JPH03161708A - Optical switch - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To allow switching of the light signal of the arbitrary line among plural input/output lines without affecting the other lines by disposing optical elements between the individual input/output lines. CONSTITUTION:This switch is provided with n-pieces of input optical fibers 1a to 1n, n-pieces of input fiber collimators 3a to 3n integrating the lenses disposed in such a manner that the focuses are positioned at the end faces of these input optical fibers, n-pieces of output fiber collimators 4a to 4n opposed thereto, optical elements 5a to 5n disposed movably between these optical paths, and a collimator 8 for the changeover input optical fiber and a collimator 7 for the changeover output optical fiber disposed to be introduced to the output fiber collimators 4a to 4n, by changing the optical path from the input fiber collimators 3a to 3n when the optical elements 5a to 5n are inserted in the optical path. The low-cost optical switch which can make independent switching of the arbitrary inputs while having the many inputs and outputs and has less losses is obtd. in this way.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to an optical switch suitable for use, for example, in optical fiber communications. Conventional technology Optical switches are extremely important components as fundamental elements in optical exchanges and optical fiber communications. When switching arbitrary optical signals independently from among N optically connected input/output lines for the purpose of detecting or diagnosing optical line failures, as the number of input/output lines increases, as shown in Figure 4. It is necessary to use a plurality of basic 2×2 switching switches as shown in FIG. 5 or as shown in FIG. 6. Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, when connecting multiple basic switches, in addition to the connection loss of the optical path switching section of each individual switch, connection loss due to optical connectors connecting each switch is also added, resulting in an overall problem. There are cases in which the optical transmission system experiences unacceptably large connection losses. In addition, since the number of optical connections that go through differs depending on the line to be switched, there can be large variations in connection loss for each line, resulting in differences in the light reception level of the optical signal receiving section, which makes it difficult to construct an optical transmission system. It was a hindrance. Furthermore, the optical fibers used for connections between each switch must be processed for extra length, such as by winding the optical fibers to a permissible bending radius (approx. be. This not only increases the size of the device for switches with multiple inputs and outputs, but also increases costs because many connecting parts such as optical connectors are used, and furthermore, leads to incorrect wiring and maintenance. Difficulty in doing this leads to a decrease in system reliability. The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems inherent in the conventional technology, and therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a connection that has a large number of inputs and outputs and can independently switch arbitrary inputs. Our objective is to provide a low-cost optical switch with low loss. Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, an optical switch according to the present invention includes n input optical fibers, each of which is arranged so that the focal point is located at the end face of each of these input optical fibers. n input fiber collimators with integrated lenses, n output fiber collimators facing each other that receive light emitted from these input fiber collimators, and a space between the optical paths of these output fiber collimators, respectively. driveably arranged optical elements, and when said optical elements of an individual line are inserted into the optical path, the optical path from said input fiber collimator is changed so that the optical signal is directly routed through an optical path common to each line; It is configured to include a switching input optical fiber collimator and a switching output optical fiber collimator, which are arranged so as to be switched and guided to the output fiber collimator. EXAMPLE Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be specifically explained with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an optical switch according to the present invention. Referring to Figure 1, 1a-in (n is a positive integer) are input optical fibers, 3a-3n are input optical fiber collimator lenses (Selfoc), 2a-2n are output optical fibers, and 4a-4n are outputs. Collimator lenses for optical fibers are shown, and these elements form input and output fiber collimators.The input and output fiber collimators of each line are approximately straight so that they are optically connected. 5a to 5n are optical elements such as prisms or reflectors (prisms are used in this example, and the following are 6 is a switching input optical fiber, 7 is a switching output optical fiber, 8 is a collimator lens for the switching input optical fiber, and 9 is a collimator lens for the switching output optical fiber. , input optical fiber collimator lenses 3a to 3n
, output optical fiber collimator lenses 4a to 4n, prisms 5a to 5n, switching input optical fiber 6, switching input optical fiber collimator lens 8, optical fiber 1a
~1n. Some of 2a~2n6,7 are one package l
It is housed in O. Prism plates a to 5n, whose slopes are provided with metal reflective surfaces by a method such as vapor deposition, are used as input fiber collimators (input optical fibers 1a to 1n) when each is inserted into each input/output optical path. The optical path from the collimator lenses 3a to 3n for the input optical fiber is switched so that the optical path is guided to the switching output collimator lens 9, and at the same time, the optical path from the collimator lens 8 for the switching input optical fiber is switched. It is arranged so as to lead to an output fiber collimator (output optical fibers 2a to 2n and output optical fiber collimator lenses 4a to 4n). In FIG. 1, the i-th input/output line among the input/output lines a to n will be explained as an example. Usually, as shown in FIG. 3, the prism 51 is placed out of the optical path. Therefore, in the i-th line, an optical signal is transmitted from the input fiber collimator to the output fiber collimator. If the optical signal of the i-th line is to be switched without affecting other input/output lines, the prism 51 should be connected between the i-th input fiber collimator and the output fiber collimator as shown in FIG. By inserting it into the optical path of the i-th input fiber collimator, the optical path from the i-th input fiber collimator is changed and guided to the collimator lens 9 for the switching output optical fiber. At the same time, the optical path from the switching input optical fiber collimator lens 8 is also changed and guided to the i-th output optical fiber 41.

