Optical cross-connect architecture using waveband conversion and a passive wavelength router

Abstract

An optical cross-connect architecture based on wavelength routing is proposed. The design utilises an input waveband conversion stage followed by an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) to enable optical switching and an output single wavelength conversion stage for wavelength assignment and regeneration. Arranging the AWG in feedback or foldback loop configuration the requirement for an output multiplexer is eliminated. The proposed solution supports wavelength switching granularity while offering reduced component requirements. Experimental and modelling results indicate very good system performance of the node as the output conversion stage offers regenerating characteristics.

Multi-Granular Optical Cross-Connect: Design, Analysis, and Demonstration

“…However, the intrinsic operating flexibility of the multi-granular OBS set-up presented here, as well as the flexibility in the node architecture, allows the implementation of different types of fast switching set-ups, as the control signals are generated from the core router processor and can be easily adjusted to any switching type. In this sense, polarization insensitive switching types [30,31] or even regenerative switching schemes [32,33] can be applied, offering superior performance in terms of BER and better stability almost independent of the input signals. Additionally, the use of the fast tunable laser-based controller at the core router allows the adoption of wavelength conversion schemes either for switching (through passive routing via AWGs) or for contention resolution purposes [33].…”

Waveband routed optical packet switch: implementation and performance evaluation

“…The design rules for the application of this scheme are explained in Ref. 3. In the experiment presented here, a packet waveband comprises two packets at different wavelengths.…”

“…3 A serial header-payload format is utilized with a phase-modulated header and non-return-to-zero amplitude modulated payload. The switching fabric relies on wavelength routing using a set of waveband converters ͑WBCs͒ followed by an arrayed waveguide grating ͑AWG͒.…”

“…Waveband routing has been discussed in Ref. 3. WBCs are used to minimize the requirements in terms of wavelength converters, while at the output of the switching subsystem ͑WBCs and AWG͒ a single-wavelength conversion ͑SWC͒ stage provides flexible wavelength assignment, contention resolution, regeneration, and header deletion.…”

“…These features significantly reduce the overall component count, cost, and power consumption of a node, supporting reduced capital and operational expenditure in practical networks. 3 …”