Optical router

摘要

An optical router capable of efficiently allocating optimum optical paths to optical signals at optimum timings is provided in accordance with the present invention. The optical router is capable of delaying a plurality of the optical signals containing routing information attached to the header parts thereof. The optical router contains an optical switch which has a plurality of input and output ports; an optical-electrical converter for converting a plurality of the optical signals to electrical signals; memory wherein path control information and delay time information are stored; and a controller for generating an electrical routing control signal which can change the optical path of the optical signals by finding the path control information according to the routing information extracted from the output of the optical-electrical converter and which can delay the electrical routing control.