What is an optical switch?
The optical switch is a device that transmits light signals between different channels in communication networks. Optical fiber networks were developed in the 20th century so that they could have a higher amount of data than it could be possible for earlier copper wire systems. Increasing use of the Internet and expanding mobile phone and television offers required more data to be managed using communication networks.
When an optical fiber network carries a light signal from one phone or computer to another, it may be necessary to move the signal between different fiber paths. To achieve this target, a switch is required to transmit a signal with minimal loss of voice or data quality. When the fiber optics were developed for the first time, it was done by an electro -optical switch that changed the light signal into an electrical signal, performed the switch function and converted the signal back to a light mold. This system was acceptable to the early fiber optician systems, but the Apartments developedwith increasing the speed of transmission. Electric switches
have certain switching speed limitations compared to the speed of light used in fiber transmission. As the data requirements grew, the electrical part of the electro -optical switch has created limits for how much data can be transmitted. More advanced optical switching technologies were needed, especially to remove electrical conversion when switching light signals.
A large improvement came with the development of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), which use small mirrors to transmit light signals. MEMS was an advantage over electro -optical switches, because the conversion into and from electrical signals was not necessary. Light transmission was transmitted directly between the different fibers in the MEMS device, allowing the transfer rate equivalent to the fiber optics up to the point.
MEMS EquipmentKNA to another fiber with small movable mirrors. The computer controller determines where the call or data communication goes and what outgoing thread is needed to complete the connection. Each incoming optical fiber has a mirror next to the end of the fiber, which is controlled by a small electric motor. When the light signal leaves the fiber, it reflects from the mirror and is needed at the end of the outgoing thread that determines the computer. These switches work very quickly, allowing a large amount of data across fiber networks.
MEMS proposals have occurred when optical fiber companies continued to expand their transmission systems. When optics cables increased from larger data, MEMS began to cause signal losses because the mirrors transmitted light signals into many other connections. The quality of the signal began to be degraded because the distance between the fibers has been longer. One improvement was the creation of a three -dimensional (3D) MEMS device where a number of switches were stacked, which allowed toAnyway to handle smaller signals using short switching distances.
Another type of optical switch that has no moving parts is a digital switch that uses silicon crystals to control light. A solid silicon crystal is placed in these switches between the optical fiber pairs. The refractive index or the amount that light is bent when passes through the crystal will change if the heat is applied. Small heaters are placed in positions along the crystal and are activated when light signals enter. As the refractive index changes, the light signal can be directed to different output fibers without the need for mirrors or other movable parts. The quality of the signal can also be improved compared to MEMS, as the mirrors cause small losses that are not visible for digital switches.