Introduction To Optical Switches

We are aware of using numerous types of electronic switches in the field of conventional communications networks.No communication network can exist without switches.The basic telecommunications network came into existence only when the set of dedicated wires between a number of customers was replaced by a switching box.Switches are the vital components of a fiber -optic communications network.

Since electronic switching, the vital components of a fiber -optic communications network.Since electronic switching is a well -developed technology, it would seem natural to utilize these switches to fiber optic network .However, the price for using this mature technology is optical to electrical conversion with all the associated drawbacks of this method.O/E and E/O conversion result in the loss of data -stream transparency, that is,such conversion can be done only for a specific bit rate and data format.In addition, the extraordinary power consumption and cost associated with the amount of electronic equipment required.Diminish the attractiveness of this switching technique.Nonetheless, electronic switching is no other switching technique, in today's fiber optic network.Such as telephone networks, where optical fiber serves as the transmission medium and all terminal equipment is still automated.

We will concentrate on optical switches are the components of fiber optic networks.These switches rout components because they require external power for operation and they are actuated by a 5V electrical signal.Fiber Optical Switch  have ever found a number of applications in today's fiber -optic communications systems and they will be vital components in tomorrow's fiber -optic networks.We will discuss these applications when we consider the specific types of switches, since optical switches terminology and optical switch architecture come from electronic telecommunications switching technology,for example,the term space switch refers to the switch that physically connects one fiber to another.That is,it provides circuit switching.



We can break optical switches into broad categories: single switches and multistage switches.Single switches are made in latching and non latching styles.The latching operation ensures that the switch remains in its selected position if power is lost.Switches are available in electro -optical,onto mechanical,thermo-optical and aristocratical forms.Opto-mechanical Switch  are built on the mechanical motion of the optical components.For example,vertical moving the prism. Enables switching of an optical signal from 2to fiber 3.The same result can be achieved by slightly pivoting a spherical mirror.