Switching to photonics

Author

Hinton, H.S.

Author_Institution

AT&T Bell Labs., Naperville, IL, USA

Volume

29

Issue

2

fYear

1992

Firstpage

42

Lastpage

45

Abstract

The use of hardware that exploits the interplay of photons and electrons to switch voice, data, and video is discussed. The two directions being taken by current research-guided-wave and free-space photonics-are examined. Photonic time-slot interchanges are described. Multidivisional fabrics, based on a combination of space-division and time-division multiplexing, are considered, as is the wavelength-division-based photonic packet switch, another kind of multidimensional fabric. The use of self-electrooptic effect devices, (SEEDs) is discussed.<>

Keywords

electro-optical devices; multiplexing equipment; optical switches; optical waveguides; packet switching; time division multiplexing; data switching; free-space photonics; guided-wave photonics; multidivisional fabrics; photonic time-slot interchanges; self-electrooptic effect devices; space-division multiplexing; time-division multiplexing; video switching; voice switching; wavelength division packet switching; Bandwidth; Bit rate; Directional couplers; Fabrics; Hardware; Laboratories; Optical attenuators; Optical fibers; Photonic integrated circuits; Telecommunication switching;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Spectrum, IEEE

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9235

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/6.119612

Filename

119612