JPH11178018A - Optical cross connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical cross connector in which a wavelength channel for wavelength conversion is comparatively freely set. SOLUTION: Branching elements 10a-10c separate an input wavelength multiplex light into optical signals of a single wavelength channel and lead them to respective output ports. First and second optical switches 14a-14c, 16a-16c are provided with first, second third, forth ports and optical switch elements respectively, and lead input optical signals to prescribed output ports. An optical connection 18 couples the third port of the first optical switches 14a-14c with the third port of the second optical switches 16a-16c. Coupling elements 12a-12c couples the input optical signals and lead them to output ports. A wavelength conversion section changes a wavelength channel of the input optical signals and leads the changed signals into prescribed output ports. A wavelength routing section 22 leads the input optical signals to prescribed output ports. An optical signal outputted from a wavelength conversion section 20 is give to the wavelength routing section 22 via the second port the first optical switches 14a-14c and the second port of the second optical switches 16a-16c.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical cross-connect device for switching a transmission path of wavelength multiplexed light in optical communication.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional optical cross-connect device is disclosed in, for example, Reference 1, "Journal of Lightwave."
e Technology, Vol. 14, No. 6,
pp. 1410-1421, July 1996 ". The optical cross-connect device disclosed in this document (see FIG.
9. In (1), first, the wavelength division multiplexed light is input to the demultiplexer, and separated into optical signals of a single wavelength channel. continue,
The optical signal output from the demultiplexer is passed through a wavelength converter to convert the wavelength as needed. Then, the route of each optical signal is determined by the optical switch and guided to a predetermined output port. Therefore, in this configuration, the optical signal is distributed to an arbitrary output port for each wavelength.

[0003]

However, the conventional configuration disclosed in the above-mentioned document 1 is configured to perform wavelength conversion immediately after demultiplexing wavelength-multiplexed light. For this reason, since the number of wavelength channels for performing wavelength conversion is limited to the number of wavelength converters, there is a disadvantage that the system lacks flexibility.

[0004] Therefore, there has been a demand for an optical cross-connect device capable of setting a wavelength channel for wavelength conversion relatively freely.

[0005]

Therefore, according to the optical cross-connect device of the present invention, a demultiplexing element, a multiplexing element, a first
Each of the optical switch, the second optical switch, the optical connection unit, the wavelength conversion unit, and the wavelength routing unit is provided in a predetermined number, and the demultiplexing element has one input port and N (N is an integer of 2 or more). An output port, which separates the wavelength multiplexed light input to the input port into individual single wavelength channel optical signals, and guides the separated individual optical signals to individual output ports, respectively. Each of the first and second optical switches has N first ports, one second port, and (N
-1) comprising three third ports, one fourth port and N optical switch elements, wherein the optical switch element comprises one input port and N output ports; The optical signal input to the input port is directed to a predetermined output port, and is connected between the first port and the input port of the optical switch element, between the third port and the output port of the optical switch element, Between the output port of the optical switch element and
And the second port and the third port are connected by optical wiring, respectively, and the optical connection unit is connected to the third optical switch of the first optical switch.
An optical wiring for coupling between a port and a third port of the second optical switch, wherein the multiplexing element has N input ports and one output port, and optical signals input to these input ports are provided. The wavelength converter is provided with N input ports and (N-1) output ports, and a wavelength channel of an optical signal input to these input ports. Is changed to a predetermined output port, and the wavelength routing unit includes (N-1) input ports and N output ports, and converts an optical signal input to these input ports into a predetermined number. Between the fourth port of the predetermined first optical switch and the input port of the wavelength converter, and between the second port of the first optical switch and the output port of the wavelength converter. , The fourth port of the predetermined second optical switch And an input port of the wavelength routing unit, and a second port of the second optical switch and an output port of the wavelength routing unit are coupled by optical wiring, respectively, and output from the output port of the wavelength conversion unit. The optical signal is configured to be input to the input port of the wavelength routing unit through the second port of the predetermined first optical switch and the second port of the predetermined second optical switch.

Accordingly, in the demultiplexer, each of the wavelength division multiplexed lights is separated into optical signals of a single wavelength channel. The optical signal of each wavelength channel is input to the first port of the first optical switch.
The first optical switch individually determines a route of the optical signal input to each first port and outputs the route to each of the third port and the fourth port. The optical signal output from the third port reaches the third port of the predetermined second optical switch through the optical connection. Then, the second optical switch guides each optical signal to a predetermined first port of the second optical switch.

On the other hand, the optical signal guided to the fourth port of the first optical switch is sent to a wavelength converter. In the wavelength converter,
The wavelength channel of the optical signal is changed to a predetermined wavelength channel. The optical signal output from the wavelength converter is guided to the second port of the first optical switch. Then, the light sequentially passes through the third port of the first optical switch, the optical connection unit, the third port of the predetermined second optical switch, and the second port of the second optical switch, and enters the wavelength routing unit. The wavelength routing unit guides input light to a predetermined fourth port of the second optical switch. In the second optical switch, an optical signal input to the fourth port is distributed to a predetermined first port. The multiplexing device multiplexes and outputs an optical signal output from the first port of the second optical switch.

Therefore, in the optical cross-connect device of the present invention, the number of wavelength channels for performing wavelength conversion is determined according to the number of ports of the wavelength converter. Therefore, a wavelength channel for performing wavelength conversion can be set relatively freely.

In the optical cross-connect device of the present invention, preferably, the wavelength conversion unit includes one star coupler, N variable filters, N wavelength conversion elements,
And a third optical switch.
With N input ports and N output ports,
The optical signals input to these input ports are combined, and the combined optical signal is distributed with respect to power and guided to each of the output ports. The variable filter includes one input port and one output port. And an optical signal of a predetermined wavelength channel is selected from the optical signals input to the input port and output to the output port. The wavelength conversion element has one input port and one And the output port is changed from a wavelength channel of an optical signal input to the input port to a predetermined wavelength channel and output to an output port. The third optical switch includes N input ports and And (N-1) output ports for guiding optical signals input to these input ports to predetermined output ports. The input port of the star coupler and the third optical switch The output ports are the input port and output port of the wavelength converter, respectively, and the input port of each variable filter is coupled to each output port of the star coupler, and the output port of each variable filter has its own wavelength conversion element. Are connected to each other, and the output port of each wavelength
Preferably, it is coupled to the input port of the optical switch.

Accordingly, the optical signal output to the fourth port of the first optical switch is input to the star coupler. In the star coupler, light is mixed, distributed to each output port, and output. The light output from the star coupler passes through a variable filter and a wavelength conversion element sequentially, and is subjected to selection of a necessary wavelength and wavelength conversion. Subsequently, the light is sent to a third optical switch. By this third optical switch, light is guided to a predetermined output port and sent to the corresponding second port of the first optical switch. Therefore, the wavelength channel of the optical signal can be changed and guided to the predetermined third port.

In the optical cross-connect device according to the present invention, preferably, the third optical switch includes N optical switch elements and (N-1) couplers, and the optical switch element includes one optical switch element. And (N-1) output ports for guiding an optical signal input to the input port to a predetermined output port.
And one output port. The optical signal input to these input ports is combined and guided to the output port, and the input port of the optical switch element and the output port of the coupler are respectively connected to the first port. Preferably, the input port and the output port of the three-optical switch are used, and the output port of the optical switch element and the input port of the coupler are connected by an optical wiring.

With such a configuration, the light output from the output port of each wavelength conversion element is first input to the above-described optical switch element. A path is selected by the optical switch element and guided to a predetermined coupler. Therefore, the optical signal can be guided to the second port and the third port of the predetermined first optical switch.

