Abstract: An optical switching system is disclosed which can achieve high-speed optical switching with a simple configuration. Light from a light irradiation section is irradiated into an optical transmission line made of a material having a non-linear optical effect and disposed on the upstream side with respect to an optical switch provided for performing switching of a transmission line to cause the non-linear optical effect to occur. Thereupon, light is emitted externally from the optical transmission line by the non-linear optical effect between the light irradiated by the light irradiation section and light propagating in the optical transmission line. The light emitted is received by a light reception section to acquire intensity information of the light propagating in the optical transmission line. The intensity information is used as a driving signal for driving the optical switch.

Abstract: In an optical switch apparatus which continuously carries out the route switching on frame signal light inputted from various routes while eliminating differences in output power value, a first delaying unit, which is interposed between a first branching unit and an input terminal, delays the input of the frame signal light to a switch module until the drive voltage supply control on the frame signal light in a drive voltage supply control unit reaches a stable condition.

Abstract: Systems and techniques to optically boost a router. In general, in one implementation, the technique includes: receiving an optical signal defining a packet of data, initiating electronic routing of the optical packet, and initiating optical routing of the optical packet. The optical routing involves determining forwarding information based on a routing field in the optical packet, and if optical forwarding is available, terminating the electronic routing of the packet before completion of the electronic routing, and forwarding the optical signal, which defines the packet, based on the determined forwarding information.

Abstract: A method for communicating optical traffic in a network comprising a plurality of network nodes includes receiving traffic to be added to the network at a network node. The network is operable to communicate received traffic in an optical signal comprising one or more channels. The method also includes determining a data rate and one or more destination nodes of the received traffic and assigning the received traffic to one or more of the channels of the optical signal based on the determined data rate and the destination nodes. The method further includes configuring one or more of the network nodes to process the traffic contained in the assigned channels based on the data rate and the destination nodes of the optical traffic and communicating the traffic through network in the assigned channels of the optical signal based on the determined data rate and the one or more destination nodes.

Abstract: A modular cross connect system for optical telecommunication networks has the optical unit divided in at least two main bodies with one section for connection comprising the collimators and a main commutation section with MEMS devices. The first section is a fixed part while the second section is a readily removable section. The two sections face each other through a window and, in the first section, optics are provided for steering all or part of the optical signals from and to the main MEMS unit to a MEMS standby or protection plane to allow replacement of the main MEMS unit without interrupting service.

Abstract: A system and method for transmitting optically labeled packets using DPSK/ASK modulation. The system comprises a transmitter including at least two modulators adapted to provide DPSK modulation of a payload portion of optically labeled packets and ASK modulation for a label portion of the optically labeled packets. A receiver is also provided which includes a balanced detector for detection of the payload portion of the optically labeled packets.

Abstract: An optoelectronic device that has a network address (e.g., IF address) and participates in in-band traffic for purposes of performing functions (e.g., network diagnostics, network control, network provisioning, fault isolation, etc.) that are traditionally performed by host equipment. An embodiment of the invention may have a protocol engine and a status monitoring module. The protocol engine identifies data packets that are addressed to the optoelectronic device, and allows the optoelectronic device to insert packets of information generated by the device into in-band data. Logic of the optoelectronic device may modify the operating parameters of the device according to the control information included in the data packets. The status monitoring module detects the device's physical conditions and the conditions of its links.

Abstract: The field of the invention is that of switching optical signals with carrier wavelength conversion capacity, comprising a set of input ports (PE1-PEn), a set of output ports (PS1-PSn) functionally connected to the input ports so that an input signal presented to one of the input ports may be selectively routed to at least one of the output ports, and wavelength conversion means (34) providing a capacity for converting an input signal carrier wavelength to at least one other output port output wavelength.

