Making lightless connections in an optical circuit switch

摘要

Methods of operating an optical circuit switch and optical circuit switches are disclosed. A command to make an optical connection between a first port and a second port may be received. A determination whether or not input signal light is present at the first port may be made. When light is present at the first port, an optical connection may be made between the first port and the second port. When light is not present at the first port, the optical circuit switch may wait until light is present at the first port before making the connection.

主权项

1. A method for making a connection in an optical circuit switch, comprising:
receiving a command to make an optical connection between a first port and a second port; upon receiving the command to make an optical connection, determining whether or not input signal light is present at the first port; when light is present at the first port, making an optical connection between the first port and the second port; when light is not present at the first port, waiting until light becomes present at the first port before making the optical connection; and after making the optical connection, adjusting a rotation angle of at least one mirror element within the optical circuit switch to reduce an insertion loss of the optical connection.