages of fibers, carriages in a crossbar switch
in accordance with an embodiment of the invention may be moved
manually.
[0141] In the description and claims of the present application,
each of the verbs, "comprise" "include" and "have", and conjugates
thereof, are used to indicate that the object or objects of the
verb are not necessarily a complete listing of members, components,
elements or parts of the subject or subjects of the verb.
[0142] The present invention has been described using detailed
descriptions of embodiments thereof that are provided by way of
example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
The described embodiments comprise different features, not all of
which are required in all embodiments of the invention. Some
embodiments of the present invention utilize only some of the
features or possible combinations of the features. Variations of
embodiments of the present invention that are described and
embodiments of the present invention comprising different
combinations of features noted in the described embodiments will
occur to persons of the art. The scope of the invention is limited
only by the following claims.
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