Design of a control algorithm for a 4×4 wide-sense nonblocking optical switch

In this paper, a control algorithm is proposed for a 4×4 wide-sense nonblocking photonic switch. The switch is a space division multistage network using 2×2 and 2×3 optical switching elements. The ideas behind the 4×4 switch design and its proposed control algorithm are presented. The wide-sense nonblocking property of the switch under this control algorithm is simulated, tested, and discussed. The results indicate that the algorithm is capable to maintain the wide-sense nonblocking property for all possible switch configurations.