CN1114115C - Wide band single-mode fibre 4x4 matrix optical switch - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a wide band single-mode optical fibre 4*4 matrix optical switch. An optical switch matrix is composed of array modules of a light path exchanging layer, a translation driving layer, a drive circuit layer, etc., wherein the light path exchanging layer takes an incidence collimating optical path, an emergence collimating optical path and a reflection rectangular prism as main members, the translation driving layer adopts a slideway array module designed according to a magnetic latching principle to reduce the power consumption, and the drive circuit layer adopts an integrated crossed-grid arranged relay array module to improve the electromagnetic efficiency. An optical path structure of the present invention has the characteristics of small insertion loss, simple control mode, wide work band, high response speed, small dimension, etc. The present invention can be expanded to a switch matrix with medium number of arrays.

Description

Broadband single-mode fiber 4×4 matrix optical switch

The invention relates to an optical fiber matrix optical switch, in particular to a mechanical broadband single-mode optical fiber 4×4 matrix optical switch, which is applied to optical fiber communication trunk systems, optical path switching of various networks, optical fiber measurement, monitoring and other systems, and belongs to optical fiber technology field.

The rapid development of optical fiber technology and the Internet's demand for large-capacity or high-bit-rate communication bandwidth have greatly promoted the transmission rate of optical fiber communication systems, networks to Terabit (10 ¹² ) and Gigabit/Terabit (10 ⁹ /10 ¹² ) switching capacity The development of the optical switch is the core device to achieve the communication switching capacity of Gigabit or even Terabit, and it is also a necessary step for future all-optical transparent or semi-transparent communication. At the same time, the optical switch is also the core device of optical interconnection and optical computing.

Optical switches can be divided into optical fiber switching, micro-optical methods and planar waveguide technology according to the implementation method, and can be divided into two categories: mechanical control (or mechanical/electrical combination control) and electro-optic control according to the control method. In the prior art, mechanically controlled optical switches of micro-optical technology have been studied. The optical switch driver recorded in Japanese Patent Publication No. 56-150707 (1981) transmits the push/pull force to the optical mirror by loosening the cable, making it move up and down to form the switching of the optical path, and the push/pull power is provided by the motor. Or a device like an electromagnetic relay is completed, which is relatively independent of the optical path platform. Due to the transmission damping of loosened cables, this kind of optical switch driver results in relatively low switching speed, poor repeatability, and a large structural system, which is not conducive to expanding to a medium number of arrays. The free-space micromechanical optical switch reported by AT&T Labs-Research of the United States in the Optical Communication Conference Technical DigestOFC'99 in 1999 is an IC integrated circuit process that uses a planar silicon waveguide to design a miniature hinged rotating optical mirror to To complete the switching of the optical path, the rotary motion of the micro-hinge is accomplished by a drive similar to a planar electromagnetic motor or coil. Although this kind of switch adopts IC technology to make the driving structure miniaturized, its thermal effect is very significant, so the reliability cannot be solved well at present. In addition, because only the precision mechanical technology is used to meet the optical alignment accuracy, its current The insertion loss is very large (3.5dB).

The object of the present invention is to provide a new type of optical switch for the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, so that it can reduce insertion loss, improve switching speed and operational reliability, and can be expanded to a medium number of arrays.

In order to achieve such a purpose, the present invention adopts a modular structure realized by certain optical debugging means in the technical solution, and implements the broadband solution and the magnetic retention array solution. In terms of structure, the use of magnetic latching relays, cross-grid layout, and integrated module design greatly reduce power consumption, reduce size, and facilitate expansion to medium array number switch matrices. In terms of optical design, the multi-layer coating process on the right-angle prism is used to increase the bandwidth of the optical switch, opening up between the two windows of 1.3 microns and 1.5 microns, reaching 400 nanometers. In terms of optical debugging, the light alignment technology of two-dimensional reference optical plane and six-dimensional component precise positioning can greatly reduce the loss of the switch (less than 1.5dB). If the performance of individual components is improved, it can reach 0.8dB.

The overall structure of the present invention is divided into three layers, from top to bottom are the optical path exchange layer, the translation push layer and the driving circuit layer respectively, forming a 4×4 optical switch matrix. The main component is the core layer of optical path exchange. The collimated optical path is composed of four single-mode optical fibers. The 45° inclined surface of the reflective right-angle prism is coated with a high-reflection film, which can increase the bandwidth. The translation push layer adopts an all-glass positioning chute array module, and the chute limit plate and high-precision rigid balls are used to realize the limit to ensure the accuracy of translation deviation and the repeatability of the switching process. The driving circuit layer adopts magnetic latching design, and it can also be realized by ordinary pull-in relay array modules.

