Optical cross-connect device and manufacturing method thereof

Abstract

This optical cross-connect device includes: optical switches 201-208 which switch the connections of optical fiber core wires 101-108 between paths D1-D4 that each have two optical fiber core wires, and which are connected to optical fiber core wires on the input side thereof; multi-core optical connectors 301-308 that are connected to the output sides of the optical switches at the input side through parallel optical fibers; an optical wiring path 40 that is constituted by optical fiber groups 12 that, for each path, connect a multi-core optical connector connected through an optical switch to an optical fiber core wire of the path, to another multi-core optical connector; and a substrate 50 that supports at least a portion of the optical wiring path. The optical switches connect one optical fiber core wire in the path to one optical fiber among the optical fibers connected to a multi-core optical connector and another multi-core optical connector through the optical wiring path.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical cross-connect device and a method for manufacturing the same. [Background technology]

[0002] A multistage loop network configuration has been proposed as one form of optical access network configuration (see Non-Patent Document 1). In a multistage loop network configuration, the optical access network is made up of multiple loops, which has the advantage of making it easier to ensure redundant routes. In a multistage loop network configuration, in order to respond to the demand for optical fiber cores, which is difficult to predict, it has been proposed to install a core fiber switching function that switches the optical fiber route at the point where multiple loops meet in the multistage loop network.

[0003] The fiber switching function can be realized by an optical cross-connect device that switches the signal path. As a component of the optical cross-connect device in a multistage loop network, a configuration has been proposed in which multiple optical switches that can mechanically switch optical paths without converting optical signals to electrical signals are used, and the optical switches are connected by optical fibers (see Non-Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] Makigo Ohno, Chihiro Kito, Kunihiro Toge, Narikazu Tetsuya, and Shoichi Furushiro, "Optical Access Network Configuration Method Based on Multistage Loop-Type Wiring Topology," IEICE Transactions on Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers, Vol. J104-B, No. 11, pp. 929-937, 2021 [Non-patent document 2] Hiroshi Watanabe, Tomohiro Kawano, Chisato Fukai, Ryo Koyama, Kazuhide Nakae, Tatsuya Fujimoto, Yoshiteru Abe, Kazunori Katayama, "Study on remote optical path switching node and optical cross-connect function in multi-stage loop networks," IEICE Technical Report, vol. 121, no. 332, OFT2021-62, pp. 36-41, January 2022 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The fiber switching function must be able to switch between the connections of the optical fiber cores of multiple routes for routes that have one or more optical fiber cores. As the number of optical fibers connected to the optical cross-connect device from each route increases, the number of optical fibers connecting between optical switches also increases. In addition, because each optical fiber of each optical switch must be connected to a different optical switch, the work of wiring the optical fibers becomes a heavy burden during manufacturing and maintenance.

[0006] The present invention has been proposed in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide an optical cross-connect device and a manufacturing method thereof that can mutually switch the connections of optical fiber cores of multiple routes for routes having one or more optical fiber cores, thereby reducing the burden of optical fiber wiring. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an optical cross-connect device according to one embodiment of the present invention is an optical cross-connect device that switches the connection of optical fiber cores between multiple routes for routes having one or more optical fiber cores, and includes an optical switch connected to each optical fiber core on the input side, a multi-core optical connector connected to the output side of each optical switch on the input side via a parallel optical fiber, and an optical wiring path composed of optical paths that respectively connect between the output side of the multi-core optical connector of one route and the output side of the multi-core optical connector of another route for the multi-core optical connectors connected to the optical fiber cores of the route via the optical switch, and the optical switch connects one of the optical fiber cores of the route to one of the optical paths.

