HIGH PORT COUNT INSTANTIATED WAVELENGTH SELECTIVE SWITCH

• US 20090232446A1
• Filed: 03/29/2009
• Published: 09/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lumentum Operations, LLC (Lumentum Holdings Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Olympus Corporation
• Inventors: Nagy, Michael L., Presley, Harry Wayne
• Granted Patent: US 7,769,255 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/18
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/29311 Diffractive element operating in transmission
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/29313 characterised by means for controlling the position or direction of light incident to or leaving the diffractive element, e.g. for varying the wavelength response switching G02B6/35
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3518 the reflective optical element being an intrinsic part of a MEMS device, i.e. fabricated together with the MEMS device MEMS devices in general B81B; manufacture of MEM devices in general B81C; micromechanical devices controlling the direction of light G02B26/0833
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3548 1xN switch, i.e. one input and a selectable single output of N possible outputs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/356 in an optical cross-connect device, e.g. routing and switching aspects of interconnecting different paths propagating different wavelengths to (re)configure the various input and output links switching polarized beams G02B6/3594; power equalizers G02B6/356 and G02B6/3594; path selecting means H04Q11/0001
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3588 of the processed beams, i.e. controlling during switching of orientation, alignment, or beam propagation properties such as intensity, size or shape

Abstract

A high port count instantiated wavelength selective switch comprising two or more discrete sets, or instances, of m fiber ports totaling N fiber ports co-packaged together, one or more shared optical elements and dispersive elements, and one or more steering elements in each instance. The steering elements steer λ_(k) from each instance of m input fiber ports to a λ_(k) mirror dedicated to that fiber port instance, and wherein λ_(k) mirror of the instance of m fiber ports is utilized to select and switch one λ_(k) from the instance of m fiber ports to a fixed mirror which in turn reflects λ_(k) to the λ_(k) output mirror. The λ_(k) output mirror selects and switches one λ_(k) from one of the one or more instances of m fiber ports of the N×1 optical switch to the 1 output fiber port for each wavelength, and vice-versa for the 1×N optical switch.

Claims

1. An optical switch comprising two or more instances for switching one or more optical signals, the signals comprising one or more optical wavelengths, each optical wavelength constituting a work piece, said optical switch further comprising:

one or more input fiber ports grouped as a first input fiber port instance of a plurality of instances, each said input fiber port serving as an external interface for introducing the one or more input optical signals into said optical switch;

one output fiber port, said output fiber port serving as an external interface for extracting the output optical signal from said optical switch;

one or more shared optical elements, wherein each said optical element focuses the optical signals of said one or more input fiber ports and said one output fiber port;

at least one shared wavelength dispersive element for spatially separating at least one first wavelength from one input optical signal of the one or more input optical signals from at least one other wavelength of the one input optical signal of the one or more input optical signals and for recombining at least one first wavelength of a selected input optical signal of the one or more input optical signals with at least one other wavelength of at least one other input optical signal of the one or more input optical signals to form the output optical signal;

one or more fixed mirrors, a first fixed mirror of said one or more fixed mirrors grouped as a first fixed mirror instance of said plurality of instances;

one or more arrayed input switching elements, a first arrayed input switching element of said one or more arrayed input switching elements grouped as a first input switching element instance of said plurality of instances for receiving one wavelength from each of said one or more input fiber ports grouped as a first input fiber port instance of said plurality of instances and for switching one selected wavelength from one of said one or more input fiber ports grouped as a first input fiber port instance of said plurality of instances to said first fixed mirror grouped as a first fixed mirror instance of said plurality of instances;

one or more beam steering elements, a first beam steering element of said one or more beam steering elements grouped as a first beam steering element instance of said plurality of instances configured to position each wavelength from each of said one or more input fiber ports grouped as a first input fiber port instance of said plurality of instances onto a designated input switching element of said first arrayed input switching element grouped as a first input switching element instance of said plurality of instances;

wherein said designated input switching element grouped as a first input switching element instance of said plurality of instances positions one selected wavelength from one of said one or more input fiber ports grouped as a first input fiber port instance of said plurality of instances onto a designated output switching element of an array of output switching elements, via said first fixed mirror;

wherein at least one other said designated input switching element grouped as a second input switching element instance of said plurality of instances positions another one selected wavelength from one of said one or more input fiber ports grouped as a second input fiber port instance of said plurality of instances onto said designated output switching element of an array of output switching elements, via a second fixed mirror of said one or more fixed mirrors grouped as a second fixed mirror instance of said plurality of instances; and

wherein said designated output switching element of an array of output switching elements switches one wavelength from one of said one or more input fiber ports grouped as said first input fiber port instance or said second input fiber port instance of said plurality of instances to said one output fiber port.

