Patent ID: 6263125
Filing Date: 2001-07-17
Classification: G02B,H04Q

Abstract:
An optical switch array comprising:(a) at least three input waveguides;(b) a first group of at least three output waveguides;(c) for each of said output waveguides of said first group:for each of said input waveguides, a switching element coupling said each input waveguide only to said each output waveguide; and(d) for each of said output waveguides of said first group, a combining mechanism for coupling all of said input waveguides to said each output waveguide;said input waveguides, said output waveguides, said switching elements and said combining mechanism all being arranged substantially in a common plane; all of said input waveguides traversing successively respective said switching elements in a common order relative to said output waveguides of said first group.