Optical network with fault/normal pattern tables for identifying location of path failure

Abstract

In an optical node of an optical communication network, a number of paths are accommodated through optical node components between incoming and outgoing optical links of the node. A first table memory divides each of the established paths into a number of successive optical fiber sections and stores a matrix pattern of reference fault/normal indications of the paths and the optical fiber sections. A second table memory is provided into which a pattern of actual fault/normal indications of the established paths is stored when an alarm message is received from the downstream end of an established path. When this occurs, one of the optical fiber sections is identified as faulty if the corresponding pattern of the reference fault/normal indications coincides with the pattern of the actual fault/normal indications.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.