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US 2006/0188260 A1Published application
Robust service delivery node and method therefor
AssigneePositron Networks PNI Inc.
InventorsJohn Nikolopoulos, Silvo Frank
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In an optical network some optical nodes are fitted with optical switches. The optical switches support the optical coupling and decoupling of the optical nodes and the remainder of the optical network. Electrical power supply failures to a node result in the node being optically decoupled from the remainder of the optical network thereby allowing the remaining nodes to continue normal operation.
Claims33
An optical network comprising:
- a controller;
- a plurality of nodes, each of the nodes supporting add-drop functionality, each of the nodes comprising at least an optical port;
- at least one of the plurality of nodes optically coupled with an optical switch comprising:
- a control input port for receiving a first control signal;
- an at least an optical switch port optically coupled to the at least an optical port for providing an optical signals thereto and for receiving optical signals therefrom;
- a first optical port for being coupled for receiving an optical signal from the optical network;
- and,
- a second optical port for being coupled for providing an optical signal to the optical network;
- the at least one of the plurality of nodes comprising a control output port for providing a status signal for use by the controller for providing the first control signal therefrom, the control output port being other than the at least an optical port, and;
- the switch being responsive to the first control signal and having a first state and a second state such that in the first state an optical signal propagating to the first optical port propagates to the at least an optical port and an optical signal provided from the at least an optical port propagates to the second optical port and, when the switch is in the second state an optical signal propagating to the first optical port propagates to the second optical port.
7 more elements
A method of directing data signals in an optical system comprising:
- providing an optical network comprising a set of nodes in optical communication via a set of waveguides;
- providing a first node;
- providing an optical switch optically disposed between the optical network and the first node, the optical switch having a first state in which optical data traffic between the optical network and the node is supported and a second state in which optical data traffic between the optical network and the node is other than supported;
- and,
- receiving a control instruction provided independent of said set of waveguides, the control instruction for controlling a state of the switch.
2 more elements
A method of directing data signals in an optical system comprising:
- providing an optical network comprising a set of nodes in optical communication via a set of waveguides;
- providing a controller, the controller for providing a first control signal and a second control signal;
- providing a first node;
- providing a first optical switch optically disposed between the optical network and the first node, the first optical switch having a first state in which optical data traffic between the optical network and the node is supported and a second state in which optical data traffic between the optical network and the first node is other than supported, the first optical switch having a first input port for receiving a first input signal other than via the set of waveguides, the first optical switch for changing state in response to the first control signal;
- providing a second node;
- providing a second optical switch optically disposed between the optical network and the second node, the second optical switch having a first state in which optical data traffic between the optical network and the second node is supported and a second state in which optical data traffic between the optical network and the second node is other than supported, the second optical switch having a second input port for receiving a second input signal other than via the set of waveguides, the second optical switch for changing state in response to the second control signal.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.