Patent ID: 7184618
Filing Date: 2007-02-27
Classification: G02B,H04Q

Abstract:
1. A switch array for routing multiple optical signals, said switch array comprising: a plurality of input switches each having a plurality of optical inputs and an equal number of a plurality of optical outputs; a plurality of output switches each having a plurality of optical inputs and an equal number of a plurality of optical outputs; and a plurality of intermediate switches each having a plurality of optical inputs and an equal number of a plurality of optical outputs, each of said plurality of intermediate switches positioned in an optical path between said plurality of input switches and said plurality of output switches, each of said plurality of optical outputs from each one of said plurality of input switches connected to one of said plurality of optical inputs of each one of said plurality of intermediate switches, each one of said plurality of optical inputs from each one of said plurality of intermediate switches connected to one of said plurality of optical outputs from each one of said plurality of input switches, each one of said plurality of input switches having at least one connection to each one of said plurality of intermediate switches, each of said plurality of optical outputs from each one of said plurality of intermediate switches connected to one of said plurality of optical inputs of each one of said plurality of output switches in one said at least one set of output switches, each one of said plurality of optical inputs from each one of said plurality of output switches connected to one of said plurality of optical outputs from each one of said plurality of intermediate switches, each one of said plurality of output switches having at least one connection to each one of said plurality of intermediate switches, each of said plurality of input switches, said plurality of output switches, and said plurality of intermediate switches being an optical switch including: whereby any one of said plurality of optical inputs of said plurality of input switches is selectively optically connected to any one of said plurality of optical outputs from said plurality of output switches.