Electro-optic switching systems

Potential network applications of photonic switching based on the use of guided-wave electrooptics technology are reviewed. The characteristics and limitations of the component technologies for space and time switching are discussed with reference to the present state of the art. Systems experiments and demonstrations are described. It is noted that technology for electrooptic switch arrays has progressed to the point where systems evaluations and demonstrations aimed at a range of network applications can be carried out. These arrays are expected to offer performance advantages in space division switching and some synchronous transfer mode applications. Arrays of sizes up to 16×16 have been demonstrated; improvements are required in techniques for efficiently interconnecting switch modules to form larger fabrics. Techniques for capacity expansion are being addressed, the most significant employing optical amplification, coherent optical transmission techniques, and wavelength division switching concepts