Modular Architectures of Multistage Switching Networks

Abstract

I. INTRODUCTIONT HE optical implementation of Optical Multistage Switching Networks (OMSNs) has been widely studied by researchers. Several architectures have been studied, proposing various implementations based on different transmission media (including fiber, waveguide and free-space optics) and relying upon various types of components (e.g., MEMS, microring resonators, directional couplers, etc.) used as switching elements.Recently, research on Optical interconnections is casting new light on optical switching, and in particular on OMSNs. Optical interconnections is the conventional term that indicates the usage of photonic systems to interconnect several optoelectronic high-speed transmitters and receivers located at short distance from one another. "Short" means in general the range of distances separating subsystems within a system, and