Optical fibre switching assembly

Abstract

An optical guide switching assembly in which steering devices are used to assembly deflect radiation from a transmitting guide to a selected receiving guide. Each of the steering devices includes a collimator light emerging from the transmitting guide and an actuator to cause relative movement between the collimator and the guide to cause the deflection, or to move the guide and collimator together. The actuator can be piezoelectric and of either a foil type, or a monolithic type, and mechanical leverage can be used to improve deflection. Capacitive sensing means provide positional information for feedback control, preferably in a diagonal switching arrangement.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to an optical guide switching assembly and to steering devices used in the assembly for deflecting radiation from a transmitting guide in order to direct the radiation to a selected receiving guide.

[0002] One of the major problems facing the invention is to provide rapid switching with low insertion loss (high coupling efficiency and low cross talk) for high port counts, whilst evolving a compact design which can be readily manufactured. A related problem is to increase the switching capacity of an optical fibre switching assembly, without the expense of an increase in physical size. At least preferred embodiments of the invention have been especially designed to deal with these problems.

[0003] According to the main aspect of the invention, an optical beam switching assembly comprises:

[0004] (a) a first set of optical guides spaced from a second set of optical guides, and

[0005] (b) respective steering devices for causing deflection of a beam of optical radiation from a selected transmitting guide in the first set so that it is received by a selected receiving guide in the second set;

[0006] characterised in that each of said devices comprises collimating means for collimating light from said transmitting guide and means for moving said collimating means or for causing relative movement between said collimating means and said transmitting guide to cause said deflection.

[0007] Advantages of the latter arrangement include greater deflection for a comparatively smaller movement (of either the collimating means, or the transmitting guide) and higher switching speeds due to comparatively lower inertia. For example, in the case where an end portion of optical fibre is subject to transverse movement to deflect an emergent beam, the end portion has less inertia and a wider deflection is possible at higher speed. This is also beneficial in designing a switching assembly having a high packing density of (e.g.) optical fibres.

[0008] The optical guide can be, for example, an optical fibre which conducts layer light, or a waveguide made of silicon or other dielectric material which conducts infrared light. These guides. (for example, optical fibres), can be arranged in the switching assembly so that emergent beams of radiation are projected directly across a space, i.e. between separated sets of transmitting and receiving optical fibres. Alternatively, they can be arranged in the same array where beams of radiation are projected from sets of transmitting optical fibres to a reflector, which then reflects the beams back to receiving optical fibres. (Reference made herein to optical fibres is by way of, example only and can be taken to cover other forms of optical guide.)

[0009] The steering device can include, for example, a piezo electric transducer for deflecting an end portion of a transmitting fibre so that the radiation (which exits from the fibre) is caused to move in the focal plane of a collimating lens. Alternatively, the end of the transmitting fibre can be fixed and a collimating lens can be moved with respect thereto, so that the focal plane of the lens is moved around the end of the fibre to produce the same effect. Alternatively, the end of the transmitting fibre can have a collimating lens either integral therewith, or attached thereto, so that the fibre and the lens can move together to produce the same effect.

[0010] Instead of using a piezo electric transducer, electrostatic deflection means can be used either to move a fibre with respect to a fixed lens, or to move a lens with respect to a fixed fibre. For example, the surface of the end portion of the fibre can be metallised or given sonic other conductive coating, so that it forms one electrostatic movable “plate” which co-operates with fixed electrostatic “plates” adjacent the movable “plate”.

[0011] Where a piezo electric transducer is used to cause movement, it can be of a “foil type”, where fingers of a comb-like array of piezo transducers are attached to actuating members, such as foil strips, for producing orthogonal displacement of either the optical fibre or the leas system. Such foils and combs can be assembled in a laminar matrix.

[0012] Alternatively, the piezo electric transducer can be of a “monolithic type” where each transducer is made of piezo electric material, it has a body with a longitudinal axis, and the body has conductive strips aligned with said longitudinal axis so as to define respective portions of the piezo electric transducer which are energised to impart respective transverse movements in different radial directions. This provides a resultant motion in orthogonal axes. A multiplicity of such bodies can be assembled in a columnar matrix. The body can have a bore aligned with its longitudinal axis in which the fibre is received, whereby bending of the fibre occurs with respect to said longitudinal axis. Alternatively, the body is attached to the collimating lens which moves relative to a fixed fibre.

[0013] This “foil type” and “monolithic type” which are described in more detail below, can be designed to provide greater beam deflection than prior art arrangements, with less inertia, to achieve more rapid switching between a greater number of fibres and also to provide a higher packing density of fibres.

[0014] Preferably, position sensing feedback means are employed for sensing the amount of movement and for providing a feedback signal. This is used in a control system which energises the transducers to ensure that the transmitted radiation is aimed at the correct receiver fibre for making the required switching connection.

