Free-space optical fibre ribbon switch for use in storage area networks

The use of storage area networks (SANs) as a response to the increasing demand for storage created by data intensive applications, has expedited the development of high-bandwidth switches. The design of a six-by-six free-space 12-channel multi-mode fibre ribbon switch that aims to transmit 2 Gbit/s data per channel in a SAN is presented. The switch architecture, operation and design of key components are described. The optical performance is estimated.

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