HYPASS: an optoelectronic hybrid packet switching system

An architecture is presented for an optoelectronic hybrid packet switching system (HYPASS) for the distribution of multiple-bit-rate broadband services. HYPASS is based on an input-buffered/output-controlled arbitration protocol. The internal routing and interconnection utilizes a passive optical transport network with wavelength-tunable laser transmitters and fixed wavelength receivers. The single-stage multiwavelength optical interconnect provides an internally nonblocking network for large throughput routing of the bit-serial optical signals. An internal optical control network, with fixed-wavelength trouble receivers, sends output port information to the input nodes for arbitration and control. Packet buffer storage and control processing is performed by word-parallel electronic circuitry. The characteristics and device requirements for this design are presented along with results of a performance analysis of the arbitration and control protocol.<>