Abstract

Feature Issue on Optical Interconnection Networks (OIN). The rectangular crossbar network is commonly used in switching networks because it has the advantages of easy connection-path rebuilding, wide-sense nonblocking, and no crossover in its interconnection lines. However, this kind of network has two major disadvantages: one is that it has nonzero differential loss, and the other is that its signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is decreased by both the increase of the network dimension and the insertion loss of switches. Here the cyclic crossbar network structure is presented. The cyclic crossbar network is similar to the rectangular crossbar network. For both types of network, an N×N network is constructed by N columns, and each column consists of N switches. The major difference is that construction with N backslash lines and N slash lines is used for the cyclic crossbar network. For every backslash line to have its crosspoint on the right side, the network structure is designed into a circle shape. In this type of network, the differential loss is eliminated and SNR is independent on insertion loss of switches, but the original advantages are maintained.

© 2004 Optical Society of America

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