2. The optical switch of claim 1, wherein one input fiber port of said one or more input fiber ports grouped as said first input fiber port instance of said plurality of instances maps to a single beam steering element of said first beam steering element of said one or more beam steering elements grouped as a first beam steering instance of said plurality of instances.

3. The optical switch of claim 1, wherein based on a position of said designated input switching element grouped as a first input switching element instance of said plurality of instances and said designated output switching element of an array of output switching elements, said one output fiber port receives at least one wavelength from one of said one or more input fiber ports grouped as said first input fiber port instance or said second input fiber port instance of said plurality of instances.

4. The optical switch of claim 1, wherein said first beam steering element of said one or more beam steering elements grouped as a first beam steering element instance of said plurality of instances is configured to position each wavelength of said optical signal from one input fiber port of said one or more input fiber ports grouped as a first input fiber port instance onto separate switching elements of said first arrayed input switching element of said one or more arrayed input switching elements grouped as a first input switching element instance of said plurality of instances.

5. The optical switch of claim 1, wherein based on a position of one input switching element of said first arrayed input switching element of said one or more arrayed input switching elements grouped as a first input switching element instance of said plurality of instances and a position of one output switching element of said array of output switching elements, the selected wavelength is coupled from one of said one or more input fiber ports grouped as a first input fiber port instance of said plurality of instances to said one output fiber port.

6. The optical switch of claim 1, wherein based on a position of said designated input switching element grouped as a first input switching element instance and said at least one other said designated input switching element grouped as a second input switching element instance of said plurality of instances, said designated output switching element of an array of output switching elements receives at least one wavelength from both said one or more input fiber ports grouped as said first input fiber port instance and said second input fiber port instance of said plurality of instances.

7. The optical switch of claim 6, wherein based on a position of said designated output switching element of an array of output switching elements selects one wavelength from said one or more input fiber ports grouped as said first input fiber port instance or said second input fiber port instance of said plurality of instances and reflects said one wavelength to said one output fiber port.

8. The optical switch of claim 1, wherein said shared elements are adapted to be utilized by each of said plurality of instances.

9. The optical switch of claim 1, wherein said one or more shared optical elements further comprising front end optics, wherein:

said front end optics are positioned between said one or more input fiber ports and said one output fiber port, and said at least one shared wavelength dispersive element, and wherein said front end optics condition the input optical signals of said one or more input fiber ports with desirable properties for free-space propagating beams and condition the output optical signal for coupling into said output fiber port.

10. The optical switch of claim 1, wherein said one or more shared optical elements further comprising back end optics, wherein:

said back end optics are positioned between said at least one shared wavelength dispersive element and said one or more beam steering elements, and wherein said back end optics condition the input optical signals of said one or more input fiber ports with desirable properties for free-space propagating beams and condition the output optical signal for coupling into said output fiber port.

11. The optical switch of claim 1, wherein said one or more input fiber ports grouped as a first input fiber port instance of a plurality of instances utilizes said one or more shared optical elements and said at least one shared wavelength dispersive element to focus and disperse the optical signals of said one or more input fiber ports grouped as a first input fiber port instance of said plurality of instances.

12. The optical switch of claim 1, wherein said one output fiber port utilizes said one or more shared optical elements and at least one shared wavelength dispersive element to focus and recombine the output optical signal.

13. The optical switch of claim 1, wherein said plurality of instances of said one or more input fiber ports, said one or more beam steering elements, and said one or more arrayed input switching elements are configured based on manufacturing yield by optimizing the size of each said instance to enhance manufacturability.

14. The optical switch of claim 1, wherein said one or more beam steering elements are assembled for steering at least one wavelength from said one or more input fiber ports to one of said one or more arrayed input switching elements.

15. The optical switch of claim 1, wherein said one or more fixed mirrors are positioned between said one or more arrayed input switching elements and said array of output switching elements.

16. The optical switch of claim 1, wherein at least one fixed mirror of said one or more fixed mirrors is positioned in line with said one or more beam steering elements, wherein said at least one fixed mirror is further positioned between said first beam steering element instance and a second beam steering element instance of said plurality of instances.

17. The optical switch of claim 1, wherein a plurality of said one or more arrayed input switching element instances are positioned along an arc having said array of output switching elements at a center point of said arc.

