WO2002021179A1

WO2002021179A1 - NxN OPTICAL CROSS-CONNECT SWITCH USING DIRECT COLLIMATOR-TO-COLLIMATOR SWITCHING

Info

Publication number: WO2002021179A1
Application number: PCT/US2001/027398
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard H. Bolton
Original assignee: Bear Hill Photonics, Inc.
Priority date: 2000-09-05
Filing date: 2001-09-05
Publication date: 2002-03-14
Also published as: AU2001287061A1

Abstract

The optical switch comprises a housing (110) having first and second diametrically opposed sections (112, 114), optical cable (120), and collimator devices (116, 118) coupled to the optical cables (120). A first steering device is connected to the first collimator device (116) and to the first section (112) of the housing (110), and moves the first collimator device (116) such that the collimated light beam transmitted thereby is capable of being directed at substantially any point within the second section (114) of the housing (110). A second steering device is connected to a second collimator device (118) and to the second section (114) of the housing (110) and moves the second collimator device (118) such that the second collimator device (118) is capable of directly receiving a collimated light beam transmitted from within the first section (112) of the housing (110). A controller is connected to and controls the steering devices.

Description

NxN OPTICAL CROSS-CONNECT SWITCH USING DIRECT COLLIMATOR-TO-COLLIMATOR SWITCHING

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Applicant hereby claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 from the following provisional patent applications filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, as follows: (1) Serial Number 60/229,799 entitled, "NxN Optical Cross Connect

Switch Using Steerable Light", filed 5 September 2000 by Richard H. Bolton; and (2)

Serial Number 60/233,279 entitled, "NxN Optical Cross Connect Switch Using Fixed

Collimators", filed 18 September 2000 by Richard H. Bolton, both of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field

The present invention is directed to an optical switch. More particularly, the present invention is directed to an optical cross-connect switch using direct collimator-to-collimator switching.

Background Information

The field of optical switching developed as a result of the fiber optic system of data transmission, wherein fiber optic cables are used to carry data from one point to another, typically over long distances. The benefits of fiber optics are well known.

In a typical fiber optic system, for example, in the field of telephony, a plurality of fiber optic cables from various locations come together at a central switching station, e.g., in Atlanta, Georgia, allowing the data being transmitted along one cable, e.g., from Cleveland, Ohio, to be switched to a second cable for transmission to a second location, e.g., Miami, Florida.

A typical prior art switching system employs optical-electrical-optical (OEO) switches which convert the optical signal received from a first fiber optic cable into an electrical signal, the electrical signal is routed to the appropriate cross-switch, the cross-switch converts the electrical signal back to an optical signal, and the optical signal is then fed to an appropriate second fiber optic cable for further transmission either to another central switching station or its final destination.

As the bandwidth of fiber optic systems increases, the processing speeds of the OEO switches are not fast enough to process the optical signals as same are received, which creates a bandwidth bottleneck. The delay time created by the OEO switching networks thus results in increased transmission delays, since the OEO switches are slow, relative to the speed of fiber optic transmission. Moreover, OEO switches are costly, require relatively large amounts of energy to operate, and are bulky, all of which are disadvantages in large-scale switching networks.

Accordingly, the development of fiber optic-to-fiber optic switching networks are being developed to reduce and/or eliminate the disadvantages inherent in the prior art switching networks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an optical switch using direct collimator- to-collimator switching.

In a preferred embodiment, the optical switch comprises a housing having a first section and a second section, the second section being diametrically-opposed to the first section, a first optical cable capable of having light transmitted therethrough, and a first collimator device coupled to the first optical cable. The first collimator device is capable of receiving light transmitted through the first optical cable and transmitting the light as a substantially collimated light beam.

A first steering device is connected to the first collimator device and to a first portion of the first section of the housing. The first steering device is capable of moving the first collimator device such that the collimated light beam transmitted thereby is capable of being directed at substantially any point within the second section of the housing.

The optical switch further comprises a second optical cable capable of having light transmitted therethrough, and a second collimator device coupled to the second optical cable. The second collimator device is capable of receiving a substantially collimated light beam and transmitting the received light through the second optical cable.

A second steering device is connected to the second collimator device and to a second portion of the second section of the housing. The second steering device is capable of moving the second collimator device such that the second collimator device is capable of directly receiving a collimated light beam transmitted from within the first section of the housing.

A controller is connected to and capable of controlling the first and second steering devices such that the light beam transmitted from the first collimator device is capable of being directly received by the second collimator device. In the preferred embodiment, the first collimator device is further capable of receiving a substantially collimated light beam and transmitting the received light through the first optical cable, the second collimator device is further capable of receiving light transmitted through the second optical cable and transmitting the light as a substantially collimated light beam, and the controller is further capable of controlling the first and second steering devices such that the light beam transmitted from the second collimator device is capable of being directly received by the first collimator device.

The optical switch optionally further comprises a third optical cable capable of having light transmitted therethrough, and a third collimator device coupled to the third optical cable. The third collimator device is capable of receiving light transmitted through the third optical cable and transmitting the light as a substantially collimated light beam.

A third steering device is connected to the third collimator device and to a third portion of the first section of the housing. The third steering device is capable of moving the third collimator device such that the collimated light beam transmitted thereby is capable of being directed at substantially any point within the second section of the housing.