[0015] Preferably, a capacitive feedback system is used. For example, the fibre end has a conductive coating (as one “capacitor plate”) and it moves with respect to fixed conductive tracks (acting as the other “capacitor platen”). The term “capacitor plate” applies generally to any member, surface, or structure which, together with the intervening “dielectric” (which could be air, a liquid or gaseous fluid, or some other dielectric material), forms a good capacitive coupling between fixed and moving elements. Such “plates” can therefore take various forms, e.g. they can be flat, curved or parts of some structure having some inherent capacitive properties. In another example, a lens system or optical collimator, having an associated “capacitor plate”, moves with respect to a fixed fibre end, having an associated “capacitor plate”.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, conductive tracks on insulating boards are arranged in layers to form one set of fixed capacitive plates of a position sensing feedback system; the moving end portions of respective fibres having conductive coatings to form the other plates. Alternatively, a conductive plate moves with a lens, and another conductive plate is fixed with the fibre. These tracks can cross orthogonally so that pairs of conductive tracks, associated with individual fibres, can be polled or addressed so as to sense the change in capacity proportional to the relative displacement between the fibre ends and the lens systems. In a preferred embodiment, a diagonal addressing system is used which can be selectively energized and switched in order to detect an instantaneous capacitive value relating to the amount of beam deflection.

[0017] When using the monolithic type of (piezo electric material) transducer, its rod-like form may be comparatively short and thick whereby bending is limited with respect to the longitudinal axis. In this case, mechanical leverage means can be used so as to magnify the transducer movement before imparting motion to cause relative movement between the collimating lens and the end portion of the fibre, or to move the end portion of the fibre to which a collimator lens is attached or forms an integral part. Preferably, such leverage means includes a gimbal mounting and an extension rod located between the end of die body of the piezo electric material transducer and a point on the gimbal spaced from its pivotal axis. In the latter case, where the collimator is part of or attached to the fibre end, the gimbal mounting is preferably on the body of the collimator to provide optimum deflection of the emergent beam.

[0018] Embodiments of the invention Will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross section through one embodiment of a foil type of device for moving optical fibres;

[0020] FIG. 2 is a similar cross section through a monolithic type;

[0021] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing foil actuating strips (driven by piezo electric material actuators) supporting fibre optics;

[0022] FIG. 4 is an elevational cross section to a foil type sub-assembly;

[0023] FIGS. 5 and 6 are different perspective views of a 4-port switch assembly, including 4 lenses, showing piezo combs connected to foil strips for moving optical fibres in the focal plane of lenses (only 4 ports are shown to simplify explanation, since multiplicity of ports would be employed in practice);

[0024] FIGS. 7 a -7d are perspective views showing the stages of manufacture of a monolithic type of actuator, and FIG. 7e is a plan view;

[0025] FIG. 8 shows a group of monolithic actuators and lenses;

[0026] FIG. 9 is a schematic elevation through a monolithic actuator assembly with a lens array (when a hexagonal array of fibres and actuator is used);

[0027] FIG. 10 shows the subassembly of FIG. 9 used in a reflective type of switching assembly in which radiation is projected through a half-silvered mirror onto a CCD;

[0028] FIG. 11 shows the subassembly of FIG. 9 used in a pass-through type of switching assembly in which radiation passes directly from transmitter fibres to receiver fibres and FIGS. 11a and 11b are diagrams for further explanation;

[0029] FIG. 12 is a schematic cross section illustrating a capacitive sensing arrangement;

[0030] FIGS. 13 a -13b show another embodiment of capacitive sensing;

[0031] FIG. 14 is a schematic electronic diagram;

[0032] FIG. 15 shows a technique of diagonal switching explained in detail below;

[0033] FIG. 16 shows fibres with attached and integral collimator lens;

[0034] FIG. 17 shows collimator arrangements with monolithic types;

[0035] FIG. 18 shows a gimbal mounting for a collimator;

[0036] FIG. 19 shows an alternative gimbal mounting;

[0037] FIG. 20 shows an exaggerated effect of tilting the gimbal mounting and collimator;

[0038] FIG. 21 shows a detail of a foil type connection structure for gimbal and translational mounting of collimators;

[0039] FIG. 22 shows an array of piezo tube type actuators on a triangular array;

[0040] FIGS. 23 a and 23b are side views of an embodiment using a moving lens and a fixed fibre;

[0041] FIG. 24 is a isometric view of the latter embodiment using a moving lens and a fixed fibre;

[0042] FIG. 25 shows a group of the arrangement of the devices shown in FIG. 24;

[0043] FIGS. 26 a -26e shows an example of each of five different foil designs in plan view for a five-layer 64 port foil type switch assembly;

[0044] FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a piezo comb actuator; FIG. 27a shows a detail of the electrical connectors and FIG. 27b shows connection details for the piezo comb actuator of FIG. 27a;

[0045] FIGS. 28 a -28e show different plan sectional views of each of 5 layers of piezo comb arrays and foil arrangements;

[0046] FIG. 29 shows a sub-assembly (foil type) of a switch (including 64 ports), and

[0047] FIG. 30 shows a rear view of the switching sub-assembly (foil type);

[0048] FIGS. 31 a -31c are isometric views of a sub-assembly of monolithic type actuators;

[0049] FIGS. 32 and 33 each show other switching assemblies; and

[0050] FIG. 34 shows two of the assemblies of FIG. 39 used with spaced transmitter and receiver fibre sets.

