WO2015152705A1

WO2015152705A1 - Dynamic optical switch

Info

Publication number: WO2015152705A1
Application number: PCT/MX2015/000053
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sergiy KHOTYAINTSEV
Original assignee: Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Priority date: 2014-04-01
Filing date: 2015-03-25
Publication date: 2015-10-08
Also published as: MX343770B; MX2014003940A

Abstract

The invention relates to an optical switch having an operating principle based on tilting and/or deforming a reflector element or a movable refractor having flexible supporting elements of the beam, coil, bar, etc. type, and electrostatic and/or electromagnetic actuation. The path of an input beam is modified by means of a mobile reflector or refractor element that tilts in various positions, thereby switching one or more input light beams to one or more output ports. Multiple switches of said type can also be arranged in series or in parallel in order to increase the number of input and output ports. The invention meets the needs of optical switching in computer data networks and in optical sensor networks, as most important uses.

Description

OPTICAL DYNAMIC SWITCH

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to the technical sector of the optical switches and electromagnetic radiation switches in general, and more particularly, it is related to an optical dynamic switch with operating principle based on the periodic cyclic switching of a set of optical ports of input to a set of optical output ports.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

According to the characteristics and state of the art information, the existing switches of the optical band and of the electromagnetic radiation in general are relatively complex and of a high cost. In addition, the existing optical switches are of few inputs and outputs. Arrangements of several of these switches are used to achieve switches with a greater number of inputs and outputs. Some switches are based on the movement of the fibers anchored by means of arms with channels or guides in the form of "V" which holds the fiber in two points and only changes its position from one fixed place to another.

Within the prior art known and close to the invention, the following patent documents and pending applications have been identified, such as US Patent No. 8,430,328, which describes a device that has the disadvantage of being very complex and expensive for use multiple Space Phase Modulators (devices based on electrically controlled liquid crystals, or other complex physical media and effects). On the other hand, Patent Publication No. US 2003 / 0081886A1, describes a switch that has the disadvantage of few input and output ports (three and three, respectively) and minimum switching capacity: only two output ports, for each port input

In addition to the documents presented, there is Patent Publication No. US200 / 006700SA1, which, like the previously described application, seeks protection for a switch with few input and output ports (two and two, respectively) and minimum capacity of switching: only two output ports, for each input port; In addition, it is complex because it has two separating elements of the polarization states, two units of liquid crystalline glass, and a large number of additional optical elements.

Finally, US Patent 5,923,798 of Vladimir A Aksyuk et al. Said document describes a device that is actually a switch or switch of the "on / off" type of a single beam or communication channel; that is, it is not able to change the route of a signal between several communication channels.

The present invention proposes an optical dynamic switch that performs periodic cyclic switching of the output input ports by means of an oscillating moving element (mobile element) that carries electromagnetic radiation or reflects electromagnetic radiation by changing its propagation path in such a way. that periodic switching of radiation from one or more input ports occurs, to one or more output ports,

According to! state of the art, existing optical switches have great complexity in their design and manufacturing, high manufacturing costs, and difficulty in expanding the numbers of input and output ports without redesigning them,

TO! At the same time, in Telecommunications, instrumentation and some other areas of technology and human activity there is a need in the switching of information channels and respective signals, in an efficient, simpler and cheaper way.

In particular, some optical data networks operate through the Ulticanaization in the Time Domain (Time Division Multiplexing, TDM); Similarly, some networks of Sos optical sensors of various physical quantities and optical sensor arrays use Sa sequence interrogation! Cyclic sensors, that is, also operate in TDM mode.

Therefore, a more technically and economically affordable solution is proposed to cover the needs of optical switching, particularly in optical computer data networks and optical sensor networks as the most important applications.

In accordance with the above, it can be seen that even if optical switches are present in the state of the art, there is still no record of an optical switch based on the periodic cyclic switching of a set of optical input ports to a set of optical output ports; this by means of oscillatory movement in one or two dimensions of an element that transports or reflects) to optical radiation. OBJECTS Q THE INVENTION

Taking into account the defects of the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a dynamic optical switch with the principle of operation based on the periodic cyclic switching of a set of optical input ports to a set of optical output ports

A further object of the present invention is to provide an optical dynamic switch whose principle of operation is by means of oscillatory movement in one or two dimensions of an element that transports or reflects the optical radiation.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a dynamic optical switch whose principle of operation is by means of oscillatory motion which produces the change of the direction of propagation of the optical radiation in such a way that the periodic cyclic switching between one or the other is performed. several sets of input ports and one or more sets of output ports;

