Automatic on-line monitoring and optimization of optical network switching nodes

A method for monitoring the performance of a plurality of optical switching nodes exhibiting an analog switching characteristic responsive to control parameters, wherein an optical signal is transmitted through said switching nodes via an optical path, comprising the steps of:

• modulating, in response to generated electrical signals, an optical signal at each of said plurality of switching nodes;
• monitoring said optical path at a fixed position to detect the amplitude, frequency and phase characteristics of said modulated optical signals;
• and
• evaluating the performance of each of said plurality of switching nodes as a function of said detected amplitude, frequency and phase characteristics.

A method for monitoring the performance of a plurality of optical switching nodes exhibiting an analog switching characteristic responsive to control parameters, wherein an optical signal is transmitted through said switching nodes via an optical path, comprising the steps of:

• modulating, in response to electrical signals generated at a single signal source, an optical signal at each of said plurality of switching nodes;
• monitoring said optical path at a fixed position to detect the amplitude, frequency and phase characteristics of said modulated optical signals;
• and
• evaluating the performance of each of said plurality of switching nodes as a function of said detected amplitude, frequency and phase characteristics.

Apparatus for monitoring the performance of an optical switching node exhibiting an analog switching characteristic responsive to control parameters, wherein an optical signal is transmitted through said switching node via an optical path, comprising:

• means for modulating at said switching node, in response to an electrical signal generated at a signal source, the amplitude of said optical signal;
• means for monitoring said optical path at a fixed position to detect the amplitude, frequency and phase characteristics of said modulated optical signal;
• and
• means for evaluating the performance of said switching node as a function of said detected amplitude, frequency and phase angle characteristics.

Apparatus for monitoring the performance of a plurality of optical switching nodes exhibiting an analog switching characteristic responsive to control parameters, wherein an optical signal is transmitted through said switching nodes via an optical path, comprising:

• means for modulating, in response to generated electrical signals, an optical signal at each of said plurality of switching nodes;
• means for monitoring said optical path at a fixed position to detect the amplitude, frequency and phase characteristics of said modulated optical signals;
• and
• means for evaluating the performance of each of said plurality of switching nodes as a function of said detected amplitude, frequency and phase characteristics.

Apparatus for monitoring the performance of a plurality of optical switching nodes exhibiting an analog switching characteristic responsive to control parameters, wherein an optical signal is transmitted through said switching nodes via an optical path, comprising:

• means for modulating, in response to electrical signals generated at a single signal source, an optical signal at each of said plurality of switching nodes;
• means for monitoring said optical path at a fixed position to detect the amplitude, frequency and phase characteristics of said modulated optical signals;
• and
• means for evaluating the performance of each of said plurality of switching nodes as a function of said detected amplitude, frequency and phase characteristics.