[0051] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates “foil type” devices which can be used, for example, for moving optical fibres. In each device, piezo electric transducer elements 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b form respective sets of fingers of a comb structure fixed at one end to a support unit 3. The ends of the fingers are fixed to respective foils 4a, 4b, with pairs of comb-like structures located on opposite sides of respective fibres 5a, 5b. Each fibre, such as fibre 5a, is fixed to respective foil sets 4a, by a bead of adhesive 6a or solder contacts if the fibre is metallised. The piezo electric material transducer elements 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b bend (in parallel) in the same direction so as to impart “push/pull” movement to the respective fibre (in one of two orthogonal directions). Other piezo electric material transducer elements (not shown and which are arranged perpendicularly to the former elements) bend similarly (but in a different orthogonal direction so as to impart “push/pull” movement to the respective fibre. The resultant provides the fibre with two degrees of motion in orthogonal directions. Accordingly, radiation passing through the fibre 5a and leaving from the end 5a′ can be deflected anywhere in an x-y plane. The “radiation” can be laser light, or light from an LED, for example, but it can also be other forms of electromagnetic energy.

[0052] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a “monolithic type”, where each of the piezo elements 7a, 7b has a cylindrical or rod-shaped body with a central bore along its longitudinal axis in which the optic fibre 5a, 5b is received. One end of each piezo element 7a, 7b is firmly secured to support unit 3, and the free end is free to move as a result of bending of the body with respect to the longitudinal axis (as explained below). The drawing also shows electrical interconnects 8a, 8b to the piezo elements. As with the foil type, radiation leaving the end 5a′ is deflected by bending the fibre 5a in the x-y plane.

[0053] FIG. 3 shows an enlargement of a modified “foil type” in more detail. In this case each foil is in the form of strips, such as 9a, 9b extending perpendicularly to each other and terminating at one end in a pad 9c through which fibre 5a passes and is sensed by the adhesive bead 6a or solder contact if the fibre is metallised. FIG. 3 illustrates three different arrangements, i.e. where the strips 9a, 9b join the pad 9c at different locations (and in one case where strip 9b is formed through two right angles before being joined to the pad. The other ends of the strips are attached to the fingers 2c, 2d of a comb like structure of piezoelectric material. These fingers impart motion in each of two respective orthogonal directions x-y (as shown) to the foil strips, whereby the end portion of the respective fibre 5a moves in these directions, so that light emerging from the end faces 5a′, 5b′, 5c′ is deflected.

[0054] FIG. 4 is a cross-section, in elevation, (rotated through 90°), showing a set of optical fibres 5 passing through support structure 3, each fibre being secured to respective foils 9, arranged in separated layers, in a foil stack (not shown in detail). Each of the foils is connected to respective fingers of a piezo electric comb structure 2e, which is mounted in a support plate assembly 3a in the support structure. Ribbon cable 10 is connected to the piezo actuators to provide energization.

[0055] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate, more graphically, how the piezo electric material comb structures 2e are connected to the foil structures 9, which are attached to respective optic fibres 5, whereby the ends of the optic fibres are caused to move in the focal plane of respective lenses 12. FIGS. 5 and 6 show schematically a 4 port structure having only four lenses, in order to simplify the drawing and explanation. The assembly can, of course, have “n” lens elements for “n” fibres in an “n” port switch, where “n” is the number of ports required in the particular application. The lenses 12 are supported in a block 13 which also supports capacitive position sensors (as explained below).

[0056] FIG. 7 shows four stages 7a-7d during the manufacture of a “monolithic type” of piezo electric material transducer. The first stage 7a illustrates a body 7 of piezo electric material having a generally cylindrical shape. The second stage shows pairs of V-shaped saw cuts, V1, V2, V3, which form grooves defining a central pillar 14 of triangular cross-section segments 15a, 15b, 15c and peripheral thin pillars 16a, 16b, 16c, each of triangular cross-section. These grooves are then filled with a low-melting point alloy 17 in stage 7c. Finally, further saw cuts S are made as shown in FIG. 7d in order to define three interconnects in the form of isolated conductive pads 18 on the triangular sides of the central pillar 14. These pads are isolated along the length of each side edge due to the gap 19 (of piezo electric material) which is opened up by the respective saw cut S. Electrical inputs to each of these pads cause the central pillar 14 to bend and to flex the fibre optic. The plan view of FIG. 7e shows the individual motion “d” imparted by each pad 18 when energised. By suitable energization of these pads, a resultant motion can be achieved for moving the pillar 14 in the x-y axes. A through hole 20 bored in the body of piezo electric material, along the longitudinal axis, receives the optic fibre as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 2.

[0057] A similar structure can be made by (a) moulding the pillar 14 of piezoelectric material prior to firing and (b) attaching the pads 18 by coating. Such a pillar could be hollow or solid and of different cross-sectional shapes.

[0058] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a group of monolithic type transducers 7. Each of these transducers supports a respective optic fibre 5, the terminal end of which moves in the focal plane of the respective lens 12. This shows the fibre array in a hexagonal/triangular arrangement, but square arrays can also be used.

