A two-dimensional (2D) optical fiber array component takes the form of a (relatively inexpensive) fiber guide block that is mated with a precision output element. The guide block and output element are both formed to include a 2D array of through-holes that exhibit a predetermined pitch. The holes formed in the guide block are relatively larger than those in precision output element. A loading tool is used to hold a 1×N array of fibers in a fixed position that exhibits the desired pitch. The loaded tool (holding the pre-aligned 1×N array of fibers) is then inserted through the aligned combination of the guide block and output element, and the fiber array is bonded to the guide block. The tool is then removed, re-loaded, and the process continued until all of the 1×N fiber arrays are in place. By virtue of using a precision tool to load the fibers, the guide block does not have to be formed to exhibit precise through-hole dimensions, allowing for a relatively inexpensive guide block to be used.

A multicast optical switch based on free-space transmission comprises a 1×M input collimator array, a light splitting device, an optical distance compensation device, a spot transformation device, a 1×N output collimator array and a reflector array which are arranged in sequence. The 1×N output collimator array corresponds to reflector array. The light splitting device is provided with a light splitting surface and a reflection surface, and by means of light splitting surface and reflection surface, light splitting and beam splitting of n times are carried out on input signals of 1×M input collimator array, and then N beams of sub-signal light are generated. The optical distance compensation device compensates optical distance differences among M×N sub-signal light beams produced by light splitting device. The M×N sub-signal light beams are focused to be 1×N light spots through light spot conversion device, and then 1×N light spots are reflected to reflector array.

In one embodiment, a method of aligning mirrors of a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) photonic switch includes illuminating a first group of photodiodes associated with a first mirror of a first mirror array of the MEMS photonic switch by a first control beam during a first period of time and illuminating a second group of photodiodes associated with a second mirror of the first mirror array by a second control beam during a second period of time, where the second control beam is off during the first period of time, where the first control beam is off during the second period of time, and where the second period of time is after the first period of time. The method also includes illuminating the first group of photodiodes by the first control beam during a third period of time, where the second control beam is off during the third period of time, and where the third period of time is after the second period of time.

Apparatus and methods to cross-connect large numbers of fiber optic ports using a multi-tiered fiber interconnection system incorporating physical aggregation are disclosed. Robotic reconfiguration of multi-fiber trunk lines enables scalability and software management from hundreds of connections up to and including 100,000 connections. Examples of two-tiered automated cross-connect systems are described.

A core selective switch in an optical node device included in a spatial channel optical network includes a spatial demultiplexing unit, an optical switch, and an optical interconnect unit, wherein the spatial demultiplexing unit is an MCF collimator array in which a plurality of MCF collimators each comprising both an MCF having S cores and a collimator lens are two-dimensionally arranged in a plane, the optical switch is a variable reflection angle mirror array in which S variable reflection angle mirrors are two-dimensionally arranged in a plane in a manner similar to a core arrangement in the MCF, the optical interconnect unit is a steering lens, and a beam light output from each core of an input MCF is focused on a variable reflection angle mirror corresponding to the core to be reflected to couple to a corresponding core of a desired output MCF.

An apparatus includes a plurality of connector track elements, each extending substantially perpendicularly from a coupling plane, wherein a particular connector track element of the plurality of connector track elements includes a distribution of at least two magnets adjacent unattached end thereof, a polarity of the magnets on the particular connector track element being selected to provide magnetic repulsion as to at least one adjacent connector track element.

An optical cross apparatus including a single-row fiber array, and a single-row input multidimensional output optical waveguide element, where the single-row fiber array is coupled to the single-row input multidimensional output optical waveguide element, and an arbitrarily curved spatial three-dimensional waveguide is generated inside the single-row input multidimensional output optical waveguide element, and where a coupling surface of the single-row fiber array is the same as that of the single-row input multidimensional output optical waveguide element.

An optical assembly includes a light source for providing a beam of light, a lens system configured to expand and collimate the beam of light, and a configurable beam injector, wherein the beam injector contains a first grid plate and a second grid plate to block individual beams of light. The first grid plate and the second grid plate may be configured such that each grid plate respectively corresponds to particular MEMS mirrors. The grid plates can be configured to have pathways that allow for beams of light to be passed through and other pathways which are blocked to prevent the passage of light. The first grid plate and second grid plate may thus block or allow for transmission of beams of lights to those particular MEMS mirrors. The second grid plate can be configured to be easily swappable during or removable to allow for a different set of beams of light, corresponding to a different set of MEMS mirrors, to be blocked. The second grid plate can be configured to be rotated or slid linearly within a housing.

A large scale, non-blocking fiber optic cross-connect system consists of multiple stages, including a central multifiber per connection system. The number of ports of this cross-connect system scales to over 10,000, in an incremental, modular, field expandable approach. Two separate arrays of “edge” cross-connect systems using KBS methodology are positioned on opposite sides of a central core cross-connect system, wherein the core system is comprised of switchable blocks of multi-fiber trunk lines, each terminated in a single connector that is reconfigurable by robotic means. The trunk lines between edge cross-connects are controlled by a trunk line management system to provision/deprovision blocks of multiple connections at a time in a “core” cross-connect circuit block between edge cross-connects. The core system is configured to controllably interconnect the physically separate edge cross-connect systems which concurrently direct data along selected paths to and from the central core circuit block.

A robotic fiber switching system switching between two sets of patch cords is disclosed. The connectors for inner patch cords are placed on multiple layers of stackable rotors which moves into the targeted port by utilizing the interaction of magnetically activated coils and nearby magnets. Multiple layers of stackable stator base are placed outside of the stackable rotors, around which the outer patch cords are placed. To establish a connection, a robot sliding on a rail surrounding the stackable stator is configured to move to the targeted port on the rail, using a robotic arm to pull the corresponding outer patch cord connector from a parking stand and latch it into the adaptor of the inner patch cord at the targeted port.