18. The optical switch of claim 17, wherein said plurality of said one or more arrayed input switching element instances are positioned at pre-set angles facing towards said array of output switching elements.

19. The optical switch of claim 18, wherein said plurality of said one or more arrayed input switching element instances are further positioned along an arc having said array of output switching elements at a center point of said arc.

20. The optical switch of claim 1, further comprising at least one optical measurement device, coupled to said output fiber port for measuring at least one optical property of the output optical signal of said output fiber port.

21. The optical switch of claim 20, further comprising a tap for coupling a portion of said output fiber port optical signal to a first monitoring input fiber port.

22. The optical switch of claim 21, further comprising at least one monitoring switching element of an array of monitoring switching elements for receiving and selectively reflecting at least one selected monitoring wavelength from said first monitoring input fiber port to a monitoring output fiber port according to a position of said at least one monitoring switching element of an array of monitoring switching elements.

23. The optical switch of claim 22, wherein said monitoring output fiber port is coupled to said optical measurement device.

24. The optical switch of claim 23, wherein said optical measurement device measures at least one optical property of said at least one selected monitoring wavelength from said monitoring output fiber port.

25. The optical switch of claim 20, further comprising a controller for receiving an output from said optical measurement device and responsively adjusting at least one output switching element of said array of output switching elements to effect control of the optical signal of said one output fiber port.

26. The optical switch of claim 25, wherein said optical measurement device sequentially receives a plurality of at least one selected monitoring wavelength and sequentially measures at least one optical property of said plurality of at least one selected monitoring wavelength, and wherein said controller adjusts said position of said at least one output switching element of said array of output switching elements to effect control of the optical signal of said one output fiber port.

27. An optical switch comprising two or more instances for switching one or more optical signals, the signals comprising one or more optical wavelengths, each optical wavelength constituting a work piece, said optical switch further comprising:

one input fiber port, said input fiber port serving as an external interface for introducing one input optical signal into said optical switch;

one or more output fiber ports grouped as a first output fiber port instance of a plurality of instances, each said output fiber port serving as an external interface for extracting the one or more output optical signals from said optical switch;

one or more shared optical elements, wherein each said optical element focuses the optical signals of said one input fiber port and said one or more output fiber ports;

at least one shared wavelength dispersive element for spatially separating at least one first wavelength of the input optical signal from at least one other wavelength of the input optical signal and for recombining at least one first wavelength with one output optical signal of the one or more output optical signals with at least one other wavelength of the output optical signal of the one or more output optical signals;

one or more fixed mirrors, a first fixed mirror of said one or more fixed mirrors grouped as a first fixed mirror instance of said plurality of instances;

one array of input switching elements for receiving each wavelength of said one input optical signal from said one input fiber port and for switching at least one wavelength from said input fiber port to said first fixed mirror of said one or more fixed mirrors grouped as a first fixed mirror instance of said plurality of instances;

one or more arrayed output switching elements, a first arrayed output switching element of said one or more arrayed output switching elements grouped as a first output switching element instance of said plurality of instances for receiving at least one wavelength from said first fixed mirror of said one or more fixed mirrors grouped as a first fixed mirror instance of said plurality of instances and for switching the at least one wavelength from said first fixed mirror of said one or more fixed mirrors grouped as a first fixed mirror instance of said plurality of instances to one selected output port of said one or more output fiber ports grouped as a first output fiber port instance of a plurality of instances;

one or more beam steering elements, a first beam steering element of said one or more beam steering elements grouped as a first beam steering element instance of said plurality of instances and configured to position each wavelength from said first arrayed output switching element of said one or more arrayed output switching elements grouped as a first output switching element instance of said plurality of instances to one selected output fiber port of said one or more output fiber ports grouped as a first output fiber port instance of said plurality of instances; and

wherein one input switching element of said one arrayed input switching elements and one output switching element of said first arrayed output switching element of said one or more arrayed output switching elements grouped as a first output switching element instance are configured to switch at least one wavelength from said one input fiber port to one selected output fiber port of said one or more output fiber ports grouped as said first output fiber port instance of said plurality of instances.

28. The optical switch of claim 27, wherein one output fiber port of said one or more output fiber ports grouped as said first output fiber port instance of said plurality of instances maps to a single beam steering element of said first beam steering element of said one or more beam steering elements grouped as a first beam steering element instance of said plurality of instances.

