Method for optically transmitting signalling and control information in optical wavelength multiplex networks

A method for optically transmitting signaling and control information, comprising the steps of:

• aiding monitoring and control in an optical wavelength multiplex network via the signaling and control information, the optical wavelength multiplex network including at least one network element;
• transmitting useful information in the optical wavelength multiplex network in one of a single channel mode and a multi-channel mode,
• transmitting the signaling and control information and the useful information in digital signal form;
• transmitting the signal and control information via a CDMA operation;
• additively impressing a CDMA signal of the signal and control information onto a signal of the useful information, wherein the step of additively impressing includes the step of applying an intensity modulation onto an envelope curve of a signal of at least one channel of the useful information;
• and
• providing a modulation range of the CDMA signal that is smaller than a modulation range of the signal of the useful information.

A device for receiving signaling and control information, the signaling and control information being transmitted according to a CDMA operation and aiding monitoring and control in an optical wavelength multiplex network, the optical wavelength multiplex network including at least one network element, a useful information being transmitted in the optical wavelength multiplex network in one of a single channel mode and a multi-channel mode, a signal of the signaling and control information and a signal of the useful information being transmitted in digital form, comprising:

• at least one monitor coupler generating a supplemental signal, the supplemental signal being identical to a received signal that includes the signal of the signaling and control information and the signal of the useful information;
• a CDMA decoder coupled to the at least one monitor coupler, the CDMA decoder receiving the supplemental signal, the CDMA decoder filtering and decoding the signaling and control information from the supplemental signal;
• and
• a signaling device coupled to the CDMA decoder, the signaling device receiving the decoded signaling and control information, the signaling device controlling the at least one network element.