Microelectromechanical optical cross-connect switches having reduced numbers of reflectors

摘要

Reduced configuration Optical Cross-Connect (OXC) switches can include N inputs to the OXC switch and N outputs from the OXC switch, where N is at least 3. The N x N OXC switch provides N! states, wherein the N! states optically couple any one of the N inputs to any one of the N outputs. The N x N OXC switch also includes a number of switching nodes that are selectively optically coupled to the N inputs and N outputs. Each of the number of switching nodes is configurable in at least one of a switching configuration and a pass-through configuration to provide selectively switched optical radiation therefrom and wherein the number of switching nodes is equal to ceiling ÄIn(N!)/In(2)Ü to provide the N! states of the N x N OXC switch. The N x N OXC switch further includes at least one optical transmission apparatus coupled to at least two of the switching nodes. Related methods are also disclosed.