Photonic switching method and photonic switch utilizing same

A photonic switching method comprising the steps of:

• (a) converting a plurality of input electrical signals input through a plurality of input ports into a plurality of optical signals in such a manner that the optical signals keep the same pulse intervals therein as those of the electrical signals;
• (b) multiplexing the optical signals in such a manner that the optical signals do not overlap within the pulse interval on a time axis with each other;
• (c) distributing the multiplexed optical signals to a plurality of optical multiplexer separation units;
• and
• (d) separating one optical signal, from among the multiplexed optical signals distributed to one of the optical multiplexer separation units, by employing a mutual optical interaction,
• wherein the mutual optical interaction is such that the multiplexed optical signals are imposed upon a timing variable pumping light having the same pulse interval.

A photonic switch comprising:

• (a) an optical multiplexer unit for converting a plurality of input electrical signals input through a plurality of input ports into a plurality of optical signals in such a manner that the optical signals keep the same pulse intervals therein as those of the electrical signals, adjusting in timing the converted optical signals within the pulse interval such that the optical signals do not overlap on a time axis with each other, and multiplexing the timing adjusted optical signals, wherein the optical multiplexer unit includes
• (i) a plurality of modulators, each connected to a respective one of the input ports, each of the modulators having an output,
• (ii) an optical pulse source commonly connected to the modulators,
• (iii) a plurality of optical delay lines, each connected to the output of a respective one of the modulators, for providing prescribed delay times, and
• (iv) a wave synthesizer for synthesizing optical output signals from the optical delay lines;
• (b) a signal distribution unit for distributing the multiplexed optical signals to a plurality of output ports of the signal distribution unit;
• and
• (c) an optical multiplexer separation unit for separating one optical signal, from among the multiplexed optical signals distributed to one of the output ports of the signal distribution unit, by employing a mutual optical interaction.

A photonic switch comprising:

• (a) an optical multiplexer unit for converting a plurality of input electrical signals input through a plurality of input ports into a plurality of optical signals in such a manner that the optical signals keep the same pulse intervals therein as those of the electrical signals, adjusting in timing the converted optical signals within the pulse interval such that the optical signals do not overlap on a time axis with each other, and multiplexing the timing adjusted optical signals, wherein the optical multiplexer unit includes
• a plurality of modulators, each connected to a respective one of the input ports,
• (ii) a plurality of timing variable optical pulse sources, each connected to a respective one of the modulators, and
• (iii) a wave synthesizer for synthesizing optical output signals from the modulators;
• (b) a signal distribution unit for distributing the multiplexed optical signals to a plurality of output ports of the signal distribution unit;
• and
• (c) an optical multiplexer separation unit for separating one optical signal, from among the multiplexed optical signals distributed to one of the output ports of the signal distribution unit, by employing a mutual optical interaction.

A photonic switch comprising:

• (a) an optical multiplexer unit for converting a plurality of input electrical signals input through a plurality of input ports into a plurality of optical signals in such a manner that the optical signals keep the same pulse intervals therein as those of the electrical signals, adjusting in timing the converted optical signals within the pulse interval such that the optical signals do not overlap on a time axis with each other, and multiplexing the timing adjusted optical signals;
• (b) a signal distribution unit for distributing the multiplexed optical signals to a plurality of output ports of the signal distribution unit;
• and
• (c) an optical multiplexer separation unit for separating one optical signal, from among the multiplexed optical signals distributed to one of the output ports of the signal distribution unit, by employing a mutual optical interaction, wherein the optical multiplexer separation unit includes
• (i) an optical four wave mixer which receives light from said one of the output ports of the signal distribution unit, and
• (ii) a timing variable optical pulse source connected to the optical four wave mixer.

A photonic switch comprising:

• (a) an optical multiplexer unit for converting a plurality of input electrical signals input through a plurality of input ports into a plurality of optical signals in such a manner that the optical signals keep the same pulse intervals therein as those of the electrical signals, adjusting in timing the converted optical signals within the pulse interval such that the optical signals do not overlap on a time axis with each other, and multiplexing the timing adjusted optical signals;
• (b) a signal distribution unit for distributing the multiplexed optical signals to a plurality of output ports of the signal distribution unit;
• and
• (c) an assembly of optical multiplexer separation units, each optical multiplexer separation unit separating one optical signal, from among the multiplexed optical signals distributed to a respective one of the output ports of the signal distribution unit, by employing a mutual optical interaction, wherein the assembly of optical multiplexer separation units includes
• (i) a plurality of optical four wave mixers which receive light from the output ports of the signal distribution unit,
• (ii) a plurality of delay lines for providing prescribed delay times, each of the delay lines being connected to respective one of the optical four wave mixers, and
• (iv) an optical pulse source commonly connected to each of the delay lines.