The optical switch optionally further comprises a fourth optical cable capable of having light transmitted therethrough, and a fourth collimator device coupled to the fourth optical cable. The fourth collimator device is capable of receiving a substantially collimated light beam and transmitting the received light through the fourth optical cable.

A fourth steering device is connected to the fourth collimator device and to a fourth portion of the second section of the housing. The fourth steering device is capable of moving the fourth collimator device such that the fourth collimator device is capable of directly receiving a collimated light beam transmitted from within the first section of the housing.

The controller is optionally further connected to the third and fourth steering devices and is capable of controlling the first, second, third and fourth steering devices such that the light beam transmitted from the first collimator device is capable of being directly received by either the second or fourth collimator device, and the light beam transmitted from the third collimator device is capable of being directly received by the non-receiving second or fourth collimator device.

In the preferred embodiment, the first collimator device is further capable of receiving a substantially collimated light beam and transmitting the received light through the first optical cable, the second collimator device is further capable of receiving light transmitted through the second optical cable and transmitting the light as a substantially collimated light beam, the third collimator device is further capable of receiving a substantially collimated light beam and transmitting the received light through the third optical cable, the fourth collimator device is further capable of receiving light transmitted through the fourth optical cable and transmitting the light as a substantially collimated light beam, and the controller is further capable of controlling the first, second, third and fourth steering devices such that the light beam transmitted from the second collimator device is capable of being directly received by either the first or third collimator device, and the light beam transmitted from the fourth collimator device is capable of being directly received by the non-receiving first or third collimator device.

In another embodiment, the optical switch further comprises a third optical cable capable of having light transmitted therethrough, and a third collimator device coupled to the third optical cable. The third collimator device is capable of receiving light transmitted through the third optical cable and transmitting the light as a substantially collimated light beam.

The controller is further connected to the third steering device and is capable of controlling the first, second and third steering devices such that the light beam transmitted from the first collimator device is capable of being directly received by the second collimator device, or the light beam transmitted from the third collimator device is capable of being directly received by the second collimator device.

In the preferred embodiment, the first collimator device is further capable of receiving a substantially collimated light beam and transmitting the received light through the first optical cable, the second collimator device is further capable of receiving light transmitted through the second optical cable and transmitting the light as a substantially collimated light beam, the third collimator device is further capable of receiving a substantially collimated light beam and transmitting the received light through the third optical cable, and the controller is further capable of controlling the first, second and third steering devices such that the light beam transmitted from the second collimator device is capable of being directly received by the first collimator device, or the light beam transmitted from the second collimator device is capable of being directly received by the third collimator device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a cut-away view of the present invention showing a plurality of collimators and steering devices attached to a housing.

Figure 2 illustrates a cut-away view of a preferred embodiment of a collimator device. Figure 3 shows an ideal Gaussian cross-section for a collimated light beam, wherein Figure 3A illustrates the ideal amplitude profile of the light beam along the X-axis, and Figure 3B illustrates the ideal amplitude profile of the light beam along the Y-axis.

Figure 4 illustrates a first embodiment of a steering device used to position a collimator shown in Figure 1, wherein Figure 4A depicts a side view thereof, and Figure 4B depicts a top view thereof. Figure 5A depicts a first embodiment of a controller for controlling the drive motors shown in Figure 4.

Figure 5B depicts a second embodiment of a controller for controlling the drive motors shown in Figure 4, and includes a partial system overview of the optical switching network of the present invention.

Figure 6 illustrates a second embodiment of a steering device used to position a collimator shown in Figure 1.

Figure 7 illustrates a cut-away view of a third embodiment of a steering device used to position a collimator shown in Figure 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

The present invention is directed to an optical switch using direct collimator- to-collimator switching. Turning now to Figure 1, a cut-away view of the present invention is shown.

The present invention preferably comprises housing 110 having first section 112 diametrically-opposed to second section 114. A plurality of collimator devices and steering devices 116 and 118 are operatively attached to the first and second sections 112 and 114, respectively, of housing 110. hi the preferred embodiment, a plurality of collimator devices and steering devices are attached to the housing in a three-dimensional array, and it is preferable that there are the same number of collimator devices and steering devices on each section (112, 114) of the housing, thereby allowing each collimator device located on the first section of the housing to be able to be directed at a collimator device located on the other section of the housing.

First and second sections 112 and 114 of housing 110 are preferably curvilinear, e.g., spherical, parabolic or concave, to increase their respective surface areas, thereby allowing the placement of more collimator devices thereon, relative to a substantially planar surface. Collimator devices and steering devices 116 and 118 preferably allow each collimator device located on one side of the housing to be directed at any collimator device located on the opposite side of the housing, for example, as shown by 116a and 118a, 116b and 118b, and 116c and 118c.

As will be explained in more detain with reference to Figure 2, each collimator device has a fiber optic cable, e.g., 120, operatively connected thereto.

A collimator device (also referred to herein as a collimator) is defined as any device which is capable of receiving a beam of existing light from a substantially point source (such as a fiber optic cable attached thereto), bending the received light and outputting a substantially collimated light beam, i.e., a beam of light in which the lines of light are substantially parallel to each other. A collimator device is further defined as any device which is capable of receiving a substantially collimated light beam, bending it to a substantially point source, and outputting the substantially point- source beam of light for transmission (such as through the fiber optic cable attached thereto).