[0059] FIG. 9 is a cross-section through three monolithic transducers 7, each mounted on a base board 3 which supports optic fibres S. These are shown as having adding 19 on the lefthand side of the board 3 and as fibres extending through transducers 7 which terminate in ends 7a close to each collimating plano-convex lens 12 of a lens array. A bi-convex lens array can also be used. This separation is indicated by the gap 21, which is arranged so that light emerging from the end of each fibre is at the focal plane of the respective lens. Connectors 20 having bond wires connected to transducers 7 are also shown.

[0060] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of an assembly used in calibration during setting up. It shows beams of light 22 output from each of the lenses 12 which first pass through (e.g.) a partially reflective mirror (e.g. dielectric multilayer stock or half silvered) 29, which partially transmits beams to a CCD device 23 and partially reflects the beams. The position of the straight through beams on the surface of the CCD 23 can be related to the absence (or presence) of signals used to energise the piezoelectric transducers. Likewise, the position of a deflected beam from a transmitter fibre, which is partially reflected by the mirror 29 onto a receiver fibre (in the same stack), as well as partially incident on the surface of the CCD 23, can be related to instantaneous signals used to energise the piezoelectric transducers to cause different deflections. This enables the transducer drive signals to be derived for correctly aiming and steering the end portions of the fibres so that the output beams arrive at their correct destinations (i.e. the selected receiving fibres in the working switch). For example, lookup tables can be used to number the ideal fibre-tip positions at each end in order to create required fibre-to-fibre couplings (i.e. cross-connections between transmitter and receiver ports. This enables operation of the assembly as a switch and the assembly would be made reversible (i.e. the transmitter fibres can be the receiver fibres and vice versa).

[0061] FIG. 11 shows a different arrangement which can be similarly calibrated but also used in operation, and where the beams of light 22 leaving the transmitting collimating lens assembly 12t are received by a receiving lens assembly 12r, which focuses the light on respective optic fibres 5 in a (similar) monolithic structure. The energising signals can be similarly calibrated with regard to beams of light passing straight through, and being deflected, since the transmitting beams will be received by respectively different fibres. This arrangement is fully “reversible”, since the “transmitters” can be the “receivers”, and vice versa.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 11a, it is to be noted that:

[0063] i. Each fibre in the switch is associated with a small collimating lens

[0064] ii. Fibre tips are placed in the focal plane of each lens

[0065] iii. A collimated Gaussian beam will be produced if a fibre is lit since light will emerge from the fibre tip in the focal plane and be collected and collimated by the lens

[0066] iv. Movement of each fibre-tip within the focal plane results in an effective angular swing of the collimated beam

[0067] v. By symmetry, any collimated beams which arrive at a target lens will focus to a point in the focal plane of the target lens

[0068] vi. If a fibre-tip were placed at the point defined in (v) then light will be coupled into the fibre

[0069] A combination of (iii) and (vi) permits fibre to fibre coupling. Light from one fibre can be transformed into a directional collimated beam by (iii). By moving a lit fibre-tip (the “source”) it can be arranged that the collimated beam from its associated lens is directed as the lens associated with a totally different fibre (the “target”). By moving the target fibre it can be arranged that light from the incoming collimated beam may be collected and thus a fibre-to-fibre coupling condition has been set up. Since the optical system is symmetrical, the terms “source” and “target” fibre-tips can be used interchangeably and in a coupled scenario light can be transmitted in either direction.

[0070] Calibration would be carried out using the following steps:

[0071] 1. Each fibre is ground in 2D and for each fibre the capacitance values for retro reflection are located

[0072] 2. Sequentially each fibre is moved to the positions on the CCD, using the retro reflection to calibrate the reference points.

[0073] 3. For each fibre to each fibre the 2x and 2y average voltages are optimised for maximum coupling

[0074] 4. With 128 fibres (64 at each end) we have 64 x/y capacitance values stored, i.e. 16,384 numbers. These are stored in the non volatile memory of the switch and used as the target capacitance values for the desired switch settings.

[0075] These steps refer to either the reflective or other straight-through design.

[0076] Referring to FIG. 11b, there exists an optimum rest position of fibre-tips which confers important system benefits (including optimum coupling efficiency).

[0077] With no effective deflection (i.e. no applied voltage on the piezo actuators), the collimated beam from each fibre tip should ideally aim towards the centre of the target lens array (or, by reflection, to the centre of the source array in a folded system). The aim of this is to minimise the bipolar fibre-tip translation required (from the rest position) to approximately one half of the array size.

[0078] Fibre tip Z positions must be within the depth of focus of the lens array to ensure high quality collimated beams. All fibre tips must be within a range behind the back surface of the lens array glass substrate, defined by the focal length of the lens array.

[0079] The angle of fibres relative to the lens array should be ideally 90°. Any significant deviation from a perpendicular geometry may have a detrimental effect on coupling efficiency and limit scalability.

[0080] In order to sense the position of each individual optical fibre, foil type or monolithic type (for correlating deflection with transducer drive signals), capacitive coupling is employed between (e.g.) each moving end portion of the fibre optic (which is coated with conducting material to form a moving plate), and other relatively fixed plates. An array of such coated fibre optics can be aligned inside a similar array of capacitive sensor pickup units. The array may be either square or hexagonal to ensure optimum packing density. Array sizes are scalable to larger number of fibres (>1000) suitable for future high port count optical cross connects for fibre optic communication applications.

