1 × 4 Optical switch based on a four discrete position digital actuator

Abstract

In this paper, a 1 × 4 fiber optical switch based on an electromagnetic digital actuator having four discrete positions is presented. The mobile part of the actuator consists of a permanent magnet which can switch along two orthogonal directions and between four discrete positions. A mirror, fixed on the top side of the mobile part, reflects the collimated optical signal from an input fiber to one of four reception fibers depending on the mobile magnet position. The design of the digital actuator and the architecture of the switch are firstly described. An experimental prototype of the switch is then presented and experimental results are shown to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed switch.

1X4 Optical Switch Based on Digital Actuator

“…The measured switching time for this prototype is 68 ms and 102 ms along x-and y-axis respectively. [11] This switching time is higher for y-axis compared to x-axis because with the same driving current, the electromagnetic generated force is higher for x-axis than for y-axis. We can also see in figure 5 that when a -5A pulse is used, the output signal is immediately lost because the optical path is changed when the mobile part starts to move.…”