US Patent:
20070272792, Nov 29, 2007
Inventors:
Herzel Laor - Boulder CO, US
David A. Krozier - North Attleboro MA, US
Leo A. Plouffe - Dighton MA, US
International Classification:
F41G 7/00
Abstract:
An optical matrix switch station () is shown mounting a plurality of optical switch units (), each of which includes a mirror (), moveable in two axes, for purpose of switching light beams from one optical fiber to another. A mirror assembly () is formed from a single body of silicon and comprises a frame portion (), gimbals (), mirror portion (), and related hinges (). Magnets () and air coils () are utilized to position the central mirror surface () to a selected orientation. The moveable mirror and associated magnets along with control LED's () are hermetically packaged in a header () and mounted with the air coils on mounting bracket () to form a micromirror assembly package () mounted in each optical switch unit.