Fiber-optic switch arrays for optical subscriber transmission systems

Optical array devices play an important role in subscriber transmission systems because they can efficiently accommodate the large number of optical channels required. The use of two single-mode fiber-optic switch arrays in subscriber transmission systems is discussed. The first is a 16-element micromechanical switch array which is electrostatically driven and is used to separate abnormal subscriber units that transmit disturbing light signals. The second is a 16-element switch array which interconnects a pair of probe fibers and any one of 16-channel subscriber-line fibers to execute fault testing.<
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