With reference to Figure 2, a cut-away view of a collimator device is shown. In the preferred embodiment, each collimator device, such as collimator device

116a, comprises a fiber optic cable, such as fiber optic cable 120, which passes through optional sleeve 210 to abut and be fastened to the terminal end of ferrule 214. Lens 216 is operatively attached to the other terminal end of ferrule 214.

Fiber optic cable 120 is preferably terminated by connector 212 to allow connection thereto from a fiber optic cable carrying a signal to be transmitted by a collimator device and/or which was received thereby, such as fiber optic cable 119.

In use, a signal of light is transmitted through fiber optic cable 119 and connects to collimator 116 via connector 212. The signal of light passes along fiber optic cable 120 running through optional sleeve 210 to ferrule 214, where the light signal is output through lens 216 as collimated light beam 218. Jacket 224 secures optional sleeve 210, fiber optic cable 120, ferrule 214 and lens 216 in a fixed position.

The collimator device of Figure 2 is also capable of receiving a collimated light beam at lens 216, bending it to a substantially point source, and transmitting the substantially point-source beam of light along fiber optic cable 120 running through optional sleeve 210 for transmission along a fiber optic cable connected thereto, such as fiber optic cable 119.

As known to those in the art, light 220 is that portion of the collimated light beam which falls outside a perfect column indicated by 222, and its angle of dispersion is a function of the design of the collimator device, the quality of the lens, and the diameter of the fiber optic cable.

In order to maximize the transmission of light energy, collimated light beam 218 preferably has a substantially Gaussian cross-section.

With reference to Figure 3, an ideal Gaussian cross-section for a collimated light beam is shown. Specifically, Figure 3A illustrates the ideal amplitude profile of a collimated light beam along the X-axis, and Figure 3B illustrates the ideal amplitude profile of a collimated light beam along the Y-axis.

As can be seen from Figures 3A and 3B, a Gaussian cross-section allows the collimated light beam to be highly concentrated along the longitudinal axis of the light beam, thereby maximizing the amount of light which can be transmitted through space with a minimum amount of lost energy.

A refractive collimator device was manufactured according to the following specifications: pigtail style collimator having a gradient index refractive lens, 0.11 numerical aperture, 3.2 mm effective focal length, 3.0 mm lens diameter, 9/125 single-mode fiber optic cable one (1) meter in length, terminated with an FC connector, beam diameter 0.7 mm. A collimator device was manufactured according to the above specifications by Oz Optic, Ltd., of Carp, Ontario, Canada, as part number LPC-01-1300-9/125-S- 0.7-3.2GR-40-3S-1-1.

The collimated light beam output therefrom was measured using a 1300 nm wavelength light source, and compared with an ideal Gaussian profile. The results are as follows: the ellipticity of the X-Y plane at 13.5% was 0.992; the contained power was 96.22% (actual, X-Z plane) and 95.25% (actual, Y-Z plane) compared to 100%

(ideal); with a Gaussian fit of 0.981 (actual, X-Z plane) and 0.986 (actual, Y-Z plane) compared to 1.000 (ideal). Given the above specifications, it is preferable that collimator devices 116 and

118 be located at least 3 inches apart due to near-field effects, and can be located at far apart as desired depending on signal loss tolerances and the ability to accurately steer the collimator devices. In the preferred embodiment, collimator devices 116 and 118 are located no more than 19 inches apart at their furthest point, to insure maximum signal transfer with minimal energy loss.

Other types of lenses and/or collimator device configurations, both refractive and reflective, will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

Turning now to Figure 4, a first embodiment of a steering device used to position a collimator shown in Figure 1 is illustrated, wherein Figure 4A depicts a side view thereof, and Figure 4B depicts a top view thereof.

As shown in Figure 4A, a collimator, e.g., 116a, is mounted in spherical bearing 402 which allows collimated beam 404 transmitted from the collimator device to be directed at substantially any point located within the opposite side of the housing

(114, Figure 1), or conversely, to be able to receive a collimated light beam emanating therefrom.

The relative position of the collimator device is preferably controlled by two drive motors 404 and 406. Each drive motor 404, 406 preferably includes precision mandrel 408, 410 located at the terminal end of drive shaft 412, 414. Alternatively, the precision mandrel can be manufactured directly onto drive motor shafts 412 and/or 414.

Guide wire 416, 418 is preferably attached to a portion of spherical bearing 402 and wrapped about precision mandrel 408, 410. The relative position of the spherical bearing, and thus the relative position of the collimator device, is controlled by the tension of the respective guide wires 416, 418 on the spherical bearing. Bias tension on the spherical bearing is preferably maintained by bias spring 420 (Figure 4B).

An advantage of the embodiment shown in Figure 4 is that once the collimator device is in its desired position, no additional power is required until the collimator's position is to be changed. As shown in Figure 4B, drive motors 404 and 406 are preferably equidistantly offset from each other and the spherical bearing, and guide wires 416 and 418 are preferably attached to the spherical bearing at substantially the same location.