In the optical cross-connect device according to the present invention, preferably, a fourth optical switch is provided as a wavelength routing unit, and the fourth optical switch is (N-1).
And input ports and N output ports. The optical signals input to these input ports are combined and guided to a predetermined output port. It is preferable to provide the input port and the output port of the wavelength routing unit.

In the optical cross-connect device according to the present invention, preferably, the fourth optical switch includes (N-1) optical switch elements and N couplers, and the optical switch element includes one optical switch element. And N output ports, and guides an optical signal input to the input port to a predetermined output port. The coupler has (N-1)
And one output port. The optical signal input to these input ports is combined and guided to the output port, and the input port of the optical switch element and the output port of the coupler are respectively connected to the first port. It is preferable that the input port and the output port of the four-optical switch are provided, and the output port of the optical switch element and the input port of the coupler are connected by optical wiring.

[0015] With this configuration, the light output from the second port of the second optical switch is first input to the above-described optical switch element. A path is selected by the optical switch element and guided to a predetermined coupler. Therefore, the optical signal can be guided to the fourth port of the predetermined second optical switch, that is, to the predetermined output port.

Further, in the optical cross-connect device of the present invention, it is preferable that the optical connecting portion is constituted by an optical fiber.

Further, according to the optical cross-connect device of the present invention, a predetermined number of each of the demultiplexing device, the multiplexing device, the first optical switch, the second optical switch, the optical connection unit, and the wavelength conversion unit are provided. The demultiplexer has one input port and N (N is an integer of 2 or more) output ports. The wavelength division multiplexed light input to this input port is converted into individual single wavelength channel optical signals. Demultiplexing and directing the separated individual optical signals to respective output ports, wherein each of the first and second optical switches includes N first ports and N second ports.
A port, (N-1) third ports, one fourth port, N first optical switch elements, N second optical switch elements, and (N-1) coupler groups. The first optical switch element has one input port and N output ports, and guides an optical signal input to the input port to a predetermined output port. The element includes one input port and (N-1) output ports, and guides an optical signal input to the input port to a predetermined output port. One first coupler, each of these first couplers having two input ports and one output port, and
Optical signals output from the first and second optical switch elements are input to the input ports of the couplers. The input optical signals are combined, and each of the optical signals is combined via the output port of each first coupler. A third port outputs the signal, between the first port and the input port of the first optical switch element, between the fourth port and the output port of the first optical switch element, and between the second port and the second optical switch. Between the input port of the element and the output port of the first and second optical switch elements and the first
The input port of the coupler is connected to the input port of the coupler by an optical wiring, and the optical connection unit is an optical wiring connecting the third port of the first optical switch and the third port of the second optical switch. , The multiplexing element has N input ports and one output port, and combines the optical signals input to these input ports and guides them to the output port.
With N input ports and N output ports,
The wavelength channel of the optical signal input to these input ports is changed and guided to a predetermined output port.
Optical wiring is connected between the fourth port of the optical switch and the input port of the wavelength converter, and between the second port of the first optical switch and the output port of the wavelength converter.
The optical signal output from the output port of the wavelength conversion unit is input to the fourth port of the predetermined second optical switch through the second port of the predetermined first optical switch and the second port of the predetermined second optical switch. It is characterized by having been constituted so that.

With this configuration, a wavelength routing function is added to the first optical switch. Therefore,
The configuration of the wavelength conversion unit can be simplified. Further, a wavelength routing unit is not required on the output side (the second optical switch side). Therefore, the device configuration is simplified.

In the optical cross-connect device according to the present invention, preferably, the wavelength conversion unit includes one star coupler, N variable filters, and N wavelength conversion elements. Has N input ports and N output ports, combines optical signals input to these input ports, distributes the combined optical signal with respect to power, and leads each of the output ports. The variable filter has one input port and one output port, selects an optical signal of a predetermined wavelength channel from optical signals input to the input port, and outputs the selected signal to an output port. The wavelength conversion element is 1
And a single output port, wherein the wavelength channel of the optical signal input to the input port is changed to a predetermined wavelength channel and output to the output port. And the output port of the wavelength conversion element as the input port and output port of the wavelength converter, respectively, and the input port of each variable filter is coupled to each output port of the star coupler. The input ports of the individual wavelength conversion elements are preferably connected.

In the optical cross-connect device according to the present invention, preferably, each of the first couplers belonging to the coupler group is put together to form a second body having 2N input ports and one output port. It is good to constitute as a coupler.

With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the number of optical paths such as the fibers constituting the optical connection section.

Further, according to the optical cross-connect device of the present invention, the demultiplexing element, the multiplexing element, the first optical switch, the second optical switch, the optical connection section, the wavelength conversion section, and the second coupler are each provided by a predetermined number. The demultiplexer has one input port and N (N is an integer of 2 or more) output ports, and the wavelength division multiplexed light input to this input port is converted into individual single wavelength channels. To separate the optical signals, and to guide the separated optical signals to individual output ports, respectively.
Each of the first and second optical switches includes N first ports, (N-1) second ports, one third port, N optical switch elements, and (N-1) A first coupler, wherein the optical switch element has one input port and N output ports, and guides an optical signal input to the input port to a predetermined output port; The first coupler has N input ports and one output port, and an optical signal output from the optical switch element is input to the input port of each of the first couplers.
These input optical signals are combined and output to each second port via the output port of each first coupler, and between the first port and the input port of the optical switch element,
The third port and the output port of the optical switch element, and the output port of the optical switch element and the input port of the first coupler are respectively coupled by optical wiring, and the optical connection unit is configured to connect the first optical port. An optical wiring for coupling between a second port of the switch and a second port of the second optical switch via a second coupler, wherein the multiplexing element includes N input ports and one output port; The wavelength conversion unit has N input ports and (N-1) output ports, and combines the optical signals input to these input ports and guides them to an output port. The wavelength channel of the optical signal input to these input ports is changed and guided to a predetermined output port, and is provided between the third port of the predetermined first optical switch and the input port of the wavelength converter, and the second coupler. Input port and wavelength converter output port Yes attached at each optical interconnection between an optical signal output from the output port of the wavelength conversion portion is given through the input port of the predetermined second coupler second
It is characterized in that the input is made to the second port of the optical switch.

With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the number of optical paths such as the fibers constituting the optical connection section.

In the optical cross-connect device according to the present invention, preferably, the wavelength converter includes one star coupler, N variable filters, N wavelength converters,
A third optical switch, the star coupler has N input ports and N output ports, and combines optical signals input to these input ports, and further combines the optical signals. The distributed optical signal is distributed with respect to the power and guided to each of the output ports.
With one input port and one output port,
An optical signal of a predetermined wavelength channel is selected from the optical signals input to the input port and output to the output port. The wavelength conversion element has one input port and one output port. The wavelength channel of the optical signal input to the input port is changed to a predetermined wavelength channel and output to the output port, and the third optical switch comprises:
An input port of the star coupler and a third optical switch for guiding an optical signal input to these input ports to a predetermined output port, comprising N input ports and (N-1) output ports; The output ports of the wavelength converter are used as the input port and output port of the wavelength converter, respectively, and the input port of each variable filter is coupled to each output port of the star coupler. Preferably, the input ports of the elements are coupled, and the output port of each wavelength conversion element is coupled to the input port of a separate third optical switch.

In the optical cross-connect device according to the present invention, preferably, the third optical switch includes N optical switch elements and (N−1) couplers, and the optical switch element includes one optical switch element. And (N-1) output ports for guiding an optical signal input to the input port to a predetermined output port.
And one output port. The optical signal input to these input ports is combined and guided to the output port, and the input port of the optical switch element and the output port of the coupler are respectively connected to the first port. Preferably, the input port and the output port of the three-optical switch are used, and the output port of the optical switch element and the input port of the coupler are connected by an optical wiring.

