Method and system for switching and routing, while logically managing and controlling, multichannel optical signals in an optical communication system

A method for switching and routing, while logically managing and controlling, multichannel optical signals in an optical communication system, comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing an optical package (OP) array as an array of H rows by W columns, denoted as an [H×W] dimensioned OP array, of (i) optically connected optical switch (OS) elements, wherein a said optical switch (OS) element at a row h and a column w, for h=1 to H, and, w=1 to W, respectively, is denoted as OS(h,w), (ii) optically connected left input ports and bottom side input ports, and, (iii) optically connected right output ports and top side output ports, whereby each said optical switch (OS) element is a device dynamically activated by an external control and features characteristics of:
• (1) selectivity to a particular wavelength, λ;
• (2) when said optical switch (OS) element is not activated, said optical switch (OS) element is transparent, by inducing very small loss, to light in a wavelength range of a multichannel optical signal;
• and
• (3) when said optical switch (OS) element is activated, then part of said light at a particular wavelength, λ, is diverted at a pre-determined angle, whereby percentage of said light diverted compared to percentage of said light not diverted is a function of level of activation of said optical switch (OS) element, and, whereby said activated optical switch (OS) element is transparent to all other wavelengths;
• and
• (b) providing a management and control logic mechanism (MCLM) operatively connected to said optical package array, for logically managing and controlling the switching and routing of said light entering and exiting said optical switch (OS) elements via said optically connected left side input ports and bottom side input ports, and, via said optically connected right side output ports and top side output ports, and, for preventing a conflict of routing components with a same said wavelength, λ, of the optical signals from different said input ports to a same said output port.