Network healing smart fiber optic switch

An apparatus for switching a plurality of optical paths, said apparatus comprising:

• a first splitter having an input being a primary optical signal and having a pair of outputs including a first splitter main output and a first splitter second output;
• a second splitter having an input being a secondary optical signal and having a pair of outputs including a second splitter main output and a second splitter second output;
• an analog selection circuit receiving inputs from said first splitter second output and said second splitter second output, said analog selection circuit including
• a timing circuit responsive to said first splitter second output, said timing circuit including a resistor and a capacitor having a charging time defining a selected period, and
• a deselect circuit responsive to said timing circuit, said timing circuit outputting a timing signal to said deselect circuit after said selected period in which a signal indicating that said first splitter second output has a level greater than a selected value, said deselect circuit including a Schmitt trigger and a diode;
• and
• an optical switch having a first switch input from said first splitter main output and a second switch input from said second splitter main output, said switch responsive to said analog selection circuit, which causes said optical switch to route said first splitter main output to an output of said optical switch upon receiving said timing signal.

An apparatus for switching a plurality of optical paths, said apparatus comprising:

• a first splitter having an input being a primary optical signal;
• a second splitter having an input being a secondary optical signal;
• an analog selection circuit having a first input from said first splitter and a second input from said second splitter, said analog selection circuit including
• a timing circuit responsive to said primary optical signal, and
• a deselect circuit responsive to said timing signal, said timing circuit initiated by receiving a valid primary optical signal, said timing circuit outputting a timing signal to said deselect circuit after a selected period in which said valid primary optical signal is present;
• and
• an optical switch having a first switch input from said first splitter and a second switch input from said second splitter, said switch responsive to said analog selection circuit, which causes said optical switch to route said primary optical signal to an output of said optical switch upon receiving said timing signal.

An apparatus for switching a plurality of optical paths, said apparatus comprising:

• a means for routing a primary optical signal through an optical switch;
• a means for sensing a valid primary optical signal;
• a means for routing a secondary optical signal through said optical switch;
• a means for determining when said primary optical signal has been valid for a selected period;
• a means for deselecting said secondary optical signal and routing said primary optical signal through said optical switch.