Optical switch and using method therefor

A using method for an optical switch having a plurality of switch cells arranged in the form of an n×n matrix (n is an integer), each of said plurality of switch cells having first and second input ends and first and second output ends;

• and 2(n−1) reflection cells;
• said plurality of switch cells being selectively driven so that one of said first and second input ends of said switch cells in the first column is optically connected to one of said first and second output ends of said switch cells in the n-th column;
• (n−1) ones of said 2(n−1) reflection cells being arranged so as to optically connect said first output end of said switch cell in the first row, the i-th column (i is an integer satisfying 1≦i≦(n−1)) to said first input end of said switch cell in the first row, the (i+1)-th column;
• the remaining (n−1) reflection cells being arranged so as to optically connect said second output end of said switch cell in the n-th row, the j-th column (j is an integer satisfying 1≦j≦(n−1)) to said second input end of said switch cell in the n-th row, the (j+1)-th column;
• wherein only said switch cells relating to said switch cells in the odd-numbered rows, the first column and in the odd-numbered rows, the n-th column or only said switch cells relating to said switch cells in the even-numbered rows, the first column and in the even-numbered rows, the n-th column are used.

An optical switch applicable to a first optical fiber transmission line unit and a second optical fiber transmission line unit, said optical switch comprising:

• a plurality of switch cells arranged in the form of an n×n matrix (n is an integer), each of said plurality of switch cells having first and second input ends and first and second output ends;
• and
• 2(n−1) reflection cells;
• said plurality of switch cells being selectively driven so that one of said first and second input ends of said switch cells in the first column is optically connected to one of said first and second output ends of said switch cells in the n-th column;
• (n−1) ones of said 2(n−1) reflection cells being arranged so as to optically connect said first output end of said switch cell in the first row, the i-th column (i is an integer satisfying 1≦i≦(n−1)) to said first input end of said switch cell in the first row, the (i+1)-th column;
• the remaining (n−1) reflection cells being arranged so as to optically connect said second output end of said switch cell in the n-th row, the j-th column (j is an integer satisfying 1≦j≦(n−1)) to said second input end of said switch cell in the n-th row, the (j+1)-th column;
• said second output end of said switch cell in the first row, the i-th column being optical connected to said first input end of said switch cell in the second row, the (i+1)-th column;
• said first output end of said switch cell in the n-th row, the j-th column being optical connected to said second input end of said switch cell in the (n−1)-th row, the (j+1)-th column;
• said first output end of said switch cell in the k-th row (k is an integer satisfying 2≦k≦(n−1)), the i-th column being optically connected to said second input end of said switch cell in the (k−1)-th row, the (i+1)-th column;
• said second output end of said switch cell in the k-th row, the i-th column being optically connected to said first input end of said switch cell in the (k+1)-th row, the (i+1)-th column;
• said first input ends of said switch cells in the odd-numbered rows, the first column and said second output ends of said switch cells in the odd-numbered rows, the n-th column being inserted in said first optical fiber transmission line unit;
• said second input ends of said switch cells in the even-numbered rows, the first column and said first output ends of said switch cells in the even-numbered rows, the n-th column being inserted in said second optical fiber transmission line unit.