ABSTRACT
SUMMARY Design and evaluation of a high-performance switch architecture for free-space photonic switching systems is described. The switch is constructed of 2x2 switching elements and employs special multistage interconnection patterns. The connection setup algorithm and the control procedure at the switching elements are based on a “rerouting algorithm.” Performance analysis shows that the blocking probability of the switch is easily controlled by increasing the number of switching stages. Example implementations of this switch are shown in which birefringent plates, polarization controllers, etc. are used.