A further object of the present invention is to provide an optical dynamic switch where periodic oscillatory movement is effected by means of magnetic, electric or mechanical force, or by a combination of said forces, this by means of respective actuators: electromagnetic, electrostatic, piezoelectric and others. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The novel aspects that are considered characteristic of the present invention will be established with particularity in the appended claims. However, the invention itself, both by its organization, as well as by its method of operation, together with other objects and advantages thereof, will be better understood in the following detailed description of a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, when I had a laugh with the accompanying drawings, in which; Figure 1 shows the dynamic optical switch in operation in the particular case when the mobile element is an optical fiber with its free end having a coating of magnetic materials, and with electromagnetic actuation. Figure 2 shows the dynamic optical switch in operation in the particular case when the mobile element is a metal-coated optical fiber, and with electrostatic actuation.

Figure 3 shows the dynamic optical switch in operation in the particular case when the mobile unit is an optical fiber attached to a flexible beam of ferromagnetic material, and with electromagnetic actuation.

Figure 4 shows a! Optical dynamic switch in operation in the particular case when the mobile element is an optical fiber attached to a flexible beam of a metal, and with electrostatic actuation.

Figure 4a shows the dynamic optical switch in operation in the particular case when the mobile element has a reflector that periodically changes the trajectory of the optical radiation from an input port and a waveguide (optical fiber) to different output ports. .

Figure 4b shows the optical dynamic switch in operation in the particular case when the mobile element has two reflectors located on the opposite sides of a flexible beam in oscillatory motion that periodically changes the path of the optical radiation from two different input ports and respective optical input fibers to two different sets of output ports. Figure 5 shows the dynamic optical switch in operation in the case where the mobile element is a set of optical fibers attached to a flexible beam of ferromagnetic material. Figure 6 shows the particular case when the moving element moves along a circular path of a radius that is controlled by means of the electric current amplitude in the coils of two electromagnetic actuators,

Figure 7 shows the particular case when the moving element moves along a path in "8"; this by means of different frequencies of action in two orthogonal directions offset at 90 °.

Figure 8 shows the particular case when the moving element moves along a path in ¾ "(a particular Lissajou figure).

Figure 9 shows the particular case when the moving element moves through three different types of trajectory (A, 8 and C),

Figure 10 shows the case to participate when the moving element moves along a circular path of different radius.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As mentioned in the background section of the present invention, an optical dynamic switch with operating principle based on the periodic cyclic switching of a set of optical input ports to a set of optical output ports is proposed; this by means of oscillatory movement in one or two dimensions of an element that transports or reflects the optical radiation ("mobile element"}; its periodic oscillatory motion causes the direction of propagation of the optical radiation to change so that periodic cyclic switching takes place between one or more sets of input ports and one or more sets of ports of output; the periodic oscillatory movement of said element is carried out by means of the magnetic, electric or mechanical force, or by a combination of said forces, this by means of respective actuators; electromagnetic, electrostatic, piezcefécíricos and others. sets of input and output ports can be one or two dimensions. The assignment of "input" and "output" port sets is relative by virtue of the reciprocity of the optical radiation propagation path.

The new optical switch has a mobile element that changes the direction of propagation of the optical radiation, this by means of its periodic oscillatory motion at its resonance frequency; This movement is effected through the force of! magnetic field, electrical, or mechanical force, or by a combination of said forces generated by respective actuators. The electromagnetic radiation, in particular, can be of the optical band ta! as one or more information carriers in the form of optical signals that travel through optical fibers, for example, in fiber optic data networks, in fiber optic sensor networks or arrays, etc.

Next, the dynamic optical switch 100 will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, and more specifically to figures 1 to 10 thereof, the following technical elements that make up the invention are shown: Optical radiation 101, Port of input 102, Moving element 103, Fiber optic 104 (waveguide), Bracket 105, Fiber optic free end 108 (waveguide), Fiber optic tip 107 (waveguide), Ferromagnetic material cover 108 , Electromagnetic actuator 100, Output port 110, Coating a subject! electrically conductive 11 1, Electrical ground 112, Electrostatic actuator 113, Focus element 114 {lens, hologram, etc.), Flexible beam of ferromagnetic material 115, Transfer unit 116, Flexible beam of electrically conductive material 117 _s Flexible beam of material Ferromagnetic and electrically conductive 118 and Reflector 119 (mirror, prism. Hologram, etc.).