Figure 4A depicts three different positions of the collimator, and Figure 4B depicts a plurality of different guide wire and collimator positions.

In the preferred embodiment, the spherical bearing is mounted in bearing holder 422 and secured to a portion of the first section (112, Figure 1) of the housing (110, Figure 1).

In the preferred embodiment, drive motors 404 and 406 are d.c. stepper motors each having a high-reduction gear box 405 and 407 integral therewith to allow precise motion control, and guide wires 416 and 418 are preferably braided stainless steel having a diameter of 0.01 inches. Alternative mounting methods, guide wire attachment points, and drive motor configurations will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Turning now to Figure 5A, a first embodiment of controller 500 for controlling the drive motors 404 and 406 is illustrated.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a d.c. stepper motor is controlled by energizing the A and B drive motor coils integral therein. Specifically, by controlling the relative phase of the coils with respect to each other, one is able to control the speed, direction, acceleration, etc., of the shaft connected thereto.

As shown in Figure 5 A, addressable motor controllers 504 and 506 preferably have driver electronics to energize drive motor coils A and B inherent in drive motors 404 and 406, respectively.

Cable 503 is preferably connected between the serial output port of PC computer 502 and the input ports of each addressable motor controller 504, 506.

In the preferred embodiment, addressable motor controllers 504 and 506 are

Pontech STP100 controllers having the requisite driver electronics integral therewith, and are addressably controlled by ASCII motor control scripting software, such as

QModem, Procomm or Hyper Terminal. Other types of motors, addressable controllers and/or scripting software will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

While the controller shown in Figure 5A has been depicted as controlling only two motors, e.g., motors 404 and 406 shown in Figure 4, it is to be understood that a plurality of addressable motor controllers (not shown) are able to be connected (at

508) to PC computer 502 via cable 503 to control the plurality of other steering devices used to position the plurality of other collimator devices shown in Figure 1.

Turning now to Figure 5B, a second embodiment of a controller for controlling the drive motors shown in Figure 4 is shown, and includes a partial system overview of the optical switching network of the present invention.

As shown in Figure 5B, first and second steering devices 400 and 400', such as described with reference to Figure 4, are shown, each having a collimator device, such as collimator device 116a and 118a (Figure 1). As depicted in Figure 5B, collimator device 116a is transmitting collimated light beam 548 to collimator device 118a.

The light signal transmitted along fiber optic cable 119a is shown being split by beam splitter 550, one part of which is transmitted by collimator device 116a as collimated light beam 548. The other part of the split light signal is input to an analog-to-digital converter resident on addressable motor controller 506 via infrared detector 552, where its signal strength is input to PC computer 502 via serial cable 503.

Collimated light beam 548 which is received by collimator device 118a is transmitted along fiber optic cable 120b to fiber optic cable 119b for transmission either to another optical switching network or to its final destination.

A portion of the light signal transmitted along fiber optic cable 119b is split by beam splitter 550', and is input to an analog-to-digital converter resident on addressable motor controller 506' via infrared detector 552', where its signal strength is input to PC computer 502 via serial cable 503.

PC computer 502 receives the digital signal from addressable motor controllers 506 and 506' and preferably initiates a servo-optimization program which varies the position of the collimator devices 116a and/or 118a (via drive motors 404,

406 and 404', 406', respectively) in order to maximize the signal strength received by collimator device 118a. Servo-optimization programs are well known in the art.

Turning now to Figure 6, a second embodiment of a steering device used to position a collimator shown in Figure 1 is illustrated.

Figure 6 employs a gimbal mechanism to control the relative position of a collimator in all three dimensions. The gimbal mechanism preferably comprises inner ring 602 and outer ring 604. Collimator 116 is preferably rigidly attached within the center of inner ring 602, preferably such that their respective longitudinal axes are coincident.

The housing of drive motor 606 is preferably attached to the top portion of outer ring 604, and its drive shaft 608 is preferably rigidly attached to inner ring 602. Rotation of drive shaft 608 causes inner ring 602 to rotate, thereby controlling the relative positioning of collimator 116 in the Y-Z plane.

Secondary shaft 609 preferably provides secondary support structure for inner ring 602, and is preferably connected to a top portion of outer ring 604 and to inner ring 602 such that its longitudinal axis is coincident with the longitudinal axis of drive shaft 608.

Drive shaft 612 of drive motor 610 is preferably connected to the top portion of outer ring 604, and the rotation of drive shaft 612 causes outer ring 604 to rotate, thereby controlling the relative positioning of collimator 116 in the X-Z plane.

Thus, by controlling the operation of drive motors 606 and 610, the relative positioning of the collimator is able to be controlled in all three dimensions. The gimbal mechanism illustrated in Figure 6 is preferably pivotally mounted to a support structure (not shown), either at the terminal end of secondary shaft 609 or at the terminal end of secondary shaft 613. Secondary shaft 613 is preferably connected to a top portion of outer ring 604 such that its longitudinal axis is coincident with the longitudinal axis of drive shaft 612.

The housing of drive motor 610 is preferably attached to the top portion of support structure 614, and support structure 614 and the support structure to which the terminal end of either shaft 609 or 613 is attached is preferably attached to the first (or second) section (112 (or 114), Figure 1) of the housing (110, Figure 1) via mounting brackets (not shown).

