Virtual common space: using WDM in metro access networks
AssigneeAT&T Corp.
InventorsNicholas J. Frigo, Mark W. Stodden
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method utilizing inexpensive “Coarse” WDM (CWDM) components to extend the economic utility of a service provider's local network service (LNS) feeder fiber used to serve business customers. Using these existing components and a hybrid of PON and SONET technologies, the invention provides many of the advantages of “Common Space” equipment through optical in lieu of electronic multiplexing. The technique reduces access costs, decreases provisioning time, reduces capital expenditures, and enables more aggressive marketing for local business services.
Claims16
A method of communicating between a local serving office and a plurality of customer premises equipment, comprising the steps of:
- transmitting signals at wavelengths λ1 to λn from the local serving office to a plurality of multiplexers;
- multiplexing the signals from the local serving office;
- receiving the multiplexed signals from the local serving office at a plurality of demultiplexers;
- distributing the demultiplexed signals at wavelengths λ1 to λn to a corresponding N working receivers associated with the customer premises equipment;
- and
- symmetrically receiving signals at wavelengths λ1 to λn from N working transmitters associated with the customer premises equipment at a plurality of multiplexers;
- multiplexing the signals from the customer premises equipment;
- receiving the multiplexed signals from the customer premises equipment at a plurality of demultiplexers;
- and
- distributing the demultiplexed signals from the customer premises equipment at wavelengths λ1 to λn to the local serving office, thereby forming a first ring carrying working traffic with two nodes connected to the local serving office and two nodes connected to the customer premises equipment.
A method of communicating between a local serving office and a plurality of customer premises equipment, comprising the steps of:
- transmitting signals at wavelengths XI to X from the local serving office over a link to a plurality of multiplexers;
- multiplexing the signals from the local serving office into a transmission conduit;
- receiving the multiplexed signals at a plurality of demultiplexers;
- distributing the demultiplexed signals at wavelengths λ1 to λn to a corresponding N working receivers associated with the customer premises equipment;
- and
- symmetrically receiving signals at wavelengths λ1 to λn from the customer premises equipment at a plurality of multiplexers;
- multiplexing the signals from the customer premises equipment into a second transmission conduit;
- receiving the multiplexed signals from the customer premises equipment at a plurality of demultiplexers;
- distributing the demultiplexed signals from the customer premises equipment at wavelengths λ1 to λn to the local serving office, thereby forming a first ring carrying working traffic with two nodes connected to the local serving office and two nodes connected to the customer premises equipment;
- and
- directing protection traffic through a second ring through a second transmission conduit with two nodes connected to the local serving office, and two nodes connected to the customer premises equipment.
A method of connecting a plurality of customer premises equipment in a building to a local serving office, comprising the steps of:
- forming a first ring for carrying working traffic with two nodes connected to the local serving office and two nodes connected to the customer premises equipment, each of the two nodes including at least one multiplexer and demultiplexer;
- and
- forming a second ring for carrying protection traffic with two nodes connected to the local serving office and two nodes connected to the customer premises equipment, each of the two nodes including at least one multiplexer and demultiplexer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.