Modular high-capacity switch

摘要

A modular optical switch includes a set of optical switch modules connected in a mesh, a master controller for the whole optical node and a switch-module controller for each of the optical switch modules. The optical switch modules receive optical signals from, and transmit optical signals to, edge nodes based on connection requests received from the edge nodes. The master controller acts to select a path, using a simple or compound time-slot matching process, through the mesh of switch modules for each optical signal related to a connection request. Advantageously, the optical switch modules are fast switching, enabling the use of time-sharing schemes such as TDM, and the modular optical core node is made practical by efficient path selection at the master controller. A hybrid modular switch may include both optical and electronic switch modules, a master controller, and a switch-module controller for each of the switch modules.

主权项

1. A method of selecting a path through a modular optical switch comprising:
receiving a request, where said request identifies a requested number of time slots, an inlet port of a first switch module and an outlet port of a second switch module; responsive to said receiving said request;
initializing a local index to a value equal to the requested number of time slots; comparing a state map associated with said inlet port to a state map associated with said outlet port to find a matching time slot that is vacant in both said inlet port and said outlet port; if said comparing provides said matching time slot, wherein said state maps respectively associated with said inlet and outlet ports indicate vacancy in said particular time slot;
reducing the local index value by one;generating an indication of successful mapping;recording said matching time slot in a result record; andtransmitting said result record to a controller of said modular optical switch.