In the preferred embodiment, drive motors 606 and 610 are d.c. stepper motors with an integral, high-reduction gear box to allow precise motion control. Drive motors 606 and 610 are preferably controlled by addressable motor controllers 504 and 506, respectively (Figure 5 A or 5B), as discussed above. Turning now to Figure 7, a cut-away view of a third embodiment of a steering device used to position a collimators shown in Figure 1 is illustrated.

Figure 7 employs a tilt cam mechanism to control the relative position of a collimator in all three dimensions. The tilt cam mechanism preferably comprises upper cam 702 which is rotatable about lower cam 704 via bearings (not shown) located therebetween. In the preferred embodiment, collimator 116 is mounted within upper cam 702.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the relative position of upper cam 702 to lower cam 704 controls the position of collimator 116.

The position of lower cam 704 is preferably controlled by drive motor 706, which is operatively connected to lower cam 704 via drive gear 708 attached to the drive shaft of drive motor 706.

The position of upper cam 702 is preferably controlled by drive motor 710 which is offset from the longitudinal axis of the collimator device and is preferably attached to the circumference of upper cam 702 by guide wire 712. In the preferred embodiment, upper cam 702 comprises a V-shaped groove (not shown) located about its circumference to at least partially contain guide wire 712.

Upper and lower cams 702 and 704, and drive motors 706 and 710, are preferably operatively connected to stationary support plate 714, which is operatively attached to the first (or second) section (112 (or 114), Figure 1) of the housing (110, Figure 1) via mounting brackets (not shown).

In the preferred embodiment, drive motors 706 and 710 are d.c. stepper motors with an integral, high-reduction gear box to allow precise motion control, and guide wire 712 is preferably braided stainless steel having a diameter of 0.01 inches.

Other embodiments for a steering device to control the position of a collimator will be obvious to those skilled in the art, and include, for example, the use of stepper, servo or linear motors attached to jack screws, spherical bearings controlled by voice coils, sliding levers controlled by piezoelectric linkages, tilt springs controlled by guide wires and lead screws, tilt plates controlled by stepper, servo or linear motors attached to jack screws, rotary cams controlled by stepper, servo or linear motors, and combinations of the foregoing. Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments. Various changes or modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat I claim as my invention is:

1. An optical switch using direct collimator-to-collimator switching, the optical switch comprising: a housing having a first section and a second section, the second section being diametrically-opposed to the first section; a first optical cable capable of having light transmitted therethrough; a first collimator device operatively coupled to the first optical cable, the first collimator device capable of receiving light transmitted through the first optical cable and transmitting the light as a substantially collimated light beam having a substantially Gaussian cross-section; a first steering device operatively connected to a first portion of the first section of the housing, the first steering device operatively connected to the first collimator device and capable of moving the first collimator device such that the collimated light beam transmitted thereby is capable of being directed at substantially any point within the second section of the housing; a second optical cable capable of having light transmitted therethrough; a second collimator device operatively coupled to the second optical cable, the second collimator device capable of receiving a substantially collimated light beam having a substantially Gaussian cross-section and transmitting the received light through the second optical cable; a second steering device operatively connected to a second portion of the second section of the housing, the second steering device operatively connected to the second collimator device and capable of moving the second collimator device such that the second collimator device is capable of directly receiving a collimated light beam transmitted from within the first section of the housing; and a controller operatively connected to and capable of controlling the first and second steering devices such that the light beam transmitted from the first collimator device is capable of being directly received by the second collimator device.

2. The optical switch of claim 1 , wherein: the first collimator device is further capable of receiving a substantially collimated light beam having a substantially Gaussian cross-section and transmitting the received light through the first optical cable; the second collimator device is further capable of receiving light transmitted through the second optical cable and transmitting the light as a substantially collimated light beam having a substantially Gaussian cross-section; and the controller is further capable of controlling the first and second steering devices such that the light beam transmitted from the second collimator device is capable of being directly received by the first collimator device.

3. The optical switch of claim 1 further comprising: a third optical cable capable of having light transmitted therethrough; a third collimator device operatively coupled to the third optical cable, the third collimator device capable of receiving light transmitted through the third optical cable and transmitting the light as a substantially collimated light beam having a substantially Gaussian cross-section; a third steering device operatively connected to a third portion of the first section of the housing, the third steering device operatively connected to the third collimator device and capable of moving the third collimator device such that the collimated light beam transmitted thereby is capable of being directed at substantially any point within the second section of the housing; a fourth optical cable capable of having light transmitted therethrough; a fourth collimator device operatively coupled to the fourth optical cable, the fourth collimator device capable of receiving a substantially collimated light beam having a substantially Gaussian cross-section and transmitting the received light through the fourth optical cable; and a fourth steering device operatively connected to a fourth portion of the second section of the housing, the fourth steering device operatively connected to the fourth collimator device and capable of moving the fourth collimator device such that the fourth collimator device is capable of directly receiving a collimated light beam transmitted from within the first section of the housing; wherein the controller is further operatively connected to the third and fourth steering devices and is capable of controlling the first, second, third and fourth steering devices such that the light beam transmitted from the first collimator device is capable of being directly received by either the second or fourth collimator device, and the light beam transmitted from the third collimator device is capable of being directly received by the non-receiving second or fourth collimator device.

