Power consumption analysis of optical cross-connect equipment for future large capacity optical networks

We describe the comparative analysis of the power consumption between optical cross-connect equipment based on electrical and photonic matrix switching, which will be used for future large capacity optical networks. For optical networks that accommodate several Tb/s-class capacity traffic, the power consumption of optical cross-connect equipment based on electrical switching could reach more than 50 kW and equipment based on photonic switching can be reduced from 15 to 30 kW. In photonic switching-based optical cross-connect equipment, the contributions of transponders are the most significant issue in reduction of power consumption.