Reconfigurable array for RF/analogue signals

A reconfigurable array for facilitating dynamic combination and distribution of RF/analogue signals, the reconfigurable array comprising:

• a number, Ni, of input devices for generating or supplying RF/analogue input signals;
• a number, No, of output devices for analysing or forwarding RF/analogue output signals;
• an optical switch matrix comprising a number, Np, of ports, wherein each of the ports is an optical input or an optical output, wherein each input device is coupled to a respective port of the optical switch matrix at an optical input, wherein each output device is coupled to a respective port of the optical switch matrix at an optical output, and wherein the optical switch matrix is configurable to enable optical connection of any optical input to any optical output;
• and
• a plurality of splitters/combiners that each have multiple uncommon ports which couple to a single common port, wherein each splitter/combiner enables either fan-in of optical signals from the uncommon ports to the common port or fan-out of optical signals from the common port to the uncommon ports, and wherein each port of each splitter/combiner is coupled to a respective port of the optical switch matrix;
• wherein the plurality of splitters/combiners include at least one M:1 splitter/combiner, where M is a predetermined maximum number of RF/analogue signals for the reconfigurable array to fan-in or fan-out, where M is based on Ni and No;
• wherein the reconfigurable array is configured to convert the RF/analogue input signals from the input devices into optical input signals for presentation at the ports of the optical switch matrix;
• wherein the reconfigurable array is configured to convert optical output signals from the optical switch matrix into the RF/analogue output signals for onward transmission or processing by the output devices;
• wherein the optical switch matrix is a C×D optical switch matrix having a number, C, of ports on one side and a number, D, of ports on the other side, where C≤D;
• wherein the C×D optical switch matrix is configurable to enable optical connection of any of the C ports on the one side to any of the D ports on the other side;
• wherein the plurality of splitter/combiners comprises a first set of splitters/combiners having their uncommon ports connected to respective ones of the D ports of the optical switch matrix and having their common ports connected to respective ones of the C ports of the optical switch matrix;
• and
• wherein the plurality of splitter/combiners comprises a second set of splitters/combiners having their uncommon ports connected to respective ones of the C ports of the optical switch matrix and having their common ports connected to respective ones of the D ports of the optical switch matrix.