4. The optical switch of claim 3, wherein: the first collimator device is further capable of receiving a substantially collimated light beam having a substantially Gaussian cross-section and transmitting the received light through the first optical cable; the second collimator device is further capable of receiving light transmitted through the second optical cable and transmitting the light as a substantially collimated light beam having a substantially Gaussian cross-section; the third collimator device is further capable of receiving a substantially collimated light beam having a substantially Gaussian cross-section and transmitting the received light through the third optical cable; the fourth collimator device is further capable of receiving light transmitted through the fourth optical cable and transmitting the light as a substantially collimated light beam having a substantially Gaussian cross-section; and the controller is further capable of controlling the first, second, third and fourth steering devices such that the light beam transmitted from the second collimator device is capable of being directly received by either the first or third collimator device, and the light beam transmitted from the fourth collimator device is capable of being directly received by the non-receiving first or third collimator device.

5. The optical switch of claim 1 further comprising: a third optical cable capable of having light transmitted therethrough; a third collimator device operatively coupled to the third optical cable, the third collimator device capable of receiving light transmitted through the third optical cable and transmitting the light as a substantially collimated light beam having a substantially Gaussian cross-section; a third steering device operatively connected to the third collimator device and operatively connected to a third portion of the first section of the housing, the third collimator device capable of moving the third collimator device such that the collimated light beam transmitted thereby is capable of being directed at substantially any point within the second section of the housing; wherein the controller is further operatively connected to the third steering device and is capable of controlling the first, second and third steering devices such that the light beam transmitted from the first collimator device is capable of being directly received by the second collimator device, or the light beam transmitted from the third collimator device is capable of being directly received by the second collimator device.

6. The optical switch of claim 5, wherein: the first collimator device is further capable of receiving a substantially collimated light beam having a substantially Gaussian cross-section and transmitting the received light through the first optical cable; the second collimator device is further capable of receiving light transmitted through the second optical cable and transmitting the light as a substantially collimated light beam having a substantially Gaussian cross-section; the third collimator device is further capable of receiving a substantially collimated light beam having a substantially Gaussian cross-section and transmitting the received light through the third optical cable; and the controller is further capable of controlling the first, second and third steering devices such that the light beam transmitted from the second collimator device is capable of being directly received by the first collimator device, or the light beam transmitted from the second collimator device is capable of being directly received by the third collimator device.

7. The optical switch of claim 1, wherein the first section of the housing has a substantially curvilinear configuration.

8. The optical switch of claim 7, wherein the substantially curvilinear configuration comprises a shape selected from the group consisting of substantially spherical, substantially parabolic and substantially concave, relative to the second section of the housing.

9. The optical switch of claim 1, wherein the second section of the housing has a substantially curvilinear configuration.

10. The optical switch of claim 7, wherein the substantially curvilinear configuration comprises a shape selected from the group consisting of substantially spherical, substantially parabolic and substantially concave, relative to the second section of the housing.

11. An optical switch using direct collimator-to-collimator switching, the optical switch comprising: a housing having a first section and a second section, the second section being diametrically-opposed to the first section; a first optical cable capable of having light transmitted therethrough; a first collimator device operatively coupled to the first optical cable, the first collimator device capable of receiving light transmitted through the first optical cable and transmitting the light as a substantially collimated light beam; a first steering device operatively connected to a first portion of the first section of the housing, the first steering device operatively connected to the first collimator device and capable of positioning the first collimator device such that the collimated light beam transmitted thereby is capable of being directed at a first determinable location within the second section of the housing; a second optical cable capable of having light transmitted therethrough; a second collimator device operatively coupled to the second optical cable, the second collimator device capable of receiving a substantially collimated light beam and transmitting the received light through the second optical cable; a second steering device operatively connected to a second portion of the second section of the housing, the second steering device operatively connected to the second collimator device and capable of positioning the second collimator device such that the second collimator device is capable of directly receiving a collimated light beam transmitted from the first section of the housing; and a controller operatively connected to and capable of controlling the first steering device and the second steering device such that the first and second collimator devices are capable of being directed towards each other, thereby allowing the light beam transmitted from the first collimator device to be received by the second collimator device.

12. The optical switch of claim 11, wherein: the first collimator device is further capable of receiving a substantially collimated light beam and transmitting the received light through the first optical cable; the second collimator device is further capable of receiving light transmitted through the second optical cable and transmitting the light as a substantially collimated light beam; and the controller is further capable of controlling the first and second steering devices such that the first and second collimator devices are capable of being directed towards each other, thereby allowing the light beam transmitted from the second collimator device to be received by the first collimator device.