29. The optical switch of claim 27, wherein based on a position of one input switching element of said arrayed input switching elements and a position of one output switching element of said first arrayed output switching element of said one or more arrayed output switching elements grouped as a first output switching element instance of said plurality of instances, the at least one selected wavelength is coupled from said one input fiber port to one selected output fiber port of any of said one or more output fiber ports grouped as a first fiber port instance of a plurality of instances.

30. The optical switch of claim 27, wherein said first beam steering element of said one or more beam steering elements grouped as a first beam steering element instance of said plurality of instances is configured to position each wavelength of said optical signal from separate switching elements of said first arrayed output switching element of said one or more arrayed output switching elements grouped as a first output switching element instance of said plurality of instances, to one output fiber port of said one or more output fiber ports grouped as a first output fiber port instance of said plurality of instances.

31. The optical switch of claim 29, wherein based on a position of said one output switching element of said first arrayed output switching element of said one or more arrayed output switching elements grouped as a first output switching element instance of said plurality of instances, said one output switching element couples the at least one wavelength from said first fixed mirror of said one or more fixed mirrors grouped as a first fixed mirror instance of said plurality of instances to a selected one of said one or more output fiber ports grouped as a first fiber port instance of said plurality of instances.

32. The optical switch of claim 29, wherein based on a position of said one input switching element of said arrayed input switching element, said one input switching element selects at least one wavelength from said one input fiber port and couples said selected at least one wavelength to said first fixed mirror of said one or more fixed mirrors grouped as a first fixed mirror instance of said plurality of instances.

33. The optical switch of claim 27, wherein said shared elements are adapted to be utilized by each of said plurality of instances.

34. The optical switch of claim 27, wherein said one or more shared optical elements further comprising front end optics, wherein:

said front end optics are positioned between said one or more output fiber ports and said one input fiber port, and said at least one shared wavelength dispersive element, and wherein said front end optics condition the input optical signal of said one input fiber port with desirable properties for free-space propagating beams and condition the output optical signals for coupling into said output fiber ports.

35. The optical switch of claim 27, wherein said one or more shared optical elements further comprising back end optics, wherein:

said back end optics are positioned between said at least one shared wavelength dispersive element and said one or more beam steering elements, and wherein said back end optics condition the input optical signal of said one input fiber port with desirable properties for free-space propagating beams and condition the output optical signals for insertion into said output fiber ports.

36. The optical switch of claim 27, wherein said one or more output fiber ports grouped as a first output fiber port instance of a plurality of instances utilizes said one or more shared optical elements and at least one shared wavelength dispersive element to focus and recombine the output optical signals for coupling into said one or more output fiber ports grouped as a first output fiber port instance of said plurality of instances.

37. The optical switch of claim 27, wherein said one input fiber port utilizes said one or more shared optical elements and at least one shared wavelength dispersive element to focus and disperse the input optical signal.

38. The optical switch of claim 27, wherein said plurality of instances of said one or more output fiber ports, said one or more beam steering elements, and said one or more arrayed output switching elements are configured based on manufacturing yield by optimizing the size of each said instance to enhance manufacturability.

39. The optical switch of claim 27, wherein said one or more beam steering elements are assembled for steering at least one wavelength from said one or more arrayed output switching elements to said one or more output fiber ports.

40. The optical switch of claim 27, wherein said one or more fixed mirrors are positioned between said one array of input switching elements and said one or more arrayed output switching elements.

41. The optical switch of claim 27, wherein at least one fixed mirror of said one or more fixed mirrors is positioned in line with said one or more beam steering elements, wherein said at least one fixed mirror is further positioned between said first beam steering element instance and a second beam steering element instance of said plurality of instances.

42. The optical switch of claim 27, wherein a plurality of said one or more arrayed output switching element instances are positioned along an arc having said array of input switching elements at a center point of said arc.

43. The optical switch of claim 42, wherein said plurality of said one or more arrayed output switching elements instances are positioned at pre-set angles facing towards said array of input switching elements.

44. The optical switch of claim 43, wherein said plurality of said one or more arrayed output switching element instances are further positioned along an arc having said array of input switching elements at a center point of said arc.