Abstract: An optical packet switch switches optical packets according to bit-rates at which the optical packets are provided. For example, optical packets that are received at similar bit-rates may be routed to a destination at separate time slots over a single channel wavelength, and optical packets that are received at different bit-rates may be routed to the destination over separate channel wavelengths. When optical packets are provided at different bit-rates on a plurality of input paths, optical packets provided at low bit-rates may be compacted before switching to the destination. Alternatively or additionally, the bit-rates of the optical packets may be balanced before switching to the destination. Bandwidth contention among optical packets may be resolved by polarizing optical packets originating from separate input paths in different polarization directions, and merging optical packets having different polarization directions onto a single switched channel wavelength.

Abstract: An avionics system for a plane includes a plurality of nodes disposed throughout the plane, each node performing a function. The system includes an optical network in communication with the nodes and through which the nodes communicate. The system includes at least one of the nodes having a hardwired interpreter that interprets the information transmitted from another one of the nodes via the optical network. A method for operating a plane includes the steps of communicating information through an optical network between a plurality of nodes disposed throughout the plane, each node performing a function. There is the step of interpreting with at least one of the nodes having a hardwired interpreter the information transmitted from another one of the nodes via the optical network. A phostonic stack.

Abstract: A multi-layer photonic network and nodes used therein are provided. The multi-layer photonic network comprises a packet network which performs switching and transfer in packet units, and a photonic network comprising optical transmission lines and photonic switches, and which accommodates the packet network. The multi-layer photonic network also has a two layer structure of optical wavelength links (O-LSPs) and packet links (E-LSPs). The O-LSPs are constituted by the optical transmission lines and comprise optical wavelength switching capability (LSC) which is capable of switching in optical wavelength units and packet switching capability (PSC) which is capable of switching in packet units at both their ends. The E-LSPs include the O-LSPs and PSCs at both their ends. Each node includes a section for automatically establishing an O-LSP according to an establishment request for an E-LSP while taking account of path information including path cost, resource consumption, and traffic quantity.

Abstract: A self-routing switching methods that allows to direct optical packet based on the information of the packet header.

Abstract: An optical wiring switching unit includes a first connection interface. A packet switch includes a second connection interface. A resource includes a third connection interface, and is formed with at least one of a server and a storage device. A control device controls the optical wiring switching unit to perform a switching of connection between the connection interfaces. The packet switch and the resource are connected to the optical wiring switching unit via the connection interfaces. A network is configured by connecting the packet switch and the resource with a control of the optical wiring switching unit.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a scheduler for use with a star switching fabric includes a scheduling star switching fabric operable to receive a plurality of packets each associated with one of a plurality of wavelengths and a plurality of selecting elements associated with the scheduling star switching fabric. Each of the plurality of selecting elements is operable to contribute to selectively passing packets from the scheduling star switching fabric for receipt by a transmission star switching fabric. Packets received at the transmission star switching fabric over a given time period comprise a more uniform load distribution than packets received at an input to the scheduler over the same period of time.

Abstract: A modular reconfigurable multi-server system for use in a wavelength-division-multiplexed based photonic burst switched (PBS) network with variable time slot provisioning. An optical high-speed I/O module within the multi-server system enables it to serve as an edge node in the PBS network. The optical I/O module statistically multiplexes the incoming packets (e.g., IP packets or Ethernet frames) received from a legacy network, generates control and data bursts, which are then scheduled for transmission over the PBS network. The optical I/O module then optically transmits and receives the scheduled optical bursts according to traffic priority and available network resources.

Abstract: A high speed optical routing apparatus and method, in which data traffic, such as an IP packet, an Ethernet frame, etc., is switched in an optical frame unit at a high speed. The apparatus is provided with a plurality of input and output ports, and with one add port for adding data received from a lower IP router, and one drop port for dropping processed data toward the lower IP router. A header wavelength dividing unit extracts the header wavelength signals from among input optical signals inputted through the input ports and the add port. The header wavelength signals contain header information on data wavelength signals contained in the input optical signals. An optical signal inputting section demultiplexes optical signals having the data signals according to the wavelength, and for dividing and inputting the wavelength-based demultiplexed data wavelength signals according to a frame.

