Dynamically switching queueing schemes for network switches

A node for a communications network, comprising:

• a receiver having a plurality of receiver outputs, wherein the receiver is configured to receive from the communications network a first modulated optical signal comprising a received first plurality of optical subcarriers, and to supply a plurality of data streams, each of the plurality of data streams being a respective data stream detected by the receiver from a corresponding one of the received first plurality of optical subcarriers, and each of the plurality of receiver outputs supplying a respective one of the plurality of data streams;
• a switch circuit having a plurality of switch inputs and a plurality of switch outputs, wherein each of the plurality of switch inputs is communicatively coupled to the receiver and configured to receive a respective one of the plurality of data streams supplied by the plurality of receiver outputs, and wherein each of the plurality of switch outputs is configured to supply a respective one of the plurality of data streams received at the plurality of switch inputs;
• and
• a first transmitter having a plurality of inputs, wherein each of the plurality of inputs of the first transmitter is communicatively coupled to a corresponding one of first ones of the plurality of switch outputs and is configured to receive a corresponding one of first ones of the plurality of data streams supplied by the plurality of switch outputs,
• wherein the first transmitter is configured to supply to the communications network a second modulated optical signal based on said first ones the plurality of data streams received at the plurality of inputs of the first transmitter, the second modulated optical signal carrying a second plurality of optical subcarriers, each of the second plurality of optical subcarriers being associated with a corresponding one of said first ones the plurality of data streams received at the plurality of inputs of the first transmitter;
• and
• a second transmitter having a plurality of inputs, wherein each of the plurality of inputs of the second transmitter is communicatively coupled to a corresponding one of second ones of the plurality of switch outputs and is configured to receive a corresponding one of second ones of the plurality of data streams supplied by the plurality of switch outputs,
• wherein the second transmitter is configured to supply to the communications network a third modulated optical signal based on said second ones of the plurality of data streams received at the plurality of inputs of the second transmitter, the third modulated optical signal carrying a third plurality of optical subcarriers, each of the third plurality of optical subcarriers being associated with a corresponding one of the second ones of the plurality of data streams received at the plurality of inputs of the second transmitter.