[0008] The manufacturing method of the optical cross-connect device according to this application may include a step of connecting an optical switch to one end of a multi-fiber optical connector, a step of manufacturing a portion from the optical wiring path to the other end of the multi-fiber optical connector, and a step of connecting the one end and the other end of the multi-fiber optical connector. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, for a route having one or more coated optical fibers, it is possible to reduce the burden of wiring optical fibers that can mutually switch the connections of the coated optical fibers of a plurality of routes. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates an optical cross-connect device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating an external appearance of an optical wiring line according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1A and 1B are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of an optical switch. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of an optical cross-connect device. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 illustrates an optical cross-connect device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 illustrates an optical cross-connect device according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an optical cross-connect device and a manufacturing method thereof will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The optical connector device of this embodiment is assumed to be capable of mutually switching optical fiber core wires of four directions for a route having two optical fiber core wires at a point where two loops meet in a multistage loop network configuration. However, this is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to an optical cross-connect device that is capable of mutually switching optical fiber core wires of multiple directions for a route having one or more optical fiber core wires.

[0012] (First embodiment) 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an optical cross-connect device according to a first embodiment. In the optical connector device according to the first embodiment, each of four directions D1 to D4 has two optical fiber cores 101 to 108, and the optical fiber cores 101 to 108 are connected to the input sides of optical switches 201 to 208 provided in each of the optical fiber cores 101 to 108. Generally, if the number of directions is N and the number of optical fiber cores in each direction is M, then N×M optical switches can be provided for the N×M optical fiber cores, but in this embodiment, N=4 and M=2, so eight optical switches are provided for the eight optical fiber cores.

[0013] The output sides of the optical switches 201-208 are connected to the input sides of the multi-core optical connectors 301-308 via optical fiber groups 111-118, respectively. Each of the optical fiber groups 111-118 is composed of six parallel optical fibers. The multi-core optical connectors 301-308 are composed of one input side and the other output side, and by mechanically connecting or disconnecting the one side and the other side, the optical path between the input side optical fiber groups 111-118 and the output side optical fiber group 12 can be connected or disconnected. The optical fiber group 12 is composed of six parallel optical fibers. Generally, if the number of routes is N and the number of optical fiber cores in each route is M, the optical fiber groups 11 and 12 connected to the input and output sides of the multi-core optical connectors 301-308, respectively, are (N-1)×M. However, in this embodiment, N=4 and M=2, so the optical fiber groups 11 and 12 each have six optical fibers.

[0014] The multi-core optical connectors 301 to 308 of this embodiment use MT connectors, also known as F12-type multi-core optical fiber connectors. The optical fibers attached to the MT connectors are adhesively fixed into the optical fiber insertion holes of the MT ferrules, and the connection end faces of the core wires are polished at right angles. The optical fibers may be provided as pigtails from the optical switches 201 to 208, etc. The MT connectors have a refractive index matching material filled between the end faces, and are connected by inserting a guide pin attached to one MT ferrule into a guide pin hole in the other MT ferrule and fitting the MT ferrules together.

[0015] Note that MPO connectors, also known as F13-type multi-core optical fiber connectors, may be used instead of MT connectors for the multi-core optical connectors 301 to 308. In this case, the end faces of the MT ferrules are polished at an angle, the MT ferrules are housed in an MPO plug housing, and the MPO plugs are connected inside an MPO adapter.

[0016] For the paths D1 to D4, the output sides of the multi-core optical connectors 301 to 308 that connect to the optical fiber cores 101 to 108 of the paths D1 to D4 via the optical switches 201 to 208 are connected to the output sides of the other multi-core optical connectors 301 to 308 by the optical fiber group 12. For example, for the path D1, the output side of the multi-core optical connector 301 that connects to the optical fiber core 101 of the path D1 via the optical switch 201 is connected to the output sides of the other multi-core optical connectors 303 to 308 other than the multi-core optical connectors 301 and 302 via the optical fiber group 12. Similarly, for the path D1, the output side of the multi-core optical connector 302 that connects to the optical fiber core 102 of the path D1 via the optical switch 202 is connected to the output sides of the other multi-core optical connectors 303 to 308 other than the multi-core optical connectors 301 and 302 via the optical fiber group 12.