Abstract: An optical switch router performs both optical switching and traditional routing. The optical switch router includes optical interfaces for coupling to one or more incoming optical fibers and to one or more outgoing optical fibers, and also includes a number of traditional router ports. Individual incoming optical data streams received over the incoming optical fiber(s) can be selectively passed through to one or more of the outgoing optical fibers or “dropped” from the optical communication path for traditional routing. Routed traffic, which can be received over the router ports or from the “dropped” optical data streams, can be forwarded over optical data streams that are “added” to the outgoing optical fiber(s). The “added” optical data streams may be added to the outgoing optical fiber(s) at any unused wavelengths, including, but not limited to, the wavelengths of the “dropped” optical data streams.

Abstract: The maximum number of virtual local area networks (VLANs) is increased beyond the number provided solely with the VLAN ID, by a factor related to the number of wavelengths of a Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) used by a network switching. An optical VLAN number (OVLAN ID) is a combination of the VLAN ID from the packet header and a path or wavelength ID (WL ID) that identifies a selected one of available wavelengths of a WDM transmission line. An Optical VLAN (OVLAN) conversion table stores data of the OVLAN ID, the VLAN ID and optical path ID, for an optical VLAN node.

Abstract: An architecture and method for performing coarse-grain reservation of lightpaths within wavelength-division-multiplexed (WDM) based photonic burst switched (PBS) networks with variable time slot provisioning. The method employs a generalized multi-protocol label switched (GMPLS)-based PBS label that includes information identifying each lightpath segment in a selected lightpath route. A resource reservation request is passed between nodes during a forward traversal of the route, wherein each node is queried to determine whether it has transmission resources (i.e., a route lightpath segment) available during a future timeframe. Soft reservations are made for each lightpath segment that is available using information contained in a corresponding label. If all lightpath segments for a selected route are available, the soft reservations turn into hard reservations. The stored reservations enable quick routing of control burst that are employed for routing data during scheduled use of the lightpaths.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for routing optical data. In one embodiment of the present invention, data can routed in a non-blocking fashion from a plurality of the ingress edge units to a plurality of egress edge units by selectively connecting the ingress edge units to the egress edge units at a photonic core. Switching at the photonic core can be driven by a clock signal and does not require an electrical to optical conversion to occur at the core. This can allow switching on the nanosecond level, substantially faster than many prior art systems.

Abstract: A system, including: a source node apparatus; a destination node apparatus; the source node apparatus and the destination node apparatus both being in an Internet Protocol/Wavelength Division Multiplexing network; an initial path connecting the source node apparatus to the destination node apparatus; a first router associated with the source node apparatus; a second router associated with the destination node apparatus; and a optical cross-connect associated with the source node apparatus and configured to add and delete at least one additional path between the first and second routers, the first optical cross-connect configured to add and delete the at least one additional path independently and asynchronously of a traffic variation without signaling the destination node apparatus.

Abstract: An optical network, which includes edge and switching nodes, optically communicate information formatted into statistically multiplexed control and data bursts and/or metadata that are framed within Wide Area Network Interface Sublayer (WIS) frames for 10 Gb/s Ethernet according to the IEEE 802.3ae Standard. Frames with control bursts are transmitted prior to frames with related data bursts to configure optical switches in selected switching nodes so that the frames with the data bursts do not require O-E-O conversion. Another optical network uses frames that are data-rate and format compatible with the OC-192 synchronous optical network (SONET) transmission format. The ingress node to the optical network inserts the MAC address of the egress node rather than the IP address of the data destination. For both networks, mapping table information is exchanged in the optical network in an out-of-band network.

