A technology independent architecture for optical TDM switching

Optical TDM switching is a key contender for deployment in future telecommunications networks, due to its transparency, reduction of EMI problems, virtually unlimited capacity and compatibility with the existing network. The authors describe an architecture for optical TDM switching which can be used to build fabrics of the size likely to be used in the core network, using large substrates containing many switches. The architecture is device independent since it may be built from lithium niobate 2×2 switches, indium phosphide laser amplifiers and probably most future guided wave optical switching technologies too