Optical cross-connect system

摘要

An optical cross-connect system is disclosed that use reduces the number of AWGs (Arrayed-Waveguide Grating) as compared to prior art systems so that the hardware complexity is reduced while simultaneously reducing its production costs. The optical cross-connect system includes 2xN AWGs (230) for performing multiplexing/demultiplexing functions, an optical circulator (210) for transmitting bidirectional signals via the AWGs, an optical coupler (241) for interconnecting N individual ports of the AWGs, and an optical switching block (251) connected to the optical coupler. One of the optical signals branched from the optical coupler is input to the optical switching block having a corresponding wavelength and distributed to a desired output terminal, and the other one of the optical signals is input to an optical switching block being out of an operable wavelength range and filtered by the optical switching block.