[0017] The optical fiber group 12 connecting the output sides of the multi-core optical connectors 301-308 constitutes the optical wiring path 40. Here, in order to make it possible to reduce the bending radius of the optical fiber group 12 in the optical wiring path 40, single-mode optical fibers having lower bending loss than the optical fiber cores 101-108 of the routes D1-D4 and the optical fiber groups 111-118 connecting between the optical switches 201-208 and the multi-core optical connectors 301-308 are used for the optical fiber group 12.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of the optical wiring path 40 according to the first embodiment. Note that FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the optical wiring path 40 configured by the optical fiber groups 12 on the substrate 50, and the optical fiber groups 12 do not accurately reflect the connections of the optical wiring path 40 shown in FIG. 1. The optical wiring path 40 is supported along the surface of the substrate 50, except for the ends of the optical fiber groups 12 connected to the multi-fiber optical connectors 301 to 304. The optical wiring path 40 is configured by wiring the optical fiber groups 12 on an adhesive sheet attached to the sheet-like substrate 50 made of a resin such as polyimide, and sandwiching the optical fiber groups 12 between two polyimide sheets with adhesive sheets attached thereto. Alternatively, the optical fiber groups 12 may be embedded in the sheet-like substrate 50 made of a resin such as polyimide. The substrate 50, together with the optical wiring path 40 to which it is fixed, is flexible.

[0019] 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of optical switches 201-208. Here, the optical switch 201 connected to the optical fiber 101 of the first path will be described as an example. The optical switch 201 is configured as a 1×6 optical switch having one port on the input side and six ports on the output side. In the optical switch 201, the optical fiber 101 of path D1 is connected to input port 1, and six optical fibers that make up the optical fiber group 111 connected to multi-core optical connectors 303-308 are connected to output ports 1-1-1-6, respectively. Generally, if the number of paths is N and the number of optical fiber cores in a path is M, the number of ports is (N-1)×M. However, in this embodiment, N=4 and M=2, so the number of ports is six.

[0020] The optical switch 201 switches and connects the optical path between the input port 1 and any one of the output ports 1-1 to 1-6. That is, it connects the optical fiber core 101 to any one of the six optical fibers that make up the optical fiber group 111. Such switching of the optical path may be achieved by mechanically butting or separating the optical paths without converting the optical signal into an electrical signal. Furthermore, such connection control may be based on a control signal. Note that although the optical switch 201 has been described here, the same applies to the other optical switches 202 to 208.

[0021] Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of an optical cross-connect device. Fig. 4 corresponds to the optical cross-connect device shown in Fig. 1, but for simplicity, optical fiber groups 111-118 and multi-core optical connectors 301-308 interposed between optical switches 201-208 and optical wiring path 40 are omitted from the drawing.

[0022] Taking optical switches 201 and 202 as an example, optical fiber cores 101 and 102 of direction D1 are connected to input ports 1 and 2 of optical switches 201 and 202, respectively. Output ports 1-1 to 1-6 and 2-1 to 2-6 of optical switches 201 and 202 are connected to one of the output ports of other optical switches 203 to 208 via optical paths including optical fiber group 12 that constitute optical wiring path 40. The same applies to the other optical switches 203 to 208.

[0023] In this optical cross-connect device, as a first connection mode, it is possible to connect between the paths D1 and D2, and between the paths D3 and D4. In this case, between the paths D1 and D2, the optical switches 201 and 202 corresponding to the path D1 and the optical switches 203 and 204 corresponding to the path D2 are connected to each other through the optical wiring path 40. Therefore, the optical fiber core wires 101 and 102 of the path D1 and the optical fiber core wires 103 and 104 of the path D2 are connected to each other. Here, the optical fiber core 101 of the first path D1 and the optical fiber core 103 of the second path D2, and the optical fiber core 102 of the first path D1 and the optical fiber core 104 of the second path D2 may be connected, or conversely, the optical fiber core 101 of the first path D1 and the optical fiber core 104 of the second path D2, and the optical fiber core 102 of the first path D1 and the optical fiber core 103 of the second path D2 may be connected.