[0081] The position of the optical fibre is determined by a measure of the capacitive coupling between the fibre and capacitive sensor plates. As capacitive feedback determines the fibre optic position with respect to the leas array 12, the capacitive feedback mounting unit is rigidly connected to the lens array to ensure precise reference to the fibres to the lens centres. (An alternative embodiment uses fixed fibres and a moving lens). The capacitive sensor plate pickup units can be formed either as shown in FIG. 12 or in FIGS. 13a and 13b.

[0082] FIG. 12 shows, in plan view, one method, where the sensor pickup unit formed from through-hole plated holes in an insulating board material 30. The insulating board material may be printed circuit board or some alternative insulating material such as ceramic. The sensor holes are segmented into four isolated quadrants designed “North”, “South”, “East” and “West” (N, S, E & W). Electrical contact is made to these with appropriate patterned electrical tracks 31N, 31S, 31W, 31E. Each (coated) optical fibre passes down the centre of the sensor hole.

[0083] FIGS. 13 a and 13b show, in sectional view, an alternative arrangement in which the N, S, E and W capacitive sensor plates are formed by perpendicular arrays of parallel conductive tracks 31N, 31S, 31W, 31E intersecting an array of holes through which the optical fibres 5 pass. The capacitive sensor tracks for NS and EW detection are arranged in parallel arrays, the two parallel arrays being perpendicular to each other. For isolation, the NS & EW sensor arrays are isolated from each other by sandwich layers of insulating matrix material 33. Ground plane layers 32 above and below each sensor layers act as a screen against environmental electromagnetic pickup. Note that FIGS. 13a and 13b show only two layers of NS and EW sensor tracks. Improved capacitive feedback sensitivity may be achieved by increasing the number of sensor tracks (layers).

[0084] The arrangement of FIG. 12 results in a larger capacitive coupling between the fibre 5 and the sensor plates, whereas that of FIGS. 13a and 13b is inherently easier to manufacture (but to achieve sufficient capacitive coupling between the NS and EW sensor tracks, a vertical array of such tracks are required).

[0085] An AC voltage is applied to the conductive coating on each optical fibre, typically at audio frequency. The resultant ac voltage coupled to the sensor plates is then detected using an appropriate low noise amplifier circuit, such as that shown in FIG. 14 (where similar components are identified by similar reference numerals). The ac voltage generated on the sensor plates is proportional to the capacitive coupling between the sensor plate and the fibre conductive coating. This depends on the local distance of the fibre to the sensor plate. Combining information from 31N, 31S, 31E and 31W plates therefore gives information on the localised position of the fibre.

[0086] Increased positional accuracy is achieved by coupling the detected voltages on the N and S sensor plates to the two inputs of a differential low noise amplifier 35. Thus as the optical fibre moves closer to the N plate, the N plate detected signal increases, similarly the detected signal on the S plate decreases. The differential is applied to the amplifier. A similar arrangement is used for the SW plates.

[0087] To enable the unique positions of individual fibres within large arrays of optical fibres to be detected, an AC signal needs to be applied to each fibre. Such an arrangement is not practicable with large numbers of fibres. We therefore prefer to use a method by which the unique positions of arrays of fibres may be detected by selectively switching between diagonal rows of such fibres. Details are shown in FIG. 15. By sequentially applying AC to the diagonal rows and by sequentially reading capacitive feedback signals from horizontal rows and columns unique addressing can be achieved. This will now be described in more detail below. (This diagonal switching can be used independently, i.e. in other switching assemblies.)

[0088] An AC excitation signal is applied to diagonal arrays of fibres (as shown in FIG. 15). For a 64 fibre switch array, there are 15 such diagonals, but by using a vertical and horizontal array of capacitive feedback sensor tracks, arranged orthogonally, the number of addressable diagonals is reduced to just 8. This is explained with reference to FIG. 15, which shows a 64 element array, but the following analysis is applicable to any scalable array. In FIG. 15, the diagonals are A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H. Horizontal rows 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 such that, for example, the third fibre down from the top and the fifth from the left is designated C2.

[0089] Diagonal array A utilises all 8 fibres along the diagonal. However, diagonal array B utilises 7 such fibres (B0 to B6), this diagonal is therefore connected to fibre B7 (bottom left corner). Similarly diagonal C comprises six such fibre elements (C0 to C5) and this is connected to fibre elements C6 and C7. The process is repeated so that all diagonals comprise 8 elements. (However, this connection system can be scaled to any size of array). For example, a 256 fibre array comprising 16 rows and 16 columns would be connected using 16 diagonals. A generalised N fibre array therefore contains square root (N) diagonals.

[0090] Referring to the 64 fibre array shown in FIG. 15, the 8 rows and 8 columns of the orthogonal capacitor sensing tracks are each connected to 8 parallel differential amplifier detection circuits, such that capacitants is sensed along all rows and columns simultaneously; 1 detection circuit per row and 1 detection circuit per column. The capacitor tracks need not be orthogonal, alternative angles can be used as long as the tacks cross. As the excitation signal is applied along the diagonal and to only one diagonal at a time, only one unique element in a row or column generates a capacitive feedback signal when detected by the capacitive feedback circuitry. Thus for the present case of 64 elements, for each diagonal excitation, 8 capacitive feedback signals are read in parallel from each row and column. The outputs are connected to an 8 channel ADC unit, one for the rows and one for the columns.

