Importance

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Abstract

In an optical packet switching system, a plurality of first wavelength tunable devices are connected respectively to incoming line terminals. In response to an incoming signal at the associated incoming line terminal, each of the first wavelength tunable devices generates an optical packet of a particular wavelength determined by a first wavelength selection signal supplied from a controller. In one embodiment, packets from the first wavelength tunable devices are switched through one or more paths set up by an optical space division switch to one of a plurality of optical buffers. Second wavelength tunable devices are respectively coupled to the outputs of the optical buffers for detecting a packet of a desired wavelength in response to a second wavelength selection signal from the controller and applying the detected packet to one of outgoing line terminals. Each of the optical buffers is made up of an optical coupler having parallel waveguides one of which is disposed in the signal transmission path, the other being disposed in an optical loop for recirculating a packet.

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First Claim