[0026]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the drawings merely schematically show the configuration, arrangement, and connection to the extent that the present invention can be understood. The conditions such as numerical values described below are merely examples. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

The optical cross-connect device is used as a node constituting an optical communication network. The optical communication network here includes a plurality of nodes and an optical fiber for transmitting wavelength-division multiplexed light. Each node is connected by an optical fiber. In each node in such an optical communication network, distribution of an optical signal according to a wavelength channel is performed. Therefore, the optical cross-connect device has a plurality of input ports and a plurality of output ports, receives a wavelength multiplexed optical signal from each input port, and outputs each optical signal to each output according to the wavelength (wavelength channel). Distribute to ports. in this way,
The optical cross-connect device is a device that switches the path of a wavelength-multiplexed optical signal based on a wavelength channel.

[First Embodiment] The configuration of an optical cross-connect device according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining a first configuration of the optical cross-connect device. This optical cross-connect device includes a demultiplexer 10a
-10c, multiplexing elements 12a-12c, first optical switch 1
4a to 14c, second optical switches 16a to 16c, optical connection unit 18, wavelength conversion unit 20, and wavelength routing unit 22
It has.

First, the demultiplexing element and the first optical switch will be described. FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of a main part around the first optical switch. FIG. 2 shows a demultiplexing element 10a.
And the first optical switch 14a are shown as an example.

The demultiplexing element 10a has one input port 24
a and four output ports 26a-26d.
The demultiplexing element 10a separates the wavelength multiplexed light input to the input port 24a into individual single wavelength channel optical signals,
The separated individual optical signals are output to respective output ports 26.
a to 26d.

Each of the demultiplexing elements 10a to 10c separates the wavelength multiplexed light input to each of the input ports 24a to 24c into individual optical signals of a single wavelength channel. For example, when the wavelength division multiplexed light including the wavelength channels λ1, λ2, λ3, and λ4 is input to the input port 24a in the demultiplexer 10a, the optical signal is transmitted to each of the wavelength channels λ1, λ2,
It is automatically separated into individual optical signals of λ3 and λ4.
As the demultiplexing elements 10a to 10c, for example, existing elements using a grating can be used.

The first optical switches 14a to 14c are
Four first ports 30a to 30d and one second port 3
It comprises two and three third ports 34a-34c, one fourth port 36 and four optical switch elements 38a-38d. Each of the optical switch elements 38a to 38d has one input port and four output ports, and guides an optical signal input to the input port to a predetermined output port. That is, each of the optical switch elements 38a to 38d is a 1 × 4 optical switch. And the first port 30
a to 30d and the input ports of the optical switch elements 38a to 38d, between the third ports 34a to 34c and the output ports of the optical switch elements 38a to 38d, and between the fourth port 36 and the outputs of the optical switch elements 38a to 38d. Optical ports are connected to the ports, and between the second port 32 and the third ports 34a to 34c.

For example, the first optical switch 14a selectively distributes the optical signals of the respective wavelength channels λ1, λ2, λ3 and λ4 to the respective output ports 34a to 34c and 36. For example, the first optical switch 14a sends the optical signal of the wavelength channel λ1 to the output port 34b,
2 to the output port 36, the optical signal of the wavelength channel λ3 to the output port 34c, and the wavelength channel λ4.
Is output to the output port 34a.

The configuration of the first optical switch 14a will be described in more detail. The first optical switch 14a is provided between the optical switch elements 38a to 38d and the second port 32 and the third port 34a to 34c and the fourth port 36.
It has zero. The optical wiring 40 is connected to each optical switch element 38.
a to 38d, the second port 32 and the third port 34a to
34c, an optical path for coupling between the fourth ports 36. The optical switch elements 38a to 38d are connected to the respective wavelength channels λ1 to λ1.
This is an element for selecting the path of the optical signal of λ4 from the optical paths constituting the optical wiring 40. During normal operation, the switching states of the optical switch elements 38a to 38d are fixed. Therefore, for example, an optical signal incident on the optical switch element 38a is output to the output port 34a, and the output port from which the optical signal is output is fixed semi-fixed according to the wavelength channel.

FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a specific main configuration of the first optical switch 14a. The first optical switch 14a is formed on a substrate 95. This substrate 95
Is partitioned into an optical path switching area 96 and an optical wiring area 98. In the optical path switching area 96, optical switch elements 38a to 38d are provided. Optical wiring area 9
8, an optical wiring 40 is provided. On the substrate 95,
One end face 100a of the substrate 95 to the other end face 100b
In this manner, a waveguide 106 is formed that branches off in two directions at an appropriate position. In the optical path switching area 96, optical switch elements 38a to 38d are formed by optical switch elements provided at each branch position of the waveguide 106.

For example, the waveguide 106 shown in FIG. 3 has three Y-branch positions branched in a Y-shape in the optical path switching region 96. Optical switch elements 93a, 93b and 93c are formed at these Y-branch positions, respectively. Each of the optical switch elements 93a to 93c is, for example, a Y-branch optical switch that selects one of two optical paths by using a change in the field distribution of light (for example, reference 2 "IEICE
TRANS. COMMUM. , VOL. E77-B,
NO. 2, p204 (1994) "). By these three optical switch elements 93a to 93c, one input port and four output ports are provided.
A × 4 type optical switch is configured as the optical switch element 38a.

The optical signal of wavelength λ1 output from the demultiplexer 10a is transmitted to the first optical switch 14a by the optical fiber 102. The optical fiber 102 is connected to one end surface 100a of the substrate 95 by a fixing jig (not shown). Further, a part of the waveguide 106 is exposed on the end face 100a of the substrate 95 to which the optical fiber 102 is connected. The optical signal propagates through the optical fiber 102 and reaches one end surface 100a of the substrate 95. And
The optical signal enters the waveguide 106 and is guided to the optical switch element 93a.

The optical switch element 93a is formed on the substrate end face 1
It is provided at a position where the waveguide 106 extending from 00a first branches in the Y direction. The propagation direction of the optical signal input from the optical fiber 102 is selected by the optical switch element 93a. In the waveguide 106 that branches off in two directions after passing through the optical switch element 93a, it is again branched in a Y-shape. Optical switch elements 93b and 93c are provided at these branch positions, respectively. The optical signal is transmitted to these optical switch elements 93b and 9b.
The light propagates through the optical path selected by 3c. in this way,
Four optical paths can be switched by these optical switch elements 93a to 93c.

The waveguide 10 in the optical wiring region 98
The optical wiring 40 is constituted by 6. That is, the optical wiring 40 includes the optical switch elements 38 a to 38 d, and the waveguide 106 that connects the second port 32 to the third port 34 a to 34 c and the fourth port 36. For example, the waveguides 106 branching at the positions of the optical switch elements 93b and 93c are respectively connected to the other substrate end face 1
00b, that is, the third ports 34a to 34
c, extending toward the fourth port 36. With such a configuration, an optical signal is guided to any one of the third ports 34a to 34c and the fourth port 36 according to the switching state of the optical switch element 38a.

The optical signals output from the third ports 34a to 34c are respectively guided to the optical connection unit 18 and transmitted to a predetermined second optical switch. In this configuration example, one end of the waveguide 106 is exposed at the position of each of the third port 34a to 34c and the fourth port 36 on the other substrate end face 100b. Then, each of the third ports 34a to 34a
c, at the position of the fourth port 36, each optical switch element 38a
The waveguides 106 extending from .about.38d are configured to gather.

The second port 32 and the third port 34a
To 34c are connected by one waveguide 106, respectively. One end of the waveguide 106 is also exposed at the position of each of the third ports 34a to 34c on the other substrate end face 100b.