Abstract: A modular reconfigurable multi-server system with hybrid optical and electrical switching fabrics for high-speed networking within a wavelength-division-multiplexed based photonic burst-switched (PBS) network with variable time slot provisioning. An optical high-speed I/O module within the multi-server system includes an optical switch with the control interface unit. A server module of the multi-server system statistically multiplexes IP packets and/or Ethernet frames to be transmitted over the PBS network, generate control and data bursts and schedule their transmission. Then, the server E-O converts the bursts, and then transmits the optical bursts to the optical I/O module. The optical I/O module then optically transmits the bursts to the next hop in the optical path after processing the optical control burst to configure the optical switch, which then optically switches the optical data burst without performing an O-E-O conversion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a node used in an optical communication network, and comprises functions for transferring and receiving data, and a unit for establishing and releasing a cut through path to a node of the next stage, the establishing and releasing unit having a detecting unit which detects the arrival of a request packet for establishing a cut through path to the node stage.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for supporting operations and maintenance (“OAM”) functionality in an OBS network is described. One embodiment is an OBS network having OAM functionality, the OBS network comprising a plurality of OBS nodes interconnected via links. Each of the OBS nodes comprises an OAM module (“OAMM”) for processing information regarding OAM functions in the OBS network and a routing manager (“RM”) for processing routing information; and wherein at least one wavelength in each of the links comprises an OAM/1 wavelength for OAM/1 transmissions between nodes, the OAM/1 transmissions comprising OAM activity information; wherein at least one wavelength in each of the links comprises a reference wavelength for providing a wavelength reference to which light generating devices in the OBS network lock; and wherein at least one wavelength in each of the links comprises a routing wavelength for providing routing information between nodes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optical cross connects which switch data at a container (packet) level. In one embodiment, a plurality of optical switch edges are coupled to an optical switch core via a minimal number of optical fibers. The switch core is configured to optically switch data from an ingress edge to one of a plurality of egress edges in a nonblocking fashion. The ingress edge receives data streams and distributes the data among a plurality of container processors. Each of these container processors produces an optical signal of a different wavelength, which can then be multiplexed with others to form a multiple-wavelength optical signal that is transmitted to the switch core. The switch core then switches successive portions (containers) of the multiple-wavelength signal to the egress edges to which they are respectively destined. The respective egress edges perform the reverse of this process to form output data signals.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for scheduling transmission of data bursts in an OBS network are described. One embodiment is a router in an OBS network, the router comprising a grouper module for collecting a group of BHPs arriving during a BHP collecting period and classifying each BHP of the group of BHPs into corresponding baskets depending on the data channel scheduling window of its corresponding data burst; a classifier and channel assignment module for assigning data bursts to appropriate data channels; and a channel scheduler for constructing an interval graph representing data bursts corresponding to BHPs classified in a single one of the baskets having overlapping segments on each data channel as adjacent vertices and scheduling data bursts on each data channel based on a process that finds a maximum number of non-adjacent vertices on the interval graph.

Abstract: Optical Packet Switching (OPS) is considered the most desirable switching technology for the ubiquitous optical networks that carry internet traffic. OPS could provide for great flexibility, capacity, efficiency, and bandwidth utilization that current switching strategies are not capable of providing. Despite its great appeal, OPS has been hampered by some major hurdles that prevented its practical implementation. Among such hurdles are optical buffering, optical processing/update of headers and to a lesser extent synchronization. This document introduces a novel technique for implementing packet switching in the optical domain. The new approach makes it possible to find efficient and cost effective solutions to the major problems that traditionally rendered optical packet switching (OPS) impractical. The new approach is applicable to any network topology. A complete suite of solutions to all aspects of optical packet switching that take full advantage of the basic novel approach are described.

Abstract: An all-optical packet gating and routing system, comprising: first optical divider having first input and a plurality of outputs for receiving optical packets at the first input and directing the packets to each of the plurality of outputs, the optical packets having encoded headers and payloads, and each of the plurality of outputs of the first divider includes a packet gate; the packet gate, comprising: second optical divider having second input and first and second outputs for receiving the optical packets at the second input and directing the packets to each of the first and second outputs; the first output includes a decoding device for decoding one of the encoded headers of one of the optical packets and to produces a pulse in response to one of the encoded headers propagating in the first output and a copier for producing a plurality of images of the pulse, and an AND gate having third and fourth inputs and a third output; and the AND gate receives the plurality of images of the pulse at the third inpu