With respect to Figure 1, an optical dynamic switch 100 is shown in operation: the optical radiation 101 enters through an input port 1 2 to mobile element 103 consisting of optical fiber 104, which is held by means of support 105 in one or several points and has its free end 108; The tip of the waveguide (optical fiber) 107 emits the optical radiation 101 passing through said waveguide 107 (optical fiber); The free end of the fiber optic 104 (waveguide) has a coating of matter! ferromagnetic 108 (or a piece or pieces of the same material) at its free end 106; one or more electromagnetic actuators 109 produce the alternating magnetic force in the plane of the figure which sets the free end of the waveguide 106 (optical fiber) and the fiber optic tip 107 in oscillatory motion on the same piano; with this, a periodic switching of the optical radiation 101 from the tip of the fiber optic tip 107 and the output ports 110 is performed; the output ports 1 10 is a set of waveguides 104 {optical fibers); the ports of saüda 110 are located on an arc, which is attached to the dynamic path of the fiber optic tip 107, with a minimum separation between the fiber optic tip 107 in motion and the output ports 110, this in order to minimize the optical losses in the space between the fiber optic tip 107 and output ports 110.

With respect to Figure 2 an optical dynamic switch 100 is shown in operation; The optical radiation 101 enters through an input port 102 to the mobile element 103 consisting of an optical fiber 104, which is held by support 105 at one or more points and has its free end 106; 104 fiber optic {waveguide) has a coating of matter! electrically conductive 1 11 along its free end 106, this coating 111 is connected to the electrical ground

5 112; one or more electrostatic actuators 113 produce the alternating electric force in the plane of the figure, this force puts the free end of the fiber optic 06 (waveguide) and its fiber optic tip 107 in the oscillatory motion of the plane of the plane figure and with this effect a periodic switching of the optical radiation 101 from the tip of the optical fiber 08 and the output ports 11; ios output ports 110 se

10 located on an arc, which is attached to the dynamic path of the tip of the fiber optic tip 107, with a minimum separation between the fiber optic tip 107 in motion and the output ports 110, this for the purpose of minimize optical losses in the free space between these elements 107 and 110; fiber optic tip 107 as well as output ports 110 are equipped with focusing elements

15 114, such as: lens, bugle, hoiogram, etc .; with the purpose of improving the optical coupling of said elements 107 and 110.

With respect to Figure 3 an optical dynamic switch 100 is shown in operation: the optical radiation 101 enters through an input port 102 to the mobile element

20 103 consisting of an optical fiber 104 (flexible waveguide}, which is attached to a flexible beam 115 of ferromagnetic or ferromagnetic coated material; said fiber optic 104 and flexible beam 115 is secured by of supports 106 at one or several points and has its free end 106; one or more electromagnetic actuators 109 produce the magnetic alternating force in the plane of

In the figure, this force puts the end of the mobile element 103 and the fiber optic tip 107 in oscillatory motion in the plane of the figure and thereby periodically switches the optical radiation 101 from the tip of the tip of fiber optic 07 and output ports 110; The output ports 110 are located on an arc, which is attached to the dynamic trajectory of the fiber optic tip 107, with a minimum separation between Sa fiber optic tip 107 in motion and the output ports 110, this with! in order to minimize the intrinsic optical losses of the optical dynamic 100; a support 1 5 of the free end side of the movable element 103 is moved in the longitudinal direction by means of a transfer element 116 of any kind such as mechanical, electromechanical, thermal, piezoelectric, etc., in order to adjust the frequency of mechanical resonance of mobile element 103. With respect to Figure 4 s it shows an optical dynamic switch 100 in operation: ia optical radiation 101 enters through an input port 102 to mobile element 103 consisting of a fiber optic guide 104 (wave flexible), which is attached to a flexible beam 117 of material or electrically conductive coating; said mobile element 103 is held by means of supports 106 at one or more points and has its free end 106; one or more electrostatic actuators 113 produce the electric alternating force in e! plane of the figure, this force puts the end of the free end element 106 and Sa punt of optical fiber 107 in oscillatory motion in the plane of the figure, with this a periodic switching of the optical radiation 101 from the fiber tip is performed optics 107 and output ports 110; the output ports 110 are located on an arc, which is attached to the dynamic trajectory of the fiber optic tip 107, with a minimum separation between the fiber optic tip 107 in motion and the output ports 110, this with the purpose of minimizing the optical losses in the free space between said elements 107 and 110. With respect to Figure 4a an optical dynamic switch is shown in operation: the optical radiation 101 strikes an input port 102, a waveguide {fiber optical) input 104-e and a focus element 114, such as a collimator of radiation (tente, hoiogram, etc.) to a reflector 119, such as a flat or concave mirror of second order surface (cylinder, sphere, paraboloid, etc.), prism, hoiogram, etc .; reflector 119 is on the facet of a free end 106 of a flexible beam 1 7 of material or electrically conductive coating; said beam 117 is held by means of supports 105 at one or more points such that it has its free end 106; one or more electrostatic actuators 113 produce the alternating electric force in the plane of the figure, this force puts the free end 106 of the beam and the reflector 1 9 in oscillatory motion in the plane of the figure, the variation of the position of the reflector it produces the periodic change of the path of the optical radiation coming from the waveguide (fiber optic) input 104-e so that said radiation is periodically bounced from the reflector to different output ports 110; The output ports are waveguides (optical fibers) 04-s.