Generally speaking, the effective spatial distance of the optical collimation circuit is limited, which can ensure that the effective cross section of the light spot does not spread too much within the design distance range, so that the insertion loss from fiber to fiber can be controlled within a reasonable range. The technical solution of the present invention is optimally designed and arranged in terms of functional modules and optical space constraints, and ensures that all optical fibers in the collimated light path of the incident fiber and the collimated light path of the outgoing fiber are strictly adjusted on the same optical plane.

In order to ensure that the collimated light path of the incident fiber and the collimated light path of the outgoing fiber are in a strict two-dimensional horizontal plane, the present invention realizes the strict consistency of the two through the same reference plane. The first optical fiber in the collimating optical path of the incident fiber is fixed after adjusting its horizontal and left-right angles, and the second optical fiber uses the first optical fiber as a reference fiber, and its horizontal and left-right angles are also adjusted, so as to realize the strict same plane of the two optical fibers ,So on and so forth. After all the fibers in the incident fiber group are strictly aligned to the plane, the first fiber in the exit fiber collimation optical path group takes the first fiber in the incident fiber group as a reference fiber, and adjusts its horizontal and left and right angles to achieve exit All the fibers in the fiber group and the incident fiber group are strictly on the same optical plane.

The technical solution of the present invention will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the overall structure of the present invention is divided into three layers. From top to bottom, a 4×4 optical switch matrix is composed of three-layer array modules such as the optical path switching layer 1, the translation pushing layer 2 and the driving circuit layer 3. The optical path exchange layer 1 is composed of the incident collimated optical path 6, the outgoing collimated optical path 5 and the reflecting rectangular prism 4 as the main components, and is the core of the optical path exchange layer. The incident collimated optical path 6 is composed of four single-mode optical fibers 9, and the outgoing collimated optical path 5 consists of four single-mode optical fibers 7, all of which are strictly on the same optical plane. The 16 reflective right-angle prisms 4 of the optical path exchange layer 1 are arranged in four rows and four columns, and the 45° slope of the reflective right-angle prism 4 is coated with a high-reflection film. It forms an included angle of 45° with the outgoing collimated optical path 5. The translation push layer 2 adopts an all-glass positioning chute array module, on which the chute upper limit plate 8 is arranged. The driving circuit layer 3 adopts a relay array module. In the three-story structure, each unit in each floor corresponds vertically one-to-one from top to bottom.

Fig. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a matrix unit in the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the present invention adopts a magnetic holding design, and the chute is composed of a sliding core 26, a rigid ball 25 and a slider frame 24. There is an upper limit plate 8 on the slider frame 24, and a lower limit plate 10 below. The limit plates are strictly parallel. There is a reflective rectangular prism 4 on the chute, and the magnetic latching relay 12 is connected to the chute by a push rod 13. There is an isolation layer 16 between the permanent magnet 17 and the pure iron 15 at the bottom of the push rod 13, and an upper limit 14 is placed on the pure iron 15. An electromagnetic coil 19 is wound around the electromagnetic pure iron core 18 , and the electromagnetic coil 19 is connected to the driving electrode 27 .

The working principle of the matrix unit of the present invention is as follows: the fast electric pulse generates NS or SN polarized magnetic field through the electromagnetic coil 19, interacts with the permanent magnet 17 to generate mutual attraction or repulsion electromagnetic force, thereby pushing the ejector rod 13 and the sliding core 26 of the chute Shifting up and down, under the action of the upper limit plate 8 and the lower limit plate 10 of the optical path, the rectangular prism 4 forms a switching function of the upper and lower optical paths. The polarized magnetic field generated by the pure iron 15 and the electromagnetic pure iron core 18 in the electromagnetic coil 19 interacts with the NS permanent magnet 17 to form electromagnetic attraction or repulsion, and the isolation layer 16 does not generate a polarized magnetic field in the electromagnetic coil 19 Under the situation, make NS permanent magnet 17 and pure iron 15 and electromagnetic pure iron core 18 mutually balance.

FIG. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of the relay array module of the driving circuit layer of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the relay array module of the present invention adopts an integrated cross grid layout, and the module consists of an electromagnetic pure iron core array (including an electromagnetic pure iron core 18 and an electromagnetic coil 19), an electromagnetic inner partition wall 20, and an electromagnetic outer partition wall 21. composition. Electromagnetic coils 19 are wound outside the electromagnetic pure iron core 18 , and there is an electromagnetic inner partition wall 20 between each electromagnetic coil 19 , and an electromagnetic outer partition wall 21 outside the entire matrix.

This matrix integrated design has the characteristics of high electromagnetic efficiency, less electromagnetic crosstalk, and small footprint. In addition to the 4×4 matrix, it is also very conducive to expanding to an 8×8 or larger channel array.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the chute module in the present invention.

