Optical Switching

摘要

A network node comprises an optical input, an optical output, a random-access queue and a processing system. It receives a data packet, at the optical input and determines whether to process it as a guaranteed-service packet or as a statistically-multiplexed packet. A guaranteed-service packet is output within a predetermined maximum time of receipt, optionally within a data container comprising container control information. A statistically-multiplexed packet is queued. The node determines a set of statistically-multiplexed packets that would fit a gap between two guaranteed-service packets; selects one of the packets; and outputs it between the two guaranteed-service packets.

主权项

1. A method of processing optical data packets, comprising:
receiving a data packet at an optical input; determining whether to process the data packet as a guaranteed-service packet or as a statistically-multiplexed packet; if the data packet is to be processed as a guaranteed-service packet, sending the data packet from an optical output within a predetermined maximum time of receiving the data packet; if the data packet is to be processed as a statistically-multiplexed packet, adding the packet to a queue that can be accessed randomly in time; and for two outbound guaranteed-service packets, determining a plurality of statistically-multiplexed packets whose lengths are such that they would fit in a gap between the two guaranteed-service packets, using a selection process to select a statistically-multiplexed packet from said plurality of statistically-multiplexed packets, and sending the selected statistically-multiplexed packet from the optical output, between the two guaranteed-service packets.