With respect to Figure 4b an optical dynamic switch 100 is shown in operation; the optical radiation 101 a strikes an input port 102a, a waveguide {fiber optic) input 104a-e and a focusing element 114, such as a radiation collimator (lens, hoiogram, etc.) to a reflector ( a flat or concave mirror of second order surface (cylinder, sphere, paraboloid, etc.), prism, hoiogram, etc.) 119a; reflector 119a is on the facet of a free end 106 of a flexible beam 117 of material or electrically conductive coating; said flexible beam 117 is held by means of supports 105 at one or more points such that it has its free end 106; one or more electrostatic actuators 113 produce the alternating electric force in the plane of the figure, this force puts the free end 106 of the beam and the reflector 119a in oscillatory motion in the plane of the figure, the variation of the position of the reflector produces periodically changing the path of the optical radiation from the input waveguide (fiber optic) 104a-e so that said radiation is periodically bounced from the reflector to different ports of 1 0a output; the output ports are waveguides {optical fibers) 104a-s; the mobile element 103 has a second input port 102b, a second waveguide {fiber optic) input 104a-e, a second set of output waveguides (optical fibers) 104b-s and a second set of ports output 110b; this with the purpose of doubling the number of switching channels.

With respect to FIG. 5, a dynamic optical switch 100 is shown in operation: ia optical radiation 101 enters through a set of input ports 102 to mobile element 1 3 consisting of a set of optical fiber 104 (flexible waves), ios io which are attached to a flexible beam 117 of ferromagnetic and electrically conductive material (or with a coating with these properties); said mobile element 103 is held at one or several points by means of one or more supports 105 and has its free end 106; one or more electromagnetic actuators 109 and electrostatic actuators 113 produce the magnetic and electrical aternal forces in the plane of

15 the figure, these forces put the free end 106 of the moving element 103 and the fiber optic tips 107 in oscillatory motion in the plane of the figure; with this, a periodic switching of a set of input ports 102 in the form of fiber optic guide 104 (waveform) and another two-dimensional set! of the output ports 10 in the form of fiber optic guide 104 (flexible wave); the ports of saíida 10 are located on a cylindrical surface, which is attached to the dynamic trajectory of the fiber optic tips 07, with a minimum separation between the tip of the moving mobile element 103 and the output ports 110, this in order to minimize the optical losses in the free space between the fiber optic tips 107 and ports 110.

5

With respect to Figure 6, a dynamic optical switch 100 is shown in operation; any previous variant of the optical dynamic switch (not shown in Figure 6) with the difference that the output ports 110 are on a concave surface; The output ports 110 are on N concentric circuits of different radius R _h ¾, R ₃ , ... R _n thus forming N subsets of output ports 1 10; The fiber optic tip 107 moves along circular paths at a constant speed, its circular movement is carried out by means of at least two electromagnetic actuators 109 located at 90 ° with respect to each other in the plane of the figure and with an offset of 90 ° the electric alternating current in the coils of said actuators; the radius of the circular motion path of the fiber optic tips 107 shown in (a) is controlled by means of the variation in the amplitude of the electric current in the coils of the electromagnetic actuators 109; with this, the switching between a port or several input ports and each port of one of N subsets of output ports 110 is performed cyclically periodically; With linear power supply of a single actuator, linear trajectories of the mobile element shown in (b) are obtained and with the feeding of both actuators in phase, linear paths shown in (c) are obtained, which allows the switching of one or more input ports to the ports of other subsets of output ports 110 located on said paths; Jan! Particular case of the mobile element 103 mobile element 3 with a reflector or reflectors 119 and the input port or ports are on the same concave surface as the output ports 110, in the common center of circular paths X.

