M Chi N Chi K optical switch array suitable to whole optical network and its method

Abstract

The optical switch array is composed of multiple 1X(N+L) optical switch arrays, which is corresponding to each optical channel in each input optical waveguide. Optical switches based on array waveguide interferometer or wave selector are adopted in the first stage of switch array. The said optical switch is capable of separating a light wave in a certain wavelength from input waveguide singly without effecting on other light wave in another wavelength, and sends the separated light wave to any one piece of waveguide among N pieces of output waveguides or L pieces of buffered waveguides stage by stage. Buffered waveguides are in loop type. Output optical waveguides with identical serial number in 1X(N+L) optical switch arrays are connected to output port with serial number in devices. The invention realizes whole optical routes features optical buffering and optical gain, high integrity and available for mass manufacturing.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to the field of integrated optics, in particular to an M×N×K optical switch array suitable for all-optical networks, which is suitable for optical switching and optical routing devices in optical communication networks. Background technique [0002] The optical switch is mainly used to turn on and off the optical channel in the optical fiber communication. The optical switch array can realize the direct exchange of light waves between the optical channels, and is the core device to realize the all-optical network. Optical switches can be divided into two categories: mechanical and non-mechanical. Among them, the mechanical optical switch relies on the movement of optical fibers or optical components to change the optical path and realize the opening and closing of the optical path. Common mechanical optical switches include moving optical fibers, moving sleeves, moving collimators, moving mirrors, moving prisms, and moving couple...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

The advantage of using this method to construct a large optical switch array is that there is no crossover of optical waveguides on the same chip, which overcomes the mutual crosstalk caused by crossover of optical waveguides. The disadvantage is that the structure is fixed, lacks flexibility, and is not easy to insert buffer channels. It is also not easy to achieve optical amplification, so the necessary functions of the optical switching system, such as optical buffering and optical amplification, can only be realized by other special devices, which further increases the complexity and cost of the system

In addition, the AWG-based 1×N optical switch array is connected in series with an optical switch after each output channel of the AWG. Since the light waves of each wavelength from the input optical waveguide are dispersed into N output channels, this switch is destructive. Sexual, that is, either let the optical signal pass through or lose it, which is not convenient for passing to the next level for processing

At the same time, since the corresponding relationship between each wavelength light wave of each input channel of the AWG and the output optical waveguide is fixed, to implement optical routing with the AWG, wavelength conversion must be performed, and a wavelength converter is equipped for each wavelength of each channel. Very big

And array waveguide interferometer (invention patent application number: 01114223.5, PCT application number: PCT / CN02 / 000340) and wavelength selector (invention patent application number: 03122029.0) are two kinds of novel optical passive devices proposed by the inventor recently, How to use them to construct large-scale optical switch arrays has not been specifically proposed in the published literature

Therefore, the existing technology and literature have not yet provided a large-scale optical switch array technology solution suitable for all-optical networks, with high wavelength selectivity and strong comprehensive functions, so it is also difficult to use a chip to achieve all-optical routing.

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