Shutter based switching core for an optical packet switch

摘要

Passive optical interconnection is being used in large packet switches to allow size scale up and more efficient heat dissipation from the electronic processors. The line card is the electronic island whose size is determined by thermal dissipation technology. We have selected an optical interconnection technology that is low cost, fiber ribbon, and we are working on the shutter arrays, which allow active routing. This will reduce the demands on the electronic processors. Progress on a 180 Gbps switch will be reported.