16×16 strictly nonblocking guided-wave optical switching system

Author

Murphy, Edmond J. ; Murphy, Timothy O. ; Ambrose, Andrew F. ; Irvin, Robert W. ; Lee, Byung H. ; Peng, Peter ; Richards, Gaylord W. ; Yorinks, Alan

Author_Institution

Solid State Technol. Center, AT&T Bell Labs., Breinigsville, PA, USA

Volume

14

Issue

3

fYear

1996

fDate

3/1/1996 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

352

Lastpage

358

Abstract

We report the first demonstration of a complete 16×16 strictly nonblocking guided-wave optical switching system. The system, based on a three-stage extended generalized shuffle network, includes 448 directional coupler switch elements in 23 packaged modules. The modules are mounted in a single equipment cabinet and are controlled with a PC-based switching algorithm. We report results of extensive measurements on device and system performance. The devices and system exhibited low uniform voltages. Low loss, low crosstalk, and broad bandwidth. This lithium niobate based system operated continuously and without maintenance for a period of 20 months

Keywords

electro-optical switches; integrated optics; multiplexing equipment; optical communication equipment; optical crosstalk; optical directional couplers; optical waveguides; packaging; wavelength division multiplexing; 16×16 strictly nonblocking guided-wave optical switching system; 20 month; LiNbO₃; PC-based switching algorithm; broad bandwidth; directional coupler switch elements; lithium niobate based system; low crosstalk; low loss; low uniform voltages; packaged modules; single equipment cabinet; system performance; three-stage extended generalized shuffle network; Directional couplers; High speed optical techniques; Lithium niobate; Low voltage; Optical crosstalk; Optical losses; Optical polarization; Optical switches; Packaging; Switching systems;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Lightwave Technology, Journal of

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0733-8724

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/50.485592

Filename

485592