David T Neilson

US Patent:

6337935, Jan 8, 2002

Filed:

Aug 16, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/375305

Inventors:

Joseph Earl Ford - Oakhurst NJ
David Thomas Neilson - Plainsboro NJ

Assignee:

Lucent Technologies - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

G02B 628

US Classification:

385 24, 385 15, 385 31, 385 33, 359115, 359127, 359131

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for multiplexing and demultiplexing light signals of multiple wavelengths using two canceling dispersion stages with a stage between them which transforms the angular positions of the beams, the lateral positions of the beams, or both the angular and lateral positions of the beams. Light of multiple wavelengths is introduced through an input waveguide. The light then enters the first stage of the invention which disperses the signal. The dispersed signals then enter a second stage in which they are transformed. The transformed signals then enter a third stage where they are subject to the inverse of the dispersion performed in the first stage. In other words, if the third stage were placed immediately after the first stage, the third stage would nullify the dispersion of the first stage. However, adding the intervening transformation step results in only the simple linear dispersion being canceled in the system while the transformed part of the dispersion is retained. In specific examples of the invention, the intervening transformation step causes the resulting signals which are outputted from the third stage to remain coplanar with the input waveguide despite any displacement of the input waveguide in a direction orthogonal to both the direction of dispersion and the optical axis.

US Patent:

6411751, Jun 25, 2002

Filed:

Oct 6, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/680753

Inventors:

Randy Clinton Giles - Whippany NJ
Albert M Gottlieb - Maplewood NJ
David Thomas Neilson - Old Bridge NJ

Assignee:

Lucent Technologies Inc. - Murray Hill NJ
Agere Systems Guardian Corp. - Orlando FL

International Classification:

G02B 626

US Classification:

385 16, 385 18, 324 97, 364713

Abstract:

Signal losses in an optical cross-connect having steerable switching elements for routing optical signals are substantially reduced by controllably and selectively training the steerable switching elements as a function of measured input and output power of a cross-connected optical signal. More specifically, adjustments to the alignment of one or more steerable switching elements associated with a particular cross-connection are performed in a non-intrusive manner to increase the optical signal power in an optical signal while maintaining an active cross-connection of the optical signal. In one illustrative embodiment, optical monitoring arrangements monitor the optical signal power of optical signals coupled to the cross-connect inputs and outputs. The cross-connect includes a switching fabric comprising a plurality of steerable MEMS mirror elements used as switching elements for controllably and selectively directing the light beams within the cross-connect. By comparing the measured optical signal power with a previously stored value representing the expected optical signal power for that cross-connection, small adjustments can then be made, as appropriate, to optimize the alignment of the mirrors associated with the cross-connection.

US Patent:

6507421, Jan 14, 2003

Filed:

Oct 8, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/414621

Inventors:

David John Bishop - Summit NJ
Randy Clinton Giles - Whippany NJ
David Thomas Neilson - Plainsboro NJ

Assignee:

Lucent Technologies Inc. - Murray Hill NJ
Agere Systems Guardian Corp. - Orlando FL

International Classification:

H04J 1400

US Classification:

359117, 359128, 359110, 359124, 359127, 359130, 359159, 385 17, 385 18

Abstract:

An optical crossconnect (OXC) fabric including an array of tiltable mirrors, a reflector and a plurality of optical fibers controls the position of the mirrors to optimize the transfer of a signal between an input optical fiber and an output optical fiber by monitoring the optical signal at an optical translation unit in each of the input optical fiber and the output optical fiber. The optical translation units are operable for regenerating the optical signals transmitted through the fibers.

US Patent:

6634810, Oct 21, 2003

Filed:

Oct 8, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/414622

Inventors:

Joseph Earl Ford - Oakhurst NJ
David Thomas Neilson - Plainsboro NJ

Assignee:

Lucent Technologies Inc. - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

G02B 628

US Classification:

398 88, 398 82, 398 84, 398 79, 385 24, 385 15, 385 31, 385 33

Abstract:

A free space multiport wavelength router for directing channels of a received WDM optic signal to a plurality of output ports. The inventive router includes a lens which receives an incoming WDM signal and focuses the signal on a grating for angular displacement, as a function of wavelength, of the individual channels in the WDM signal. The angularly displaced channels are then collimated by the lens and provided to an array of optical elements. The array is oriented relative to the lens so that each element in the array receives and imparts an orthogonal displacement to a corresponding channel relative to the dispersement direction provided by the grating. The othogonally-dispersed channels are then reflected back to the grating and are output to select output optic fibers.

