Patent ID: 7050668
Filing Date: 2006-05-23
Classification: H04Q

Abstract:
1. A switch array, comprising: an arrangement of binary optical switches, the array having an array input and a plurality of array outputs, one of the array outputs carrying a signal originating from an output of one of the switches, the switch array being operative to route an optical signal from the array input to one of the plurality of array outputs, each switch having an optical switch input, a first optical switch output and a second optical switch output, each switch being operative to route an optical signal from the switch input to either the first switch output or the second switch output depending on a state to which the switch is set, each switch having a low power “up” state for routing the signal from a switch input to the first switch output and a high power “down” state for routing the signal from the switch input to the second switch output, the switch emitting, when the switch is in the low power state, a signal substantially equivalent to the signal at the switch input at the first switch output and a highly attenuated signal at the second switch output, and the switch emitting, when the switch is in the high power state, a signal substantially equivalent to the signal at the switch input at the second switch output and a highly attenuated signal at the first switch output; and an array controller for managing operations of switches in the array, the array controller being operative to change settings of the switches upon a designation of a new bright output of the array as a destination output so as to change routing of the signal from an original array output to which the signal was originally routed to a new bright output of the array that will be the destination output of the signal after switching is complete, the array controller being operative to sequence switching operations so as to perform a first set of switching operations in a new bright subtree of the array so as to create a signal path along the new bright subtree of the array to the new bright output of the array, to perform a second set of switching operations so as to transition a pivot node between the new bright subtree and an old bright subtree in order to direct the signal along the signal path in the new bright subtree of the array to the new bright output of the array, and to perform a third set of switching operations in the old bright subtree of the array in order to achieve a reduced power consumption in the old bright subtree while meeting predetermined crosstalk limitations.