45. An optical system comprising two or more optical switches for switching one or more optical signals, the signals comprising one or more optical wavelengths, each optical wavelength constituting a work piece, each optical switch further comprising:

one or more shared optical elements, wherein each said optical element focuses the optical signals of one or more input fiber ports and one output fiber port for each optical switch of said two or more optical switches;

at least one shared wavelength dispersive element for spatially separating at least one first wavelength from one input optical signal of the one or more input optical signals from at least one other wavelength of the one input optical signal of the one or more input optical signals and for recombining at least one first wavelength of a selected input optical signal of the one or more input optical signals with at least one other wavelength of at least one other input optical signal of the one or more input optical signals to form the output optical signal, wherein said at least one shared wavelength dispersive element is utilized by each said optical switch of said two or more optical switches;

each said optical switch comprising a plurality of instances for switching one or more optical signals, each said optical switch of said two or more optical switches further comprising;

one or more input fiber ports grouped as a first fiber port instance of a plurality of instances, each said input fiber port serving as an external interface for introducing the one or more input optical signals into said optical switch;

one output fiber port, said output fiber port serving as an external interface for extracting the output optical signal from said optical switch;

one or more fixed mirrors, a first fixed mirror of said one or more fixed mirrors grouped as a first fixed mirror instance of said plurality of instances;

one or more arrayed input switching elements, a first arrayed input switching element of said one or more arrayed input switching elements grouped as a first input switching element instance of said plurality of instances for receiving at least one wavelength from each of said one or more input fiber ports grouped as a first input fiber port instance of said plurality of instances and for switching the at least one selected wavelength from one of said one or more input fiber ports grouped as a first input fiber port instance of said plurality of instances to said first fixed mirror grouped as a first fixed mirror instance of said plurality of instances;

one or more beam steering elements, a first beam steering element of said one or more beam steering elements grouped as a first beam steering element instance of said plurality of instances configured to position each wavelength from each of said one or more input fiber ports grouped as a first input fiber port instance of said plurality of instances onto a designated input switching element of said first arrayed input switching element grouped as a first input switching element instance of said plurality of instances;

wherein said designated input switching element grouped as a first input switching element instance of said plurality of instances positions the at least one selected wavelength from one of said one or more input fiber ports grouped as a first input fiber port instance of said plurality of instances onto a designated output switching element of an array of output switching elements, via said first fixed mirror;

wherein at least one other said designated input switching element grouped as a second input switching element instance of said plurality of instances positions another at least one selected wavelength from one of said one or more input fiber ports grouped as a second input fiber port instance of said plurality of instances onto said designated output switching element of an array of output switching elements, via a second fixed mirror of said one or more fixed mirrors grouped as a second fixed mirror instance of said plurality of instances; and

wherein said designated output switching element of an array of output switching elements switches at least one wavelength from one of said one or more input fiber ports grouped as said first input fiber port instance or said second input fiber port instance of said plurality of instances to said one output fiber port.

46. The optical switch of claim 45, wherein one input fiber port of said one or more input fiber ports grouped as said first input fiber port instance of said plurality of instances maps to a single beam steering element of said first beam steering element of said one or more beam steering elements grouped as a first beam steering instance of said plurality of instances for each of said two or more optical switches.

47. The optical system of claim 45, wherein based on a position of said designated input switching element grouped as a first input switching element instance of said plurality of instances and said designated switching element of an array of output switching elements, said one output fiber port receives the at least one wavelength from one of said one or more input fiber ports grouped as said first input fiber port instance or said second input fiber port instance of said plurality of instances for each of said two or more optical switches.

48. The optical system of claim 45, wherein said first beam steering element of said one or more beam steering elements grouped as a first beam steering element instance of said plurality of instances is configured to position each wavelength of said optical signal from one input fiber port of said one or more input fiber ports grouped as a first input fiber port instance onto separate switching elements of said first arrayed input switching element of said one or more arrayed input switching elements grouped as a first input switching element instance of said plurality of instances for each of said two or more optical switches.

49. The optical system of claim 45, wherein based on a position of one input switching element of said first arrayed input switching element of said one or more arrayed input switching elements grouped as a first input switching element instance of said plurality of instances and a position of one switching element of said array of output switching elements, the at least one selected wavelength is coupled from one of said one or more input fiber ports grouped as a first input fiber port instance of said plurality of instances to said one output fiber port for each of said two or more optical switches.

50. The optical system of claim 45, wherein based on a position of said designated input switching element grouped as a first input switching element instance and said at least one other said designated input switching element grouped as a second switching element instance of said plurality of instances, said designated switching element of an array of output switching elements receives the at least one wavelength from both said one or more input fiber ports grouped as said first input fiber port instance and said second input fiber port instance of said plurality of instances for each of said two or more optical switches.

51. The optical system of claim 50, wherein based on a position of said designated switching element of an array of output switching elements selects at least one wavelength from said one or more input fiber ports grouped as said first input fiber port instance or said second input fiber port instance of said plurality of instances and reflects said the at least one wavelength to said one output fiber port for each of said two or more optical switches.

