Hybrid fiber-optical N/spl times/M multiplexers and commutators based on planar acoustic phased arrays

New hybrid circuit schematics are proposed for frequency multiplexing under condition of laser heterodyning and for channel commutation of the fiber optic communication networks using microwave (MW) acoustooptical devices based on planar acoustic phased-arrays (PAPA). It is shown that 10/spl times/256 multiplexers and 256/spl times/256 commutators can be realized under operation in the MW band of control radio signals from 0.5 to 7.0 GHz.