Single-Mode Fiber Optical Switches, VIS-NIR Light Switching

Fiber optical switches (single-mode fiber switches) are passive devices that selectively switch optical signals delivered through an optical fiber or an optical circuit to another. Optical switches are integral parts in the testing of fiber components and optical systems and in other applications, such as OTDR testing, bypassing inoperative nodes in a local area network. By utilizing high-precision optics and mechanical technology, LFIBER designs and manufactures fiber optical switches that can operate over the visible VIS spectrum and NIR (or IR) spectrum, typically from 430 nm to 2000 nm.

This page is to introduce LFIBER’s VIS-NIR single-mode fiber optical switches controlled by RS-232 communication protocol. For the TTL control version, click Single-Mode Fiber Optic Switches (VIS-NIR Spectrum, TTL).

More about single-mode (SM) fiber optic switches ...

Fiber Optical Switches, Light Switching for VIS-NIR (430-2000 nm) Fiber Optical Systems

Typical NIR operating wavelengths of the single-mode (SM) fiber optical switches include 2000 nm, 1990 nm, 1950 nm, 1940 nm, 1920 nm, 1910 nm, 1900 nm, 1870 nm, 1850 nm, 1710 nm, 1645 nm, 1625 nm, 1610 nm, 1605 nm, 1590 nm, 1570 nm, 1565 nm, 1558 nm, 1550 nm, 1528 nm, 1490 nm, 1480 nm, 1475 nm, 1450 nm, 1410 nm, 1310 nm, 1300 nm, 1080 nm, 1064 nm, 1060 nm, 1055 nm, 1040 nm, 1035 nm, 1030 nm, 980 nm, 976 nm, 975 nm, 960 nm, 946 nm, 940 nm, 938 nm, 935 nm, 930 nm, 915 nm, 905 nm, 860 nm, 852 nm, 850 nm, 845 nm, 835 nm, 830 nm, 808 nm, 795 nm, 793 nm, 780 nm, etc.

Typical VIS wavelengths of the single-mode fiber optical switches include 688 nm, 685 nm, 671 nm, 666 nm, 665 nm, 660 nm, 656 nm, 655 nm, 650 nm, 647 nm, 642 nm, 640 nm, 637 nm, 635 nm, 633 nm, 632 nm, 630 nm, 600 nm, 589 nm, 561 nm, 550 nm, 543 nm, 540 nm, 532 nm, 530 nm, 526 nm, 523 nm, 522 nm, 520 nm, 515 nm, 514 nm, 509 nm, 490 nm, 488 nm, 480 nm, 473 nm, 470 nm, 465 nm, 462 nm, 460 nm, 457 nm, 454 nm, 450 nm, 447 nm, 445 nm, 444 nm, etc.

About the Fiber Optical Switches (Singlemode Fiber Optic Switches)

Principles of the Fiber Optic Switches (VIS-NIR Single-Mode Fiber Optical Switches)

Fiber optic switches are the key components to provide bandwidth management, ring interconnect, protection, or mesh restoration in the optical layer.

Inside the Singlemode (SM) fiber optical switches, the mechanical movement of some parts controls the direction of the light signal or changes states between transmitting and cutting off the light signal.

Lfiber’s optical switches are stepping motor driven. The main components inside the switches are stepping motors and optical collimators. The operation is based on the motion of the stepping motor relative to the fixed collimator, see right figure.

Single-Mode Fiber Optical Switches

SM Fibers, VIS-NIR Spectrum, RS232 / USB Control

USER MANUAL

FEATURES OF FIBER OPTICAL SWITCHES

Low Insertion Loss and High Reliability
Serial Interface (RS-232)
Modularized Design
Epoxy-free on Optical Path

APPLICATIONS OF SINGLE-MODE FIBER OPTICAL SWITCHES (SM FIBER SWITCHES)

Optical Signal Switching and Routing
Optical Network Monitoring
Testing of Fiber Optic Component
OTDR Testing

