US Patent 7602772 High density optical network access switch

In one example, an optical network access switch includes independent first and second banks of individually selectable optical inputs, as well as independent first and second groups of individually controllable optical outputs. A first multiplexer is connected to the optical inputs of the first bank and the optical outputs of the first group, and a second multiplexer is connected to the optical inputs of the second bank and the optical outputs of the second group. Finally, a configuration interface communicates with the first and second multiplexers and receives a switching command which specifies the connection/disconnection of an optical output to/from an optical input.