Energy-efficient optical switching nodes based on banyan-type switching fabrics.

The paper shows the possibility to reduce energy consumption in banyan-type switching fabrics working under different control algorithms. This can be done by adopting the structure of switching fabric to the intensity of traffic offered, providing lossless operation of the switching fabric at the same time. An analytical model determining the number of planes which is required for lossless servicing the offered traffic is also presented. Results obtained from the model are compared with simulation result showing high accuracy of the proposed model. The paper demonstrates also that, when using the proposed model, the amount of saved electrical energy, consumed by a switching fabric composed of switching elements based on Mach-Zhander interferometers, starts from a few watts (for switching fabric with 64 inputs) up to 1 kW (for switching fabric with 1024 inputs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]