Abstract: An ingress edge router (6) couples a set of input links (13) carrying packet information to a set of output links (14) carrying burst information. A plurality of input line cards (30) route information packets to one of a plurality of output line cards (32) associated with a desired output link (14) over a switching matrix (34). The output line cards (32) assemble information packets into data bursts, generate burst header packets for respective data bursts, and transmit the data bursts and burst header packets on the output links (14). The output line cards (32) include a plurality of burst processing units (40) for assembling data from the packets into data bursts, a plurality of transmitters (46) for transmitting data bursts on a respective channel of an output link and a switch (42) for passing bursts from a burst processing unit to a transmitter under control of a burst control unit (44).

Abstract: An optical switch network (4) includes optical routers (10), which route information in optical fibers (12). Each fiber carries a plurality of data channels (20), collectively a data channel group (14), and a control channel (16). Data is carried on the data channels in data bursts and control information is carried on the control channel (18) in burst header packets. A burst header packet includes routing information for an associated data burst (28) and precedes its associated data burst. Parallel scheduling at multiple delays may be used for faster scheduling. In one embodiment, unscheduled times and gaps may be processed in a unified memory for more efficient operation.

Abstract: An optical switch network (4) includes optical routers (10), which route information in optical fibers (12). Each fiber carries a plurality of data channels (20), collectively a data channel group (14), and a control channel (16). Data is carried on the data channels in data bursts and control information is carried on the control channel (18) in burst header packets. A burst header packet includes routing information for an associated data burst (28) and precedes its associated data burst. Parallel scheduling at multiple delays may be used for faster scheduling. In one embodiment, unscheduled times and gaps may be processed in a unified memory for more efficient operation.

Abstract: An optical switch network (4) includes optical routers (10), which route information in optical fibers (12). Each fiber carries a plurality of data channels (20), collectively a data channel group (14), and a control channel (16). Data is carried on the data channels in data bursts and control information is carried on the control channel (18) in burst header packets. A burst header packet includes routing information for an associated data burst (28) and precedes its associated data burst. Parallel scheduling at multiple delays may be used for faster scheduling. In one embodiment, unscheduled times and gaps may be processed in a unified memory for more efficient operation.