| 摘要 |
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical switch array having a plurality of optical switches, capable of discriminating at a time the states of the optical switches by measuring sensor light emitted from an optical fiber. SOLUTION: The plurality of optical switches SW<SB>1</SB>-SW<SB>n</SB>are provided in series on the optical fiber 10 equipped with a clad provided on a core and on the outer peripheral of the core. Each optical switch has each sensor part SP<SB>1</SB>-SP<SB>n</SB>enabling interaction with an outer world of a part of transmitted light. This array has a light source 11 for emitting the sensor light to the incident end of the optical fiber, and a light receiving part 12 for detecting the sensor light emitted from the emission end of the optical fiber through the plurality of optical switches, which are bonded optically to the optical fiber. A loss amount of the sensor light corresponding to the state of each optical switch or the changing speed of the loss amount of the sensor light when the state of each optical switch is changed is different relative to each optical switch, and a difference of the loss amount or the changing speed of the loss amount between each optical switch is larger than a resolution of a signal acquired by the light receiving part. COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT |
