Apparatus and methods for enabling recovery in optical networks

Abstract

Apparatus for enabling an M:N recovery scheme in an optical network includes a set of N working DSP-enabled optical transceivers/transponders including at least one working DSP-enabled optical transceiver/transponder that uses a first set of transmission parameters and at least one working DSP-enabled optical transceiver/transponder that uses a second set of transmission parameters which is different from the first set of transmission parameters, and a set of M protection DSP-enabled optical transceivers/transponders operable to protect the set of N working DSP-enabled optical transceivers/transponders and including L protection DSP-enabled optical transceivers/transponders, each having a capability of using a set of adjustable transmission parameters enabling it to protect every one of the N working DSP-enabled optical transceivers/transponders, and, when M>L, M-L protection DSP-enabled optical transceivers/transponders, each having a capability of protecting at least one, but not all, of the N working DSP-enabled optical transceivers/transponders. Related network and methods are also disclosed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.