Abstract

This paper will review some of the applications of photonic switching in communications systems. It will begin by dividing photonic devices and systems into two classes according to the function they perform. The first class, relational, will be associated with devices, which under external control, maps the input channels to the output channels (directional couplers, X-switches, etc.). The second class, logic, requires that the devices perform some type or combination of Boolean logic functions (NLFP, OLE, SEED, etc.). Systems based on relational devices will then be discussed with a focus on the practical considerations of combining relational structures with the bit oriented protocols of data and voice transmission. Finally, there will be a discussion of potential photonic switching systems based on optical logic devices and free-space optical interconnects. For these systems the optical logic provides the capability of operating on bit oriented protocols while the free-space interconnects provide the high connectivity between 2-dimensional arrays of the logic devices.

© 1988 Optical Society of America