Kddi Corporation

Kazuho Ohara

Masatoshi Suzuki

Hideaki Tanaka

Michiaki Hayashi

To improve the reliability of matrix switches of redundant configuration, a splitter ( ) splits each of a plurality of input lights into two portions and applies them to corresponding input ports of matrix switches ( and ). The working matrix switch ( ) connects between desired input and output ports and an optical shutter ( ) connecting to an output port (&num; ) is in a light transmission state. The matrix switch ( ) connects all its input ports (&num; through &num; ) to an output port (&num; ). An optical shutter ( ) connecting to an output port (&num; ) is in a light blocking state. A combiner ( ) combines the lights which are output from the output ports (&num; ) of the matrix switches ( and ) and transmitted through the optical shutters ( and ) and also combines the output lights from the corresponding output ports (&num; through &num; ) of the matrix switches ( and ).

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Kamifukuoka, Japan

Kazuho Ohara