Therefore, five waveguides 106 are provided at the positions of the third ports 34a to 34c on the substrate end face 100b.
Is exposed. In addition, the fourth port 36 of the substrate end face 100b
At the position, four waveguides 106 are exposed. One end of an optical fiber is connected to each of the waveguides 106. Here, 5 or 4 optical fibers are connected to 1
Bundled in one tape fiber 57. As described above, the optical connection unit 18 is configured by the tape fiber 57 in which a predetermined number of optical fibers are put together. These tape fibers 57 are connected to the third ports 34a to 34c, the fourth port 3
6 is assigned to each one. The tape fiber 57 is fixed using the fixing jig 104 such that one end of the tape fiber 57 is connected to the end of the waveguide 106 exposed at the third and fourth port positions.

In the substrate 95, the optical path switching region 96 and the optical wiring region 98 may be integrally formed on the same substrate as described above, or may be formed on a separate substrate for each of the regions 96 and 98. May be. For example, the optical path switching area 96
It is also possible to use a substrate of lithium niobate, and to use a glass material substrate in the optical wiring region 98.

The above-mentioned optical connection section 18 is a means for individually coupling the third and fourth ports of each first optical switch to the third and fourth ports of each individual second optical switch. . For example, the third port 34a of the first optical switch 14a and the first third port of the second optical switch 16a are connected by a tape fiber 57 constituting the optical connection unit 18. The tape fiber 57 is (wavelength number +
1) A bundle of optical fibers. Wavelength-converted light (light whose wavelength has been converted by the wavelength converter 20) passes through one of the fibers. The optical connection section 18 is not limited to this, and may be configured, for example, using a waveguide instead of the tape fiber 57, that is, the optical fiber. Also, it is not always necessary to connect all the ports with the optical connection unit 18. That is, according to the purpose, only necessary ports need to be connected by the optical connection means such as the tape fiber 57 or the like.

Next, the multiplexing element and the second optical switch will be described. FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of a main part around the second optical switch. FIG. 4 shows a multiplexing element 12c.
And the second optical switch 16c is shown as an example.

The multiplexing element 12c has four input ports and one
And output ports for combining optical signals input to these input ports and guiding them to the output ports.
For example, the multiplexing element 12c has four input ports 54a-54c.
54d and one output port 56c, and has a function of synthesizing optical signals input to these input ports 54a to 54d and guiding them to the output port 56c. For example,
According to the multiplexing element 12c, the optical signal of the wavelength channel λ1 input to the input port 54a and the input port 54b
A wavelength multiplexed light obtained by multiplexing the optical signal of the wavelength channel λ2 input to the input port 54c, the optical signal of the wavelength channel λ3 input to the input port 54c, and the optical signal of the wavelength channel λ4 input to the input port 54d. Output to the output port 56c.

The second optical switches 16a to 16c are
Four first ports 42a to 42d and one second port 4
It comprises eight and three third ports 46a-46c, one fourth port 48 and four optical switch elements 50a-50d. Each of the optical switch elements 50a to 50d has four input ports and one output port, and guides an optical signal input to any of these input ports to an output port. Each of the optical switch elements 50a to 50d includes
It is composed of a 1 × 4 optical switch. And the first port 4
2a to 42d and the input ports of the optical switch elements 50a to 50d, between the third ports 46a to 46c and the output ports of the optical switch elements 50a to 50d, and the fourth port 48
And the output ports of the optical switch elements 50a to 50d,
The second port 44 and the third ports 46a to 46c are connected by optical wiring.

The configuration of the second optical switch 16c will be described in more detail. The second optical switch 16c includes an optical wiring 5 between the optical switch elements 50a to 50d and the second port 44 and the third ports 46a to 46c and the fourth port 48.
It has two. The optical wiring 52 is connected to each optical switch element 50.
a to 50d, the second port 44 and the third port 46a to
46c is an optical path connecting between the fourth port 48. The optical switch elements 50a to 50d select an optical signal of a predetermined wavelength channel from the optical signals of the respective wavelength channels λ1 to λ4 transmitted through the optical path constituting the optical wiring 52, and send the selected signal to each output port. It is a guiding element.

Note that the optical switches having the configuration shown in FIG. 3 can be used as the second optical switches 16a to 16c. The multiplexing elements 12a to 12c are also the demultiplexing elements 10a to 10c.
The configuration may be the same as described above. Therefore, the configurations of the first optical switch and the demultiplexer can be made symmetrical with the configurations of the second optical switch and the multiplexer.

Next, the configuration of the wavelength conversion section 20 will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of the wavelength conversion unit. The wavelength converter 20 has four input ports and three output ports, and changes a wavelength channel of an optical signal input to these input ports to guide the wavelength channel to a predetermined output port. The wavelength conversion unit 20 includes a wavelength conversion unit 92 and a third optical switch 72. The wavelength conversion unit 92 includes one star coupler 66.
, Four variable filters 68a to 68d, and four wavelength conversion elements 70a to 70d.

The above-described star coupler 66 has four input ports 74a to 74d and four output ports 76a to 76d.
The optical signals input to the input ports 74a to 74d are combined, and the combined optical signals are distributed with respect to power and guided to the output ports 76a to 76d, respectively. That is, the optical signals input to each of the input ports 74a to 74d of the star coupler 66 are combined and mixed with respect to the power of each optical signal regardless of the wavelength channel. From the output ports 76a to 76d of the star coupler 66, wavelength multiplexed light including optical signals of the respective wavelength channels at equal power is output.

Each of the variable filters 68a to 68d has one input port and one output port. A predetermined wavelength is selected from the optical signals (wavelength multiplexed light) input to this input port. The optical signal of the channel is selected and output to the output port. The input ports of these variable filters 68a to 68d are connected to a star coupler 66.
Are connected to output ports 76a to 76d by optical connection means such as an optical fiber and a waveguide, respectively. Therefore, the variable filters 68a to 68d
Out of the wavelength multiplexed light or the single wavelength light output from the output ports 76a to 76d.

Further, the wavelength conversion elements 70a to 70d
It has a number of input ports and an output port, and changes the wavelength channel of the optical signal input to the input port to a predetermined wavelength channel and outputs it to the output port. The input ports of these wavelength conversion elements 70a to 70d are connected to the output ports of the variable filters 68a to 68d by optical connection means such as optical fibers and waveguides. According to the wavelength conversion elements 70a to 70d, the wavelength channels of the optical signals output from the tunable filters 68a to 68d are converted into preset fixed wavelength channels.

The third optical switch 72 has four input ports 78a to 78d and three output ports 60a to 60d.
d to guide optical signals input to these input ports 78a to 78d to predetermined output ports 60a to 60c. The third optical switch 72 of this configuration example has 4
Optical switch elements 80a to 80d and three couplers 82
a to 82c. Optical switch elements 80a-8
0d is a 1 × 3 optical switch that has one input port and three output ports and guides an optical signal input to the input port to a predetermined output port. Couplers 82a-
Reference numeral 82c denotes a 1 × 4 optical switch which has four input ports and one output port, and combines optical signals input to these input ports and guides them to the output port. Output ports of optical switch elements 80a-80d and couplers 82a-8
The connection with the input port 2c is made by an optical wiring 84. The input ports of the optical switch elements 80a to 80d and the output ports of the couplers 82a to 82c are the input ports 78a to 78d and the output port of the third optical switch 72, respectively.

The input port 78 of the third optical switch 72
Output ports of the wavelength conversion elements 70a to 70d are individually coupled to a to 78d. The input ports 74a to 74d of the star coupler 66 and the output port of the third optical switch 72 are the input ports 58a to 58d and the output ports 60a to 60c of the wavelength converter 20, respectively.

