Channel switching in wavelength encoded optical communication systems

The invention relates to the field of communications, in particular to wavelength encoded optical communication systems, and more particularly to optical switching means i.e. means for adding, dropping and multiplexing or switching wavelength encoded optical channels. An optical switching arrangement, e.g. an add-drop multiplexer or switch, for receiving an input signal comprising a plurality of input wavelength encoded optical channels. The arrangement includes a selector for selecting from the plurality of input optical channels for forming a plurality of output signals comprising selected ones of the plurality of input optical channels. A combination of input optical channels in any one of the plurality of output signals is different from a combination of input optical channels in the input signal. The selector comprises a plurality of selective reflectors for selectively reflecting optical channels selected from the plurality of input optical channels. The plurality of selective reflectors are arranged to selectively reflect each of the input optical channels selected for forming the plurality of output signals. The plurality of selective reflectors comprise a first set of selective reflectors for passing a first set of selected optical input channels and reflecting a second set of selected optical input channels and a second set of selective reflectors for reflecting the first set of selected optical input channels and passing the second set of selected optical input channels.