Abstract: Disclosed is a novel switching architecture including a dedicated switching path between each pair of ports, the dedicated switching path including a switch for selectively attenuating signals at different wavelengths independently. The architecture supports switching signals having different numbers of channels between ports in an easily upgradable switch architecture.

Abstract: A selector assembly to select and deselect signal components from optical signals is disclosed. The selector assembly has an input optical connector for optically connecting an input optical signal carrier to the selector assembly and an output optical connector for optically connecting the selector assembly to an output optical signal carrier. A signal demultiplexer is operatively positioned relative to the input optical connector so that optical signals passing into the selector assembly are demultiplexed by the demultiplexer into signal components, each signal component having a respective signal component beam path. A signal selector is provided in each of the signal component beam paths, each signal selector being switchable by the application of an electric field between at least a selecting state and a deselecting state such that each of the signal components may be either selected or deselected.

Abstract: An optical switch for routing optical signals is disclosed. The optical switch has an optical signal path for routing said optical signals between at least a first port and at least a second port, wherein said optical signal path is divided into two portions with one portion being defined by at least two switch expansion modules; and the other portion being defined by a distribution backplane for operatively connecting the switch expansion modules together. An optical switching network is also disclosed having optical signal paths which intersect in at least two switch nodes, the network having at least two switches for switching optical signals, wherein one of the switches is located at each of the switch nodes and each of the switches includes at least two switch expansion modules and an optical backplane for connecting the switch expansion modules together.

Abstract: A selector assembly to select and deselect signal components from optical signals is disclosed. The selector assembly has an input optical connector for optically connecting an input optical signal carrier to the selector assembly and an output optical connector for optically connecting the selector assembly to an output optical signal carrier. A signal demultiplexer is operatively positioned relative to the input optical connector so that optical signals passing into the selector assembly are demultiplexed by the demultiplexer into signal components, each signal component having a respective signal component beam path. A signal selector is provided in each of the signal component beam paths, each signal selector being switchable by the application of an electric field between at least a selecting state and a deselecting state such that each of the signal components may be either selected or deselected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for switching DWDM optical signals through N switch ports. The optical switch includes N bidirectional signal processors including at least one associated with each of said N switch ports. The signal processors split and combine optical signals so that an optical signal passing in one direction through any one of the bidirectional signal processors is split into K parallel optical signals. One or more optical signals passing through any one of the bidirectional signals in the other direction are emitting as a single optical signal. The splitting direction is oriented into the switch. At least K signal delivery matrices are provided each signal delivery matrix having N matrix ports and broadcasting one of said K optical signals from any one of said N matrix ports to all other of said matrix ports.

Abstract: An amplifier for optical signals is disclosed. The amplifier includes a source of optical pump power and a containment body for substantially containing the pump power at a predetermined power intensity. At least one guided signal path passes through the containment body, the signal path being capable of carrying at least one optical signal component. The source of optical pump power is coupled to the containment body. In one embodiment the containment body is a transparent material surrounded by a material having a lower index of a fraction. Pump power is contained within the containment body by means of total internal reflection (TIR). In another embodiment the containment body is formed from a metallic reflective material which surrounds the guided signal paths passing through the containment body.