Optical Switches

Optical switches are optoelectric devices, consisting of a light source and a detector that produces a switched output or completes a circuit. Optical switches are useful in computer networking because they do not rely on a particular data speed or protocol to process signals. Optical switches can also be used to separate and direct signals at different wavelengths. Electro-optical switches convert the incoming photons to electrons to do the switching action within the switch. Fiber optical switches do not perform this conversion. Instead, a fiber optical switch maintains the signal as light from input through to output.

Optical switches can also be used to switch audio and video inputs. An optical audio switch is used to manage and prioritize audio inputs coming from a variety of interconnected components, such as a DVD player, high-definition television, or computer. A digital optical switch can also manage the inputs of a variety of digital or analog devices, processing both video and audio signals. Optical audio switches and digital audio switches are available from a variety of manufacturers.

Optical switches come in a variety of modular configurations, usually a variant of a 1xN or 2xN package. A 1xN optical switch provides switching between one common port and N output ports. A 2xN optical switch provides bidirectional switching. A 2x2 optical switch provides cross-connect functionality between 2 input channels and 2 output channels. Like other types of optical switches, 1XN optical switches and 2x2 optical switches are available from a variety of manufacturers.

Optical switches used in semiconductor applications are known as either photo switch interrupters or interrupter optical switches, and are built using an infrared light emitting diode (LED) coupled with a photo transmitter. A photo-switch interrupter or interrupter optical switch is housed in an injection-molded plastic package with a physical gap in between them. The gap in the plastic housing serves as a means of interrupting the signal, and provides simple on/off switching.

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Part Numbers for Optical Switches