[0091] Note also that for very large arrays, the time to sense all elements with the capacitive feedback system is limited by the time taken to excite and scan each diagonal. Improved switching time can be achieved by sub-dividing larger fibre arrays into sub-sections, where, for example, a 256 element array can be split into 4 smaller separate readout arrays. This approach is scalable to any array size.

[0092] In order to provide a further improvement, a collimating lens can be attached to or integral with the end of the optical fibre to provide a wider angular spread of the emergent beam. In this case, both the lens and fibre move together which simplifies the design enabling rapid switching speed for a high port count. These collimating lenses can be used independently i.e. with other switching assemblies, but they are especially useful when used together with the miniaturised “foil type” or “monolithic type” of piezo electric material transducers described above.

[0093] As the fibre end and lens array can both result in back reflection (even when all faces are coated with mid-layer dielectric reflection coatings), some signal loss is incurred. Furthermore, coupling efficiency between fibre ends and collimating optics is critically dependent on maintaining the position of the fibre end within the focal plane of the lens. Collimated fibre optics can be used to deal with this problem. Insertion losses and back reflection within optical switch Systems can be considerably reduced and construction can be simplified by the use of collimated or integrally lensed fibre optic ends (FIG. 16a and 16b) in place of fibre optic ends and lens arrays.

[0094] Collimated fibre optics 40 are commercially available, they incorporate a collimating lens 40a attached to the single mode fibre optic end portion 5.

[0095] Integrally lensed 41 fibre optics may also be used in place of a collimator 40 for all of the present applications discussed here. Integrally lensed fibre optics are formed by treating the fibre optic end in such a way that it forms a micro lens (integral lens fibre optic systems are currently available from some manufacturers of fibre optic systems). The advantage that both of these technologies provide in the present switching application is that the light emanating from the fibre optic end is collimated and parallel without the incorporation of additional discrete optical components such as lens arrays.

[0096] Integrally lensed fibre optics may also be made by cementing an appropriate lens to the fibre end. In all cases coated or uncoated components may be used. Collimator based N×N fibre switches (i.e. N input port counts and N output port counts) have the advantage of low insertion loss, excellent cross talk performance, and excellent polarisation independence.

[0097] Alternatively, fibre optic switching can be achieved in which collimated or integrally based fibre optic ends are incorporated into the N×N switching matrix, thereby precluding the lens array 12 used in the alternative switch structures described above.

[0098] Where capacitive feedback is used (as described above) to determine the position of the collimator, the external surface of the collimator is metallised or given a conductive thin film coating.

[0099] Connection to the collimator can be made using metallised fibres and capacitive feedback can be used to measure the capacitance between the outer surface of the collimator rather than the metallised fibre optic. However, if integrally lensed optics are used, capacitive coupling is used to measure the capacitance between the sensor pcb and the metallised fibre.

[0100] FIG. 17 shows schematically how the collimated or integral lens on the fibre optic end can be incorporated into a monolithic piezo fibre optic switch. This is one simplified solution in which the lens array 12 is replaced by the collimator 40 or integral lens 41. Although not shown in FIG. 17, it is possible that the length of fibre between the top of the monolithic piezo actuator and the collimator may be increased.

[0101] To achieve greater angular swing of the collimated optics at the end of the fibre optic it may be mounted in a gimbals type mount 42 that allows the collator 40 to pivot about its centre point as shown in FIGS. 18-20, to provide movement in x-y axes 43. A flexure joint is preferably used which is the collimator to the extension arm of the piezo actuator as shown, for example, in FIGS. 19 and 21. Both gimbals and flexure joints may be manufactured by a variety of means including patterned foil. FIG. 21 shows how the use of foils coupled with a gimbals arrangement may be used to tilt the collimated or integral lens fibre optic end. In this case the gimbals arrangement may also be made using a patterned foil structure.

[0102] FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 show a variant of the collimator mounting scheme in which a tapered piece 44 forms an extension of the piezo tube 8. The extension piece 44 provides mechanical advantage, i.e. it provides greater XY movement of the collimator base than that generated by the piezo tube scanner alone. The extension piece therefore gives mechanical advantage to the piezo actuator movement. (The exit beam is shown as 45 in FIG. 19). The piezo actuator extension rod 44 is tapered to reduce the resonant frequency of the mechanical system.

[0103] A key feature of this design is that the extension rod 44 provides extra lateral movement in the XY plane (perpendicular to the fibre axis) of the base of the collimator than that provided by an unextended piezo actuator alone. The advantage of this is that the collimated beam may be swung over a large, angular range for a given piezo movement. This is important as it provides a much wider addressable range for the resulting beam emanating from the collimator, thus enabling much larger switch arrays to be built (i.e. larger N×N switch sizes—higher port counts).

[0104] With the monolithic type, the optical fibre passes through the centre of the piezo tube scanner. The complete unit is replicated N times for an N×N switch unit (FIG. 22)—note FIG. 22 shows only the piezo actuators—where the array may be either square or hexagonal/triangular in layout.