[0024] For the paths D3 and D4, the optical switches 205 and 206 corresponding to the path D3 are connected to the optical switches 207 and 208 corresponding to the path D4, and the optical fiber cores 105 and 106 of the path D3 are connected to the optical fiber cores 107 and 108 of the path D4. Here, the optical fiber core 105 of the third path D3 and the optical fiber core 107 of the fourth path D4, and the optical fiber core 106 of the third path D3 and the optical fiber core 108 of the second path D4 may be connected, or conversely, the optical fiber core 105 of the third path D3 and the optical fiber core 108 of the fourth path D4, and the optical fiber core 106 of the third path D3 and the optical fiber core 107 of the fourth path D3 may be connected.

[0025] In the optical cross-connect device, as a second connection mode, it is possible to connect between the paths D1 and D3, and between the paths D2 and D4. Also, as a third connection mode, it is possible to connect between the paths D1 and D4, and between the paths D2 and D3. In the cases of these second and third connection modes, as in the first connection mode, the optical switches 201 to 208 corresponding to the paths D1 to D4 to be connected are appropriately connected via the optical wiring path 40, and the optical fiber cores 101 to 109 of the paths D1 to D4 are appropriately connected.

[0026] An optical cross-connect device having the above-described configuration can be manufactured by the steps of: manufacturing the portion of the optical cross-connect device from the optical switches 201-208 to one end of the multi-core optical connectors 301-308; manufacturing the portion of the optical cross-connect device from the optical wiring path 40 to the other end of the multi-core optical connectors 301-308; and connecting the one end and the other end of the multi-core optical connectors 301-308.

[0027] Specifically, the optical switches 201-208 are connected to one end of the multi-fiber optical connectors 301-308 via the optical fiber groups 111-118. The optical wiring path 40 is configured by appropriately arranging the optical fiber group 12 on the substrate 50, and the optical wiring path 40 is connected to the other end of the multi-fiber optical connectors 301-308. Finally, one end of the multi-fiber optical connectors 301-308 is coupled to the other end.

[0028] As described above, in the optical cross-connect device of the first embodiment, the optical distribution path 40 is attached to the optical switches 201-208 so as to be connectable and detachable by the multi-fiber optical connectors 301-308. Therefore, the optical wiring between the optical distribution path 40 and the optical switches 201-208 can be completed simply by connecting the multi-fiber optical connectors 301-308, which makes it easy to manufacture the optical cross-connect device. There is no need to implement complex wiring of the optical fiber groups 12, such as connecting the optical fiber groups 12 for each individual fiber or wiring the optical fiber groups 12 in a crossing manner, and the workload for manufacturing the optical cross-connect device is reduced.

[0029] In the manufacture of optical cross-connect devices, optical fibers are pulled out from the optical switch housing and connected together in a pigtail state to perform optical wiring between optical switches. When optical fibers with different destinations are fusion-spliced ​​individually, the optical fibers must be provided with slack in order to connect the optical fibers using fusion splicing equipment. However, the task of storing this slack in the optical fibers within the optical cross-connect device hinders the improvement of the assembly workability of the optical cross-connect device. However, in the optical cross-connect device of the first embodiment, the optical wiring path 40 can be connected and disconnected using the multi-core optical connectors 301-308. This eliminates the need for fusion-splicing individual fibers or providing slack in the optical fibers, thereby reducing the manufacturing burden.

[0030] Furthermore, since it is no longer necessary to connect and wire each optical fiber group 12 of the optical distribution line 40 individually, it is possible to reduce the size of the optical distribution line 40. By using single-mode optical fibers with low optical fiber bending loss for the optical fiber group 12 of the optical distribution line 40, it becomes possible to bend the optical fibers with a small radius of curvature, thereby further reducing the size of the optical distribution line 40. Since the optical cross-connect device in a multistage loop network is installed in an outdoor closure, the miniaturization makes it possible to install it in a closure with limited space.

