Self-routing network using optical gate array driven by control voltages coincidental with packet header pulses

Abstract From the Canadian patent

In an optical self-routing network, N optical splitters are associated respectively with N inlet terminals for splitting an optical signal from the associated inlet terminal into M replicas of the optical signal. M optical combiners, associated respectively with M outlet terminals combines N, optical signals incident thereon into a combined optical signal and couples it to the associated outlet terminal. M sets of N optical gates are connected between the N optical splitters and the M optical combiners. Each optical gate allows passage of an optical signal incident thereon when it timely coincides with an electrical signal applied thereto. A controller supplies a gate control electrical …