A dual port switching apparatus (12) comprising a connection part for mounting to a base unit (11), an input beam port to receive a main laser beam from a base unit (11) in an input optical path (22), a first output port (14) for connection to a flexible wave guide, a second output port (15) for connection to an articulated arm (16), and a switching element (56) moveable between a first position and a second position to direct an input beam to one of the first output port (14) and the second output port (15).

Systems and methods are provided for monitoring properties of a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) oscillating structure. A system includes a MEMS oscillating structure configured as a non-linear resonator to oscillate about a rotation axis; a driver configured to generate a driving force for driving the MEMS oscillating structure about the rotation axis according to an operating response curve during which the MEMS oscillating structure is in resonance, the driver further configured to decrease the driving force when the MEMS oscillating structure is at a predefined tilt angle to induce an oscillation decay of the MEMS oscillating structure; a measurement circuit configured to measure an oscillation frequency and a tilt angle amplitude of the MEMS oscillating structure during a decay period; and processing circuitry configured to determine at least one characteristic of the MEMS oscillating structure based on at least one of the measured oscillation frequency and the measured tilt angle amplitude.

Examples include an optical device for redirecting optical signals. The optical device includes a plurality of input ports, a plurality of optical blocks such that at least one optical block of the plurality of optical blocks aligned to each input port of the plurality of input ports, and a plurality of output ports. The plurality of input ports may direct a plurality of optical signals of selective wavelengths to a first direction. Each of the optical blocks may be movable to a plurality of positions to selectively redirect the respective optical signal of the plurality of signals from the first direction to a second direction to one or more output ports of the plurality of output ports that may receive the one or more optical signals redirected to the second direction.

Disclosed herein are wavelength-division multiplexing devices using different angles of incidence (AOIs) at the WDM filters to provide for variable placement and orientation of WDM filters and channel ports, thereby decreasing the device footprint and allowing for shorter overall optical signal paths to increase signal performance and reliability. Also disclosed are stacked WDM filters for increased signal isolation.

A dual port switching apparatus (12) comprising a connection part for mounting to a base unit (11), an input beam port to receive a main laser beam from a base unit (11) in an input optical path (22), a first output port (14) for connection to a flexible wave guide, a second output port (15) for connection to an articulated arm (16), and a switching element (56) moveable between a first position and a second position to direct an input beam to one of the first output port (14) and the second output port (15).

A non-powered passive optomechanical position switch and an operational control system for controlling an apparatus using an optical fiber waveguide, the switch including an orientable structure supporting a plurality of reflective surfaces at the terminus of the optical fiber waveguide, wherein at least some of the reflective surfaces each uniquely manipulates one or more properties of light received from the optical fiber waveguide in reflecting light back through the optical fiber waveguide to an optocontrolling transceiver. Orienting the orientable structure relative to the terminus of the optical fiber determines which of the plurality of reflective surfaces is positioned at the terminus of the optical fiber waveguide, and thereby determines what properties of light are manipulated and reflected back to the optocontrolling transceiver, through the optical fiber waveguide thereby controlling an apparatus.

A dual port switching apparatus (12) comprising a connection part for mounting to a base unit (11), an input beam port to receive a main laser beam from a base unit (11) in an input optical path (22), a first output port (14) for connection to a flexible wave guide, a second output port (15) for connection to an articulated arm (16), and a switching element (56) moveable between a first position and a second position to direct an input beam to one of the first output port (14) and the second output port (15).

Systems and methods are provided for monitoring properties of a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) oscillating structure. A system includes a MEMS oscillating structure configured as a non-linear resonator to oscillate about a rotation axis; a driver configured to generate a driving force for driving the MEMS oscillating structure about the rotation axis according to an operating response curve during which the MEMS oscillating structure is in resonance, the driver further configured to decrease the driving force when the MEMS oscillating structure is at a predefined tilt angle to induce an oscillation decay of the MEMS oscillating structure; a measurement circuit configured to measure an oscillation frequency and a tilt angle amplitude of the MEMS oscillating structure during a decay period; and processing circuitry configured to determine at least one characteristic of the MEMS oscillating structure based on at least one of the measured oscillation frequency and the measured tilt angle amplitude.

Systems and methods are provided for monitoring properties of a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) oscillating structure. A system includes a MEMS oscillating structure configured as a non-linear resonator to oscillate about a rotation axis; a driver configured to generate a driving force for driving the MEMS oscillating structure about the rotation axis according to an operating response curve during which the MEMS oscillating structure is in resonance, the driver further configured to decrease the driving force when the MEMS oscillating structure is at a predefined tilt angle to induce an oscillation decay of the MEMS oscillating structure; a measurement circuit configured to measure an oscillation frequency and a tilt angle amplitude of the MEMS oscillating structure during a decay period; and processing circuitry configured to determine at least one characteristic of the MEMS oscillating structure based on at least one of the measured oscillation frequency and the measured tilt angle amplitude.

A dual port switching apparatus (12) comprising a connection part for mounting to a base unit (11), an input beam port to receive a main laser beam from a base unit (11) in an input optical path (22), a first output port (14) for connection to a flexible wave guide, a second output port (15) for connection to an articulated arm (16), and a switching element (56) moveable between a first position and a second position to direct an input beam to one of the first output port (14) and the second output port (15).