[0031] Furthermore, even if a failure occurs in the optical cross-connect device, the optical wiring path 40 can be removed using the multi-fiber optical connectors 301-308, thereby improving the maintainability of the optical cross-connect device. If the optical fiber group 12 is wired to the optical switches 201-208 by fusion splicing each fiber, it would be necessary to locate each optical fiber group 12 of the failed optical switch 201-208 one by one and cut off the fusion-spliced ​​portion. However, in this embodiment, the optical switches 201-208 and the optical fiber group 12 can be removed using the multi-fiber optical connectors 301-308, thereby reducing the workload.

[0032] (Second embodiment) 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of an optical cross-connect device according to the second embodiment. The optical cross-connect device according to the second embodiment differs from the optical cross-connect device according to the first embodiment in that the majority of the optical wiring path 40 is made up of optical waveguides. Since the other configurations are the same as those of the optical cross-connect device according to the first embodiment, the corresponding components will be referred to by using the same reference numerals.

[0033] In the optical connector device of the second embodiment, each of the four paths D1 to D4 has two optical fiber cores 101 to 108, and the optical fiber cores 101 to 108 are connected to the input sides of optical switches 201 to 208 provided in each of the optical fiber cores 101 to 108.

[0034] The output sides of the optical switches 201-208 are connected to the input sides of the multi-core optical connectors 301-308 by optical fiber groups 111-118, each consisting of six parallel optical fibers. The multi-core optical connectors 301-308 are composed of one end on the input side and the other end on the output side, and by mechanically connecting or disconnecting one end and the other end, it is possible to connect or disconnect the optical path between the optical fiber groups 111-118 on the input side and the six optical fiber groups 12 on the output side. MT connectors are used for the multi-core optical connectors 301-308, but MPO connectors may also be used.

[0035] For the paths D1 to D4, the output sides of the multi-fiber optical connectors 301 to 308 that connect to the optical fiber cores 101 to 108 of the paths D1 to D4 via the optical switches 201 to 208 are connected to the output sides of the other multi-fiber optical connectors 301 to 308 by optical wiring paths 40 that are each made up of an optical path formed by optical fiber groups 131 to 138 and an optical waveguide 61. The optical waveguide 61 may be formed on the surface of a substrate 60. The substrate 60 may be made of a crystalline substrate such as silicon dioxide. The optical fiber groups 131 to 138 are each made up of six parallel optical fibers, similar to the optical fiber groups 111 to 118 connected to the input sides of the multi-fiber optical connectors 301 to 308, and connect the output sides of the multi-fiber optical connectors 301 to 308 to the optical waveguide 61 formed on the substrate 60.

[0036] The operation of the optical cross-connect device of the second embodiment is the same as that of the optical cross-connect device of the first embodiment. That is, as a first connection mode, it is possible to connect between the paths D1 and D2, and between the paths D3 and D4. As a second connection mode, it is possible to connect between the paths D1 and D3, and between the paths D2 and D4, respectively. As a third connection mode, it is possible to connect between the paths D1 and D4, and between the paths D2 and D3, respectively. In these first to third connection modes, the optical switches 201 to 208 corresponding to the paths D1 to D4 are appropriately connected to the optical switches 201 to 208 corresponding to the paths D1 to D4 connected via the optical fiber cores 101 to 109. Therefore, the optical fiber cores 101 to 108 of the routes D1 to D4 are appropriately connected to the optical fiber cores 101 to 108 of the routes D1 to D4.

[0037] An optical cross-connect device having the above-described configuration can be manufactured by the steps of: manufacturing the portion of the optical cross-connect device from the optical switches 201-208 to one end of the multi-core optical connectors 301-308; manufacturing the portion of the optical cross-connect device from the optical wiring path 40 to the other end of the multi-core optical connectors 301-308; and connecting the one end and the other end of the multi-core optical connectors 301-308.

[0038] Specifically, the optical switches 201 to 208 are connected to one end of the multi-core optical connectors 301 to 308 via optical fiber groups 111 to 118, and the optical waveguide 61 formed on the substrate 60 is connected to the other end of the multi-core optical connectors 301 to 308 via optical fiber groups 131 to 138. Then, one end and the other end of the multi-core optical connectors 301 to 308 are coupled together.

