Generalized space-equivalent analysis of optical cross-connect architectures

Optical cross-connects (OXCs) are gaining an increasing importance in high-capacity wavelength-division multiplexing networks. In this work we propose a theoretical approach for the analysis and design of these optical-switching systems. Our method is based on a space-switching equivalent representation which allows one to easily classify a general OXC architecture, identify its blocking properties and understand the trade-off between space and wavelength switching-domains. We explain this method and demonstrate its application to some of the best known OXC implementations presented so far in the literature