Optical cross-connect unit of multigranular architecture

An optical cross-connect unit of multigranular architecture (1000, 2000, 3000) comprising:

• a first stage (100) for switching wavelength bands and comprising:
• a switching optical matrix (also known as the first matrix) for switching wavelength bands and having first input ports (also known as switch ports) (1a to 2b) and first output ports (also known as switch ports) (1′a to 2′b) and second input ports (also known as redirection ports) (11 to 22) and second output ports (also known as redirection ports) (11′ to 22′),
• demultiplexer means (10, 20) for demultiplexing wavelength bands and having p groups of n outputs associated with n distinct wavelength bands, each output being connected to a distinct input switch port of the first matrix,
• multiplexer means (10′, 20′) for multiplexing wavelength bands and having p groups of n inputs each connected to a distinct output switch port of the first matrix,
• a second stage (200) for switching wavelengths and comprising:
• a switching matrix (also known as second matrix) for switching wavelengths and having first input ports (also known as switch ports) (3a to 4b) and first output ports (also known as switch ports) (3′a to 4′b),
• demultiplexer means (30, 60) for demultiplexing wavelengths and each input of which is connected to a distinct output redirection port of the first matrix and each output of which is connected to a distinct input switch port of the second matrix, and
• multiplexer means (30′, 60′) for multiplexing wavelengths and each input of which is connected to a distinct output switch port of the second matrix and each output of which is connected to a distinct input redirection port of the first matrix,
• which cross-connect unit is characterized in that the first matrix includes a series of first optical switching submatrices (1, 2) disposed in parallel and the second matrix includes a series of second switching submatrices (3 to 4″) disposed in parallel.