52. The optical system of claim 45, wherein said shared elements are adapted to be utilized by each of said plurality of instances for each of said two or more optical switches.

53. The optical system of claim 45, wherein said one or more shared optical elements further comprising front end optics, wherein:

said front end optics are positioned between said one or more input fiber ports and said one output fiber port, and said at least one shared wavelength dispersive element, and wherein said front end optics condition the input optical signals of said one or more input fiber ports with desirable properties for free-space propagating beams and condition the output optical signal for coupling into said output fiber port for each of said two or more optical switches.

54. The optical system of claim 45, wherein said one or more shared optical elements further comprising back end optics, wherein:

said back end optics are positioned between said at least one shared wavelength dispersive element and said one or more beam steering elements, and wherein said back end optics condition the input optical signals of said one or more input fiber ports with desirable properties for free-space propagating beams and condition the output optical signal for coupling into said output fiber port for each of said two or more optical switches.

55. The optical system of claim 45, wherein said one or more input fiber ports grouped as a first input fiber port instance of a plurality of instances utilizes said one or more shared optical elements and said at least one shared wavelength dispersive element to focus and disperse the optical signals of said one or more input fiber ports grouped as a first input fiber port instance of said plurality of instances for each of said two or more optical switches.

56. The optical system claim 45, wherein said one output fiber port utilizes said one or more shared optical elements and at least one shared wavelength dispersive element to focus and recombine the output optical signal for each of said two or more optical switches.

57. The optical system claim 45, wherein said plurality of instances of said one or more input fiber ports, said one or more beam steering elements, and said one or more arrayed input switching elements are configured based on manufacturing yield by optimizing the size of each said instance to enhance manufacturability for each of said two or more optical switches.

58. The optical system claim 45, wherein said one or more beam steering elements are assembled for steering at least one wavelength from said one or more input fiber ports to one of said one or more arrayed input switching elements for each of said two or more optical switches.

59. The optical system claim 45, wherein said one or more fixed mirrors are positioned between said one or more arrayed input switching elements and said array of output switching elements for each of said two or more optical switches.

60. The optical system claim 45, wherein at least one fixed mirror of said one or more fixed mirrors is positioned in line with said one or more beam steering elements, wherein said at least one fixed mirror is further positioned between said first beam steering element instance and a second beam steering element instance of said plurality of instances for each of said two or more optical switches.

61. The optical system of claim 45, wherein a plurality of said one or more arrayed input switching element instances are positioned along an arc having said array of output switching elements at a center point of said arc for each of said two or more optical switches.

62. The optical system of claim 61, wherein said plurality of said one or more arrayed input switching element instances are positioned at pre-set angles facing towards said array of output switching elements for each of said two or more optical switches.

63. The optical system of claim 62, wherein said plurality of said one or more arrayed input switching element instances are further positioned along an arc having said array of output switching elements at a center point of said arc for each of said two or more optical switches.

64. The optical system of claim 45, further comprising at least one optical measurement device, coupled to said output fiber port for measuring at least one optical property of the output optical signal of said output fiber port, for at least one of said two or more optical switches.

65. The optical switch of claim 64, further comprising a tap for coupling a portion of said output fiber port optical signal to a first monitoring input fiber port, for at least one of said two or more optical switches.

66. The optical switch of claim 65, further comprising at least one monitoring switching element of an array of monitoring switching elements for receiving and selectively reflecting at least one selected monitoring wavelength from said first monitoring input fiber port to a monitoring output fiber port according to a position of said at least one monitoring switching element of an array of monitoring switching elements, for at least one of said two or more optical switches.

67. The optical switch of claim 66, wherein said monitoring output fiber port is coupled to said optical measurement device, for at least one of said two or more optical switches.

68. The optical switch of claim 67, wherein said optical measurement device measures at least one optical property of the at least one selected monitoring wavelength from said monitoring output fiber port, for at least one of said two or more optical switches.

69. The optical system of claim 45, wherein a first optical switch of said two or more optical switches further comprising one or more input fiber ports and one output fiber port, and wherein a second optical switch of said two or more optical switches is configured as one input fiber port and one or more output fiber ports.

70. The optical system of claim 69, wherein said one output fiber port of said first optical switch is coupled to said one input fiber port of said second optical switch resulting in a single N×

M optical switch.