In relation to Figure 7 an optical dynamic switch 100 is shown in operation: any previous variant of the optical dynamic switch 100 (not shown in Figure 7); The mobile element has one or several waveguides (optical fibers) connected to their respective input ports V, S, W and the fiber optic tip 10 is a composite tip that has the outputs of this or these waveguides {fibers optical) V, $, W; all of these move along paths in "8", their movement in "8" is carried out by means of at least two electromagnetic actuators 109 located at 90 ° with respect to each other in the piano of the figure, with different frequencies of performance in two orthogonal directions offset at 90 °: the fundamental frequency of resonance of the mobile element. : ₀ in the horizontal direction of the figure and 5 double frequency 2 <5¾ in the vertical direction of the figure; the change of range of motion in the vertical direction of the figure effect the change of trajectory (paths Si, B ₂ , ¿¾) and the switching between one or several input ports (V, S, W and several subsets of ports of output (subsets M, P, Q) located on a particular motion path of the composite fiber optic tip 107; Figure io demonstrates the particular case of three paths B ^ B ₂ and S3, and three respective sets of output ports M, P and Q; in the particular case of mobile element 103 with a reflector or reflectors 119, the input port or ports 102 are on the same concave surface as the output ports 110, in the centers of respective paths S _{1 (} 82, B ₃ .

fifteen

Referring to Figure 8, a dynamic optical switch 100 in operation is shown; any previous variant of the optical dynamic switch 100 (not shown in Figure 8) with the difference that the output ports 110 are on a concave surface on N concentric circles of different radius R 0 thus forming N subsets of output ports 110 ; The moving element tip is a composite tip that has outputs from one or several waveguides (optical fibers) V, S, W connected to their respective input ports 02; the composite fiber optic tip 107 moves along paths in "8"; its movement in "8" is carried out by means of at least two electromagnetic actuators 109 located at 9 ° one with 5 relative to the other in the plane of the figure, with different frequencies of action in two orthogonal directions offset at 90 °: ¡a fundamental resonant frequency of the moving element in the horizontal direction of the figure and double frequency 2ωο in the vertical direction of the figure; the change in the range of motion in the vertical direction of the figure makes the change of trajectory (paths Si, 8 ₂ , 8 ₃ } and with it the switching between one or more input ports (V, S, W) and several subsets of output ports (subsets M, P, Q) located on a particular path S of movement of the fiber optic tips 10 ?; the figure demonstrates the particular case of three paths 8 _1t S _2> 8 ₃ and three respective sets of output ports,, P, and Q; in the particular case d mobile element 103 with a reflector or reflectors 119 the port or ports of entry are on the same concave surface as the output ports 110, in the centers of respective trajectories B,

With respect to Figure 9, an optical dynamic switch 100 is shown in operation: any previous variant of the optical dynamic switch 100 (not shown in Figure 9) with the difference that the output ports 110 are on a concave surface over the closed paths shown in the figure thus forming several subsets of output ports 110; The moving element tip is a composite tip that has outputs of one or more waveguides (optical fibers) V, R, $, T, W connected to their respective input ports 102; fiber optic tip 107 moves through three types of trajectory: A, B and C; its movement is carried out by means of at least two electromagnetic actuators 09 located at 90 ° with respect to each other in the plane of the figure, with different frequencies of action in two orthogonal directions offset at 90 °: the fundamental element resonance frequency mobile <¾¾ in the horizontal direction of the figure; double frequency

2 in the vertical direction of the figure with which the paths of type A and 8 are made, or a triple frequency 3ώ¾ in the vertical direction of the figure with which the paths of type C are made; the change of range of motion in the vertical direction of the figure, the change in the amplitude of the trajectory is made (trajectories B £ efect, S ₃ ); The change of the particular type and shape of the path allows switching between one or more input ports (R, S, T, V, W) and different subsets of output ports (M, N, O, P, Q) located above a particular path B of motion of the fiber optic tip 107; the inverter feed frequency inversion (supply of the first actuator 109 to 2OJ _¾ or 3Í¾ frequency and the second actuator

109 to frequency) rotate the pattern of paths in Figure 90 ^to which the switching of the input port or ports 102 and different new subsets of output ports 10 is performed; in particular, the mobile element 03 with a reflector or reflectors 119 and the input port or ports 102 are on the same concave surface as the output ports 110, in the centers of respective paths A, B and C.

