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Abstract

A module for routing packets of first and second optical signals comprising first and second inputs (A,B) for receiving the first and second optical signals and first and second outputs (C,D) for the optical signals. The module comprises optical switching means (8) for switching the first optical signal and the second optical signal to either one of the two outputs (C,D), and a correlator module (7). The correlator module comprises at least two optical correlators (9,10,11,12). The correlator module (7) is arranged to generate control signals for controlling the switching means (8) based on destination data in packets of the first and second signals such that if packets of the first and second optical signals overlap, the switching means directs the packet that was received first to the output (C,D) indicated by the destination data of that packet and the overlapping subsequent packet is directed to the other output (C,D) or blocked. A module is advantageous because there is no need to convert the optical signal to the electronic domain and packet contention is avoided without synchronisation or scheduling of the packets of the optical signals because, for overlapping packets, the packet that is received first is given priority with the later packet either sent to the other output, whether or not this is the correct output for the packet, or blocked.

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