Wavelength-division multiplexed M×N×M cross-connect switch using active microring resonators
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A wavelength-division-multiplexed routing network comprising:
- (a) a plurality of N cascaded optical matrix switches connected together in optical series, where N is an integer, each matrix switch including a number of light waveguides and an array of active micro-sized lightwave micro-resonator cross-point light-switching elements associated with cross-points between non-intersecting light waveguide portions, and wherein said light-switching elements of each matrix switch are responsive to a particular wavelength of light λ
i, where i=1 . . . N, assigned to a particular matrix of the N-wavelength routing network and are unresponsive to other wavelengths assigned to other matrices of the network; and
(b) switching element control means for causing selected light-switching elements to assume a cross state for switching resonant light across associated cross-points, or a bar state for forwarding light without traversing cross-points.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Large-scale switching array architectures for multiwavelength routing employ absorption-switched micro-ring resonator 2×2 switches at all optical cross-points of each of a plurality of series-connected waveguide crossbar matrix switches. The architecture eliminates detrimental waveguide crossovers. Two or four coupled micro-rings made from layered III-V or II-VI hetrostructure material can aid in maintaining cross-talk at very low levels while employing simple switch addressing methods.
-
Citations
47 Claims
-
1. A wavelength-division-multiplexed routing network comprising:
-
(a) a plurality of N cascaded optical matrix switches connected together in optical series, where N is an integer, each matrix switch including a number of light waveguides and an array of active micro-sized lightwave micro-resonator cross-point light-switching elements associated with cross-points between non-intersecting light waveguide portions, and wherein said light-switching elements of each matrix switch are responsive to a particular wavelength of light λ
i, where i=1 . . . N, assigned to a particular matrix of the N-wavelength routing network and are unresponsive to other wavelengths assigned to other matrices of the network; and
(b) switching element control means for causing selected light-switching elements to assume a cross state for switching resonant light across associated cross-points, or a bar state for forwarding light without traversing cross-points. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 26, 43)
-
-
13. A wavelength-division-multiplexed routing network comprising:
-
(a) a plurality of cascaded optical matrix switches connected together in optical series, each matrix switch including a number of light waveguides and an array of lightwave micro-resonator cross-point light-switching elements associated with cross-points between non-intersecting light waveguide portions, and wherein said light-switching elements of each matrix switch are responsive to a particular wavelength of light assigned to a particular matrix of the routing network and are unresponsive to other wavelengths assigned to other matrices of the routing network; and
(b) switching element control means for causing selected light-switching elements to assume a cross state for switching resonant light across associated cross-points, or a bar state for forwarding light without traversing cross-points. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 27, 44)
-
-
21. A wavelength-division-multiplexed routing network comprising:
-
(a) at least one light signal routing matrix having a number of light waveguides and an array of lightwave micro-resonator light-switching elements associated with cross-points between non-intersecting light waveguide portions, and wherein said light-switching elements of each matrix are responsive to a particular wavelength of light and are not responsive to other wavelengths of light that may be assigned to other matrices of said routing network; and
(b) switching element control means for causing selected light-switching elements to assume a cross state for switching resonant light across associated cross-points, or a bar state for forwarding light without traversing cross-points. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 45)
-
-
34. A wavelength-division-multiplexed routing network comprising:
-
(a) a plurality of cascaded optical light transmissive switching matrices connected together in optical series, each matrix including a number of light-switching elements, each light-switching element including passive lightwave micro-resonators associated with cross-points between non-intersecting light waveguide portions of said matrices, and electro-optical switch means for selectively applying incoming light signals to selected lightwave micro-resonators or alternatively, shunting incoming light signals around non-selected lightwave micro-resonators, and wherein said lightwave micro-resonators of each matrix are responsive to a particular wavelength of light assigned to a particular matrix of the routing network and are unresponsive to wavelengths assigned to other matrices of the network; and
(b) switching element control means for controlling said electro-optic switch means for preventing application of incoming light signals to non-selected lightwave micro-resonators. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 46)
-
-
38. An optical switching matrix comprising:
-
(a) a matrix including a number of light-switching elements including passive lightwave micro-resonators associated with cross-points between non-intersecting light waveguide portions of the matrix and electro-optical switch means for selectively applying incoming light signals to selected passive lightwave micro-resonators or alternatively, shunting incoming light signals around said selected passive lightwave micro-resonators; and
(b) switching element control means for controlling said electro-optic switch means for preventing application of incoming light signals to non-selected micro-resonators. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 47)
-
-
41. A wavelength-division-multiplexed routing network comprising:
-
(a) a plurality of cascaded optical matrix switches connected together in optical series, each matrix including a number of light waveguides and an array of cross-point light-switching elements associated with cross-points between non-intersecting light waveguide portions, and wherein said light-switching elements of each array are responsive to a particular wavelength of light assigned to a particular matrix of the routing network and are unresponsive to other wavelengths assigned to other matrices of the routing network; and
(b) switching element control means for causing selected light-switching elements to assume a cross state for switching light across associated cross-points, or a bar state for forwarding light without traversing cross-points. - View Dependent Claims (42)
-
Specification