Optical cross-point switch

In an optical cross-point switch, the combination which comprises:

• a plurality of separate input circuits;
• a plurality of separate output circuits;
• an optical matrix connected between the input and output circuits, the matrix including n light emitting units, where n equals an integer, and a set of arrays of light sensor units, one light emitting unit being coupled to each input circuit, one array of light sensor units being coupled to each output circuit, each array of light sensor units having n light sensor units, one light sensor unit in each array being individually associated with one light emitting unit, each light emitting unit being arranged to convert an electrical signal into a light signal, each light sensor unit being arranged to convert a light signal into an electrical signal;
• means for transmitting light signals between each light emitting unit and the associated light sensor unit in each array of the other set so that each input circuit may be selectively coupled to any desired output circuit;
• and
• means for selectively enabling at least one light sensor unit of each array to thereby connect selected input circuits to selected output circuits.

In an optical cross-point switch, the combination which comprises:

• a plurality of separate input circuits;
• a plurality of separate output circuits;
• an optical matrix connected between the input and output circuits, the matrix included n arrays of light emitting units and n light sensor units, where n equals an integer, one array of light emitting units being connected to each input circuit, one light sensor unit being connected to each output circuit, each light emitting unit being arranged to convert an electrical signal applied to the associated input circuit into a light signal, each light sensor unit being arranged to convert a light signal incident thereon into an electrical signal;
• one unit in each array of light emitting units being associated with one light sensor unit whereby each of said light sensor units will be illuminated with light from said associated light emitting unit;
• means for transmitting light signals between each light emitting unit in each array of light emitting units and the associated light sensor unit;
• and
• means for selectively enabling at least one light emitting unit of each array to thereby connect selected input circuits to selected output circuits.