Optimum switching architectures using D-fiber optical space switches

An optical space switch based on D-fibers has been fabricated and its use in switching networks investigated. The characteristics of a switching network depend not only on the nature of the switches used, but also on the architecture utilized. In general, architectural complexity can be used in a trade with switch specification to achieve a given network behavior. Several architectures are reviewed and their consequences on the switch specification evaluated. The principles of a D-fiber space switch are described, and the switching characteristics predicted and measured. The characteristics of the switch, within its optimum architecture, enable a fully transparent network, i.e. totally nonblocking with minimum restriction on optical bandwidth, to be realized. The limits to the size of such a network are calculated using the measured characteristics of a switch fabricated in the laboratory