Abstract: An optical packet switch switches optical packets according to bit-rates at which the optical packets are provided. For example, optical packets that are received at similar bit-rates may be routed to a destination at separate time slots over a single channel wavelength, and optical packets that are received at different bit-rates may be routed to the destination over separate channel wavelengths. When optical packets are provided at different bit-rates on a plurality of input paths, optical packets provided at low bit-rates may be compacted before switching to the destination. Alternatively or additionally, the bit-rates of the optical packets may be balanced before switching to the destination. Bandwidth contention among optical packets may be resolved by polarizing optical packets originating from separate input paths in different polarization directions, and merging optical packets having different polarization directions onto a single switched channel wavelength.

Abstract: The invention relates to a time division and wavelength division multiplex optical switching node for use in an optical communications network (2), which node combines a set of time division multiplex packets (8-1, 8-2, . . . , 8-i) into a wavelength division multiplex packet (18) to form a composite wavelength division multiplex packet, in particular by conferring on each time division multiplex packet (8-1, 8-2, . . . , 8-I) a respective appropriate multiplexing wavelength (?1, ?2, . . . , ?i), for example a wavelength specific to each time division multiplex packet. The invention has applications in high bit rate optical networks in particular, in which it offers versatility and transparent use of the different multiplexing modes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for temporally shifting one or more packets using wavelength selective delays. The header information associated with each packet, together with a routing algorithm, routing topology information and internal OPTR state, is used to route each packet to the appropriate destination channel and to make timing decisions. A wavelength server generates optical control wavelengths in response to the timing decisions. A generated optical control wavelength is used to adjust the wavelength of a given packet tray and thereby introduce a wavelength selective delay to the packet tray to align packet trays or to shift one or more packet trays to avoid a collision. The wavelength of the packet tray is converted to a control wavelength corresponding to an identified delay, irrespective of the initial channel upon which the packet tray was received. At the output stage of the packet tray router, the packet tray wavelength can be converted to any desired output channel wavelength.

Abstract: Techniques for providing normal operation and service restoration capability in the event of failure of terminal equipment or transmission media in a heterogeneous network, such as a hybrid network containing single- and multi-wavelength lightwave communications systems. An optical switching node (OSN) is placed at each node in the ring network to provide the required connections between various fibers and terminal equipment, but having switch states that allow signals on the protection fibers to bypass the terminal equipment at that node. Ring-switched signals propagate around the ring on protection fibers without encountering the terminal equipment at the intervening nodes. To the extent that the protection fiber links between any given pair of nodes are incapable of supporting all the relevant communication regimes, such links are modified to provide such support.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a node which is used in the structure of an optical communication network. This node has a signal transmission function for performing data transfer and a signal receiving function for performing data signal reception, and includes a unit for establishing and releasing a cut through path to a next stage node. Moreover, it includes a unit for detecting the arrival of a leading packet of burst data, and the unit for establishing and releasing the cut through path includes a unit for establishing a cut through path to the next stage node, when the arrival of a leading packet of burst data is detected by the leading packet arrival detection unit.

Abstract: A wavelength-path-monitoring/correcting apparatus used in a transparent OXC is disclosed. The apparatus includes: a path-information-generating section for generating path-monitoring information; a plurality of optical couplers for coupling each output signal of the wavelength-division demultiplexers with the pertinent path-monitoring information; a plurality of optical switches for switching each optical signal inputted from the optical couplers; a plurality of wavelength-division multiplexers for multiplexing optical signals inputted through the optical switches; a path-information-detecting section for detecting the path-monitoring information from optical signals outputted from the wavelength-division multiplexers; and, a path-control section for comparing the path-monitoring information detected through the path-information-detecting section with predetermined optical-switching information and for correcting switched paths.

