title: Single-mode fiber optical crossbar routing switch with ferroelectric liquid-crystal-VLSI technology and free-space optics.
abstract: We investigate a possible extension of the optically connected parallel machine crossbar system to telecommunication routing-switching systems. The critical issue concerns the realization of a free-space interconnection system between two single-mode fiber arrays in the case of a fully interconnected architecture, such as a crossbar system. In particular, we assess the throughput capability of such a system. This evaluation is based on both theoretical analysis and experimental results. We demonstrate that the number of channels is severely constrained by the limited numerical aperture of a single-mode fiber. Finally, we discuss some architectural alternatives and propose some technical recommendations for interconnecting single-mode fiber arrays in free space.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Moignard
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Defosse
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kerouédan
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: de Bougrenet de la Tocnaye
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Le Gars
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Le Moing