Calient Optical Switch

The Calient S320 Optical Circuit Switch is a high-performance, all-optical switch that enables flexible, low-latency, and protocol-agnostic connections between single-mode optical fibers.OverviewThe Calient S320 Optical Circuit Switch (OCS) is an all-optical (OOO) switch designed to establish, monitor, and dynamically change connections between single-mode optical fibers without converting optical signals to electrical form, ensuring minimal latency and jitter (30 ns) and high bandwidth support from 40 Gbps up to 400 Gbps and beyond . It is protocol-agnostic, making it compatible with any data rate or wavelength.TechnologyThe S320 uses 3D MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) optical switching technology. Tiny silicon mirrors direct light from input fibers to output fibers, controlled by precise electrostatic voltages. The switch is fully non-blocking, allowing any input port to connect to any output port, with switching times typically under 50 ms and full fabric configuration in less than 200 ms . Optical loss is low, typically under 1.5–2.0 dB, and the device does not require optical transceivers, reducing cost per bit .FeaturesPort Capacity: 320 ports, scalable for smaller or larger configurations .Monitoring: Automated fiber management and power monitoring via Optical Monitoring Module (OMM) for diagnostics and optimization .Form Factor: Compact size (17.5”w x 12.2”h x 19”d) and lightweight (45 lbs / 20.5 kg), suitable for data centers and service provider environments .Reliability: Proven in over 750,000 optical connections globally, offering high reliability and low power consumption .Flexibility: Transparent to data speed and protocol, supporting any wavelength or signal type .ApplicationsThe S320 is widely used in:Data centers and cloud computing for dynamic optical path management.Service provider networks for high-capacity, low-latency switching.Government and research networks requiring precise optical routing.Optical test labs for sharing high-value optical equipment .Safety and InstallationThe S320 uses a Class 1 laser internally, and proper handling is required to avoid exposure at fiber terminations. Minimum bend radius for optical fibers is 1 inch (25 mm) to prevent damage . Installation and maintenance are supported by Calient's technical services and user manuals .Key AdvantagesAll-optical switching with no electrical conversion, minimizing latency.High port count with fully non-blocking architecture.Low insertion loss and high reliability.Protocol and speed agnostic, future-proofing network upgrades.Automated monitoring for efficient network management. The Calient S320 Optical Circuit Switch is a versatile and cost-effective solution for modern high-speed optical networks, providing scalable, low-latency, and highly reliable optical switching.