Optical circuit switch (ocs) with multiplexed structure

An optical circuit switch, comprising:

• a first branch comprising first side ports and second side ports;
• a second branch comprising first side ports and second side ports;
• and
• a first polarization beam splitter positioned at a first intersection of the first branch and the second branch;
• wherein the first branch comprises a first side switch array configured to select, from the second side ports of the first branch and the second side ports of the second branch, a respective destination second side port for each origination first side port of the first side ports of the first branch, and direct each first beam from its origination first side port of the first branch along a path that leads to its respective destination second side port;
• wherein the first branch comprises a first side polarization management unit configured to polarize each first beam based on whether its destination second side port is among the second side ports of the first branch or among the second side ports of the second branch;
• and
• wherein the first polarization beam splitter is configured to direct each first beam, based on its respective polarization, toward either its destination second side port of the first branch or its destination second side port of the second branch.