Wavelength-selective circuit and packet switching usingacousto-optic tunable filters

摘要

Wavelength-selective circuit and packet switching applications ofacoustooptic tunable filters (AOTFs) in wavelength-division multiplexing(WDM) networks are discussed. For circuit switching applications, theAOTFs are used as 1×2 or 2×2 wavelength-selectivespace-division switches. It is shown how large switches can be builtfrom these basic building blocks both schematically and physically. Suchswitch fabric can be used for routing and cross connect between centraloffices. For packet switching applications, the AOTFs are used aswavelength-tunable receivers in a broadcast and select cross-connectconfiguration. It is shown how such a configuration can accomplishpacket communication with high throughput. Various system issues arealso discussed