In this way, according to this embodiment, la. By using a common optical path for switching (no wiring in one package), the optical wiring between conventional optical switches can be omitted, resulting in a low-cost optical switch with low connection loss. can be produced. As mentioned above, for convenience of explanation, the switching input fiber 6
It is assumed that the input/output section includes a collimator lens 8 for switching input fiber, a collimator lens 8 for switching output fiber, and a collimator lens 9 for switching output fiber, but when only the input or output function is used, only one of the optical paths is required. It is clear that it is sufficient to have . Further, in this case, a reflecting mirror or the like may be used instead of a prism as an optical element for changing the optical path. Effects of the Invention As explained above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. ■． By placing an optical element (prism or reflector) between each input/output line, it is possible to switch the optical signal of any line from among multiple input/output lines without affecting the other lines. ■． Since each element of the switch is housed in a single package (gate) and optical wiring between basic switches is omitted, it is possible to provide an optical switch with low insertion loss. ■． Since optical wiring between basic switches is omitted, optical connection devices such as connectors can be omitted, making it possible to manufacture small, low-cost optical switches. ■． In order to guide the switching optical path from each line directly from the optical element to the switching output fiber collimator, it is possible to provide an optical switch with little difference in insertion loss between individual switching lines (conventionally, when there were N lines, (N times the loss occurred).

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall structure of an optical switch according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an end view taken along line A-A in FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrow, and FIG. In the figure, an end view showing the case where the optical element is out of the optical path, Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a crossover type optical switch, Figure 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a bypass type optical switch, and Figure 6 is a conventional FIG. 1a to 1n... Input optical fiber 2a to 2n... Output optical fiber, 3a to 3n... Collimator lens for input optical fiber, 4a to 4n... Collimator lens for output optical fiber, 5aN5n... Prism , 6... Switching input optical fiber, 7... Switching output optical fiber, 8... Collimator lens for switching input optical fiber, 9... Collimator lens for switching output optical fiber, 10... Package

Claims (1)

[Claims] n input optical fiber collimator lenses each connected to an input optical fiber, and n outputs optically arranged to face each other and each connected to an output optical fiber. a collimator lens for an optical fiber, an optical element movably arranged between the optical paths of each pair of input optical fibers and output optical fibers to change the optical path, and an optical path changed by the optical element. A collimator lens for a switching input optical fiber and a collimator lens for a switching output optical fiber are arranged to be optically connectable to the input optical fiber and the output optical fiber are respectively connected to a pair of input optical fibers and an output optical fiber that are different from the input optical fiber and the output optical fiber. What is claimed is: 1. An optical switch comprising: a collimator lens; wherein each collimator lens and optical element are housed in a single package.