Abstract: A system for providing high connectivity communications over a packet-switched optical ring network comprises a core optical ring having at least one node, the node being coupled to a subtending system by an optical crossbar switch, a source for generating a set of packets, a stacker for forming a first composite packet from the set of serial packets, the stacker coupled to the optical crossbar switch, and the stacker further coupled to the source for generating the set of packets, the first composite packet being parallel packets in a single photonic time slot, the first composite packet to be added to the core optical ring in a vacant photonic time slot via the optical crossbar switch, a second composite packet propagating on the core optical ring destined to be dropped at the node for further distribution on the subtending system via the optical crossbar switch, an unstacker for serializing the second composite packet dropped at the node, the unstacker coupled to the optical crossbar switch and a detector

Abstract: A dynamic wavelength management in an optical burst switching system guarantees QoS by using wavelength resources effectively and using only a basic offset time for guaranteeing a specified blocking loss rate without incurring any additional delay. A control header packet and data having a plurality of wavelengths are fed to a core node asynchronously, and the control header packet is processed in a control plane, during which a wavelength group list is created corresponding to a number of classes and the respective group list is dynamically reconstructed corresponding to each QoS group.

Abstract: A system for hybrid electronic/photonic switching of traffic in a node of a communications network includes a plurality of interfaces; an electronic cross-connect (EXC); and a photonic cross-connect (PXC). Each interface is designed to translate a respective traffic stream between corresponding electronic and optical signals. The EXC selectively maps an electronic signal through a selected one of the interfaces, and the PXC selectively couples an optical signal between the selected interface and a selected one of at least two optical channels of the communications network.

Abstract: An intelligent optical burst switching module for use in an optical switching network includes an optical receiver array, optical transmitter array, a core switch unit and a control unit. The core switch unit routes optical control and data signals received via a plurality of optical input lines to the optical receiver array and a plurality of output lines, respectively. The optical output lines provide propagation paths for a plurality of TDM channels. The optical receiver array converts the optical control signal to an electrical signal. The control unit processes the converted control signal and, responsive thereto, causes the core switch unit to route at least a portion of the data signal to one of the TDM channels. The control unit also causes the optical transmitter to generate a new optical control signal and cause the switch unit to route the new control signal to another of the TDM channels.

Abstract: An optical switching apparatus in an optical communication network selectively combines and separates, using OTDM and/or WDM, optical signal samples that are obtained by a spread spectrum technique or a combination of optical signal samples that are obtained by a spread spectrum technique and optical signal samples that are carried over discrete channel wavelengths. In upstream communication, when optical signal samples that are received at the optical switching apparatus include upstream optical signal samples that are obtained by a spread spectrum technique, the optical switching apparatus optically converts the optical signal samples provided thereto into a broadband combined series of upstream optical signal samples and routes the broadband combined series of upstream optical signal samples to a destination route.

Abstract: A method for routing optical packets using multiple wavelength labels includes converting optical packet address signals to a plurality of optical pulses having different time-deviated wavelengths by executing a first operation to impart a wavelength dependent delay time with respect to a plurality of optical pulses having different wavelengths at a same time axis position. When the optical pulses are transmitted along a predetermined optical path having dispersion the dispersion is compensated for by executing a second operation on the optical pulses corresponding to a reverse process of the operation to impart a wavelength dependent delay time. This second operation results in the generation of a plurality of optical pulses having different wavelengths at a given point on the time axis. The pulse signals thus generated are used to determine the packet transmission route.

Abstract: A photonic network packet routing method includes the steps of optically encoding destination address information attached to an IP packet using light attributes, discriminating the encoded address information of the IP packet by optical correlation processing, switching to an output path for the IP packet based on a result of the discrimination, and outputting the IP packet labeled with prescribed address information on the output path selected by the switching step.

Abstract: A method capable of optical packet switching even in a case where physical optical data in an optical packet switch has not the shape of a packet but the shape of continuous data, and a system therefore are provided. The optical switching method includes the steps of (a) detecting input terminals into which an optical packet is input, of an optical switch and switching the optical packet to destination output terminals of the optical packet, and (b) when there are the input terminals into which the optical packet is not inputted in step (a), detecting other input terminals into which the optical packet, which direct an output terminal among the plurality of output terminals connected to the input terminals, is inputted, and searching a blank output terminal and switching dummy data from the input terminal to the blank output terminal.

