Photonic switching technology: component characteristics versus network requirements

Components for switching in the optical domain offer substantially different characteristics than electronic switches. However, except in special cases these characteristics do not immediately map well onto the network requirements as currently perceived so that there remains great challenge in establishing a viable technology. A variety of photonic switching technologies are discussed in this context. They are: passive pathway switches with electrical control active-path optical switches with electrical control; optically controlled electronic logic; optically controlled optical logic; and wavelength routing technologies. Optimum component and technology choices are discussed