Hybrid optical and electronic packet switch

摘要

A switch for receiving packets on optical fiber input trunks and for switching the packets to appropriate optical fiber output trunks is disclosed. The packet switch is a hybrid switch comprising both optical and electronic devices and specifically comprises and electronic input buffer, an optical transport network and an optical control network. The optical transport network prevents internal collisions within the switch and the optical control network prevents external collisions of packets. The packet switch exploits the inherent properties of optical and electronic devices for the specific functions they are best suited for.