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Optical switching
1. DiCon Fiberoptics, Inc., a recognized leader in designing and manufacturing optical components, offers a robust
lineup of fiber optic switches for use in numerous applications.
Optical Switch Applications
Optical Signal Switching and Routing
Optical Network Protection and Restoration
Optical Network Monitoring
Video Distribution
Instrumentation Resource Sharing
Military Communications
To meet the optical switching needs of the different applications across multiple markets, DiCon develops and carries
optical switches in three separate technology platforms and a broad range of configurations.
MEMS Optical Switch
This latest technology platform presents the best value in terms of size, form factor, durability, and cost. The design
of our MEMS optical switch centers on DiCon's proprietary dual-axes tilting MEMS mirror and is expandable up to a
1x36 switch configuration. Large fan-out 1xN optical switches and non-blocking fan-out/fan-in NxM matrix optical
switches are built by cascading multiple of these 1xN switches. The MEMS 1xN fiber optic switch passes the
stringent Telcordia GR-1221 qualification and is vastly deployed in today’s optical communication networks. With a
lifetime of over a billion cycles, the durability of this MEMS device makes it a perfect choice for optical network
monitoring applications that require frequent switching.
MEMS 1xN Optical Switches (single-mode and multi-mode fibers, array configurations, On/Off)
MEMS Matrix Optical Switches (single-mode and multi-mode fibers, blocking and non-blocking)
MEMS Specialty-fiber Optical Switches (visible light, near ultra-violet ranges)
MEMS Special Configuration Optical Switches (Flexport, Integrated WDM, Add/Drop)
Prism Optical Switch
DiCon's prism optical switch achieve channel switching by mechanically actuating a prism in to or out of the optical
path. Higher channel count is accomplished by cascading multiple prisms in a series. The prism fiber optic switch is
an ideal option for network protection applications where latching is necessary.
Prism Optical Switches
Stepper Motor Optical Switch
Our motorized optical switch uses a high accuracy stepper motor to rotate the input fiber precisely to the aligned
output fiber positions. The extra mechanical strength of the stepper motor fiber optic switch allows it to switch many
types of rigid large core fibers, which are often used in the biomedical and life sciences industries.
2. Stepper Motor (VX) Optical Switches
Optical Switch Technology Comparison Matrix
Platform MEMS Prism Stepper Motor
Life Time > 1 Billion Cycles > 10 Million Cycles > 10 Million Cycles
Max 1xN config. 1x12 (Single Stage) 1x8 1x50 (Standard)
1x128 (Double Stage) 1x120 (Custom)
Max IL 0.7 dB (1x2) 1.0 dB (1x2) 1.2 dB
0.8 dB (1x8) 2.5 dB (1x8)
Cross Talk > 50 dB > 80 dB > 80 dB
Switching Time 10 ms (1x2) 12 ms (1x2) 300 ms
30 ms (1x8) 75 ms (1x8) + 17ms/channel
Qualification GR-1221 GR-1073
Latching Option No Yes No
Single Mode Fiber Yes Yes Yes
Multi Mode Fiber Yes Yes Yes
1060 nm Fiber Yes Yes Yes
PM Fiber In Roadmap Yes Yes
Specialty Fiber Ideal for small core fiber Ideal for large core fiber
2xN Availability Yes No Yes
Matrix Availability Yes No Customized
MEMS Single-Mode 1xN Optical Switches
MEMS Reflection On/Off Optical Switch
MEMS On/Off Optical Switch
MEMS 1X2 Optical Switch (Size 1)
MEMS 1X4 Optical Switch (Size 1)
MEMS 1X8 Optical Switch (Size 1)
MEMS 1XN Optical Switch, Cylindrical
MEMS 1XN Optical Switch, With External PCB
MEMS 1xN Large Fan-out Optical Switch, With External PCB
MEMS 1X24 Optical Switch (Size 2)
MEMS 1xN Optical Switch (Size 3)
MEMS 1X128 Optical Switch (Rackmount)
