Patent ID: 8406623

Claim:
A system for optical data communication, comprising: a first sending node comprising a first data item for transmission to a first receiving node during a first timeslot; a second sending node comprising a second data item for transmission during a second timeslot; a first optical data link (ODL) and a second ODL; a first output switch operatively connecting the first sending node and the first ODL and configured to switch the first data item onto the first ODL during the first timeslot, wherein the first output switch is deactivated for the second timeslot; a second output switch operatively connecting the second sending node and the first ODL and configured to switch the second data item onto the first ODL during the second timeslot, wherein the second output switch is deactivated for the first timeslot; an optical coupler operatively connecting the first ODL and the second ODL, wherein the optical coupler is configured to redirect the first data item and the second data item from the first ODL to the second ODL; and a first input switch operatively connecting the first receiving node with the second ODL and configured to switch the first data item from the second ODL to the first receiving node during the first timeslot.