Multi-channel acousto-optic switch

An optical switch comprising:

• M input optical fibers configured to receive M optical signals respectively, wherein Mis an integer greater than or equal to 1;
• a first acousto-optic deflector (AOD) configured to control a propagation direction of the M optical signals, such that the M optical signals are coupled to any one of N groups of output optical fibers, wherein the first AOD is configured to operate at a first frequency or a second frequency, an absolute value of a difference between the first frequency and a nominal frequency of the first AOD is equal to an absolute value of a difference between the second frequency and the nominal frequency of the first AOD, and the nominal frequency of the first AOD is an operating frequency that enables the first AOD to have a first nominal diffraction efficiency;
• and
• the N groups of output optical fibers, wherein each of the N groups of output optical fibers comprises M output optical fibers, the N groups of output optical fibers are configured to output the M optical signals through M output optical fibers of the any one of the N groups of output optical fibers, respectively, and N is an integer greater than 1.