A fiber-optic switch is a device used in fiber optics to route light from one or more input fibers to one or more output fibers. It can act as a simple on/off switch or a complex matrix switch with multiple inputs and outputs, such as 2×2 or even 64×64. This paper compares the core differences between optical switches and electrical switches, clarifying their distinctions across seven key dimensions including signal conversion mechanisms, switching layers, latency, power consumption, and more. The simplest device is an on/off switch with one input and one output, which allows. Optical switching represents a fundamental technological evolution, shifting data routing from the domain of electrons to the realm of photons, or light.
[PDF Version]