Enabling technologies for flexible and scalable spatial cross-connects

Abstract

Hierarchical spatial bypassing and spectral grooming in recently proposed spatial channel network (SCN) architectures are beneficial in the space division multiplexing era in terms of reducing the total node cost while maintaining a reasonably high spectral efficiency and optical-reach extension for optical signals that spatially bypass the overlying wavelength division multiplexing layer. One key piece of equipment to achieve SCNs is a spatial cross-connect (SXC). In this paper, enabling technologies for flexible and scalable SXCs including a core selective switch, a multicore fiber splitter, a core selector, and a core/port selector are reported.