Optical cross-connect apparatus

An optical cross-connect apparatus for performing non-blocking optical cross-connection of n WDM input optical signals each containing m different wavelengths λ1 through λm, the apparatus comprising:

• n first wavelength converters for converting the m different wavelengths λ1 through λm contained in the WDM input optical signals into 2m wavelengths λ1 through λ2m;
• a first wavelength cross-connector for performing cross-connection according to wavelengths, the cross-connector including:
• n first demultiplexers for separating the optical signals wavelength-converted by the first wavelength converters into 2m wavelengths, and
• 2n first multiplexers for combining optical signals with m separated wavelengths,
• wherein same wavelengths should not be sent via each of bundles of m/n lines by which the first demultiplexers and the first multiplexers are connected;
• 2n second wavelength converters for converting the m wavelengths contained in the optical signals cross-connected by the first wavelength cross-connector into m wavelengths;
• a second wavelength cross-connector for performing cross-connection according to wavelengths, the cross-connector including:
• 2n second demultiplexers for separating the optical signals wavelength-converted by the second wavelength converters into m wavelengths, and
• n second multiplexers for combining optical signals with the 2m separated wavelengths,
• wherein same wavelengths should not be sent via each of bundles of m/n lines by which the second demultiplexers and the second multiplexers are connected;
• and
• n third wavelength converters for converting the 2m wavelengths λ1 through λ2m contained in the optical signals cross-connected by the second wavelength cross-connector into m wavelengths λ1 through λm and for sending the m wavelengths λ1 through λm.

An optical cross-connect apparatus for performing non-blocking optical cross-connection of n WDM input optical signals each containing m different wavelengths λ1 through λm, the apparatus comprising:

• n first wavelength converters for converting the m different wavelengths λ1 through λm contained in the WDM input optical signals into (2m−1) wavelengths λ1 through λ2m−1;
• a first wavelength cross-connector for performing cross-connection according to wavelengths, the cross-connector including:
• n first demultiplexers for separating the optical signals wavelength-converted by the first wavelength converters into (2m−1) wavelengths, and
• (2m−1) first multiplexers for combining optical signals with n separated wavelengths,
• wherein each of the first demultiplexers is connected to each of the first multiplexers by one line;
• (2m−1) second wavelength converters for converting the n wavelengths contained in the optical signals cross-connected by the first wavelength cross-connector into n wavelengths;
• a second wavelength cross-connector for performing cross-connection according to wavelengths, the cross-connector including:
• (2m−1) second demultiplexers for separating the optical signals wavelength-converted by the second wavelength converters into n wavelengths, and
• n second multiplexers for combining optical signals with (2m−1) separated wavelengths,
• wherein each of the second demultiplexers is connected to each of the second multiplexers by one line;
• and
• n third wavelength converters for converting the (2m−1) wavelengths λ1 through λ2m−1contained in the optical signals cross-connected by the second wavelength cross-connector into m wavelengths λ1 through λm and for sending the m wavelengths λ1 through λm.

An optical cross-connect apparatus for performing non-blocking optical cross-connection of n WDM input optical signals each containing m different wavelengths λ1 through λm, the apparatus comprising:

• n input-side wavelength converters for converting the m different wavelengths λ1 through λm contained in the WDM input optical signals into mn wavelengths λ1 through λmn;
• a wavelength cross-connector for performing cross-connection according to wavelengths, the cross-connector including:
• n demultiplexers for separating the optical signals wavelength-converted by the input-side wavelength converters into mn wavelengths, and
• n multiplexers for combining optical signals with the mn separated wavelengths,
• wherein same wavelengths should not be sent via each of bundles of m lines by which the demultiplexers and the multiplexers are connected;
• and
• n output-side wavelength converters for converting the mn wavelengths λ1 through λmn contained in the optical signals cross-connected by the wavelength cross-connector into m wavelengths λ1 through λm and for sending the m wavelengths λ1 through λm.

An optical cross-connect apparatus for performing optical cross-connection of n WDM input optical signals each containing m different wavelengths λ1 through λm, the apparatus comprising:

• n input-side wavelength converters for converting the m different wavelengths λ1 through λm contained in the WDM input optical signals into m wavelengths;
• a wavelength cross-connector for performing cross-connection according to wavelengths, the cross-connector including:
• n demultiplexers for separating the optical signals wavelength-converted by the input-side wavelength converters into m wavelengths, and
• n multiplexers for combining optical signals with the m separated wavelengths;
• and
• n output-side wavelength converters for converting the m wavelengths contained in the optical signals cross-connected by the wavelength cross-connector into m wavelengths λ1 through λm and for sending the m wavelengths λ1 through λm.