Optical and electronic integrated switch

Abstract

A photonics-electronics convergence switch with which, even if an optical network system is built by combining a plurality of packet switches, the amount of processing in the packet switches does not increase, the optical network system operates with low electric power consumption, and this enables wide-range optical communication between the nodes of a communication origin and of a communication partner, includes a network processor that is an electronic circuit configured to control the functions of the packet switch, a plurality of optical transmitter-receivers having photoelectric conversion functions, and a plurality of optical switches. Different types of optical switches cooperate to select a path through which inputted optical signals or optical signals inputted from a different packet switch connected to the packet switch are outputted to a different packet switch without passing through the processor and a path through which inputted optical signals or optical signals inputted from a different packet switch pass through the processor and are subjected to photoelectric conversion.