Low-loss wavelength routing optical switch consisting of small matrix switch and cyclic arrayed-waveguide gratings for colorless add/drop

We describe a new wavelength routing switch architecture that uses matrix switches and cyclic arrayed-waveguide gratings (AWGs). By devising connections between them, we construct a large port count optical switch using small port count matrix switches and AWGs. An 80 x 8 switch that consists of 8 x 8 matrix switches and 10 x 1 cyclic AWGs exhibits an insertion loss of only 4-7 dB. This switch enables us to make add/drop ports colorless in the existing reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexer nodes. (C) 2014 The Japan Society of Applied Physics