[0105] Individual piezo actuators are formed by moulding, firing and/or subsequent sawing of the monolithic piezo material, followed by patterning with electrical contacts.

[0106] FIG. 20 shows (in exaggerated schematic form), displacement of the fibre actuator assembly. The fibre optic is not shown in this drawing—it passes through the centre of the piezo tube actuator 8.

[0107] The collimator gimbals and flexure mount could be manufactured in a number of ways, one route being patterned foils. FIG. 21 shows one possible method of manufacture for the gimbals mount. Alternatively a meander type foil arrangement may be used to manufacture the flexure mount.

[0108] FIG. 23 shows an alternative embodiment of a monolithic type piezo electric material actuator. In this case the fibre optic 5 (shown bent through a right angle) is held fixed in a mounting block 52 which also supports electronic interconnects and capacitive sensing plates (associated respectively with the fixed fibre and the moving lens). These sense lens displacement and provide a feedback control signal (as described above). The lens 50 is supported by a lens mount 51 which is connected to a monolithic type piezo electric material actuator via a connecting lever 53. The isometric view of FIG. 24 shows a clearance hole 54 which enables freedom of movement. FIG. 25 shows a plurality of these actuators mounted on a rigid support plate and PCB 55 for providing drive connections. As shown in FIG. 23a, for example, the extension rod 7 terminates in a tapered portion 53 and cylindrical rod-shaped portion 57 which is connected to lens mount 51. (see also FIG. 24). This arrangement is particularly advantageous because collimating lens 50 can have a conductive coating, to act as a capacitor plate and it is conveniently positioned with respect to the fixed mounting block 52, on which can be provided another capacitor plate (e.g. in confronting relationship), to provide positional feedback information as a result of capacitive changes. Moreover, this arrangement allows the components to be conveniently located on a capacitive sensing support structure, of laminar form, like that described with reference to FIGS. 13a and 13b. This will also be more apparent from the subassemblies shown in FIGS. 29 and 31-34 where the capacitive sensing system includes flat conductive tracks, which are assembled in a laminar form, in a support structure or block, which can conveniently support other components of the switching assembly. This provides both the advantages of capacitive sensing with a compact and robust structure which facilitates manufacture.

[0109] FIGS. 26 a -26e are plan views of an example of foil designs for a 64 port foil type switching assembly. These are arranged in layers, insulated from one another, in the subassembly of optic fibre bundles.

[0110] FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a piezo electric comb structure 2, for a foil type design of switch, showing sawcuts 60 separating individual actuators 1 and also showing metallised contacts 61, 62, 63. FIG. 27a shows how the fingers of the comb structure 2 are attached to respective conductive tracks of a flat flexible connector 2′. The piezo comb includes outer layers forming respective common +V and −V planes and an inner layer forming a control V place.

[0111] Referring to FIG. 27b, this schematically illustrates preferred bias-drive for enhancing the lifetime performance of the piezos. This essentially involves never driving either half of piezo bimorphs in such a manner that they could otherwise be depoled. Bias-driving thus increases device longevity. Another advantage is that the number of electrical interconnects to piezo combs can he drastically reduced. Essentially the top electrodes for all elements of the comb are made common, the bottom electrodes for all elements of the comb are also made common and only centre electrodes of the elements need independent control. Thus, for a comb of 8 bimorphs, there are only 8+2 (10) electrical interconnects, rather than 8+8+8 (24).

[0112] FIGS. 28 a -28e show plan views Of each layer of piezo-comb arrays and foil arrangements such as those shown in FIGS. 26a-26e. These are assembled into a switching assembly as showing in FIGS. 29 and 30. FIG. 29 shows a 5 foil stack 64, piezo combs 2 in a support plate 65 to which electrical connections are made by ribbon cable 66, the components being mounted in a support structure 67. An optic fibre array 5 passes centrally through structure 67, as shown also in the rear view of FIG. 30.

[0113] FIGS. 31 a and 31b are cut-away perspective views of a monolithic type of switching array in which monolithic tube type piezo actuators 70 deflect metallised fibre optics 71 that terminate in (or adjacent) collimators 72 mounted in a capacitive sensing feedback board 73; mechanical leverage (like that shown in FIG. 20) being applied by the extension levers 74 (an enlarged view being shown in FIG. 31c).

[0114] FIGS. 32 and 33 show foil type subassemblies in a later stage of completion, and FIG. 34 shows two of the sub-assemblies facing each other across a space in which the beams are projected.

Claims

1. An optical fibre switching assembly comprising: (a) a first set of optical guides spaced from a second set of optical guides, and (b) respective steering devices for causing deflection of a beam of optical radiation from a selected transmitting guide in the first set so that it is received by a selected receiving guide in the second set; characterised in that each of said devices comprises collimating means for collimating light from said transmitting guide and means for moving said collimating means or for causing relative movement between said collimating means and said transmitting guide to cause said deflection.

2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said optical guide is an optical fibre.

3. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said collimating means includes at least one lens having a focal plane.

4. An assembly according to claim 3, wherein said lens is spaced from the end of said guide.

5. An assembly according to claim 3, wherein said lens is integral with, or fixed to the end of said guide, whereby the guide and the lens move together.