71. The optical system of claim 70, wherein at least one wavelength from said one or more input fiber ports of said first optical switch is switched to said one output fiber port of said first optical switch, and wherein said second optical switch further receives the at least one wavelength, via said couple, on said one input fiber port of said second optical switch, and the at least one wavelength is further switched to one of said one or more output fiber ports of said second optical switch.

72. The optical system of claim 71, wherein the at least one wavelength of any of said one or more input fiber ports of said first optical switch is switched to any one of said one or more output fiber ports of said second optical switch.

73. The optical system of claim 72, further comprising a controller wherein said controller controls the at least one wavelength switching route from one of said one or more input fiber ports of said first optical switch to any one of said one or more output fiber ports of said second optical switch.

74. The optical system of claim 45, further comprising at least one optical measurement device, coupled to said output fiber port of at least one optical switch of said two or more optical switches, for measuring at least one optical property of the output optical signal of said output fiber port.

75. An optical system comprising two or more optical switches for switching one or more optical signals, the signals comprising one or more optical wavelengths, each optical wavelength constituting a work piece, each optical switch further comprising:

one or more shared optical elements, wherein each said optical element focuses the optical signals of one input fiber port and one or more output fiber ports for each optical switch of said two or more optical switches;

at least one shared wavelength dispersive element for spatially separating at least one first wavelength of the input optical signal from at least one other wavelength of the input optical signal, wherein said at least one shared wavelength dispersive element is utilized by each said optical switch of said two or more optical switches;

each said optical switch comprising a plurality of instances for switching one or more optical signals, each said optical switch of said two or more optical switches further comprising;

one input fiber port, said input fiber port serving as an external interface for introducing one input optical signal into said optical switch;

one or more output fiber ports grouped as a first output fiber port instance of a plurality of instances, each said output fiber port serving as an external interface for extracting the one or more output optical signals from said optical switch;

one or more fixed mirrors, a first fixed mirror of said one or more fixed mirrors grouped as a first fixed mirror instance of said plurality of instances;

one array of input switching elements for receiving each wavelength of said one input optical signal from said one input fiber port and for switching at least one wavelength from said input fiber port to said first fixed mirror of said one or more fixed mirrors grouped as a first fixed mirror instance of said plurality of instances;

one or more arrayed output switching elements, a first arrayed output switching element of said one or more arrayed output switching elements grouped as a first output switching element instance of said plurality of instances for receiving the at least one wavelength from said first fixed mirror of said one or more fixed mirrors grouped as a first fixed mirror instance of said plurality of instances and for switching the at least one wavelength from said first fixed mirror of said one or more fixed mirrors grouped as a first fixed mirror instance of said plurality of instances to one selected output port of said one or more output fiber ports grouped as a first output fiber port instance of said plurality of instances;

one or more beam steering elements, a first beam steering element of said one or more beam steering elements grouped as a first beam steering element instance of said plurality of instances and configured to position each wavelength from said first arrayed output switching element of said one or more arrayed output switching elements grouped as a first output switching element instance of said plurality of instances to one selected output fiber port of said one or more output fiber ports grouped as a first output fiber port instance of said plurality of instances; and

wherein one switching element of said one arrayed input switching elements and one switching element of said first arrayed output switching element of said one or more arrayed output switching elements grouped as a first output switching element instance are configured to switch the at least one wavelength from said one input fiber port to one selected output fiber port of said one or more output fiber ports grouped as said first output fiber port instance of said plurality of instances.

76. The optical system of claim 75, wherein said at least one shared wavelength dispersive element recombines at least one first wavelength of the one input optical signal with at least one other wavelength of the one input optical signal to form one of the one or more output optical signals.

77. An optical system comprising two or more optical switches for switching one or more optical signals, the signals comprising one or more optical wavelengths, each optical wavelength constituting a work piece, each optical switch further comprising:

one or more shared optical elements, wherein each said optical element focuses the optical signals for each optical switch of said two or more optical switches;

at least one shared wavelength dispersive element for spatially separating at least one first wavelength of at least one input optical signal from at least one other wavelength of the at least one input optical signal and for recombining at least one first wavelength of at least one output optical signal with at least one other wavelength of the at least one output optical signal;

wherein said at least one shared wavelength dispersive element is utilized by each said optical switch of said two or more optical switches;

a first optical switch of said two or more optical switches comprising a plurality of instances for switching one or more optical signals further comprising;

one or more input fiber ports grouped as a first input fiber port instance of said plurality of instances, each said input fiber port serving as an external interface for introducing the one or more input optical signals into said optical switch;

