A signal transparent 10/spl times/10 space-division optoelectronic switch core for virtual-transparent path-based multiwavelength networks

Broadband optoelectronic space division switch matrices used in conjunction with optical (de)multiplexers and optical-electronic-optical wavelength regenerators can provide capabilities for wavelength conversion and translation in wavelength routed multiwavelength networks. Such switches are required to be transparent to bit rate, format, and modulation of the signals carried on various wavelengths to enable high capacity, scalable multiwavelength networks. A 10/spl times/10 implementation of a transparent optoelectronic switch matrix capable of routing any bit rate up to 2.5 Gb/s per port as well as high quality analog video signals with >60 dB contrast and >60 dB crosstalk suppression is presented. Transparency is demonstrated with digital signals ranging from 622 Mb/s to 2.5 Gb/s per port along with analog video signals routed through the switch core.