Reconfigurable all-fiber all-optical cross-connect node using synthesized fiber Bragg gratings for both demultiplexing and switching

Abstract

Summary form only given. Wavelength-routed optical networks will use all-optical cross-connects (OXC) to establish transparent optical paths through the network. Most OXC architectures are based on using a combination of (de)multiplexers, space switches, optical filters, and power splitters (combiners). In principle, the space division switching can be replaced with a combination of power splitting and tunable wavelength filters. However, such architectures suffer from large loss, high crosstalk, and polarization and temperature sensitivity. Wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) demultiplexers based on fiber Bragg gratings (FBG) have shown great promise recently. In this paper, we extend this by combining the demultiplexing and tuning properties of the FBGs to design an all-fiber OXC without using space switches. From an operation and management point of view this design is very attractive as only stable, reliable, passive dielectric components are used.