According to the wavelength conversion unit 20 described above, the wavelength channel of the optical signal input to the input ports 58a to 58d can be changed and guided to the predetermined output ports 60a to 60c. Each of these input ports 58a to 58d is connected to a waveguide 106, one end of which is exposed to the fourth port 36 of the first optical switch 14a, by an interconnection 94b. Further, each of the output ports 58a to 58d of the wavelength conversion unit 20 is connected to the first optical switch 14
a into the waveguide 106, one end of which is exposed to the second port 32 of
Each is connected by an interconnection 94a. Therefore, the optical signal output from the fourth port 36 of the first optical switch 14a is guided to predetermined input ports 58a to 58d of the wavelength conversion unit 20. Further, the wavelength conversion unit 20
The optical signals output from the output ports 60a to 60c are
The light is guided to the second port 32 of the first optical switch 14a.

Therefore, by the configuration of the demultiplexer 10a, the first optical switch 14a, and the wavelength converter 20, an optical signal of a predetermined wavelength channel can be guided to predetermined third ports 34a to 34c of the first optical switch 14a. it can. In addition, with this configuration, it is possible to exchange wavelength channels. That is, the wavelength channel of the optical signal input to the optical cross-connect device can be changed.

Next, the configuration of the wavelength routing unit 22 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the configuration of the wavelength routing unit. Wavelength routing unit 2
2 includes three input ports 62a to 62c and four output ports 64a to 64d, and outputs an optical signal input to these input ports 62a to 62c to a predetermined output port 6.
4a to 64d. In the optical cross-connect device of this configuration example, the fourth
It has an optical switch. As described above, the fourth optical switch includes three input ports 62a to 62c and four output ports 64a to 64d, and synthesizes optical signals input to these input ports 62a to 62c. It leads to predetermined output ports 64a to 64d.

This fourth optical switch is composed of three optical switch elements 86a to 86c and four couplers 88a to 88d. Optical switch elements 86a to 86c
Is provided with one input port and N output ports, and guides an optical signal input to this input port to a predetermined output port. Each of the couplers 88a to 88d has three input ports and one output port, and combines optical signals input to these input ports and guides them to the output port. The input ports of the optical switch elements 86a to 86c and the output ports of the couplers 88a to 88d are the input port and output port of the fourth optical switch, respectively. An optical wiring 9 is provided between the output ports of the optical switch elements 86a to 86c and the input ports of the couplers 88a to 88d.
Linked by 0.

According to the wavelength routing unit 22 described above, an optical signal input to the input ports 62a to 62c can be guided to predetermined output ports 64a to 64d. Each of these input ports 62a to 62c is connected to a waveguide whose one end is exposed to the second port 44 of the second optical switch 16c.
Each is connected by an interconnection 94d. The output port 64a of the wavelength routing unit 22
To 64d are connected to the waveguide having one end exposed at the fourth port 48 of the second optical switch 16c.
4c. Therefore, the optical signal output from the second port 44 of the second optical switch 16c is transmitted to the predetermined input port 62a of the wavelength routing unit 22.
~ 62c. The optical signals output from the output ports 64a to 64d of the wavelength routing unit 22 are guided to the fourth port 48 of the second optical switch 16c.

The output port 60a of the wavelength converter 20
The optical signal output from the first optical switch 14a
Through the second port 32 of the second optical switch 16c and the input ports 62a to 62c of the wavelength routing unit 22. Therefore, according to the configuration of the multiplexing element 12c, the second optical switch 16c, and the wavelength routing unit 22, the optical signal of the predetermined wavelength channel is guided to the fourth port 48 of the second optical switch 16c. The light can be mixed with an optical signal input to the third ports 46a to 46c of the second optical switch 16c and output.

The operation of the optical cross-connect device will be described. The light to be wavelength-converted is sent out by the optical switch elements 38a to 38d in the direction of the interconnection 94b in which fibers for the number of wavelengths are bundled. This light
After being mixed by the star coupler 66, the variable filter 68a
To 68d and the wavelength conversion elements 70a to 70d determine the combination of the required wavelength and the converted wavelength. continue,
The output ports 60 are controlled by the optical switch elements 80a to 80d.
a to 60c are selected and multiplexed by the couplers 82a to 82c. After that, the interconnection 94a and the optical wiring 40, which are fiber bundles for the number of output ports 60a to 60c,
Through the third ports 34a to 34c and transmitted to the output side by the tape fiber 57. The wavelength-converted light input to the second optical switches 16a to 16c is input to the optical switch elements 86a to 86c via the optical wiring 52 and the interconnection 94d. And coupler 8
8a to 88d select an optical signal of a required wavelength, and after wavelength multiplexing by the multiplexers 12a to 12c through the interconnection 94c, the optical wiring 52, and the optical switch elements 50a to 50d, a predetermined output port 56a to 56c
Will be sent to

On the other hand, the light that is not subjected to wavelength conversion is sent to the third port sides 34a to 34c by the optical switch elements 38a to 38d of the first optical switches 14a to 14c without passing through the fourth port 36 and the wavelength converter 20. It is. Thereafter, the light is output to predetermined output ports 56a to 56c through the optical connection unit 18 and the second optical switches 16a to 16c.

With the configuration described above, the optical cross-connect device can switch the path of the wavelength-multiplexed optical signal based on the wavelength channel.
Moreover, it is possible to change the wavelength channel of the input light. The upper limit of the number of wavelength channels that can be changed is determined by the combination of the variable filters 68a to 68d and the wavelength conversion elements 70a to 70d. That is, the wavelength conversion can be performed relatively freely by setting the wavelength channel selected by the variable filters 68a to 68d and the wavelength channel that changes by the wavelength conversion elements 70a to 70d. Therefore, a more flexible system can be constructed as compared with the related art.

A system that does not perform wavelength conversion is constituted by the demultiplexing element, the first optical switch, the optical connection section, the second optical switch, and the multiplexing element. If the wavelength conversion unit 20 and the wavelength routing unit 22 are provided in this system, it can be easily extended to a system that performs wavelength conversion.

The third optical switch 72 forming the wavelength conversion section 20 and the fourth optical switch 72 forming the wavelength routing section 22
Since the optical switch can be configured using common components, the types of components can be reduced.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second configuration of the optical cross-connect device will be described. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a second configuration of the optical cross-connect device. The optical cross-connect device of this configuration example includes the demultiplexers 10a to 10a.
c, multiplexing elements 12a to 12c, first optical switch 108a
108c, the second optical switches 110a to 110c, the optical connection unit 18, and the wavelength conversion unit (wavelength conversion unit 92). The demultiplexing elements 10a to 10c and the multiplexing element 1
Since 2a to 12c and the optical connection unit 18 are the same as those in the first configuration, the description is omitted.

First, the first optical switches 108a to 108c
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a configuration around the first optical switch 108a. The first optical switch 108a includes four first ports 112a to 112
d and four second ports 114a to 114d and three third ports 114a to 114d.
Ports 116a to 116c and one fourth port 118 are provided. Further, the first optical switch 108a includes four first optical switch elements 120a to 120d and four second optical switch elements 120a to 120d.
Optical switch elements 122a to 122d and three coupler groups 1
24a to 124c.

The above-mentioned first optical switch elements 120a-12
0d has one input port and four output ports, and guides an optical signal input to this input port to a predetermined output port. Also, the second optical switch element 1
Reference numerals 22a to 122d each include one input port and three output ports, and guide an optical signal input to the input port to a predetermined output port.

Each of the coupler groups 124a to 124c is composed of four first couplers 126. Each of these first couplers 126 has two input ports and one
Output ports. These first couplers 1
The 26 input ports include first optical switch elements 120a to 120a.
The optical signal output from 120d and the optical signal output from the second optical switch elements 122a to 122d are input. For example, in this configuration example, the first output port of the first optical switch element 120a is the optical coupler group 1
24a is coupled to one input port of the first first coupler 126. Further, this coupler group 124
The first output port of the second optical switch element 122a is coupled to the other input port of the first first coupler 126 of FIG. Therefore, the coupler groups 124a to 124
The optical signals input to both input ports are combined by each of the first couplers 126 constituting c, and output to each of the third ports 116a to 116c via each output port.