[0039] In the optical cross-connect device of the second embodiment, most of the optical wiring line 40 is composed of optical waveguides formed on the substrate 60. Optical waveguides allow for high-density wiring, which makes it possible to reduce the size of the optical wiring line 40. In addition, the optical waveguides are formed integrally with the substrate 60, making them robust.

[0040] In the optical cross-connect device of the second embodiment, similarly to the optical cross-connect device of the first embodiment, the optical distribution path 40 is attached to the optical switches 201 to 208 so as to be connectable and detachable by means of the multi-fiber optical connectors 301 to 308. Therefore, the optical wiring between the optical distribution path 40 and the optical switches 201 to 208 is completed simply by connecting the optical distribution path 40 to the multi-fiber optical connectors 301 to 308, thereby reducing the workload for manufacturing the optical cross-connect device.

[0041] Furthermore, it is no longer necessary to connect and wire the optical fiber groups 12 of the optical distribution line 40 one fiber at a time, which enables the optical distribution line 40 to be made smaller, and the compact size makes it possible to install the optical distribution line 40 even in limited space such as an outdoor closure. Furthermore, when a malfunction occurs in the optical cross-connect device, the optical distribution line 40 can be removed simply by disconnecting the multi-fiber optical connectors 301-308, which improves the maintainability of the optical cross-connect device.

[0042] (Third embodiment) 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of an optical cross-connect device according to a third embodiment. The optical cross-connect device according to the third embodiment differs from the optical cross-connect device according to the first embodiment in that the entire optical wiring path 40 is made up of optical waveguides, and the output sides of the multi-fiber optical connectors 301 to 308 are attached to the periphery of a substrate 60 on which the optical waveguides are formed. Since the other configurations are the same as those of the optical cross-connect device according to the first embodiment, the corresponding components will be referred to by using the same reference numerals.

[0043] In the optical connector device of the third embodiment, each of the four paths D1 to D4 has two optical fiber cores 101 to 108, and the optical fiber cores 101 to 108 are connected to the input sides of optical switches 201 to 208 provided in each of the optical fiber cores 101 to 108.

[0044] The output sides of the optical switches 201-208 are connected to the input sides of the multi-fiber optical connectors 301-308 by optical fiber groups 111-118, each consisting of six parallel optical fibers. The multi-fiber optical connectors 301-308 are composed of one end on the input side and the other end on the output side, and by mechanically connecting and disconnecting the one end and the other end, connection and disconnection can be made between the optical fiber groups 111-118 on the input side and the six optical fiber groups 12 connected to the optical wiring path 40 on the output side. MT connectors are used for the multi-fiber optical connectors 301-308, but MPO connectors may also be used.

[0045] For the paths D1 to D4, the output sides of the multi-fiber optical connectors 301 to 308 that are connected to the optical fiber cores 101 to 108 of the paths D1 to D4 via the optical switches 201 to 208 are connected to the output sides of the other multi-fiber optical connectors 301 to 308 by an optical wiring path 40 that is made up of an optical waveguide 61. The optical waveguide 61 may be formed on the surface of a substrate 60. The substrate 60 may be made of a crystalline substrate such as silicon dioxide.

[0046] The operation of the optical cross-connect device of the third embodiment is similar to that of the optical cross-connect device of the first embodiment. That is, in a first connection mode, the paths D1 and D2, and the paths D3 and D4 can be connected, respectively. In a second connection mode, the paths D1 and D3, and the paths D2 and D4 can be connected, respectively. In a third connection mode, the paths D1 and D4, and the paths D2 and D3 can be connected, respectively. In these first to third connection modes, the optical switches 201 to 208 corresponding to the paths D1 to D4 are appropriately connected to the optical switches 201 to 208 corresponding to the paths D1 to D4 connected via the optical fiber cores 101 to 108. Therefore, the optical fiber cores 101 to 108 of the paths D1 to D4 are appropriately connected to the optical fiber cores 101 to 108 of the paths D1 to D4.

