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Abstract

An optical switching apparatus in an optical communication network selectively combines and separates series of optical signal samples using OTDM and/or WDM. In upstream communication, the optical switching apparatus optically converts n series of upstream optical signal samples having the upstream optical signal samples carried over channel wavelengths .lambda..sub.1, . . . ,.lambda..sub.n at data rates DR.sub.1, . . . ,DR.sub.n respectively into a combined series of upstream optical signal samples having the upstream optical signal samples carried over a channel wavelength .lambda..sub.D at a combined data rate DR.sub.c which is greater than any one of the data rates DR.sub.1, . . . ,DR.sub.n. The combined series of upstream optical signal samples is then routed to a destination route. In downstream communication, the optical switching apparatus optically converts a series of downstream optical signal samples carried over a channel wavelength .lambda..sub.T at a data rate DR.sub.T into nn series of downstream optical signal samples having the downstream optical signal samples carried over channel wavelengths .lambda..sub.1, . . . ,.lambda..sub.nn-1, .lambda..sub.T at data rates DRT.sub.1, . . . ,DRT.sub.nn. The nn series of downstream optical signal samples are then routed to nn routes respectively. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

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