Wavelength selective switch with multiple input/output ports

1. A multi-port wavelength selective switch comprising:

a) a one-dimensional array of input and output ports;

b) a wavelength dispersive element configured to receive input optical signals from the input ports, and to disperse wavelength components thereof; and

c) an array of beam steering devices, at least one of which is controllable to direct a first dispersed wavelength component, received through a first input port disposed at an outer extremity of the array of input and output ports, to an output port and directs a second dispersed wavelength component of the same wavelength as the first dispersed wavelength component, received through a second input port disposed at the outer extremity of the array of input and output ports, to a position away from all of the output ports.

2. The switch according to claim 1 , further comprising an optical attenuating array configured to control the attenuation of the wavelength components of the input optical signals.

3. The switch according to claim 1 , wherein the array of beam steering devices comprises a MEMS mirror array.

4. The switch according to claim 1 , wherein the array of beam steering devices comprises a liquid crystal array.

5. The switch according to claim 1 , further comprising a circulator at one of the first and second input ports, such that the input port is operative as an input port and an output port.

6. The switch according to claim 1 , further comprising a lens configured to focus the wavelength components onto the array of beam steering devices.

7. The switch according to claim 1 , wherein the wavelength dispersive element is diffraction grating.

8. A method of switching selected wavelength components of a multi-wavelength input optical signal to a desired output port, the method comprising:

a) receiving a first input optical signal and a second input optical signal;

b) dispersing the first and second input optical signals into wavelength components thereof; and

c) controlling an array of beam steering devices such that one of the beam steering devices directs a first dispersed wavelength component of the first input optical signal, received through a first input port disposed at an outer extremity of an array of input and output ports, to an output parts port and concurrently directs a second dispersed wavelength component having the same wavelength as the first dispersed wavelength component of the second input optical signal, received through a second input port disposed at the outer extremity of the array of input and output ports, away from all of the ports.

9. The method according to claim 8 , further comprising attenuating the wavelength components of the first and second input optical signals.

10. The switch according to claim 1 , further comprising a network monitor for monitoring the wavelength components of the first and/or second input optical signals.

11. The switch according to claim 10 , wherein the first and/or second input optical signals are redundant signals.

12. The switch according to claim 11 , wherein the array of beam steering devices directs the same wavelength component of the second input to the output port when the network monitor detects a loss of signal on the first input.

13. The method according to claim 8 , further comprising monitoring the wavelength components of the first and/or second input optical signals.

14. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the first and/or second input optical signals are redundant signals.

15. The method according to claim 14 , wherein one redundant signal is routed to the output port when the monitoring the wavelength components of the first and/or second input optical signals detects the absence of another redundant signal.