Patent ID: 6317529
Filing Date: 2001-11-13
Classification: H04Q

Abstract:
An optical cross-connect apparatus for accepting a wavelength-division M-multiplexed optical signal, where M is an integer, comprising:N input ports and N outputs ports, each of the input ports accepting and each of the outputs ports outputting the M-multiplexed optical signal, where N is an integer;N optical demultiplexers connected to the N input ports respectively, each of the N optical demultiplexers demultiplexing the inputted M-multiplexed optical signal into M optical signals;an optical switch matrix of MN.times.MN, connected to the N optical demultiplexers, for switching the M optical signals, the optical switch matrix including a plurality of N.times.M unit switches, the N.times.M unit switches being arranged in a first stage and a second stage with outputs of the unit switches in the first stage being connected to inputs of the unit switches in the second stage;MN wavelength converters respectively connected to the optical switch matrix, for converting wavelengths of the optical signals into predetermined wavelengths; andN optical multiplexers respectively connected to the wavelength converters, for multiplexing the optical signals and for applying the multiplexed optical signal to the N output ports.