1D MEMS-based, wavelength switching subsystem

Mechels, S. E.; Muller, Lilac; Morley, G.D.; Tillett, Duane

doi:10.1109/mcom.2003.1186550

Cited by 20 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…The 1D MEMS-based wavelength-selective switch integrates optical switching with DWDM demultiplex-ing and multiplexing [17]. The input DWDM signal is separated by a disperse element into its constituent wavelengths.…”

Section: D Mems-based Switchesmentioning

confidence: 99%

MEMS optical switch: Switching time reduction

Plander

Stepanovsky

2016

Open Computer Science

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Existing 3D MEMS-based optical switches offer good optical properties (low insertion loss, low crosstalk), high reliability and low power consumption. These switches utilize highly reflective micro-mirrors to manipulate an optical signal inside the switch directly without any conversions. They are used to build dynamically reconfigurable, highly-scalable physical optical network layer. As indicated by the simulation results of this paper, many of existing micro-mirror designs do not have their dynamic characteristics well optimized and this limits the switching speed of the optical switch. In a 3D MEMS switch, the coupling between the mechanical structure (micro-mirror) and electrostatic field (electrodes) results in dynamic coupled rotation of the micro-mirror about its axes, known as the cross-axis coupling effect. The coupling nature of micro-mirror rotation makes its control difficult. In this paper, we present the simulation case studies and a simple optimization technique leading to decoupled rotation of the micro-mirror about two perpendicular axes. This helps to reduce the switching time of the switch while keeping the same manufacturing process and only minimal design changes.

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Section: D Mems-based Switchesmentioning

confidence: 99%

MEMS optical switch: Switching time reduction

Plander

Stepanovsky

2016

Open Computer Science

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“…The input WDM signal is focused on to the GLM which is tuned to diffract the desired wavelength into an output fibre port. This system is different from Mechels' system, as the GLM array is used as de-multiplexer to separate WDM input signals, while Mechels' system has a fixed dispersive element to be used as multiplexer/de-multiplexer [1]. In the proposed system, there is no mirror array used to reflect wavelengths into desired output fibre ports, and these wavelengths will not be combined but sent directly to their specific output ports (no multiplexing).…”

Section: The Proposed Switching System Configurationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Grating light modulators for use as de-multiplexer and switching device in wavelength-selective switching systems

Pothisorn

Hariz

2007

Microelectronics: Design, Technology, and Packaging III

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All optical switches have been used with measured success in response to a high demand in all optical networks, and a dramatic increase in the Internet and communication needs over the last decade. The wavelength-selective switch is the mechanism used in various switching applications. MEMS-based wavelength-selective switches (WSS) are the most promising technology to bring all-optical switches into wide implementation by providing reasonable cost, excellent performance, and most reliable use of micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) technology. Optical-MEMS devices, often referred to as micro-opto-electromechanical systems or MOEMS; have been used successfully in optical network systems and particularly in switching devices such as waveguide and free-space switches. Free-space switching devices are more popular than waveguide switches, because they offer faster switching time and are more scalable. 1D MEMSbased WSSs, using free-space approach, require the use of integrated multiplexer/de-multiplexer and micro-mirror arrays for their operations [1, 2]. The switching time depends primarily on the time it takes for the scanning micro-mirrors to steer de-multiplexed beams to the desired output ports. This is due to the fact that the mirrors are the main inertial components in free-space switching systems. Grating Light Modulators (GLM) were introduced a decade ago for use in diffraction optics. Research has begun to investigate their use in communication optics. Unlike other 1D MEMS-based WSS, GLM promises to offer very low loss for the whole system and fast switching time of as low as 20 ns with no integrated micro-mirrors [3][4][5]. We propose the development of a switching system incorporating a GLM as the central unit acting as both de-multiplexer and switching device in one spot, and which does not require any moving micromirror arrays. Therefore, the switching time is entirely dependent on the GLM device which is relatively fast. GLMs use diffraction principles to de-multiplex a WDM signal with a square-well grating-like deformation when suitable voltages are applied to the device to perform switching between 'ON' and 'OFF' states. We review the fundamental of GLM and its operation and showcase our proposed configuration that will confirm the promise that GLMs hold for future wavelength switching applications.

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“…A MEMS-based WSS provides a mechanism to switch a selected beam to a chosen output port by having a de-multiplexing part to split the input signal into several wavelengths and using a steering device to guide the particular beam. MEMS devices used in WSS can be micro mirrors [1,2], phase shifters [3] or liquid crystals on silicon [4]. These switches make up part of a system which includes a dispersive element to be used as a de-multiplexer, lenses to focus beams onto a specific area and a steering device to reflect or direct light to desired directions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fabrication of a grating light modulator using standard CMOS processes

Pothisorn

Hariz

Wedding

et al. 2011

2011 6th IEEE International Conference on Nano/Micro Engineered and Molecular Systems

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A deformable grating light modulator (GLM) also known as a grating light valve TM (GLV) offers fast switching time, low loss, and potential simplicity in fabrication, which are desirable for free-space optical switching systems. The purpose of this paper is to report on the fabrication of a GLM using standard CMOS technology and its simulation results, for use as both a de-multiplexer and switching device simultaneously in this wavelength-selective switching system. In a simplified standard CMOS process, the GLM devices were compatibly fabricated utilizing only four masks in one maskset, and using the stepper lithography system. The investigation showed the potential for using the GLM as an optical switch with low power consumption, and the experimental observations are supported by simulation results.

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1D MEMS-based, wavelength switching subsystem

Cited by 20 publications

References 6 publications

MEMS optical switch: Switching time reduction

MEMS optical switch: Switching time reduction

Grating light modulators for use as de-multiplexer and switching device in wavelength-selective switching systems

Fabrication of a grating light modulator using standard CMOS processes

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