Patent ID: 6792176
Filing Date: 2004-09-14
Classification: G02B,H04Q

Abstract:
An optical switch expanding method for increasing the number of inputs and outputs of an optical switch comprising first to fourth optical matrix switches, each of the first to fourth optical matrix switches including a plurality of 2-input/2-output optical switch elements arranged in a matrix to form a plurality of input ports, a plurality of auxiliary input ports, a plurality of output ports, and a plurality of auxiliary output ports, comprising:respectively connecting said auxiliary output ports in the first optical matrix switch to said input ports in the third optical matrix switch; respectively connecting said output ports in the second optical matrix switch to said auxiliary input ports in the third optical matrix switch; respectively connecting said output ports in the first optical matrix switch to said auxiliary input ports in the fourth optical matrix switch; and respectively connecting said auxiliary output ports in the second optical matrix switch to said input ports in the fourth optical matrix switch, the first, second, third and fourth optical matrix switches together thereby being a non-blocking optical switch.