Photonic switching systems

The author reviews some of the photonic technologies that could become important components of future telecommunications systems. The author begins by dividing photonic devices and systems into two classes according to the function they perform. The first class, relational, is associated with devices, which under external control, maps the input channels to the output channels. The second class, logic, requires that the devices perform some type or combination of Boolean logic functions. Relational devices and their applications will then be discussed. Finally, there will be a review of systems based on optical logic devices