6. An assembly according to claim 3 wherein the lens is fixed an end portion of a respective transmitting guide, whereby the guide is moved to cause radiation, which exits from the fibre, to move in the focal plane of said lens.

7. An assembly according to claim 3 wherein the end portion of the transmitting guide is fixed and the respective lens is moved, so that the focal point of the lens moves with respect to me guide, whereby the radiation, which exits from the guide remains substantially within the focal plane of the lens.

8. An assembly according to claim 1, in which the steering device includes electrostatic means for causing the movement.

9. An assembly according to claim 1 in which the steering device includes a piezo electric transducer for causing the movement.

10. An assembly according to claim 9 in which the piezo electric transducer is of a “foil type”, where fingers of a comb-like array of piezo transducers are attached to actuating members, such as foil strips, for producing orthogonal displacement of the optical guide, or the lens, or both, whereby the foils and combs can be assembled in a laminar matrix.

11. An assembly according to claim 9, where the piezo electric transducer is of a “monolithic type”, where the transducer is made of piezo electric material, it has a body with a longitudinal axis, and the body has conductive strips aligned with the longitudinal axis so as to define respective portions of the transducer that impart respective transverse motions in different radial directions to provide a resultant motion in the two dimensional plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; whereby a multiplicity of said bodies can be assembled in a columnar matrix; the guide being aligned with said longitudinal axis, and either attached to said body, or received in a bore therein, whereby bending of the guide occurs with respect to the longitudinal axis, or the body being attached to the collimating lens to cause it to move relative to a fixed guide.

12. An assembly according to claim 1 further including position sensing feedback means for sensing the amount of said deflection and for providing a feedback signal which is used in a control system for ensuring that the radiation from a transmitter guide is aimed at the correct receiver guide for making the required switching connection.

13. An assembly according to claim 12 wherein capacitive changes are sensed to determine position; the guide having a conductive coating acting as at least one capacitor plate which moves with respect to at least one other fixed capacitor plate, thereby giving positional information of either the guide or the collimating means.

14. A assembly according to claim 12 wherein the lens moves with respect to the guide which is fixed; the lens having a conductive coating acting as at least one capacitive plate, at least one other capacitive plate being fixed to adjacent supporting structure.

15. An assembly according to claim 12 wherein conductive tracks are either on insulating boards arranged in layers to form one set of the capacitive plates of the feedback system, or are provided as segments, the tracks crossing at points where pairs of conductive tracks, associated with individual guides or collimating means, can be polled or addressed to detect capacitive changes.

16. An assembly according to claim 15 wherein a diagonal addressing system is used, wherein a signal is applied sequentially to diagonals of said points, and capacitive changes are read sequentially from each row and column,

17. An assembly according to claim 11 in which the monolithic type of transducer co-operate with mechanical leverage means to magnify the transducer movement before imparting motion to the guide or to the lens or both.

18. An assembly according to claim 17 in which the leverage means includes a gimbal mounting, a flexure mounting, and an extension rod located between one end of the body of the transducer and a mounting point on the gimbal spaced from its pivotal axis.

19. A piezo electric transducer for use in a steering device for deflecting a beam in an optical switching assembly, the transducer being of a “foil type”, where fingers of a comb-like array of piezo transducers are attached to actuating members, such as foil strips, for producing orthogonal displacement of the optical guide, or the lens or both, whereby the foils and combs can be assembled in a laminar matrix.

20. A piezo electric transducer for use in a steering device for deflecting a beam in an optical switching assembly, the transducer being of a “monolithic type” where the transducer is made of piezo electric material, it has a body with a longitudinal axis, and the body has conductive strips aligned with the longitudinal axis so as to define respective portions of the transducer that impart respective transverse motions in different radial directions to provide a resultant motion in orthogonal axes; whereby a multiplicity of said bodies can be assembled in a columnar matrix; the body either having a bore aligned with its longitudinal axis in which the guide can be received, whereby bending of the guide occurs with respect to the longitudinal axis, or the body being attached to the collimating lens to cause it to move relative to a fixed guide.

21. A transducer according to claim 20 including mechanical leverage means to magnify the transducer movement before imparting motion to the guide or to the collimating means.

22. A transducer according to claim 21 in which the leverage means includes a gimbal mounting and an extension rod located between one end of the body of the transducer and a mounting point on the gimbal spaced from its pivotal axis.

23. A sub-assembly for sensing capacitive changes to determine either the relative positions of a guide and collimating means, or the position of a guide moving together with collimating means with respect to s fixed point; the sub-assembly including conductive tracks on insulating boards arranged in layers to form one set of the capacitive plates of the feedback system, or arranged in segments, the tracks crossing at points where pairs of conductive tracks, associated with individual guides, can be polled or addressed to detect capacitive changes.

24. A sub-assembly of a diagonal addressing system for use with a capacitive feedback sensing system wherein relative movement occurs between capacitive plates associated optical guides or collimating lens and other capacitive plates spaced from the guides, the guides being arranged in a matrix of rows and columns, the subassembly farther including means for applying a signal sequentially to diagonals of said matrix and means for reading capacitive changes sequentially from each row and column.