Patent ID: 6643423
Filing Date: 2003-11-04
Classification: G02B,H04Q

Abstract:
A photonic switch system comprising:a first photonic switch having a plurality of inputs and outputs; a second photonic switch having a plurality of inputs and outputs; a plurality of modules of a first type each having an input port for receiving incoming light signals, a first output port and a second output port, the first output port being connectable to a respective input of the first photonic switch and the second output port being connectable to a respective input of the second photonic switch; and a plurality of modules of a second type each having an output port for transmitting outgoing light signals, a first input port and a second input port, the first input port being connectable to a respective output of the first photonic switch and the second output port being connectable to a respective output the second photonic switch, wherein each of the first type modules comprises a splitter and/or each of the second type modules comprises a combiner and wherein the first and second type modules are operable in combination to cause the light signal to transit either the first or second photonic switch.