The connection between these ports is made by the optical wiring 12
8 is realized. The optical wiring 128 includes the first optical switch elements 120 a to 120 d and the second optical switch element 12.
Optical connection means for coupling between the output ports 2a to 122d and the input port and the fourth port of each first coupler 126. Also, the first optical switch 108a described above
Is the first optical switch 14a described in the first embodiment.
Similarly to the above, the configuration can be made using the optical switch shown in FIG.

Since the configuration is as described above, the first optical switch 108a is obtained by incorporating the third optical switch 72 of the wavelength converter 20 into the first optical switch 14a described in the first embodiment. be equivalent to. Therefore, in the optical cross-connect device according to this embodiment, the wavelength conversion unit may be constituted by only the wavelength conversion unit 92.

The wavelength converter of this configuration example has four input ports and four output ports. The wavelength channel of the optical signal input to these input ports is changed and guided to a predetermined output port. Things. As described above, the wavelength conversion unit 92 described in the first embodiment can be used as the wavelength conversion unit. Therefore, the input port of the wavelength conversion unit 92 is connected to the interconnection 9
4b, the fourth port 118 of the first optical switch 108a
And the output port of the wavelength conversion unit 92 is connected to the first optical switch 108a by an interconnection 94a.
To the second ports 114a to 114d.

The second optical switches 110a to 110c
, The same configuration as the first optical switches 108a to 108c can be used. As described above, this first
The optical switch 108a is equivalent to a configuration in which the third optical switch 72 is incorporated in the first optical switch 14a. That is, the second
The optical switches 110a to 110c are equivalent to a configuration in which the wavelength routing unit 22, that is, the fourth optical switch is incorporated in the second optical switches 16a to 16c described in the first embodiment. Therefore, in the optical cross-connect device of this embodiment, it is not necessary to provide the wavelength routing unit 22 described in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, an interconnection 94c composed of four fiber bundles is provided between the second port and the fourth port of the second optical switch 110c.
May be combined.

With this configuration, the optical signal output from the output port of the wavelength conversion unit (wavelength conversion unit 92) is transmitted to the second port of the predetermined first optical switch and the second port of the predetermined second optical switch. To the fourth port of the predetermined second optical switch. Then, the light is guided to a predetermined port by the first optical switch element constituting the second optical switch, and is combined by the multiplexing element.

Accordingly, the optical switch elements 120a-120
According to d, the light that does not undergo wavelength conversion is transmitted to the third ports 116a to 116a-1.
The light whose wavelength is to be converted is switched to the fourth port 118 side to the 16c side. The lights are mixed by the star coupler 66, and light of a required wavelength is selected by the variable filters 68a to 68d, and then wavelength-converted by the wavelength conversion elements 70a to 70d. Then, the optical switch elements 122a to 122d
Selects a route of a predetermined output port, and
The light is sent out to the optical connection unit 18 through 26. In the output-side second optical switches 110a to 110c, necessary light from the light transmitted by the optical connection unit 18 is converted into the optical switch element 120.
a to 120d, wavelength-multiplexed by the multiplexers 12a to 12c, and output to predetermined output ports 56a to 56c.
Will be sent to

As described above, according to the optical cross-connect device of this embodiment, the wavelength routing unit 22 described in the first embodiment is unnecessary. This is because light that has undergone wavelength conversion and light that has not undergone wavelength conversion pass through the same path, so that re-multiplexing is not required. Therefore, the optical cross-connect device of this configuration example can be composed of relatively few components.

[Third Embodiment] Next, the third configuration of the optical cross-connect device will be described. In this configuration example,
The configurations of the first optical switch and the second optical switch are different from those described in the second embodiment. Therefore, mainly
This configuration will be described, and description of other overlapping configurations will be omitted.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the configuration of the first optical switch 130 of this embodiment. The first optical switch 130 having this configuration includes four first ports 112a to 112d.
And four second ports 114a to 114d, three third ports 116a to 116c, and one fourth port 118. In addition, the first optical switch 130 includes four first optical switch elements 120a to 120d, four second optical switch elements 122a to 122d, and three second couplers 13.
2a to 132c.

Each of the aforementioned second couplers 132a to 132c is a 1 × 8 optical switch having eight input ports and one output port. That is, the second coupler 132a
To 132c are the coupler group 1 described in the second embodiment.
This is equivalent to a configuration in which the first couplers 126 belonging to 24a to 124c are grouped into a single body. In the first optical switch 108a described in the second embodiment, each of the third ports 116a to 116c has four ports corresponding to the number of wavelength channels.
The light path of the book is exposed. In contrast, the first of this configuration
In the optical switch 130, the third ports 116a to 116
It is only necessary to expose one optical path from c. Therefore, the interconnection as the optical connection unit 18 can be configured with a small number of fibers.

[Fourth Embodiment] Next, a fourth configuration of the optical cross-connect device will be described. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a fourth configuration of the optical cross-connect device. The optical cross-connect device of this configuration example includes the demultiplexers 10a to 10a.
c, multiplexing elements 12a to 12c, first optical switch 134a
134c, the second optical switches 136a to 136c, the optical connection unit 18, the wavelength conversion unit 20, and the second coupler 140. The demultiplexing elements 10a to 10c and the multiplexing element 12
Since a to 12c and the wavelength conversion unit 20 are the same as those in the first configuration, the description is omitted.

First, the first optical switches 134a to 134c
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a configuration around the first optical switch 134a. First
The optical switch 134a includes four first ports 148a to 148a.
48d, three second ports 150a to 150c, and one third port 152. The first optical switch 134a includes four optical switch elements 142a to 142
d and three first coupler groups 144a to 144c.

The above-described optical switch elements 142a to 142d
Has one input port and four output ports, and guides an optical signal input to the input port to a predetermined output port.

The first couplers 144a to 144c are
With four input ports and one output port,
Optical signals output from the optical switch elements 142a to 142d are input to input ports of the first couplers 144a to 144c. For example, in this configuration example, the first output port of the first optical switch element 142a is coupled to the first input port of the first first coupler 144a. The second input port of the first coupler 144a is connected to the second optical switch element 14a.
The first output port of 2b is coupled. Further, the first output port of the third optical switch element 142c is coupled to the third input port of the first coupler 144a. Further, the fourth optical switch element 142d is connected to the fourth input port of the first coupler 144a.
Are connected to the first output port. In each of the first couplers 144a to 144c, an optical signal input to each input port is synthesized and output to each of the second ports 150a to 150c via each output port.

The connection between these ports is made by the optical wiring 14
6 is realized. The optical wiring 146 is connected to the output ports of the optical switch elements 142a to 142d and each of the first couplers 144.
Optical connection means for coupling between input ports a to 144c. Further, between the first ports 148a to 148d and the input ports of the optical switch elements 142a to 142d, and between the third port 152 and the optical switch elements 142a to 142d.
The output port d is also connected by an optical wiring.

The first optical switch 134a described above is
Like the first optical switch 14a described in the first embodiment, it can be configured using the optical switch shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, the optical connection section 18
Is an optical wiring that couples between the second ports of the first optical switches 134a to 134c and the second ports of the second optical switches 136a to 136c via the second coupler 140.
In the example of FIG. 11, the second ports 150a to 150c of the first optical switch 134a, that is, the first couplers 144a to 144c
The input port of the second coupler 140 is connected to each of the output ports of 4c. These second couplers 140
It has one input port and one output port. Second ports 150a to 150c of first optical switch 134a
Is connected to one input port of each second coupler 140 using an optical fiber or the like. As described above, the second ports 150a to 150c of the first optical switch 134a are coupled to the optical connection unit 18 via the respective second couplers 140.

