PM Fiber Switch, Polarization Maintaining Optical Switch

PM Fiber Switch (Polarization Maintaining Optical Switch) is a passive component that selectively transmits, redirects or blocks optical signals from a given input port to a given output port in an optical fiber transmission line. At the same time, by using Panda PM fibers it’s able to maintain a well-defined state of polarization (SOP) of the light. Lfiber’s mechanical PM fiber switch features less than 0.8 dB insertion loss, high extinction ratio, very low crosstalk, and fast switching time. These PM fiber switches have been widely used in a variety of fiber-optic applications, including protection, restoration, testing & measurement, and monitoring in telecom applications and many PM fiber-optic systems.

This page is to introduce LFIBER’s PM fiber switch controlled by RS-232 communication protocol. For the TTL control version, click Polarization Maintaining Optical Fiber Switch (TTL).

More about polarization maintaining (PM) optical switches ...

Demand for Polarization Maintaining (PM) Fiber Switch

For PM-applications, polarization-maintaining fiber (PMF) is the optimal technical choice for high performance. Demand for multi-channel PM fiber switch is increasing because they allow smooth re-direction of optical fiber routing in response to changes in data traffic or network problems. In this way, they increase the efficiency of data transmission over optical broadband networks and test equipment.

PM Fiber Switch (Polarization Maintaining Fiber Optical Switch)

The polarization maintaining optical fiber switch (PM fiber switch) is an important device for PM fiber-optic applications in optical communications, networks and system.

The PM fiber switch optically switches fiber circuits without doing expensive optical-electronic-optical (OEO) conversions. These can reduce the cost of optic-optic network and increase fiber transmission capacity and, at the same time, distribute optical signals to different subscribers. The PM fiber switch only rearranges the physical fiber circuit so that such a switch is transparent to all protocols, data formats, and modulation formats.

Polarization Maintaining (PM) Fiber Switch

USER MANUAL

FEATURES OF PM FIBER SWITCH (POLARIZATION MAINTAINING OPTICAL SWITCH)

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

APPLICATIONS OF PM FIBER SWITCH (PM OPTICAL SWITCH)

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

Specifications of the 1xN PM Optical Fiber Switch
Channel Number (N)	1×N (N ≤ 16) or other channel counts on request
Fiber Type	Panda PM fibers
Insertion Loss (dB)	Typ: 0.5; Max: 0.8
Extinction Ratio (dB)	≥ 20 dB (standard) or better
Operating Wavelength (nm)	1310-1550
Testing Wavelength (nm)	1310 or 1550
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, 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:

For requests please see the ordering information section and specify the number of channels, operating wavelength range, control mode, etc.
The PM fiber optical switch is easily controllable through LabVIEW and Python.
Lfiber can offer a plug-and-play solution for directly programming the PM fiber 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.
Unless otherwise specified, the slow axis of the fiber is aligned with the key of the connector.
The polarization-maintaining (PM) fiber optical switch 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 PM fiber 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 PM fiber switch can be installed on 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 PM Optical Fiber Switch

Polarization Maintaining Optical Switches PM Optical Fiber Switch

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

Pin Configurations of the Polarization Maintaining (PM) Optical Fiber Switch

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 Polarization Maintaining (PM) Optical Fiber Switch

Polarization Maintaining PM optical Switch PM Fiber Switch

Optical Route of the Polarization Maintaining (PM) Optical Fiber Switch

Polarization Maintaining PM Fiber Switch PM optical Switch

Control Chart of the Polarization Maintaining (PM) Optical Fiber Switch

PM Fiber Switch Polarization Maintaining PM optical Switch

Communication Protocol

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

Optical PM Fiber Switch

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)

PM Fiber Switch Polarization Maintaining optical Switch

The PM optical switch transmits 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 PM fiber switch directly over 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 PM fiber switch is bidirectional in operation.

Ordering Information for the Polarization Maintaining (PM) Optical Fiber Switch
Port/Channel Number	Test Wavelength	Fiber Type	Control Mode	Fiber Length	Connector
1×N (N ≤ 16)	1310 nm	Panda PM fibers	RS232	0.50 m	None
Custom …	1550 nm		RS232 (via USB)	1.00 m	LC/UPC
	Custom …			1.50 m	LC/APC
				Custom …	SC/UPC
					SC/APC
					FC/UPC
					FC/APC
					Custom …