13. The optical switch of claim 11 further comprising: a third optical cable capable of having light transmitted therethrough; a third collimator device operatively coupled to the third optical cable, the tliird collimator device capable of receiving light transmitted through the third optical cable and transmitting the light as a substantially collimated light beam; a third steering device operatively connected to a third portion of the first section of the housing, the third steering device operatively connected to the third collimator device and capable of positioning the third collimator device such that the collimated light beam transmitted thereby is capable of being directed at a second determinable location within the second section of the housing; a fourth optical cable capable of having light transmitted therethrough; a fourth collimator device operatively coupled to the fourth optical cable, the fourth collimator device capable of receiving a substantially collimated light beam and transmitting the received light through the fourth optical cable; and a fourth steering device operatively connected to a fourth portion of the second section of the housing, the fourth steering device operatively connected to the fourth collimator device and capable of positioning the fourth collimator device such that the fourth collimator device is capable of directly receiving a collimated light beam transmitted from the first section of the housing; wherein the controller is further operatively connected to the third and fourth steering devices and is capable of controlling the first, second, third and fourth steering devices such that the first collimator device and either the second or fourth collimator device is capable of being directed towards each other, thereby allowing the light beam transmitted from the first collimator device to be received by either the second or fourth collimator device, and the third collimator device and either the second or fourth collimator device is capable of being directed towards each other, thereby allowing the light beam transmitted from the tliird collimator device to be received by the non-receiving second or fourth collimator device.

14. The optical switch of claim 13, wherein: the first collimator device is further capable of receiving a substantially collimated light beam and transmitting the received light through the first optical cable; the second collimator device is further capable of receiving light transmitted through the second optical cable and transmitting the light as a substantially collimated light beam; the third collimator device is further capable of receiving a substantially collimated light beam and transmitting the received light through the third optical cable; the fourth collimator device is further capable of receiving light transmitted through the fourth optical cable and transmitting the light as a substantially collimated light beam; and the controller is further capable of controlling the first, second, third and fourth steering devices such that the second collimator device and either the first or third collimator device is capable of being directed towards each other, thereby allowing the light beam transmitted from the second collimator device to be received by either the first or third collimator device, and the fourth collimator device and either the first or third collimator device is capable of being directed towards each other, thereby allowing the light beam transmitted from the fourth collimator device to be received by the non-receiving first or third collimator device.

15. The optical switch of claim 11 further comprising: a third optical cable capable of having light transmitted therethrough; a third collimator device operatively coupled to the third optical cable, the third collimator device capable of receiving light transmitted through the third optical cable and transmitting the light as a substantially collimated light beam; a third steering device operatively connected to a third portion of the first section of the housing, the third steering device operatively connected to the third collimator device and capable of positioning the third collimator device such that the collimated light beam transmitted thereby is capable of being directed at a second determinable location within the second section of the housing; wherein the controller is further operatively connected to the third steering device and is capable of controlling the first, second and third steering devices such that the first and second collimator devices are capable of being directed towards each other, thereby allowing the light beam transmitted from the first collimator device to be received by the second collimator device, or the second and third collimator devices are capable of being directed towards each other, thereby allowing the light beam transmitted from the third collimator device to be received by the second collimator device.

16. The optical switch of claim 15, wherein: the first collimator device is further capable of receiving a substantially collimated light beam and transmitting the received light through the first optical cable; the second collimator device is further capable of receiving light transmitted through the second optical cable and transmitting the light as a substantially collimated light beam; the third collimator device is further capable of receiving a substantially collimated light beam and transmitting the received light through the third optical cable; and the controller is further capable of controlling the first, second and third steering devices such that the first and second collimator devices are capable of being directed towards each other, thereby allowing the light beam transmitted from the second collimator device to be received by the first collimator device, or the second and third collimator devices are capable of being directed towards each other, thereby allowing the light beam transmitted from the second collimator device to be received by the third collimator device.

17. The optical switch of claim 11, wherein the first collimator device is capable of transmitting a substantially collimated light beam having a substantially Gaussian cross-section.

18. The optical switch of claim 11, wherein a first steering device is capable of moving the first collimator device such that the collimated light beam transmitted thereby is capable of being directed at substantially any point within the second section of the housing.

19. The optical switch of claim 18, wherein the second steering device is capable of moving the second collimator device such that the second collimator device is capable of directly receiving a collimated light beam transmitted from substantially any point within the first section of the housing.

20. An optical switch using direct collimator-to-collimator switching, the optical switch comprising: a housing having a first section and a second section, the second section being diametrically-opposed to the first section; a first optical cable capable of having light transmitted therethrough; a first steerable collimated light assembly operatively coupled to the first optical cable and operatively connected to a first portion of the first section of the housing, the first steerable collimated light assembly being capable of receiving light transmitted through the first optical cable and transmitting the light as a substantially collimated light beam, wherein at least a portion of the first steerable collimated light assembly is capable of being positioned such that the transmitted collimated light beam is capable of being directed at substantially any point within the second section of the housing; a second optical cable capable of having light transmitted therethrough; a second steerable collimated light assembly operatively coupled to the second optical cable and operatively connected to a second portion of the second section of the housing, the second steerable collimated light assembly being capable of receiving a substantially collimated light beam and transmitting the received light through the second optical cable, wherein at least a portion of the second steerable collimated light assembly is capable of being positioned such that a collimated light beam transmitted from within the first section of the housing is capable of being received thereby; and a controller operatively connected to and capable of controlling the first and second steerable collimated light assemblies such that at least a portion of the first and second steerable collimated light assemblies are capable of being directed towards each other, thereby allowing the light beam transmitted from the first steerable collimated light assembly to be received by the second steerable collimated light assembly.