The other input port of each second coupler 140 is connected to an interconnection 94 a connected to the output port of the wavelength converter 20. With such a configuration, the optical signal output from the output port of the wavelength conversion unit 20 passes through the input port of the predetermined second coupler 140 and is transmitted to the second ports of the predetermined second optical switches 136a to 136c. You will be able to enter.

Therefore, the optical fiber constituting the interconnection 94a and the optical fibers connected to the second ports 150a to 150c of the first optical switch 134a are combined into one optical fiber 138 by the second coupler 140. be able to. That is, in this configuration example, the light whose wavelength is to be converted and the light whose wavelength is not to be converted are transmitted through the same optical path. With this configuration, there is no need for re-multiplexing. Therefore, the wavelength routing unit 22 described in the first embodiment is not required. Further, the number of optical fibers constituting the optical connection unit 18 can be reduced.

[0090]

According to the optical cross-connect device of the present invention, in the demultiplexer, each of the wavelength division multiplexed light is separated into optical signals of a single wavelength channel. The optical signal of each wavelength channel is the first
Input to the first port of the optical switch. The first optical switch individually determines a route of the optical signal input to each first port and outputs the route to each of the third port and the fourth port. The optical signal output from the third port reaches the third port of the predetermined second optical switch through the optical connection. Then, the second optical switch guides each optical signal to a predetermined first port of the second optical switch.

On the other hand, the optical signal guided to the fourth port of the first optical switch is sent to the wavelength converter. In the wavelength converter,
The wavelength channel of the optical signal is changed to a predetermined wavelength channel. The optical signal output from the wavelength converter is guided to the second port of the first optical switch. Then, the light sequentially passes through the third port of the first optical switch, the optical connection unit, the third port of the predetermined second optical switch, and the second port of the second optical switch, and enters the wavelength routing unit. The wavelength routing unit guides input light to a predetermined fourth port of the second optical switch. In the second optical switch, an optical signal input to the fourth port is distributed to a predetermined first port. The multiplexing device multiplexes and outputs an optical signal output from the first port of the second optical switch.

Therefore, in the optical cross-connect device of the present invention, the number of wavelength channels for wavelength conversion is determined according to the number of ports of the wavelength conversion unit. Therefore, a wavelength channel for performing wavelength conversion can be set relatively freely.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a first configuration of an optical cross-connect device.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration around a first optical switch.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an optical switch.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration around a second optical switch.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a wavelength conversion unit.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a wavelength routing unit.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a second configuration of the optical cross-connect device.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a first optical switch.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a first optical switch.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a fourth configuration of the optical cross-connect device.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a first optical switch.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10a to 10c: demultiplexer 12a to 12c: multiplexer 14a to 14c: first optical switch 16a to 16c: second optical switch 18: optical connector 20: wavelength converter 22: wavelength routing unit 24a to 24c: input Ports 26a to 26d: output ports 30a to 30d: first port 32: second port 34a to 34c: third port 36: fourth port 38a to 38d: optical switch element 40: optical wiring 42a to 42d: first port 44 : Second port 46a to 46c: third port 48: fourth port 50a to 50d: optical switch element 52: optical wiring 54a to 54d: input port 56a to 56c: output port 57: tape fiber 58a to 58d: input port 60a To 60c: output ports 62a to 62c: input ports 64a to 64d: output ports 66: Star couplers 68a to 68d: variable filters 70a to 70d: wavelength conversion elements 72: third optical switches 74a to 74d: input ports 76a to 76d: output ports 78a to 78d: input ports 80a to 80d: optical switch elements 82a to 82d: Coupler 84: Optical wiring 86a to 86c: Optical switch element 88a to 88d: Coupler 90: Optical wiring 92: Wavelength conversion unit 93a to 93c: Optical switch element 94a to 94d: Interconnection 95: Substrate 96: Optical path switching area 98: Optical Wiring area 100a, 100b: end face 102: optical fiber 104: fixing jig 106: waveguide 108a-108c: first optical switch 110a-110c: second optical switch 112a-112d: first port 114a-114d: second port 116a-116c: No. Port 118: fourth port 120a-120c: first optical switch element 122a-122c: second optical switch element 124a-124c: coupler group 126: first coupler 128: optical wiring 130: first optical switch 132a-132c: first 2 couplers 134a to 134c: first optical switch 136a to 136c: second optical switch 138: optical fiber 140: second coupler 142a to 142d: optical switch element 144a to 144c: first coupler 146: optical wiring 148a to 148d: first 1 port 150a to 150c: 2nd port 152: 3rd port

Claims (12)