Specifications of the Fiber Optical Switches
Number of Channels (N)	1×N (N ≤ 16) or other channel counts on request
Fiber Type	Single-mode fibers
Insertion Loss (dB)	≤ 2.0 dB @ 430-670 nm ≤ 1.5 dB @ 780-1250 nm ≤ 1.0 dB @ 1260-1590 nm ≤ 1.5 dB @ 1600-2000 nm
Operating Wavelength Range (nm)	430-2000 nm on request
Testing Wavelength (nm)	450, 532, 650, 850, 980, 1310, 1490, 1550, 1625, etc.
Return Loss (dB)	≥ 50
Crosstalk (dB)	≥ 70
Wavelength Dependent Loss (dB)	≤ 0.25
Temperature Dependent Loss (dB)	≤ 0.25
Repeatability (dB)	≤ 0.02
Lifetime (cycles)	≥ 10 million
Switching Time (ms)	≤ 8 (adjacent channel)
Power Handling (mW)	≤ 500
Power Supply	5V / 500mA
Control Mode	RS-232
Connector	FC, LC, SC, ST, SMA, etc.
Operating Temperature (℃)	-20 to +70
Storage Temperature (℃)	-40 to +85
Dimension (mm)	135 × 64 × 32 mm, 19" rack or different sizes on request

Notes:

Typically, the operating wavelengths of the single-mode (SM) fiber optical switches include, but are not limited to, 444 nm, 445 nm, 447 nm, 450 nm, 454 nm, 457 nm, 460 nm, 462 nm, 465 nm, 470 nm, 473 nm, 480 nm, 488 nm, 490 nm, 509 nm, 514 nm, 515 nm, 520 nm, 522 nm, 523 nm, 526 nm, 530 nm, 532 nm, 540 nm, 543 nm, 550 nm, 561 nm, 589 nm, 600 nm, 630 nm, 632 nm, 633 nm, 635 nm, 637 nm, 640 nm, 642 nm, 647 nm, 650 nm, 655 nm, 656 nm, 660 nm, 665 nm, 666 nm, 671 nm, 685 nm, 688 nm, 780 nm, 793 nm, 795 nm, 808 nm, 830 nm, 835 nm, 845 nm, 850 nm, 852 nm, 860 nm, 905 nm, 915 nm, 930 nm, 935 nm, 938 nm, 940 nm, 946 nm, 960 nm, 975 nm, 976 nm, 980 nm, 1030 nm, 1035 nm, 1040 nm, 1055 nm, 1060 nm, 1064 nm, 1080 nm, 1300 nm, 1310 nm, 1410 nm, 1450 nm, 1475 nm, 1480 nm, 1490 nm, 1528 nm, 1550 nm, 1558 nm, 1565 nm, 1570 nm, 1590 nm, 1605 nm, 1610 nm, 1625 nm, 1645 nm, 1710 nm, 1850 nm, 1870 nm, 1900 nm, 1910 nm, 1920 nm, 1940 nm, 1950 nm, 1990 nm, 2000 nm, etc.
For requests please see the ordering information section and specify the number of channels, operating wavelength range, control mode, etc.
This fiber optical switch is easily controllable through LabVIEW and Python.
Lfiber can offer a plug-and-play solution for directly programming the switch via RS232 / USB interface upon request. If there is a need, we can offer software solutions (based on Microsoft Windows OS) so that the users can easily control the optical switch (even though you don’t have any knowledge about programming) via the RS232 / USB interface on your computer.
The fiber optical switches can be powered by a universal AC/DC adaptor that is able to convert 100-250 VAC to 5 VDC.
Standard port/channel counts of the fiber optical switches: 1×2, 1×4, 1×8, 1×16, 1×24, 1×32, 1×48, 1×64, 1×128, etc. Other channel counts are also available on request.
The optical switches can be installed in standard 19-inch racks. We offer customization upon request if needed. Click Rack-Mounted Fiber Optic Switch for more info.
Lfiber’s optical switches are customizable and the specifications are subject to change without notice.
For product customization or special requirements, please contact our sales representative.