With respect to Figure 10, an optical dynamic Switch 100 is shown in operation: any previous variant of the optical dynamic switch 100 (not shown in Figure 10) with the difference that some output ports 110 provide feedback signals for a system of automatic control of amplitude and frequency of movement of the mobile element, the optical dynamic switch 100, comprises a periodic cyclic switching of a set of optical ports d input 102 to a set of optical ports output 110, this by means of oscillatory movement in One or two dimensions of a mobile element 103 that transports or reflects the optical radiation 101, its periodic oscillatory motion causes the direction of propagation of the optical radiation 101 to change so that the periodic cyclic switching between e! set of input ports 102 and set of output ports 110; he periodic oscillatory movement of said mobile element 103 is effected by means of magnetic, electric or mechanical force, or by a combination of said forces, this by means of respective actuators: electromagnetic 109, electrostatic 113, piezoelectric and others; The sets of input ports 102 and output 110 may be of one or two dimensions, while the assignment of "input" 102 and "output" 110 port sets is relative by virtue of reciprocity of the propagation path of the optical radiation 101. Said mobile element 103 is constituted in the form of an optical fiber 104, which carries the optical radiation 101; said optical fiber 104 is held at one or several points and has a sufficiently long free end 108 with a coating 108, part or pieces attached to said end, of a material! electrically conductive and / or ferromagnetic 111; through said element 03 the periodic oscillatory movement is carried out by means of the magnetic, electric or mechanical force, by a combination of said forces and by means of respective actuators: electromagnetic 109, electrostatic 113, piezoelectric and other; periodically changing the end position of the optical fiber 106 effects periodic cyclic switching from a set of optical input ports 102 to a set of optical output ports 110.

The dynamic optical switch 100 of the present invention includes focus elements 114 such as lenses, horns, holograms, etc., in conjunction with the optical fibers 104, the four improve the optical coupling between these elements and minimize the loss of energy in the free space between these elements.

The dynamic optical switch 100 is further provided with a flexible beam 115 that carries the optical radiation to change the direction of radiation propagation; The beam 115 is attached to the optical fiber 104 and is of an electrically conductive and / or ferromagnetic material 111, and / or has a coating, part or pieces conductive and / or ferromagnetic 108 bonded to Ja beam 115 and / or fiber optic 104; the beam 115 and the optical fiber 104 as a whole move oscillatingly in one or two directions simultaneously by the force of the magnetic, electric, or mechanical force, or by a combination of said forces, generated by respective actuators; The periodic change of the end position of the fiber optic 104 performs the periodic cyclic switching of a set of optical input ports 102 to a set of optical output ports 110. The optical dynamic switch also has a transfer element 1 6 of mechanical, electromechanical, thermal, piezoelectric type, etc., and which allows the change of the position of a support 105 of mobile element 103 to So 10 along this element, and which adjusts the mechanical resonance frequency of said mobile element 103,

The present invention includes an element that periodically changes the trajectory of the optical radiation in the form of a flexible beam 117 held in one or

55 several points, with a sufficiently long free end 106 that moves oscillatingly in one or several directions simultaneously by the electromagnetic, electrostatic, or electro or mechanical magneto actuation, or by a combination of said performances; said free end 106 of the beam has a highly reflective surface, or has one or more reflector elements attached to the beam; he

20 periodically changing the position of the reflective and / or reflector surface 119 or reflectors attached to the beam 117 changes the direction of propagation of the optical radiation 101 that falls on the reflective and / or reflector surface 119 or reflectors attached to the beam 117 ; this effects the periodic cyclic switching of a set of optical input ports 102 to a set of optical output ports 110. The aforementioned reflector

25 119, which, as stated above, is a flat or concave mirror of a second-order surface (cylinder, sphere, paraboloid, hologram, or prism), which under its oscillatory motion periodically reflects optical radiation from one or several input ports 102 to different output ports 110; ios input ports

102 and outlet 110 may be waveguides of any type, in particular, the optical fibers 104, The dynamic optical switch 100 of the present invention further includes a mobile element 103 that transports or reflects the optical radiation, with two reflectors 119 located at the opposite sides of a flexible beam 115 in oscillatory motion that periodically changes the path of the optical radiation 101 from two different input ports 02 to the ports of two different sets of output ports 110; the input and output ports 102 can be waveguides of any type, in particular, the optical fibers 104.

