title: Multistage optical system for broadcasting and switching information.
abstract: Conventional switching systems connect each input channel to one output channel. Broadcasting systems permit the connection of each input channel to more than a single output. A broadcast 2 x 2 switch is presented. This switch is an extension of the standard bypass-exchange switch. It allows for the broadcasting of the inputs in addition to the conventional modes. Multistage interconnection networks can be constructed with this switch as the basic building block. Such networks will extend their capabilities, allowing for broadcasting features. Three implementations of this type are described, and experimental results for the 2 x 2 switch are also presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Electronics, Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, 69978 Tel Aviv, Israel. mend@eng.tau.ac.il
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mendlovic
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Leibner
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cohen