Architecture on demand for transparent optical networks

We present the Architecture on Demand (AoD) concept whereby transparent optical cross-connects (OXC) do not have an associated static architecture but can adapt their architecture to suit to the switching and processing requirements of input traffic. The proposed AoD-OXC is implemented with a 96 × 96 3D-MEMS optical switch functioning as an optical backplane that interconnects architecture-building modules that provide the required services such as arbitrary spectrum switching, time-domain sub-wavelength switching and optical multicasting. This approach will enable unprecedented levels of flexibility and modularity for the introduction of new services and applications in transparent optical networks.