Abstract

The basic building block of communication and computer switching networks is the 2 × 2 bypass/exchange switch module. Optoelectronic technology offers the freedom of designing the switch module with different functions, such as packet routing, data sorting, or even computing capability. We have made a system analysis considering various optical techniques for signal modulation and for powering and controlling bypass/exchange modules. The analysis considers different combinations of wavelength and polarization as design variables. Based on these results, we have introduced several designs for optically powered modules.¹ In earlier work,^2,3 it has been shown that optically powering pixels in such interconnection networks can greatly simplify circuit complexity and can lead to lower cross talk at high bandwidths as compared with conventional-powered architectures.

© 1991 Optical Society of America