Optical switching system for switching opticals signals in wavelength groups
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First Claim
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1. An optical switching system comprising:
- a first layer for switching optical channels;
a second layer for switching a group of optical channels;
a first coupler for grouping together optical channels of the first layer and coupling them to the second layer;
a second coupler for ungrouping grouped optical channels of the second layer and coupling them to the first layer; and
a third coupler for combining the grouped optical channels of the second layer.
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Abstract
An optical switching system includes multiple layers for switching optical signals. A first layer is for switching optical channels. A second layer is for switching groups of optical channels. A third layer is for switching composite optical signals. Between layers demultiplexing and multiplexing of signals allows switching within a single switch core at any level from fiber to wavelength group to optical wavelengths. Optical amplifiers between layers compensate for losses within the switch and within demultiplexers and multiplexers. One configuration provided additional multiplexing and demultiplexing to allow direct connection between the first and third layers. Another configuration shares optical switching matrices between the first and third layers.
19 Citations
35 Claims
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1. An optical switching system comprising:
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a first layer for switching optical channels;
a second layer for switching a group of optical channels;
a first coupler for grouping together optical channels of the first layer and coupling them to the second layer;
a second coupler for ungrouping grouped optical channels of the second layer and coupling them to the first layer; and
a third coupler for combining the grouped optical channels of the second layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An optical switching system comprising
a first logical layer for switching optical signals; -
a second logical layer for switching a group of optical channels;
a first coupler for grouping together optical channels of the first logical layer and coupling them to the second logical layer;
a second coupler for ungrouping grouped optical channels of the second logical layer and coupling them to the first logical layer; and
a third coupler for combining grouped optical channels of the logical second layer. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. An optical switching system for switching optical signals in wavelength groups, the system comprising:
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a first optical switching matrix having multiple inputs and multiple outputs and being operable to switch a composite optical signal composed of a plurality of optical channel signals from any one of a plurality of the inputs to any one of a plurality of the outputs;
at least one first wavelength division demultiplexer coupled at its input to an output of the first optical switching matrix for dividing a composite optical signal into groups of optical channel signals;
a plurality of second optical switching matrices each matrix having multiple outputs and multiple inputs at least one of which is coupled to a respective output of the first wavelength division demultiplexer, each matrix being operable to switch a group of optical channel signals from any one of a plurality of the inputs to any one of a plurality of the outputs;
at least one first wavelength division multiplexer coupled at each of its inputs to an output of a respective one of the plurality of second optical switching matrices and coupled at its output to one of the inputs of the first optical switching matrix;
a plurality of second wavelength division demultiplexers each coupled at its input to an output of a respective one of the plurality of second optical switching matrices for dividing a group of optical channel signals into optical channel signals;
a plurality of third optical switching matrices each matrix having multiple outputs and multiple inputs at least one of which is coupled to a respective output of a respective one of the plurality of second wavelength division demultiplexers, each matrix being operable to switch an optical channel signal from any one of a plurality of the inputs to anyone of a plurality of the outputs; and
a plurality of second wavelength division multiplexers, each second multiplexer coupled at each of its inputs to an output of a respective one of the plurality of third optical switching matrices for combining optical channels into a group of optical channels and coupled at its output to one of the inputs of a corresponding one of the plurality of second optical switching matrices.
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34. An optical switching system for switching optical signals in wavelength groups, the system comprising:
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a first optical switching matrix having multiple inputs and multiple outputs and being operable to switch a composite optical signal composed of a plurality of optical channel signals from any one of a plurality of the inputs to any one of a plurality of the outputs;
at least one first wavelength division demultiplexer coupled at its input to an output of the first optical switching matrix for dividing a composite optical signal into groups of optical channel signals;
a plurality of second optical switching matrices each matrix having multiple outputs and multiple inputs, at least one of which is coupled to a respective output of the first wavelength division demultiplexer, each matrix being operable to switch a group of optical channel signals from any one of a plurality of the inputs to any one of a plurality of the outputs;
at least one first wavelength division multiplexer coupled at each of its inputs to an output of a respective one of the plurality of second optical switching matrices and coupled at its output to one of the inputs of the first optical switching matrix;
a plurality of second wavelength division demultiplexers each coupled at its input to a corresponding output of the first wavelength division demultiplexer for dividing a group of optical channel signals into optical channel signals;
at least one third wavelength division demultiplexer coupled at its input to an output of the first optical switching matrix for dividing a composite optical signal into optical channel signals;
a plurality of third optical switching matrices each matrix having multiple outputs and multiple inputs at least one of which is coupled to a respective output of a corresponding second wavelength division demultiplexer and at least one of which is coupled to a respective output of the third wavelength division demultiplexer, each matrix being operable to switch a group of optical channel signals from any one of a plurality of the inputs to any one of a plurality of the outputs;
a plurality of second wavelength division multiplexers, each multiplexer coupled at each of its inputs to an output of a respective one of the plurality of third optical switching matrices for combining optical channels into a group of optical channels and coupled at its output to one of the inputs of a corresponding one of the plurality of second optical switching matrices; and
at least one third wavelength division multiplexer coupled at each of its inputs to an output of a respective one of the plurality of third optical switching matrices and coupled at its output to one of the inputs of the first optical switching matrix.
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35. An optical switching system for switching optical signals in wavelength groups, the system comprising:
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a first optical switching matrix having multiple inputs and multiple outputs and being operable to switch a composite optical signal composed of a plurality of optical channel signals from any one of a plurality of the inputs to any one of a plurality of the outputs;
at least one first wavelength division demultiplexer coupled at its input to an output of the first optical switching matrix for dividing a composite optical signal into groups of optical channel signals;
a plurality of second optical switching matrices each matrix having first and second inputs and first and second outputs, wherein the first input is coupled to a respective output of the first wavelength division demultiplexer, each matrix having first and second switch states, in the first state the first input is connected to the first output and in the second state the first input is connected to the second output and the second input is connected to the first output;
a plurality of second wavelength division demultiplexers each coupled at its input to the second output of a corresponding one of the plurality of second optical switching matrices for dividing a group of optical channel signals into optical channel signals;
a plurality of third optical switching matrices each matrix having multiple outputs and multiple inputs, a subset of the inputs being coupled to respective outputs of corresponding ones of the plurality of second wavelength division demultiplexers, each matrix being operable to switch a group of optical channel signals from any one of a plurality of the inputs to any one of a plurality of the outputs;
at least one first wavelength division multiplexer coupled at each of its inputs to an output of a respective one of the plurality of second optical switching matrices and coupled at its output to one of the inputs of the first optical switching matrix; and
a plurality of second wavelength division multiplexers each coupled at each of its inputs to an output of a respective one of the plurality of third optical switching matrices for combining optical channels into a group of optical channels and coupled at its output to one of the inputs of a corresponding one of the plurality of second optical switching matrices.
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Litigation Data
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Current AssigneeSpherix Incorporated
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Original AssigneeNortel Networks Limited (Nortel Networks Corporation)
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InventorsGraves, Alan F.
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Primary Examiner(s)Chan, Jason
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Assistant Examiner(s)Li, Shi K.
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Application NumberUS09/703,631Time in Patent Office1,629 DaysField of Search398/46, 398/48, 398/50, 398/56, 385/16, 385/17, 359/320US Class Current398/46CPC Class CodesG02B 6/3807 Dismountable connectors, i....H04J 14/0209 Multi-stage arrangements, e...H04J 14/0212 using optical switches or w...H04J 14/0213 Groups of channels or wave ...H04Q 11/0062 Network aspectsH04Q 2011/0075 Wavelength grouping or hier...
