Patent ID: 6445473
Filing Date: 2002-09-03
Classification: H04Q

Abstract:
An optical switching apparatus comprising:an optical converter, responsive to N WDM optical signals each of which has M multiplexed wavelengths, for converting said N WDM optical signals into K input WDM optical signals each of which has J multiplexed wavelengths, wherein all of N, M, K and J are integers not less than two and J*K is equal to M*N: an optical space switch having K input ports and M*N output ports, for responding to K input WDM optical signals to produce M*N switched WDM optical signals through the M*N output ports, and M*N wavelength selectors responsive to said M*N switched WDM optical signals, respectively, for selecting one of J wavelengths multiplexed into the responding switched WDM optical signal.