Optical multicast switch with broadcast capability

A method, comprising:

• receiving a first portion of a first optical signal at a first switch switchable between a first state to pass the first portion and a second state to block the first portion, the first switch including a variable optical attenuator (VOA);
• receiving a second portion of the first optical signal at a second switch switchable between the first state and the second state;
• receiving a third portion of a second optical signal at a third switch switchable between the first state and the second state, the third switch including a VOA;
• receiving a fourth portion of the second optical signal at a fourth switch switchable between the first state and the second state;
• changing transmission of at least one of the first VOA or the third VOA to balance power in the first portion and the third portion;
• combining possible optical signals transmitted through the first switch and the third switch to generate a first output signal;
• and
• combining possible optical signals transmitted through the second switch and the fourth switch to generate a second output signal.

An optical network, comprising:

• a transmitter to send an optical signal;
• a splitter to split the optical signal into a first portion and a section portion;
• a first switch configured to receive the first portion of the optical signal, the first switch being switchable between a first state to pass the first portion of the optical signal and a second state to block the first portion of the optical signal;
• a second switch configured to receive the second portion of the optical signal, the second switch being switchable between the first state to pass the second portion of the optical signal and the second state to block the second portion of the optical signal;
• a receiver, in optical communication with the first switch and the second switch, to receive possible optical signals transmitted from the first switch and the second switch;
• and
• a controller operatively coupled to the first switch and the second switch, upon execution of processor-executable instructions, the controller:
• selects the first switch into the first state to transmit the first portion and selects the second switch into the second state to block the second portion so as to generate a 1:1 protection scheme in the optical network;
• and
• selects the first switch into the first state to transmit the first portion and selects the second switch into the first state to transmit the first portion so as to generate a 1+1 protection scheme in the optical network.