Optical Switches
Photonwares offers the largest selection of optical switches based on multiple technologies for a wide range of application scenarios. We are a leading volume manufacturer of fiber optical switches providing industrial leading performances and values. Our switches are all Telcordia standard GR1221 qualified. Photonwares provides customized designs as well as module integration with full function and control.
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Optical Switch Systems (15)
(turn-key solutions with computer graphic interface)Photonwares produces turn-key fiberoptic switch systems and sub-modules with the fully integrated electronic driver, firmware, various computer/internet interface formats, and user-friendly graphics software. These systems are customarily configurated based on multiple patented cutting-edge technologies meeting a wide range of application scenarios. They offer unique performance and cost attributes and have a large worldwide installed base. A few examples are listed below. -
MEMS Optical Switches - etMEMS™ (25)
(high stability, ultra-compact size)Based on Si micro-machined switching core technology, Photonwares' family of MEMS Fiber Optic Switches feature industry leading high reliability billion cycle performance, ultra-small size, low cost, and excellent optical performance over a wide operating temperature range of -40°C to +85C. This series of switches is designed to meet the most demanding Carrier-class and out-door optical switching applications. We currently offer configurations in 1×1, 1×2, full 2×2, 4x4, and 1xN configurations in both polarization independent and polarization maintaining versions. -
High Speed Optical Switches - NanoSpeed™ (27)
(high speed, no moving parts, long life)The NanoSpeed™ Fiber Optic Switch family features industrial leading performance of ultra-fast response (<50ns), ultra-low loss (<1dB), and a wide operating temperature range (-50°C to +90°C). The switches are also highly reliable without moving parts and organic materials in the light path. These switches and their electronic drivers are produced in volume, offering unmatched cost benefits. They are widely used in mission-critical optical switching applications. Configurations are available in 1×1, 1×2, and 2x2, in both polarization independent and polarization-maintaining versions. We further offer custom design that can combine the best features across our entire switching family. The switches are produced based on two patented electro-optical technologies. -
High Reliability Optical Switches - CrystaLatch™ (72)
(no moving parts, latching, ultra high reliability)The CrystaLatch™ Solid-State Fiber Optic Switch family features fast response and ultra-high reliability exceeding 100 billion cycles. These switches are designed to meet the most demanding optical switching applications. They are the preferred choice for aerospace and undersea applications with an established customer base. The patented CrystaLatch™ switch has no moving parts, activated by an electrical pulse inside an inorganic magneto-optic crystal to facilitate solid-state binary switching that is intrinsically stable against temperature fluctuation, vibration, and fatigue. In addition, the switch has unique fail-safe latching capability, thereby maintaining its position when power is removed, and is conveniently controllable by a direct low voltage signal or digitally with an integrated electronic driver featuring both TTL and RS232 interface. The magneto-optical devices have build-in isolator as well as circulator function, yet, they can also be made true bidirectional. We also offer high optical power version with standard 5W CW power handling. We currently offer a large selections of configurations in 1×1, 1×2, 2×2, 1×4, 1×5, 1×6, 1×8, 1×16, and non-blocking 4×4, 8×8 and multicasting 16×24 for both polarization independent and polarization maintain versions. An evaluation/development kit, including a PC driver and Windows based graphical interface, is also available for these products. -
Opto-mechanical Switches - LightBend™ (48)
(low loss, low cost)The LightBend™ micromechanical fiber optic switch family offers the most affordable high performance optical switch products. Based on a patented technology that provides a robust method of altering the light path, this series of products has a drastically simplified platform configuration offering high reliability and low production cost. Currently configurations include 1x1, 1x2, 1x8, 2x2, and 4x4 as well as dual 1x2 and 2x2 bypass configurations for single mode fibers, multimode, and polarization maintain fiber as we as dual window operation. The LB switches are versatile offering fiber core from 3 to 400 mm and wavelength from 450 to 8000nm.The LB switches family is intrinsically bidirectional that can transmit light in both directions at the same time. While providing high reliability, this value line of switches is designed for cost sensitive switching applications. -
Fiber to Fiber Switches - SelfAlign™ (5)
(ultra low loss, all fiber types, large port count, high power handling, low cost)The SelfAlign Series of optical fiber switch is based on a patent-pending self-groove alignment mechanism without the need for AR coating and lenses. It offers unparallel advantages of very low loss of about 0.3dB for all ports for any array size, and low cost, amicable to any fiber core size, and broad wavelength operation from 300nm-2300nm
