OPTICAL INTERCONNECTIONS IN SWITCHING-SYSTEM

This paper describes the use of optical interconnections in switching systems and discusses our recent achievements in this area. Switching system interconnections are classified based on their application laye rs. The evolution of optical interconnections in switching systems is discussed in terms of such system requirements as cost, size, and thro ughput. Recent achievements are discussed: an optical inter-module con nector, a free-space digital switch, and a large-capacity optically in tra-connected ATM switch.