Patent ID: 7593607
Filing Date: 2009-09-22
Classification: H04J,H04Q

Abstract:
1. An optical switching node comprising: a first array of first star couplers, each first star coupler comprising a plurality of first-stage input ports and a first-stage output port, each of said plurality of first-stage input ports comprising a first wavelength-translation device; a second array of second star couplers, each second star coupler comprising a plurality of second-stage input ports and a second-stage output port, each of said plurality of second-stage input ports comprising a second wavelength-translation device; a third array of third star couplers, each third star coupler comprising a plurality of third-stage input ports and a third-stage output port, each third-stage input port comprising a third wavelength-translation device; a second-stage demultiplexer for demultiplexing a first signal at the first-stage output port of each of the first star couplers onto first channels connected to at least one of the plurality of second-stage input ports of different second star couplers belonging to the second array of second star couplers; and a third-stage demultiplexer for demultiplexing a second signal at the second-stage output port of each of the second star couplers onto second channels connected to at least one of the plurality of third-stage input ports of different third star couplers belonging to the third array of third star couplers.