In the figure, the chute unit 22 is embedded in the chute frame 23 .

Fig. 5 is a schematic structural view of the chute unit in the present invention.

In the figure, each chute unit is made up of sliding core 26 , rigid ball 25 and slider frame 24 . Four rows of high-precision rigid balls are arranged on the outside of the sliding core 26 to ensure the translation deviation accuracy of the translation pushing layer. There are an upper limit plate 8 and a lower limit plate 10 above and below the sliding body frame 24. Two strictly parallel limit plates The bit plate is used for precise limit.

In this design, the size occupied by each chute is small, such as 6×6 (mm×mm), so that the optical space and optical path distance are effectively used, and it is beneficial to expand to a large channel array such as 8×8.

The optical path structure adopted in the present invention has the characteristics of small insertion loss, simple control mode, fast response speed, small size and the like. The integrated module design effectively reduces the size of each drive unit, and installs each drive relay in the same cross-grid magnetic field unit. On the one hand, the electromagnetic efficiency is improved, the frictional resistance of the magnetic core is reduced, and the response is improved. Time, on the other hand, reduces the crosstalk of each magnetic field unit, so that a medium array number switch matrix such as 4×4 or 8×8 can be realized in a limited space; the magnetic latching design adopted can reduce power consumption and improve the switching efficiency Electromagnetic response time; the 45° slope of the reflective right-angle prism is coated with a high-reflection film, and the bandwidth of the reflective film can cover two bands of 1.3 microns and 1.5 microns. In this way, the usable bandwidth of the optical fiber switch matrix exceeds 400 nanometers, thus realizing a broadband switch. Although broadband is at the cost of sacrificing a certain amount of loss, such as 0.3dB, the loss of the switch can still be less than 1.5dB at all communication wavelengths.

The effect of the present invention is further illustrated below through a specific example data.

Input/Output Fiber: G652 single-mode fiber

Working band: full band (1.3μm～1.5μm);

Insertion loss: typical value 1dB, maximum close to 1.5dB;

Response time: less than 10ms; working voltage: 5V or 12V; power consumption: less than 1W;

Retroreflection: less than -40dB; crosstalk: greater than 60dB; repeatability: less than 0.2dB; the test loss of the embodiment is shown in the table below: Loss value dB Outlet 1 Outlet 2 Emitter 3 exit end 4 Incidence port 1 1.44 1.27 1.5 1.61 Incidence port 2 1.67 1.44 1.59 1.46 Incidence port 3 1.43 1.28 1.13 1.55 Incidence port 4 1.47 1.1 1.46 1.07

Compared with the existing optical switch of the same kind, the present invention obviously has the advantages of small insertion loss, fast response time, wide working band and the like.

Claims (3)

1. A broadband single-mode optical fiber 4 × 4 matrix optical switch, characterized in that it consists of three layers of array modules: an optical path exchange layer (1), a translational push layer (2) and a drive circuit layer (3) from top to bottom. 4 × 4 optical switch matrix, the optical path exchange layer (1) is composed of the incident collimated optical path (6), the outgoing collimated optical path (5) and the reflective rectangular prism (4) as the main components, the incident collimated optical path (6) and the outgoing collimated optical path (5) are composed of four single-mode optical fibers on the same optical plane, and the inclined surface of the reflective right-angle prism (4) is coated with a high-reflection film. The translation push layer (2) adopts a chute array module, and the drive circuit layer (3) The relay array module is adopted, and the magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic coil (19) in the drive circuit layer (3) passes through the permanent magnet (17) and the push rod (13) in the push layer (2) in translation, so that the optical path exchange layer (1) The reflective rectangular prism (4) switches the light path. 2. The broadband single-mode optical fiber 4×4 matrix optical switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the chute array module adopts a magnetic retention design, and the chute unit (22) is embedded in the chute frame (23), There are four rows of high-precision rigid balls (25) on the outside of the sliding core (26), and there are strictly parallel upper and lower limit plates (8) and lower limit plates (10) on the upper and lower sides of the sliding body frame (24), and the magnetic latching relay ( 12) Link to each other with chute by push rod (13), between the permanent magnet (17) at the bottom of push rod (13) and the pure iron (15) there is an isolation layer (16), and the pure iron (15) has upper limit ( 14), an electromagnetic coil (19) is wound outside the electromagnetic pure iron core (18). 3. The broadband single-mode optical fiber 4×4 matrix optical switch as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the relay array module adopts an integrated cross grid layout, and an electromagnetic coil ( 19), there is an electromagnetic inner separation wall (20) between each electromagnetic coil (19), and there is an electromagnetic outer separation wall (21) outside the entire matrix.

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