Patent ID: 7088919
Filing Date: 2006-08-08
Classification: H04Q

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for switching optical signals, comprising: a) a plurality of external inputs, each external input carrying light that occupies a wavelength associated to that external input; b) a plurality of external outputs, each external output carrying light that occupies a wavelength associated to that external output; c) a wavelength conversion entity having a plurality of inputs and a plurality of groups of outputs, each output in each particular one of the groups of outputs carrying light that occupies a wavelength in a group of wavelengths associated to the particular one of the groups of outputs; d) a plurality of core switching entities, each core switching entity associated to a respective set of at least two wavelengths, each said core switching entity including: a) each core switching entity being capable of selectably transferring optical signals from any of its first core inputs to any of its second core outputs; f) each core switching entity further being capable of selectably transferring optical signals from any of its second core inputs to any of its first core outputs.