Abstract: An optical switch controller (“OSC”) and method for use in a Generalized Multi-Protocol Label Switching (“GMPLS”) network is described. A Used Pool (“UP”), an Available Pool (“AP”), and a Flagged Pool (“FP”) are maintained at the OSC. The FP includes wavelengths that have been suggested but not yet reserved by a lightpath. The UP includes wavelengths that are currently being used by LSPs. The AP includes wavelengths not included in the UP or the FP. Each wavelength included in the FP includes a time stamp. At each node along the path during lightpath establishment, for each wavelength of the Label Set, if the wavelength is an element of the node's UP, the wavelength is extracted from the Label Set. If the wavelength is an element of the node's FP, a determination is made whether the local clock time minus the time stamp for the wavelength is less than a first threshold.

Abstract: An optical transmission system is provided with a broadband optical transmitter including a broadband light source and a broadband optical modulator, an optical filter, an optical modulator, a transmission path, a wavelength router, and an optical receiver. The broadband optical transmitter outputs a broadband optical signal to the optical filter. The optical filter uses a branch wavelength bandwidth of the wavelength router as a basis for transmittance therethrough, and outputs only an applicable optical signal to the optical amplifier. The wavelength router simultaneously distributes the optical signal coming via the transmission path to each corresponding output port. In optical receivers, the optical signals penetrated through the wavelength router are converted into electrical signals.

Abstract: In an optical packet switch, NW wavelengths, over which inputted optical packets may be switched, are grouped into KG groups of wavelengths, where NW and KG are integers greater than one. The KG groups of wavelengths are characterized in that each of the KG groups of wavelengths is allocated to optical packets distinguished from other optical packets by at least one attribute of at least one packet characteristic. Each one inputted optical packet is switched over a wavelength having an available transmission resource selected from among wavelengths in one of the KG groups of wavelengths that is matched to the one inputted optical packet by correspondence of attributes of the at least one packet characteristic. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: This present invention provides generic and flexible methods to represent optical bandwidth and service interfaces for optical label switching networks. Most importantly, bandwidth may be represented simply at various granularity levels and in various combinations. This simplicity will greatly help in design and implementation of protocols for use in optical label switching networks.

Abstract: An address determination circuit makes an address determination of an optical packet to which a destination address and a source address are assigned on a bit-by-bit basis. The address determination circuit has an optical branching section which divides the optical packet into branches, in which each of the branched optical packet contains the same original data, a delay section which delays at least one of the branched optical packets, a bit determination section which determines each bit value of the branched optical packets, and a logic operation section which performs a logic operation on the bit values of the branched optical packets determined by the bit determination section. The delay section delays the branched optical packets so that the logic operation section performs the logic operation on a bit assigned the destination address or the source address and a bit having a predetermined bit value in synchronization with each other.

Abstract: An optical communications system which offers flexible and efficient cross-connect capabilities without using optical switch modules. With external commands, a variable wavelength setting unit varies output wavelength of each transmission unit. It also provides an output wavelength description indicating which wavelengths can be produced. An optical signal transmitter transmits an outgoing optical signal with the controlled wavelength, while an optical signal receiver receives an incoming optical signal with a single particular wavelength which have been produced through WDM processes. In a WDM unit, a WDM controller controls optical multiplexers and demultiplexers, and the resultant signals go out through optical output ports which are each associated with particular output wavelengths.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a scheduler for use with a star switching fabric includes a scheduling star switching fabric operable to receive a plurality of packets each associated with one of a plurality of wavelengths and a plurality of selecting elements associated with the scheduling star switching fabric. Each of the plurality of selecting elements is operable to contribute to selectively passing packets from the scheduling star switching fabric for receipt by a transmission star switching fabric. Packets received at the transmission star switching fabric over a given time period comprise a more uniform load distribution than packets received at an input to the scheduler over the same period of time.