Highly parallel optics in ATM switching networks

The use of an optical crossbar provides a means of overcoming the intermodule interconnection problems of very large (terabit/s) electronic ATM switches. The operation of the hybrid electro-optic switching module (ETOSET) is described and the place of ETOSET in a network context is discussed. A novel control algorithm minimises contention for switch paths and gives a low control processing overhead. Performance is evaluated in terms of switch size, cell loss and control overhead.