RS232 Control via USB: Hardware Connection of the Fiber Optical Switches

SM Fiber Optical Switches Fiber Optic Switch 460 490 532 630 632 633 635 637 650 688 nm 1080 1300 850 905 915 935 940 976 980 1030 1040 1064 405 444 450 nm 1310 1450 1490 1550 1590 780 793 808 830 835 1625 1950 2000 nm

Connection of the Fiber Optical Switches

Pin Configurations of the Fiber Optical Switches

DB-9 Male Connector

Pin No.	I / O	Signal	Descriptions
2	Input	RXD	Receive Data
3	Out	TXD	Send Data
5	Power	GND	Ground
8	Power	GND	Ground
9	Power	VCC1	5.0 ± 5% VDC Power Supply (500mA)
1, 4, 6, 7	NC	NC	Vacancy

Dimensions of the Fiber Optical Switches

Single-Mode Fiber Optical Switches 444nm 450nm 650nm 688nm 780nm 793nm 808nm 1040nm 1064nm 940nm 976nm 405nm Fiber Optic Switching 490nm 532nm 830nm 835nm 850nm 905nm 915nm 935nm 460nm Fiber Optical Switch 635nm 637nm 630nm 632nm 633nm 980nm 1030nm 1950nm 1080nm 1300nm 1310nm 1450nm 1490nm 2000nm 1550nm 1590nm 1625nm

Optical Route of the Fiber Optical Switches

Fiber Optical Switches 808nm 1064nm 1450nm 1490nm 2000nm 980nm 1040nm 1030nm Fiber Optical Switching 650nm 632nm 633nm 688nm 780nm 793nm 630nm 635nm 637nm Fiber Optic Switcher

Control Chart of the Fiber Optical Switches

Fiber Optic Switch 450nm 460nm 490nm 532nm 905nm 915nm 935nm 940nm 976nm 405nm Single-Mode Fiber Optical Switches 444nm 830nm 835nm 850nm 1550nm 1590nm 1625nm 1950nm 1080nm 1300nm 1310nm

Communication Protocol

“_” expression underline.
Communication protocols are all capital letters.
The communication protocol commands, “<” as the start, “>” as a terminator.

Fiber Optical Switches 444 450 460 nm 490 532 630 633 635 637 850 905 915 935 940 976 nm 632 650 688 780 793 1625 1950 2000 808 830 835 nm Optical Switches 980 1030 1040 1064 1080 1300 1310 1450 1490 1550 1590 405 nm Fiber Optic Switching

Operating Instructions

COM Settings
Baud rate: 9600 | Data bits: 8 bit | Stop bit: 1 bit | Parity bit: None | Command error return “< OSW_ERROR >”

Software Control Chart (For Reference Only)

Fiber Optical Switches 635nm 637nm 650nm 688nm 780nm 793nm 630nm 632nm 633nm Fiber Optical Switching 1450nm 1490nm 2000nm 808nm 1040nm 1064nm 980nm 1030nm Fiber Optic Switcher

The fiber optical switches transmit the command to control the optical switch through RS232 serial communication. The optical switch receives the command successfully and returns the response.
To program the fiber optical switches directly via USB (RS232 control), we can throw in a USB 2.0 to DB9 male serial cable (RS232 converter/adaptor), and then the switch can be connected to the USB port on your device. Click USB to DB9 Male Serial Cable Driver to download the driver for the converter/adaptor.
The optical switches are bidirectional in operation.

Ordering Information for the Fiber Optic Switches
Number of Channels	Operating Wavelength	Fiber Type	Control Mode	Fiber Pigtail Length	Connector
1x2	444 nm	Single-Mode Fibers	RS232 (via DB9 Male)	0.50 m	None
1x4	450 nm		RS232 (via USB)	1.00 m	LC/UPC
1x8	460 nm			1.50 m	LC/APC
1x16	532 nm			Custom …	SC/UPC
Custom …	630 / 632 / 633 nm				SC/APC
	635 / 637 nm				FC/UPC
	650 nm				FC/APC
	780 nm				SMA
	793 nm				Custom …
	830 nm
	835 nm
	850 nm
	905 nm
	915 nm
	935 nm
	940 nm
	980 nm
	1064 nm
	1080 nm
	1300 nm
	1310 nm
	1450 nm
	1490 nm
	1550 nm
	1625 nm
	2000 nm
	Custom …