Abstract

This paper describes the implementation of an optical time slot interchanger using LiNBO₃ directional couplers. A time slot interchanger (TSI) is a time-domain switch which arranges time slots, or packets of digital information which have been serially multiplexed onto a common carrier. By rearranging the order of these slots in time, packets can be routed to their desired destination. TSI's have applications in telecommunication networks, and an optical implementation provides a good match to existing and future hardware in this field. An optical TSI can also be used as a non-blocking, high speed interconnection network in a multiprocessor environment, or in a local area network (LAN).

© 1991 Optical Society of America