Optical switch apparatus and control information updating method therein

An optical switch apparatus designed to deflect signal light from one of a plurality of input ports for switching and outputting to one of a plurality of output ports, wherein input side deflecting units made to deflect signal light from said input ports at an angle corresponding to a position of an output port forming an output destination are disposed in corresponding relation to said plurality of input ports,

• output side deflecting units made to deflect signal light from said input side deflecting units at an angle corresponding to a signal light guiding direction of said output port and output said signal light to said output port are disposed in corresponding relation to said plurality of output ports, and each of said input side deflecting units and each of said output side deflecting units are constructed such that a plurality of optical deflecting elements each for deflecting signal light through the use of an electric field applied are arranged in a cascade fashion and, of said input side deflecting units, said input side deflecting unit disposed to deflect signal light from an input port closer to an end position has more optical deflecting elements each showing a deflection characteristic in a direction opposite to the end position while, of said output side deflecting units, said output side deflecting unit corresponding to an output port closer to an end position has more optical deflecting elements each showing a deflection characteristic in a direction opposite to the end position.