Optical waveguide cross-point switch
AssigneeNorthern Telecom Limited
InventorChi Wu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An optical waveguide cross-point switch capable of full broadcast and strictly non-blocking operation. The device has a matrix of a plurality of input waveguides and a plurality of output waveguides (M.times.N). A reflecting surface associated with each intersection may be selectively activated to direct an optical signal on the input line to the associated output line. The reflecting surface may also be employed so as to convert an M.times.N matrix into a 2 (M.times.N) rearrangeable cross-point switch. Each waveguide is capable of switching a data rate of 10 Gb/s or more. For example, with eight wavelength channels used to impart optical signals to a 16.times.16 switch a data rate of 1.28 Terabits/second is achievable.
Claims23
An optical cross-point switch comprising:
- a first waveguide having an input end for receiving an optical signal;
- a second waveguide intersecting said first waveguide, said second waveguide having an output end for selectively delivering said optical signal to a receiver;
- a switching element at the intersection of said first and second waveguides, said switching element having first and second interconnected y-branch optical couplers, said first optical coupler having a first branch waveguide with a first end diverging from the first waveguide and a second distal end, said second optical coupler having a second branch waveguide with a second end merging with said second waveguide and a first distal end, said first and second distal ends being optically interconnected by reflecting means having n incident angle of less than 90.degree.;
- and
- electrode means associated with said switching element whereby an electrical bias selectively applied to said electrode means causes said optical signal to be switched from said first waveguide to said waveguide.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.