The mobile element 103 previously described, is provided with a switch in the form of multiple waveguides or optical fibers 104 that carry Sa optical radiation 101 and are joined in a set, e! which has a coating, piece or pieces of conductive and / or ferromagnetic material 108; said set moves periodically oscillatory by the electromagnetic, electrostatic, or electro or mechanical magneto action, or by a combination of said actions. Said mobile element

103 travels simultaneously in two transverse orthogonal directions, either by a circular, elliptical, "8" path, or by any closed path known as a üssajou figure; this by means of actuation with multiple frequencies of the fundamental resonance frequency of the moving element, in two transverse orthogonal directions. The mobile element 103 moves in one direction or in two transverse orthogonal directions simultaneously along a linear, circular, elliptical path, etc., and has the control of the amplitude of said movement with which it performs the switching to different numbers of ports output 110 and / or different sets of output ports 1 10. Likewise, said mobile element 103 moves in one or two transverse orthogonal directions simultaneously and has one or more output ports 110 that generate the feedback signals for an automatic control system and stabilization of the amplitude and frequency of movement of the mobile element. 103 on the dynamic optical switch 100.

In the optical dynamic switch 100, the change of position of the ends of waveguides or optical fibers 104 effects the periodic switching of a set of input ports 102 m to another two-dimensional set! of output ports 110 m x n. Said optical fibers 104 are of any band of the electromagnetic radiation: radiofrequencies, mtcroondas, submiiometric waves »or optical waves (infrared, visible, ultraviolet), operating the dynamic optical switch 100 with the electromagnetic radiation of any of these bands. In addition to the above, the optical dynamic switch 100 comprises hollow metal guides, dielectric guides, metal-dielectric guides, optical fibers, integrated optical guides, round, square, rectangular, elliptical, D-shaped, Panda type, Tie (bo -tie), of shape, structure and dissimilar parameters. Also, the optical dynamic switch 100 comprises waveguides of non-homogeneous shape, structure and parameters in the longitudinal and transverse direction.

Although in the previous description reference has been made to certain modalities of the optical switch with operating principle based on the periodic cyclic switching of a set of optical input ports to a set of optical output ports, it should be emphasized that they are Possible modifications to these modalities, but without departing from the true scope of the invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be restricted except by what is established in the state of the art and by the appended claims.

Claims

NEWS OF THE INVENTION

REMINDERS

1- An optical dynamic switch, characterized in that it comprises a periodic cyclic switching of a set of input optical ports to a set of output optical ports, this by means of oscillatory movement in one or two dimensions of a mobile element that transports or reflects ia optical radiation; Its periodic oscillatory movement produces a change in the direction of propagation of the optical radiation in such a way that periodic cyclic switching is carried out between the set of input ports and the set of output ports; The periodic oscillatory movement of said element is carried out by means of the force of the magnetic field, electric or mechanical force, or by a combination of said forces, this by means of respective actuators: electromagnetic, electrostatic, piezoelectric and others; the sets of input and output ports can be one or two dimensions, while the assignment of sets of "input" and "output" ports is relative by virtue of the reciprocity of the propagation path of the optical radiation; Said optical dynamic switch is provided with a flexible beam that transports the optical radiation to change the direction of radiation propagation.

2.- The optical dynamic switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the mobile element is constituted in the form of an optical fiber, which transports the optical radiation; Said optical fiber is fastened at one or more points and has a sufficiently long free end with a coating, piece or pieces attached to said end, of a material! electrically conductive and/or ferromagnetic; Through said element, the periodic oscillatory movement is carried out by means of the magnetic, electric field force or mechanical force, by a combination of said forces and by means of respective actuators; the change Periodic switching of the end position of the optical fiber performs periodic physical switching from a set of input optical ports to a set of output optical ports.

5 3.- It is an optical dynamic switch according to claim 2, characterized in that the actuators are electromagnetic, electromagnetic, piezoelectric actuators, among others,

4. » The optical dynamic switch according to claim 1, 10 further characterized in that it has focusing elements in conjunction with the optical fibers, which improve the optical coupling between these elements and minimize the energy loss in the free space between said elements. items

5. - The optical dynamic switch according to claim 4, characterized in that the focusing elements are selected from the group consisting of lenses, cornets, hoiog branches, among others.

6. - The optical dynamic switch according to claims 1 and 2, further characterized in that the flexible beam is attached to the optical fiber and is of a

20 electrically conductive and/or ferromagnetic material, and/or has a coating, conductive and/or ferromagnetic piece or pieces attached to the beam and/or to the optical fiber.

7. - The optical dynamic switch according to claim 6, characterized in that the beam and the optical fiber together move in an oscillatory manner.

