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US 8,554,076 B1Granted
Methods and systems for constructing optical networks
AssigneeAT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
InventorXiaolin Lu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A branch-ring optical network and a technique for manufacturing a branch-ring optical network are disclosed. By connecting an outgoing optical conduit to a number of ports and one or more diffraction-grating based add/drop modules, and coupling the first distribution-node to at least one or more distribution-end-nodes having one or more diffraction-grating based add/drop modules, a branch-ring optical network that is easily constructed and maintained is formed.
Claims20
A method for forming a branch-ring optical network, comprising:
- connecting an outgoing optical conduit to a distribution-node, wherein the distribution-node comprises an outbound receiving port for receiving optical communication signals from a hub, an outbound transmitting port, a return receiving port, a return transmitting port, and an add/drop module;
- coupling the distribution-node to a distribution-end-node, wherein the distribution-end-node includes and utilizes a plurality of ports consisting of one outbound receiving port and one return transmitting port, wherein the distribution-end-node transmits to the hub via the return transmitting port of the distribution-end-node an optical communication signal received from the distribution-node via the outbound receiving port of the distribution-end-node, wherein the optical communication signal is transmitted from the return transmitting port of the distribution-end-node to the hub over a return path that traverses the return receiving port and the return transmitting port of the distribution-node, wherein the return path does not include any add-drop modules.
A branch-ring optical network, comprising:
- a distribution-node, wherein the distribution-node comprises an outbound receiving port for receiving optical communication signals from a hub, an outbound transmitting port, a return receiving port and a return transmitting port and an add/drop module;
- and
- a distribution-end-node coupled to the distribution-node, wherein the distribution-end-node includes and utilizes a plurality of ports consisting of one outbound receiving port and one return transmitting port, wherein the distribution-end-node is configured to transmit to the hub via the return transmitting port of the distribution-end-node an optical communication signal received from the distribution-node via the outbound receiving port of the distribution-end-node, wherein the optical communication signal is transmitted from the return transmitting port of the distribution-end-node to the hub over a return path that traverses the return receiving port and the return transmitting port of the distribution-node, wherein the return path does not include any add-drop modules.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.