Optical 1.times.N and N.times.N switching matrix having a tree structure

US5892864A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Siemens Aktiengesellschaft · DE

Inventors

• Lothar Stoll · Hersbruck, DE
• Meinrad Schienle · Ottobrunn, DE
• Gustav Muller · Regensburg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 11, 1997
• Grant date: Apr 6, 1999
• Expiry date: Mar 11, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02F1/3137
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Optical 1.times.N and N.times.N switching matrix has a tree structure. In the case of 1.times.N switching matrices having a tree structure, in which an optical input (1.sub.0) is connected to N outputs (1.sub.1) by means of an optical waveguide structure (1) which branches like a tree, and in which an optical changeover switch (4) is arranged in each junction point (3) of the waveguide structure, it is intended to improve the crosstalk suppression. To this end, in each case one gate switch (5) is assigned to each output (1.sub.1) for optional release and blocking of this output (1.sub.1) as a function of a switching state of the changeover switch (4) of a junction point (3) from which a branching waveguide (11) is connected to this output (1.sub.1). An N.times.N switching matrix, which is also described, having greatly improved crosstalk suppression can be obtained with such 1.times.N switching matrices. The switching matrix is used in optical communications networks, for example telecommunications networks.