Patent ID: 6487332
Filing Date: 2002-11-26
Classification: H04Q

Abstract:
A wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) device, the device comprising:a fabric having a number of input ports equal to a product of (n1Ã—k1) and a number of output ports equal to k2, wherein n1, k1 and k2 are integers, each of the output ports being adapted to be optically coupled to an output optical fiber associated with the fabric, the fabric being capable of selecting an output optical fiber associated therewith that a signal received at an input port of the fabric is to be routed onto; k1 optical switches, each of said k1 optical switches being adapted to be optically coupled to an input optical fiber associated with the WDM device, each of said k1 optical switches being optically coupled to n1 output optical fibers of the optical switch; and a plurality of wavelength interchangers, each wavelength interchanger having an input port and an output port, each wavelength interchanger being optically coupled at an input port thereof to a respective one of the output optical fibers of a respective one of said k1 optical switches, each of said wavelength interchangers receiving a wavelength at the input port and converting said wavelength to a different wavelength for said output port, each wavelength interchanger selecting a wavelength that a signal carried on the optical fiber coupled to the input port of the wavelength interchanger is to utilize when transmitted through the fabric.