초록 ▼

An optical switching device selectively couples an optical port of a first type (e.g., an input port, at which a light beam is introduced into the apparatus) to one of at least two optical ports of a second type (e.g. output ports, from which a light beam leaves the apparatus) which are at predeterm

An optical switching device selectively couples an optical port of a first type (e.g., an input port, at which a light beam is introduced into the apparatus) to one of at least two optical ports of a second type (e.g. output ports, from which a light beam leaves the apparatus) which are at predetermined, angularly-spaced positions about a central axis of the device. The device comprises an optical imaging device mounted to rotate about the central axis between a first position, in which the port of the first type is optically conjugate with one of the ports of the second type, and a second position, in which the port of the first type is optically conjugate with the other port of the second type. The device further comprising means for accurately determining whether the imaging device in its first position, and means for accurately rotating the imaging device about the central axis of the device through a predetermined angle corresponding to the angular spacing of the ports of the second type, whereby the imaging device is accurately placed in the second position.

대표청구항 ▼

Apparatus for selectively coupling one of at least two optical input ports, at which a light beam is introduced into the apparatus, to an optical output port, from which a light beam leaves the apparatus, the input ports being at predetermined, angularly-spaced positions about a central axis of the

Apparatus for selectively coupling one of at least two optical input ports, at which a light beam is introduced into the apparatus, to an optical output port, from which a light beam leaves the apparatus, the input ports being at predetermined, angularly-spaced positions about a central axis of the apparatus, said apparatus comprising an optical imaging device mounted to rotate about said central axis between a first position, in which the output port is optically conjugate with one of the input ports, and a second position, in which the output port is optically conjugate with the other input port, and the apparatus further comprising a reference light source coupled to said one input port, so that an accurate determination can be made as to whether the imaging device is in its first position by monitoring the level at which optical power is received at the output port, and means for accurately rotating said imaging device about said central axis through a predetermined angle corresponding to the angular spacing of the input ports.