Patent · US Expired

Communication channel for synchronizing equipment in synchronous communication system

US6072611A · kind A · utility

3Cited by
2References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 16, 1997
Grant dateJun 6, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 16, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S370/907
  • WIPO fieldTelecommunications
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Method and apparatus for providing a communication link between support equipment in an optical network and an operation support system. In a first embodiment, dark bandwidth of the communication trunks is appropriated for use as a service channel. A master service node receives messages from the operation support system and places the messages in the dark bandwidth. Local service nodes, provided in an optical ring, monitor the dark bandwidth and route message either to support equipment at the node or to other local service nodes as appropriate. Multiplexors are provided at the master service node and local service nodes to interface between optical network elements and support equipment. A second embodiment provides a radio link between the operational support system and the service nodes of the optical network.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.