21. The optical switch of claim 20, wherein: the first steerable collimated light assembly is further capable of receiving a substantially collimated light beam and transmitting the received light through the first optical cable; the second steerable collimated light assembly is further capable of receiving light transmitted through the second optical cable and transmitting the light as a substantially collimated light beam; and the controller is further capable of controlling the first and second steerable collimated light assemblies such that the first and second steerable collimated light assemblies are capable of being directed towards each other, thereby allowing the light beam transmitted from the second steerable collimated light assembly to be received by the first steerable collimated light assembly.

22. The optical switch of claim 20 further comprising: a third optical cable capable of having light transmitted therethrough; a third steerable collimated light assembly operatively coupled to the third optical cable and operatively connected to a third portion of the first section of the housing, the third steerable collimated light assembly being capable of receiving light transmitted through the third optical cable and transmitting the light as a substantially collimated light beam, wherein at least a portion of the third steerable collimated light assembly is capable of being positioned such that the transmitted collimated light beam is capable of being directed at substantially any point within the second section of the housing; a fourth optical cable capable of having light transmitted therethrough; a fourth steerable collimated light assembly operatively coupled to the fourth optical cable and operatively connected to a fourth portion of the second section of the housing, the fourth steerable collimated light assembly being capable of receiving a substantially collimated light beam and transmitting the received light through the fourth optical cable, wherein at least a portion of the fourth steerable collimated light assembly is capable of being positioned such that a collimated light beam transmitted from within the fourth section of the housing is capable of being received thereby; and wherein the controller is further operatively connected to the third and fourth steerable collimated light assemblies and is capable of controlling the first, second, third and fourth steerable collimated light assemblies such that the first steerable collimated light assembly and either the second or fourth steerable collimated light assembly is capable of being directed towards each other, thereby allowing the light beam transmitted from the first steerable collimated light assembly to be received by either the second or fourth steerable collimated light assembly, and the third steerable collimated light assembly and either the second or fourth steerable collimated light assembly is capable of being directed towards each other, thereby allowing the light beam transmitted from the third steerable collimated light assembly to be received by the non-receiving second or fourth steerable collimated light assembly.

23. The optical switch of claim 22, wherein: the first steerable collimated light assembly is further capable of receiving a substantially collimated light beam and transmitting the received light through the first optical cable; the second steerable collimated light assembly is further capable of receiving light transmitted through the second optical cable and transmitting the light as a substantially collimated light beam; the third steerable collimated light assembly is further capable of receiving a substantially collimated light beam and transmitting the received light through the third optical cable; the fourth steerable collimated light assembly is further capable of receiving light transmitted through the fourth optical cable and transmitting the light as a substantially collimated light beam; and the controller is further capable of controlling the first, second, third and fourth steerable collimated light assemblies such that the second steerable collimated light assembly and either the first or third steerable collimated light assembly is capable of being directed towards each other, thereby allowing the light beam transmitted from the second steerable collimated light assembly to be received by either the first or third steerable collimated light assembly, and the fourth steerable collimated light assembly and either the first or third steerable collimated light assembly is capable of being directed towards each other, thereby allowing the light beam transmitted from the fourth steerable collimated light assembly to be received by the non-receiving first or third steerable collimated light assembly.

24. The optical switch of claim 20 further comprising: a third optical cable capable of having light transmitted therethrough; a third steerable collimated light assembly operatively coupled to the third optical cable and operatively connected to a third portion of the first section of the housing, the third steerable collimated light assembly being capable of receiving light transmitted through the third optical cable and transmitting the light as a substantially collimated light beam, wherein at least a portion of the third steerable collimated light assembly is capable of being positioned such that the transmitted collimated light beam is capable of being directed at substantially any point within the second section of the housing; wherein the controller is further operatively connected to the third steerable collimated light assembly and is capable of controlling the first, second and third steerable collimated light assemblies such that the first and second steerable collimated light assemblies are capable of being directed towards each other, thereby allowing the light beam transmitted from the first steerable collimated light assembly to be received by the second steerable collimated light assembly, or the second and third steerable collimated light assemblies are capable of being directed towards each other, thereby allowing the light beam transmitted from the third steerable collimated light assembly to be received by the second steerable collimated light assembly.

25. The optical switch of claim 24, wherein: the first steerable collimated light assembly is further capable of receiving a substantially collimated light beam and transmitting the received light through the first optical cable; the second steerable collimated light assembly is further capable of receiving light transmitted through the second optical cable and transmitting the light as a substantially collimated light beam; the third steerable collimated light assembly is further capable of receiving a substantially collimated light beam and transmitting the received light through the third optical cable; and the controller is further capable of controlling the first, second and third steerable collimated light assemblies such that the first and second steerable collimated light assemblies are capable of being directed towards each other, thereby allowing the light beam transmitted from the second steerable collimated light assembly to be received by the first steerable collimated light assembly, or the second and third steerable collimated light assembly are capable of being directed towards each other, thereby allowing the light beam transmitted from the second steerable collimated light assembly to be received by the third steerable collimated light assembly.

26. The optical switch of claim 20, wherein the first collimator device is capable of transmitting a substantially collimated light beam having a substantially Gaussian cross-section.