Optical signal quality selection system

A method for the selection of optical signal quality for the transmission of data, comprising the steps of:

• (a) receiving an incoming optical signal;
• (b) splitting the incoming optical signal into a first split signal and a second split signal;
• (c) evaluating the quality of the first split signal in a first optical performance monitor;
• (d) generating and transmitting from the first optical performance monitor to a signal selector engine a first electrical message indicative of the quality of the first split signal;
• (e) evaluating the quality of the second split signal in a second optical performance monitor;
• (f) generating and transmitting from the second optical performance monitor to the signal selector engine a second electrical message indicative of the quality of the second split signal;
• (g) dropping from transmission one of the first or the second split signal that was evaluated to be of lesser quality than the other of the split signals;
• (h) generating and transmitting from the signal selector to an alarm indicator signal generator an electrical message indicative that both signals are unacceptable;
• (i) generating and transmitting from the alarm indicator signal generator to the signal selector an optical message if both signals are of unacceptable quality;
• and
• (j) continuing with the transmission of the other of the first or the second split signals that was indicated to be of higher quality than the other of the split signals.