[0047] An optical cross-connect device having the above-described configuration can be manufactured by the steps of: manufacturing the portion of the optical cross-connect device from the optical switches 201-208 to one end of the multi-core optical connectors 301-308; manufacturing the portion of the optical cross-connect device from the optical wiring path 40 to the other end of the multi-core optical connectors 301-308; and connecting the one end and the other end of the multi-core optical connectors 301-308.

[0048] Specifically, the optical switches 201 to 208 are connected to one end of the multi-core optical connectors 301 to 308 via the optical fiber groups 111 to 118, and the optical waveguide 61 formed on the substrate 60 is connected to the other end of the multi-core optical connectors 301 to 308. Then, one end of the multi-core optical connectors 301 to 308 and the other end are coupled together.

[0049] In the optical cross-connect device of the third embodiment, the entire optical wiring line 40 is composed of optical waveguides formed on the substrate 60. Optical waveguides allow for high-density wiring, and since the entire optical wiring line 40 is formed of optical waveguides, it is possible to further reduce the size of the optical wiring line 40. Furthermore, the optical waveguides are formed integrally with the substrate 60, and the output sides of the multi-fiber optical connectors 301 to 308 are also attached to the periphery of the substrate 60 and directly connected to the optical waveguides formed on the substrate 60, making the device robust.

[0050] In the optical cross-connect device of the third embodiment, similarly to the optical cross-connect device of the first embodiment, the optical distribution path 40 is attached to the optical switches 201 to 208 so as to be connectable and detachable by means of the multi-fiber optical connectors 301 to 308. Therefore, the optical wiring between the optical distribution path 40 and the optical switches 201 to 208 is completed simply by connecting the optical distribution path 40 to the multi-fiber optical connectors 301 to 308, thereby reducing the workload for manufacturing the optical cross-connect device.

[0051] In addition, since it is no longer necessary to connect and wire the optical fiber groups 12 of the optical distribution line 40 one fiber at a time, the optical distribution line 40 can be made smaller, and the compact size allows it to be installed even in limited space such as an outdoor closure. Furthermore, even if a failure occurs in the optical cross-connect device, the optical distribution line 40 can be removed using the multi-fiber optical connectors 301 to 308, improving the maintainability of the optical cross-connect device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 101~108 optical fiber core 111~118 optical fiber group 12 Optical Fiber Group 201~208 Optical Switches 301~308 multi-fiber optical connector 40 Optical wiring path 50 boards

Claims

1. An optical cross-connect device for switching connections of optical fiber cores between a plurality of routes, the route having one or more optical fiber cores, an optical switch connected to each optical fiber core on the input side; a multi-fiber optical connector that connects the input side of the optical switch to the output side via parallel optical fibers; an optical wiring path configured of optical paths respectively connecting between an output side of the multi-core optical connector of one of the paths and an output side of the multi-core optical connector of another of the paths, for the multi-core optical connectors connected to the optical fiber core wires of the paths via the optical switch; Including, the optical switch connects one of the optical fiber cores of the route to one of the optical paths; An optical cross-connect device that switches the connection of optical fiber cores among four routes for a route having two optical fiber cores.

2. 2. The optical cross-connect device according to claim 1, wherein the optical wiring path is made of an optical fiber, and at least a portion of the optical fiber is supported by a substrate.

3. 3. The optical cross-connect device according to claim 2, wherein the optical fiber constituting the optical wiring path has a lower bending loss than the core of the optical fiber connecting between the optical switch and the multi-core optical connector.

4. 2. The optical cross-connect device according to claim 1, wherein the optical wiring path includes an optical waveguide formed on a substrate.

5. 5. The optical cross-connect device according to claim 4, wherein said optical wiring path and said multi-fiber optical connector are connected by optical fibers.

6. 5. The optical cross-connect device according to claim 4, wherein the multi-fiber optical connectors are arranged on the periphery of the substrate and connected to the optical waveguides.

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