[Claims] A demultiplexing element, a multiplexing element, a first optical switch,
Each of the second optical switch, the optical connection unit, the wavelength conversion unit, and the wavelength routing unit includes a predetermined number, and the demultiplexing element has one input port and N (N is an integer of 2 or more) output ports. Wherein the wavelength division multiplexed light to be input to the input port is separated into individual optical signals of a single wavelength channel, and the separated individual optical signals are respectively guided to the individual output ports. Each of the first and second optical switches includes N first ports, one second port, (N-1) third ports, one fourth port, and N optical switch elements. Wherein the optical switch element has one input port and N output ports, and guides an optical signal input to the input port to the predetermined output port; A port and an input port of the optical switch element; Between the third port and the output port of the optical switch element, between the fourth port and the output port of the optical switch element, and between the second port and the third port. Wherein the optical connection unit is an optical interconnection coupling between a third port of the first optical switch and a third port of the second optical switch; It has N input ports and one output port, combines optical signals input to these input ports, and guides them to the output port. The wavelength conversion unit includes N input ports and And (N-1) output ports for changing a wavelength channel of an optical signal input to these input ports and guiding the wavelength channel to a predetermined output port. 1) input ports and N input ports An output port for guiding an optical signal to be input to these input ports to a predetermined output port, between a fourth port of the predetermined first optical switch and an input port of the wavelength conversion unit. A second port of the first optical switch and an output port of the wavelength converter, a fourth port of the second optical switch and an input port of the wavelength routing section, and the second optical switch. The second port of the switch and the output port of the wavelength routing unit are respectively connected by optical wiring, and the optical signal output from the output port of the wavelength conversion unit is connected to the second port of the predetermined first optical switch. An optical cross-connect device, which is configured to be input to an input port of the wavelength routing unit through a port and a second port of the predetermined second optical switch. 2. The optical cross-connect device according to claim 1, wherein the wavelength conversion unit includes one star coupler, N variable filters, N wavelength conversion elements, and one third An optical switch, wherein the star coupler has N input ports and N output ports, combines optical signals input to these input ports, and further combines the combined optical signals. The variable filter has one input port and one output port, and a predetermined filter is selected from optical signals input to the input port. The wavelength conversion element has one input port and one output port, and outputs the optical signal to the input port. Signal wave Change the channel in a predetermined wavelength channel is intended to be output to the output port, the third optical switch, and N input ports (N-1)
A plurality of output ports, for guiding an optical signal input to these input ports to a predetermined output port, wherein the input port of the star coupler and the output port of the third optical switch are respectively subjected to the wavelength conversion. Input ports and output ports of the unit, and an input port of each variable filter is coupled to each output port of the star coupler, and an input port of the wavelength conversion element is individually connected to an output port of each variable filter. And an output port of each of the wavelength conversion elements is respectively connected to an input port of the third optical switch. 3. The optical cross-connect device according to claim 2, wherein the third optical switch includes N optical switch elements and (N−1) couplers, wherein the optical switch elements are , One input port and (N-1)
And an optical port for guiding an optical signal input to the input port to the predetermined output port. The coupler includes N input ports and one output port. Combining the optical signals input to these input ports and guiding them to the output port, wherein the input port of the optical switch element and the output port of the coupler are used as an input port and an output port of a third optical switch, respectively. An optical cross-connect device, wherein an output port of an optical switch element and an input port of the coupler are connected by optical wiring. 4. The optical cross-connect device according to claim 2, further comprising a fourth optical switch as the wavelength routing unit, wherein the fourth optical switch has (N−1) input ports and N
Output ports, and combines the optical signals input to these input ports and guides them to the predetermined output port. The input port and the output port of the fourth optical switch are respectively connected to a wavelength routing unit. An optical cross-connect device as an input port and an output port. 5. The optical cross-connect device according to claim 4, wherein the fourth optical switch comprises (N−1) optical switch elements and N couplers, and the optical switch element is An input port and N output ports for guiding an optical signal input to the input port to the predetermined output port. The coupler includes (N-1) input ports. A port and one output port, for synthesizing optical signals input to these input ports and guiding them to the output port, wherein the input port of the optical switch element and the output port of the coupler are respectively An optical cross-connect device comprising an input port and an output port of a four-optical switch, wherein an output port of the optical switch element and an input port of the coupler are connected by optical wiring. 6. The optical cross-connect device according to claim 1, wherein the optical connection unit is constituted by an optical fiber. 7. A demultiplexing device, a multiplexing device, a first optical switch,
Each of the second optical switch, the optical connection unit, and the wavelength conversion unit includes a predetermined number, and the demultiplexing element includes one input port and N (N is an integer of 2 or more) output ports. Separating the wavelength-division multiplexed light input to the input port into individual optical signals of a single wavelength channel, and guiding the separated individual optical signals to the individual output ports. Each of the optical switches comprises N first ports, N second ports, (N-1) third ports, one fourth port, N first optical switch elements, and N A second optical switch element and (N-1) groups of couplers, wherein the first optical switch element has one input port and N output ports, and the input port has Guiding the input optical signal to the predetermined output port; Switch elements, and one input port (N-
And 1) an output port for guiding an optical signal input to the input port to a predetermined output port. The group of couplers includes N first couplers, One coupler has two input ports and one output port, and an optical signal output from the first and second optical switch elements is input to the input port of each first coupler. Combining the input optical signals and outputting the combined optical signals to the respective third ports via the output ports of the respective first couplers. The first port and the input port of the first optical switch element , The fourth port and the output port of the first optical switch element, the second port and the input port of the second optical switch element, and the first and second optical switch elements. Output port and the The input port of one coupler is coupled with an optical wiring, and the optical connection unit couples a third port of the first optical switch with a third port of the second optical switch. An optical wiring, wherein the multiplexing element has N input ports and one output port, and combines optical signals input to these input ports and guides them to the output port; The wavelength conversion unit has N input ports and N output ports, and changes a wavelength channel of an optical signal input to these input ports to guide the wavelength channel to the predetermined output port. Optical wiring is connected between a fourth port of the first optical switch and an input port of the wavelength converter, and between a second port of the first optical switch and an output port of the wavelength converter. The output port of the wavelength converter The output optical signal is configured to be input to the fourth port of the predetermined second optical switch through the second port of the predetermined first optical switch and the second port of the predetermined second optical switch. An optical cross-connect device. 8. The optical cross-connect device according to claim 7, wherein the wavelength conversion unit includes one star coupler, N variable filters, and N wavelength conversion elements. The star coupler has N input ports and N output ports, combines optical signals input to these input ports, and further distributes the combined optical signal with respect to power to generate a signal for the output port. The variable filter has one input port and one output port, and selects an optical signal of a predetermined wavelength channel from optical signals input to the input port. The wavelength conversion element has one input port and one output port, and converts a wavelength channel of an optical signal input to the input port into a predetermined wavelength channel. The output port of the star coupler, the input port of the star coupler and the output port of the wavelength conversion element being the input port and output port of the wavelength conversion unit, respectively. An optical cross-connect device, wherein an input port of an individual variable filter is coupled to each of the variable filters, and an input port of each of the wavelength conversion elements is coupled to an output port of each of the variable filters. 9. The optical cross-connect device according to claim 7, wherein each of the first couplers belonging to the group of couplers is grouped together and has a 1-body structure including 2N input ports and one output port. An optical cross-connect device comprising two couplers. 10. A demultiplexing device, a multiplexing device, a first optical switch, a second optical switch, an optical connection unit, a wavelength conversion unit, and a second optical switch.
Each of the couplers includes a predetermined number of couplers, and the demultiplexing element includes one input port and N (N is an integer of 2 or more) output ports, and a wavelength multiplexed light input to the input port Into individual optical signals of a single wavelength channel, and directing the separated individual optical signals to the respective output ports respectively. Each of the first and second optical switches includes N first optical switches. A port, (N-1) second ports, one third port, N optical switch elements, and (N-1) first couplers, wherein the optical switch elements are: And N output ports, and guides an optical signal input to the input port to the predetermined output port. The first coupler has N input ports and one output port. Output port of each of these first couplers. Yes as the optical signal output from the optical switch element in bets is inputted, by combining these input optical signal,
An output port of each of the first couplers, an output port of each of the second ports, an output port of the third port and an output port of the optical switch element, between the first port and an input port of the optical switch element. And the output port of the optical switch element and the input port of the first coupler are respectively connected by optical wiring, and the optical connection unit is configured to be connected to a second port of the first optical switch. An optical wiring for coupling between the second optical switch and a second port via the second coupler, wherein the multiplexing element has N input ports and one output port; Combining the optical signals input to these input ports and guiding them to the output port. The wavelength conversion section has N input ports and (N-1) output ports. Optical signal input to input port Changing the wavelength channel of the first optical switch to a predetermined output port, between the third port of the predetermined first optical switch and the input port of the wavelength conversion unit, and between the input port of the second coupler and The output port of the wavelength conversion unit is coupled to each other by an optical wiring, and the optical signal output from the output port of the wavelength conversion unit passes through the input port of the predetermined second coupler and passes through the predetermined first coupler. An optical cross-connect device configured to input to a second port of a two-optical switch. 11. The optical cross-connect device according to claim 10, wherein the wavelength conversion unit includes one star coupler, N variable filters, N wavelength conversion elements, and one third An optical switch, wherein the star coupler has N input ports and N output ports, combines optical signals input to these input ports, and further combines the combined optical signals. The variable filter has one input port and one output port, and a predetermined filter is selected from optical signals input to the input port. The wavelength conversion element has one input port and one output port, and outputs the optical signal to the input port. signal Is intended to output the wavelength channel to the output port is changed to a predetermined wavelength channel, said third optical switch, the N input ports (N-1)
A plurality of output ports, for guiding an optical signal input to these input ports to a predetermined output port, wherein the input port of the star coupler and the output port of the third optical switch are respectively subjected to the wavelength conversion. Input ports and output ports of the unit, and an input port of each variable filter is coupled to each output port of the star coupler, and an input port of the wavelength conversion element is individually connected to an output port of each variable filter. And an output port of each of the wavelength conversion elements is respectively connected to an input port of the third optical switch. 12. The optical cross-connect device according to claim 11, wherein the third optical switch comprises N optical switch elements and (N-1) couplers, wherein the optical switch elements are , One input port and (N-1)
And an optical port for guiding an optical signal input to the input port to the predetermined output port. The coupler includes N input ports and one output port. Combining the optical signals input to these input ports and guiding them to the output port, wherein the input port of the optical switch element and the output port of the coupler are used as an input port and an output port of a third optical switch, respectively. An optical cross-connect device, wherein an output port of an optical switch element and an input port of the coupler are connected by optical wiring.