US Patent:

6647172, Nov 11, 2003

Filed:

Jun 29, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/896005

Inventors:

Randy Clinton Giles - Whippany NJ
David Thomas Neilson - Old Bridge NJ
Roland Ryf - Aberdeen NJ

Assignee:

Lucent Technologies Inc. - Murray Hill NJ
Agere Systems Inc. - Allentown PA

International Classification:

G02B 635

US Classification:

385 18, 385 16

Abstract:

Using an imaging system, an optical MEMS devices is imaged so that in combination with an actual one or more other optical MEMS devices, or images thereof, a single virtual optical MEMS device is formed that has the size of each of the optical MEMS devices combined. The physical size of the arrangement may be reduced by compacting the optical path, e. g. , using appropriate conventional mirrors, and/or employing folded arrangements, i. e. , arrangements in which there is only one MEMS device stage that does double duty for both input and output through the use of at least one conventional mirror. The imaging system may reproduce the angle of reflection of the light from the micro mirror, e. g. , using a telecentric system. A prism may be employed to align the various optical MEMS devices, or images thereof.

US Patent:

6657770, Dec 2, 2003

Filed:

Aug 31, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/944800

Inventors:

Dan Mark Marom - Howell NJ
David Thomas Neilson - Old Bridge NJ

Assignee:

Lucent Technologies Inc. - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

G02B 2600

US Classification:

359290, 359115, 359291

Abstract:

A programmable optical demultiplexer can independently assign every input optical channel in a WDM optical communications signal to depart from any desired output port. The demultiplexer device can also be operated in the reverse direction, and thus achieve programmable optical multiplexer functionality, by accepting different wavelengths at each of multiple input ports and efficiently combining the wavelength channels at the multiplexer output port. The programmable multiplexer/demultiplexer device has an optical arrangement for spatially dispersing the optical wavelengths, and tunable micro-mirrors for beam steering each channel independently. Controlling the beam reflection direction determines the connectivity between the input and output ports at the wavelength level.

US Patent:

6704476, Mar 9, 2004

Filed:

Jun 29, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/895949

Inventors:

Joseph Earl Ford - Del Mar CA
Randy Clinton Giles - Whippany NJ
David Thomas Neilson - Old Bridge NJ
Roland Ryf - Aberdeen NJ

Assignee:

Lucent Technologies Inc. - Murray Hill NJ
Agere Systems Inc. - Allentown PA

International Classification:

G02B 642

US Classification:

385 18, 385 15, 385 16, 385 17, 385 31, 385 33, 385 39, 398 45, 398 50, 359388, 359877

Abstract:

In an all optical switch an imaging system is interposed between the micro lens array and the moveable micro mirrors of a MEMS device to which, or from which, the light beams are directed. This causes an image of the micro lens array to be formed at the MEMS device, or vice-versa, thus effectively eliminating the distance between the micro lens array and the MEMS device. The imaging system may be a telecentric system. The size of the arrangement may be reduced by compacting the optical path, e. g. , using appropriate conventional mirrors, and/or employing folded arrangements, i. e. , arrangements in which there is only one MEMS device stage that does double duty for both input and output through the use of at least one conventional mirror. The overall system is arranged to account for any inversions introduced.

US Patent:

6757458, Jun 29, 2004

Filed:

Jun 29, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/896339

Inventors:

David Thomas Neilson - Old Bridge NJ
Roland Ryf - Aberdeen NJ

Assignee:

Lucent Technologies Inc. - Murray Hill NJ
Agere Systems, Inc. - Allentown PA

International Classification:

G02B 635

US Classification:

385 18, 385 33

Abstract:

The beams between a MEMS device and an input source or an output, e. g. , a fiber bundle, are caused to be closer to each other at the MEMS device than at the fiber bundle. This can be achieved in a variety ways. This may be achieved a) when each fiber is associated with a respective micro lens of a micro lens array, by insuring that there is a different distance between the centers of adjacent micro lenses than there is for the centers of their corresponding adjacent fibers, b) when the fibers are terminated by collimators, the direction of the collimators is adjusted to point the beams in a converging manner and c) by employing an optical system that changes the direction of various ones of the beams may be interposed between a) the fiber bundle and b) the corresponding MEMS device.

Author:

David Neilson

ISBN #:

0851798748

Author:

David Neilson

ISBN #:

0958575304