Method for calibrating photonic crossconnect device

1. A method for calibrating a preferred disposition for a moveable first mirror of an optical switch core of a photonic crossconnect device relative to a second mirror thereof, the optical switch core of the photonic crossconnect device comprising the first mirror, the second mirror, and a third mirror, the method comprising:

effecting a laser light crossconnection between the first and second mirrors so as to produce first order correction data; and

effecting a further laser light crossconnection between the first mirror and the third mirror so as to produce second order correction date;

wherein detection of deviation of the first mirror from the preferred disposition thereof and implementation of corrective changes are based on the first order correction data and the second order correction data.

2. A method for calibrating a disposition for a first mirror of an optical switch core of a photonic crossconnect device relative to a second mirror of the optical switch core, the optical switch core of the photonic crossconnect device comprising the first mirror, the second mirror, and a third mirror, the first mirror being movably mounted relative to the optical switch core, and a sensor for sensing geometrical coordinates of the first mirror in space, and the sensor configured to determine offset values and gain values thereof, the method comprising the steps of:

setting the offset values and gain values of the sensor to default values;

determining a given position of the first mirror relative to the second mirror by at least one of (i) heuristics and (ii) mathematics

effecting a laser light crossconnection between the first mirror and the second mirror so as to produce first order correction data related to the given position of the first mirror relative to the second mirror; and

effecting at least one further laser light crossconnection between the first mirror and the third mirror so as to produce second order correction data related to the offset values and gain values of the sensor;

wherein the sensor is adapted to detect deviation of the first mirror from a preferred disposition thereof that may be used to effect corrective changes upon initiation of a subsequent laser light crossconnection involving the first mirror.

3. Apparatus for calibrating a disposition for a first mirror of an optical switch core of a photonic crossconnect device relative to a second mirror of the optical switch core, the optical switch core of the phonic crossconnect device comprising the first mirror, the second mirror, and a third minor, the first mirror being movably mounted relative to the optical switch core, said apparatus comprising:

sensor means for sensing geometrical coordinates of the first mirror in space, and the sensor means configured to determine offset values thereof and gain values thereof;

set means for setting the offset values and gain values for the sensor means to default values, respectively;

determination means for determining a given position of the first mirror relative to the second mirror by at least one of (i) heuristics and (ii) mathematics;

first effector means for effecting a laser light crossconnection between the first minor and the second mirror so as to produce first order correction data related to the given position of the first mirror relative to the second mirror, and

second effector means for effecting at least one further laser light crossconnection between the first mirror and a third mirror so as to produce second order correction data related to the offset values and the gain values of the first mirror;

wherein the sensor means are adapted to detect deviation of the first mirror from a preferred disposition therefore and effect corrective changes upon initiation of a laser light crossconnection involving the first mirror.

4. A method for calibrating a preferred disposition for a moveable first mirror of an optical switch core of a photonic crossconnect device relative to a second mirror thereof, the method comprising the steps of determining approximate geometric coordinates of the first mirror relative to the second mirror, effecting a laser light crossconnection between the first and second mirrors to produce data from which to provide first order corrections to refine the geometric coordinates, and effecting a further laser light crossconnection between the first mirror and a third mirror, to produce data from which to provide second order corrections to further refine the geometric coordinates, whereby to calibrate the first mirror such that upon initiation of a laser light crossconnection involving the first mirror, a switching element detects deviation of the first mirror from the preferred disposition thereof and effects corrective changes.

5. A method for calibrating a disposition for a first mirror of a first switching element of an optical switch core of a photonic crossconnect device relative to a second mirror of a second switching element of the optical switch core, the first element first mirror being movably mounted relative to the optical switch core, and first switching element sensors mounted on the first switching element for sensing (i) geometrical coordinates of the first mirror in space, (ii) offset values for the first switching element sensors, and (iii) gain values for the first switching element sensors, the method comprising the steps of:

setting offset and gain values for the first switching element sensors of the first switching element to default values;

determining approximate geometric coordinates of the first mirror of the first switching element relative to the second mirror of the second switching element by at least one of (i) heuristics and (ii) mathematics;

effecting a laser light crossconnection between the switching elements' first and second mirrors to produce data from which to provide first order corrections and refine the geometrical coordinates of the first mirror of the first switching element; and

effecting at least one further laser light crossconnection between the first switching element first mirror and a third switching element third mirror, to produce data from which to correct the offset and gain values for the first switching element sensors to provide second order corrections and further refine the geometrical coordinates of the first mirror;

whereby to calibrate the first mirror such that upon initiation of a laser light crossconnection involving the first mirror, the switching element sensors for the first switching element are adapted to detect deviation of the first mirror from a preferred disposition thereof and enable the first switching element to effect corrective changes.

6. Apparatus for calibrating a disposition for a first mirror of a first switching element of an optical switch core of a photonic crossconnect device relative to a second mirror of a second switching element of the optical switch core, the first element first mirror being movably mounted relative to the optical switch core, said apparatus comprising:

first switching element sensors mounted on the first switching element for sensing (i) geometrical coordinates of the first mirror in space, (ii) offset values for the first switching element sensors, and (iii) gain values for the first switching element sensors;

default setting means for setting offset and gain values for the first switching element sensors of the first switching element to default values;

approximation means for determining approximate geometric coordinates of the first mirror of the first switching element relative to the second mirror of the second switching element by at least one of (i) heuristics and (ii) mathematics;

first crossconnection means for effecting a laser light crossconnection between the switching elements' first and second mirrors to produce data from which to provide first order corrections and refine the geometrical coordinates of the first mirror of the first switching element; and

second crossconnection means for effecting at least one further laser light crossconnection between the first switching element first mirror and a third switching element third mirror, to produce data from which to correct the offset and gain values for the first switching element sensors to provide second order corrections and further refine the geometrical coordinates of the first mirror;

wherein the switching element sensors fro the first switching element are adapted to detect deviation of the first mirror from a preferred disposition thereof and enable the first switching element to effect corrective changes upon initiation of a laser light crossconnection involving the first mirror so as to calibrate the first mirror.