Method and device for optically crossconnecting optical signals using tilting mirror mems with drift monitoring feature

摘要

A device and method detect rotational drift of mirror elements in a MEMS tilt mirror array (318) used in an optical crossconnect (300). The optical crossconnect directs optical signals from an input fiber (312) to an output fiber (312) along an optical path by rotatably positioning mirror elements in desired positions. A monitoring device (340,350) disposed outside of the optical path is used to obtain images of the MEMS array (318) or to transmit and receive a test signal through the crossconnect for detecting the presence of mirror element drift.