| 摘要 |
A closed loop alignment system for cross-connect switches in optical telecommunications systems. Arrays of small tiltable mirrors within the switch direct the signal beams between optical fiber arrays connected to the switch. An external alignment system is incorporated into the cross-connect switch and is employed to provide an alignment beam of a wavelength different from the signal beams. Beam splitters such as dichroic mirrors, which pass the signal beams but pass only a portion of the alignment beams, are placed in the beam paths to image the ends of the optical fibers of the arrays. A combined image of the ends of the optical fibers from each array is reflected onto a photodetector array, output signals of which are sent to a feedback control system which compares the position, size, and shape of the combined image to a stored tolerance range of acceptable positions, sizes, and shapes, and consequently moves the tiltable mirrors so that the signal beams correctly enter the ends of the optical fibers in the opposite optical fiber array.
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