Network sub-system

Abstract

A network sub-system for an optical network is provided, the optical network comprising a plurality of nodes connected by optical signal paths, the network sub-system being provided at a node of the plurality of nodes and comprising: a network termination unit; a data conversion chip configured to communicate electrical data signals to and from the network termination unit, and further configured to convert between electrical data signals and optical data signals; an optical switching chip configured to direct optical data signals across the optical network in accordance with selected optical signal path and wavelength; wherein the network termination unit and the data conversion chip are provided on a first circuit module; the optical switching chip is separate from the data conversion chip; and the data conversion chip and the optical switching chip are in optical communication with each other, whereby optical data signals for communication to and from said node are communicated between the data conversion chip and the optical switching chip.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.