Patent ID: 6970648

Claim:
An optical switching system having a plurality of input links each with at least one wavelength, and a plurality of output links each with at least one wavelength, the system comprising: means for separating out the wavelengths carried in each of the input links, to provide separated wavelength signals, each with a defined connection to at least one of the output links; means for providing a Common Time Reference (CTR); means for mapping, comprising a stored wavelength mapping table, said means for mapping providing for a mapping of each of the separated wavelength signals to a tuned wavelength signal for the connection to at least one of the output links, responsive to the CTR signal and the stored wavelength mapping table; wherein alignment is achieved by means of adjustable delay, wherein each of the input links has a unique time reference j (UTR-j) that is phase independent of the CTR, and wherein each of the input links has associated UTR-j time frames; and an optical alignment controller, responsive to the CTR and the input link UTR-j, for determining the proper value for the adjustable delay.