Abstract

B-ISDN requires a throughput in excess of 50 Gbit/s, even in a subscriber loop for full-motion video transmission. To provide the network capacity and to provide flexibility, optical signal processing technology is used, especially that of optical wavelength-division multiplexing. We have already proposed such configuration of photonic cross-connect nodes that perform nonblocking cross-connection with two stages by utilizing multi wavelength selective filters(MWSFs)[1]. In our proposed configuration, a large capacity can be provided with multistage connection, and signal wavelength conversion will be essential at the connecting stage between two groups of the basic switches when connected by multiple stages. In the connecting stage, use of wavelength conversion devices (WCDs) such as wavelength conversion lasers(WCLDs) has the advantage of hardware scale reduction in large-scale connecting systems, thus eliminating electronic circuits such as O/E or E/O converters.

© 1991 Optical Society of America