Integrated assembly for switching optical signals

An integrated assembly for switching optical signals, the integrated assembly comprising:

• a first subassembly comprising 1) a first plurality of optical interfaces configured to support communication of optical channels to and from the integrated assembly using the first subassembly, 2) a first set of one or more switch fabric assemblies comprising a first particular switch fabric assembly that includes a) a first particular switching mechanism and b) a first particular plurality of transceivers;
• and 3) a first plurality of electrical connections communicatively coupling the first plurality of optical interfaces to the first set of one or more switch fabric assemblies;
• and
• a second subassembly comprising 1) a second plurality of optical interfaces configured to support communication of optical channels to and from the integrated assembly using the second subassembly, 2) a second set of one or more switch fabric assemblies comprising a second particular switch fabric assembly that includes a) a second particular switching mechanism and b) a second particular plurality of transceivers;
• and 3) a second plurality of electrical connections communicatively coupling the second plurality of optical interfaces to the second set of one or more switch fabric assemblies;
• wherein a first subset of the first plurality of electrical connections are electrically coupled to the first particular switch fabric assembly, a first portion of the first subset of the first plurality of electrical connections being electrically connected to the first particular switching mechanism, and a second portion of the first subset of the first plurality of electrical connections being communicatively coupled to the second subassembly through at least some of the first particular plurality of transceivers on the first particular switch fabric assembly on the first subassembly, and
• wherein the first particular switching mechanism is also communicatively coupled to the second subassembly through at least some of the first particular plurality of transceivers on the first particular switch fabric assembly on the first subassembly.

A method for switching an optical signal, the method comprising:

• receiving an optical signal at first subassembly of an integrated assembly, the first subassembly comprising 1) a first plurality of optical interfaces configured to support communication of optical channels to and from the integrated assembly using the first subassembly, and 2) a first plurality of switch fabric assemblies each comprising a switching mechanism;
• an act of providing a representation of the optical signal to a second subassembly of the integrated assembly over an inter-subassembly communication interface between the first and second subassemblies, wherein the inter-subassembly communication interface does not include a dedicated switch fabric assembly, the second subassembly comprising 1) a second plurality of interfaces configured to support communication of optical channels to and from the integrated assembly using the second subassembly, and 2) a second plurality of switch fabric assemblies each comprising a switching mechanism;
• an act of switching the optical signal using one or more switch fabric assemblies in at least one of the first subassembly or the second subassembly, wherein the act of switching occurs before the act of providing for switching that occurs using one or more switch fabric assemblies in the first assembly, and wherein the act of switching occurs after the act of providing for switching that occurs using one or more switch fabric assemblies in the second assembly.