Hierarchical optical cross-connect architecture that implements colorless waveband add/drop ratio restriction utilizing a novel wavelength multi/demultiplexers

We propose a novel compact hierarchical optical cross-connect architecture that implements the colorless waveband add/drop ratio restriction, and a novel MUX/DMUX that can be used by different wavebands. We show that the proposed cross-connect architecture can reduce switch scale significantly compared to conventional one. The function of the newly proposed MUX/DMUX is verified in an experimental system.