The MBA($N,e,g$) Optical Switching Fabric

In this study, the new architecture of the optical switching fabric is proposed. The banyan-type switching networks, well known in switching theory, are composed of symmetrical d×d switches. The new architecture considered in this study is built from mostly asymmetrical optical switching elements. It is shown that the new proposed structure requires a fewer number of passive as well as active optical elements than the banyan-type switching fabric of the same capacity and functionality. It also contains one stage fewer, which, from the optical switching point of view, is an important feature as well.