Reduced wavelength-count multi-stage ATM access network featuring voltage-controlled phased-array optical routers

We present a wavelength-routed optical access network, using novel passband-broadened arrayed-waveguide gratings in a three-stage architecture. By employing a multi-dimensional addressing strategy, based on spatial, wavelength and temporal multiplexing, 6912 end customers can be bi-directionally addressed with multi-Gb/s data using only 24 wavelengths with 1.6 nm spacing. Comparatively large wavelength spacing allows simple, non-temperature-stabilised WDM components to be used at the customer end. As this architecture has been designed to map onto standard access network topologies, it allows an elegant upgrade from legacy PON infrastructures, whilst also being cost effective