one output fiber port, said output fiber port serving as an external interface for extracting the output optical signal from said optical switch;

one or more fixed mirrors, a first fixed mirror of said one or more fixed mirrors grouped as a first fixed mirror instance of said plurality of instances;

one or more arrayed input switching elements, a first arrayed input switching element of said one or more arrayed input switching elements grouped as a first input switching element instance of said plurality of instances for receiving at least one wavelength from each of said one or more input fiber ports grouped as a first input fiber port instance of said plurality of instances and for switching the at least one selected wavelength from one of said one or more input fiber ports grouped as a first input fiber port instance of said plurality of instances to said first fixed mirror grouped as a first fixed mirror instance of said plurality of instances;

one or more beam steering elements, a first beam steering element of said one or more beam steering elements grouped as a first beam steering element instance of said plurality of instances configured to position each wavelength from each of said one or more input fiber ports grouped as a first input fiber port instance of said plurality of instances onto a designated input switching element of said first arrayed input switching element grouped as a first input switching element instance of said plurality of instances;

a second optical switch of said two or more optical switches comprising two or more instances for switching one or more optical signals further comprising;

one input fiber port, said input fiber port serving as an external interface for introducing one input optical signal into said optical switch;

one or more output fiber ports grouped as a first output fiber port instance of a plurality of instances, each said output fiber port serving as an external interface for extracting the one or more output optical signals from said optical switch;

one or more fixed mirrors, a first fixed mirror of said one or more fixed mirrors grouped as a first fixed mirror instance of said plurality of instances;

one array of input switching elements for receiving each wavelength of said one input optical signal from said one input fiber port and for switching the at least one wavelength from said input fiber port to said first fixed mirror of said one or more fixed mirrors grouped as a first fixed mirror instance of said plurality of instances;

one or more arrayed output switching elements, a first arrayed output switching element of said one or more arrayed output switching elements grouped as a first output switching element instance of said plurality of instances for receiving the at least one wavelength from said first fixed mirror of said one or more fixed mirrors grouped as a first fixed mirror instance of said plurality of instances and for switching the at least one wavelength from said first fixed mirror of said one or more fixed mirrors grouped as a first fixed mirror instance of said plurality of instances to one selected output port of said one or more output fiber ports grouped as a first output fiber port instance of said plurality of instances;

one or more beam steering elements, a first beam steering element of said one or more beam steering elements grouped as a first beam steering element instance of said plurality of instances and configured to position each wavelength from said first arrayed output switching element of said one or more arrayed output switching elements grouped as a first output switching element instance of said plurality of instances to one selected output fiber port of said one or more output fiber ports grouped as a first output fiber port instance of said plurality of instances; and

wherein one input switching element of said first arrayed input switching element of said one or more arrayed input switching elements grouped as a first input switching element instance of said plurality of instances and one output switching element of said array of output switching elements are configured to switch the at least one wavelength from one of said one or more input fiber ports grouped as a first input fiber port instance of said plurality of instances to said one output fiber port for said first optical switch of said two or more optical switches;

wherein one input switching element of said one array of input switching elements and one output switching element of said first arrayed output switching element of said one or more arrayed output switching elements grouped as a first output switching element instance are configured to switch the at least one wavelength from said one input fiber port to one selected output fiber port of said one or more output fiber ports grouped as said first output fiber port instance of said plurality of instances for said second optical switch of said two or more optical switches.

78. The optical system of claim 77, wherein said one output fiber port of said first optical switch of said two or more optical switches is coupled to said one input fiber port of said second optical switch of said two or more optical switches resulting in a single N×

M optical switch.

79. The optical system of claim 78, wherein at least one wavelength from said one or more input fiber ports of said first optical switch of said two or more optical switches is switched to said one output fiber port of said first optical switch of said two or more optical switches, and wherein said second optical switch of said two or more optical switches further receives the at least one wavelength, via said couple, on said one input fiber port, and the at least one wavelength is further switched to one of said one or more output fiber ports of said second optical switch of said two or more optical switches.

80. The optical system of claim 79, wherein the at least one wavelength from any of said one or more input fiber ports of said first optical switch of said two or more optical switches is further switched to any one of said one or more output fiber ports of said second optical switch of said two or more optical switches.

81. The optical system of claim 79, further comprising a controller wherein said controller controls the at least one wavelength switching route from said one or more input fiber ports of said first optical switch of said two or more optical switches to any one of said one or more output fiber ports of said second optical switch of said two or more optical switches.