Abstract

Photonic switching networks will provide dynamic allocation of fiber-optic network resources. Requirements of the physical layer include a high channel bandwidth for the throughput of ultrahigh-bandwidth information, fast switching speeds, and optical processing of switching control algorithms to remove the speed bottleneck imposed by electronic processing.¹ Integrated optic waveguide switches offer a channel bandwidth transparency comparable with that of the fiber itself. Recently, complex integrated-optic switching structures such as a Ti:LiNbO₃ 8 X 8 crossbar switch matrix have been fabricated.^2-4 Optical control of a self-routing protocol has also recently been reported and discussed.⁵ With these advances in channel transparency, switching speed. and control processing speed, the photonic switch will be compatible with the bandwidth of the fiber-optic network. Understanding the high-speed switching characteristics of integrated optic switch matrices is necessary to optimize the performance of photonic switching networks.

© 1988 Optical Society of America