1×4 High Speed Optical Switch – NanoSpeed™

60ns rise/fall, 500kHz, low loss, bidirectional, 850nm to 1620nm, 0 to 70 °C
Download Product Spec PDF

The NS Series 1×4 solid-state fiber optic switch is made of cascaded three 1X2 switches. It connects optical channels by redirecting an incoming optical signal into a selected output optical fiber. This is achieved using patent pending non-mechanical configurations with solid-state all-crystal designs, which eliminates the need for mechanical movement and organic materials. The NS fiber-optic switch is designed to meet the most demanding switching requirements of ultra-high reliability, fast response time, and continuous switching operation. Photonwares’s PCB driver listed in the web is recommended to operate this device, featuring high efficiency and low cost with 12V DC power and TTL control signals.

SKU: NSSW

1x4 High Speed Optical Switch - NanoSpeed™

The NS Series 1x4 solid-state fiber optic switch is made of cascaded three 1X2 switches. It connects optical channels by redirecting an incoming optical signal into a selected output optical fiber. This is achieved using patent pending non-mechanical configurations with solid-state all-crystal designs, which eliminates the need for mechanical movement and organic materials. The NS fiber-optic switch is designed to meet the most demanding switching requirements of ultra-high reliability, fast response time, and continuous switching operation. Photonwares’s PCB driver listed in the web is recommended to operate this device, featuring high efficiency and low cost with 12V DC power and TTL control signals.

 

Parameters Min Typical Max Unit
Operation Wavelength 780 2000 nm
Insertion Loss[1] 760~960 nm 2.2 2.8 dB
960~1260 nm 2.0 2.6
1260~1650 nm 1.4 2.0
Cross Talk 20 25 dB
Return Loss[1] 45 50 dB
Polarization Dependent Loss 0.15 0.35 dB
IL Temperature Dependency 0.25 0.5 dB
Polarization Mode Dispersion 0.1 0.3 ps
Switch Speed (Rise,Fall)  30 300 ns
Repetition Rate[2] 5 kHz
Optical Power Handling[3] 300 mW
Operating Temperature -5 70 °C
Storage Temperature -40 85 °C
Package Dimension 184 L x 170 W  mm

Notes:

    [1] Measured without connectors
    [2] High repetition rate (up to 500 KHz) is available with special circuit, please call us.
    [3] Defined at 1550nm. For the shorter wavelength, the handling power may be reduced. High power version (up to 5W) is available, please call us for more information.  

Spec Sheet (PDF)

Mechanical Drawing

Driver Software


Q: Does NS device drift over time and temperature?
A: NS devices are based on electro-optical crystal materials that can be influenced to a certain range by the environmental variations.  The insertion loss of the device is only affected by the thermal expansion induced miss-alignment.  For extended temperature operation, we offer special packaging to -40 -100 0C.   The extinction or cross-talk value is affected by many EO material characters, including temperature-dependent birefringence,  Vp, temperature gradient, optical power, at resonance points (electronic).  However, the devices are designed to meet the minimum extinction/cross-talk stated on the spec sheets.  It is important to avoid a temperature gradient along the device length.

Q: What is the actual applying voltage on the device?
A: 100 to 400V depending on the version.

Q: How does the device work?
A: NS devices are not based on Mach-Zander Interference, rather birefringence crystal’s nature beam displacement,  in which the crystal creates two different paths for beams with different polarization orientations.

Q: What is the limitation for faster operation?
A: NS devices have been tested to have an optical response of about 300 ps.  However, practical implementation limits the response speeds.    It is possible to achieve a much faster response when operated at partial extinction value.  We also offer resonance devices over 20MHz with low electrical power consumption.

Drivers