25 in one or two directions simultaneously by the force of the magnetic field, electric, or mechanical force, or by a combination of said forces, generated by respective actuators; the periodic change of the end position of the optical fiber It performs periodic cyclic switching from a set of input optical ports to a set of output optical ports.

8. - The optical dynamic switch according to claim 1, characterized in that said optical dynamic switch has a transfer element that allows the change of position of a mobile element support along this element, which adjusts the frequency mechanical resonance of said mobile element.

9. - The optical dynamic switch according to claim 8, characterized in that the transfer element is selected from the group consisting of mechanical, electromechanical, thermal, piezoelectric, among others.

10. - The optical dynamic switch according to claim 1, further characterized in that said optical dynamic switch has an element that

15 periodically changes the path of the optical radiation in the form of a flexible beam held at one or more points, with a sufficiently long free end that moves oscillatorily in one or several directions simultaneously by electromagnetic, electrostatic, or electro o actuation. magneto-mechanical, or by a combination of said actions; said free end of the beam has a highly reflective surface, or has one or more reflectors attached to the beam; The periodic change in the position of the reflecting surface and/or reflector or reflectors attached to the beam changes the direction of propagation of the optical radiation incident on the reflecting surface and/or reflector or reflectors attached to the beam; This effects periodic cyclic switching from a set of input optical ports to a set of output optical ports.

11. - The optical dynamic switch according to claim 10, characterized in that the reflector under its oscillatory movement reflects in a periodic cyclic manner the optical radiation coming from one or more input ports to different output ports; The input and output ports can be waveguides of any type, in particular optical fibers.

12. - The optical dynamic switch according to claim 11, characterized in that the reflector is selected from the group consisting of a flat or concave second-order surface mirror.

13 - The optical dynamic switch according to claim 12, characterized in that the second order surface of the reflector is selected from the group consisting of a cylinder, sphere, paraboloid, a hologram, or a prism.

14.- The optical dynamic switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the mobile element has two reflectors located on opposite sides of a flexible beam in oscillating motion that periodically changes the path of the optical radiation coming from two different input ports. to the ports of two different sets of output ports; The input and output ports can be waveguides of any type, in particular optical fibers.

15.- The optical dynamic switch according to claim 14, characterized in that the mobile element is provided with a switch in the form of multiple waveguides or optical fibers that transport the optical radiation and are united in a set, which has a coating, piece or pieces of conductive and/or ferromagnetic material; Said set moves in a periodic oscillatory manner by electromagnetic, electrostatic, or electro- or magneto-mechanical action, or by a combination of said actions.

16. - The optical dynamic switch according to claim 15, characterized in that a change in position of the ends of waveguides or optical fibers carries out periodic switching from one set of input ports m to another.

5 two-dimensional set of output ports m x n.

17. - The optical dynamic switch according to claims 14 or 15, characterized in that the mobile element moves simultaneously in two orthogonal, transversal directions, either along a circular, elliptical path, in

10 "8 ^or , or by any closed trajectory known as the üssajou figure; this by means of actuation with multiple frequencies of the fundamental resonance frequency of the moving element, in two orthogonal directions.

18. - The optical dynamic switch according to claim 17, ϊ 5 characterized in that the mobile element s moves in one direction or in two transverse orthogonal directions simultaneously along a linear, circular, elliptical path, etc., and has control of the amplitude of said movement with which it performs the switching to different numbers of output ports and/or different sets of output ports.

0 19.- The optical dynamic switch according to claim 14, characterized in that the mobile element moves in one or two transverse orthogonal directions simultaneously and has one or more output ports that generate the feedback signals for a control system. automatic and stabilization of the amplitude and frequency of movement of the moving element in the optical dynamic switch 5.

20.- The optical dynamic switch according to claim 2, characterized in that the optical fibers are from any band of electromagnetic radiation; radio frequencies, microwaves, submillimeter waves, or optical waves, said switch operating with the electromagnetic radiation of any of these bands,

21- The optical dynamic switch according to claim 20, characterized in that the optical waves are selected from the group consisting of infrared, visible and ultraviolet.

22. The optical dynamic switch according to claim 1, characterized in that said optical dynamic switch comprises hollow metal guides, dielectric guides, metal-dielectric guides, optical fibers, integrated optical guides, round, square, rectangular, elliptical, in shape of D, of type Panda, Tie {bo -tie}, of dissimilar shape, structure and parameters.

23, - The optical dynamic switch according to claim 22, characterized in that said optical dynamic switch also comprises waveguides of non-homogeneous shape, structure and parameters in the longitudinal and transverse direction!.