Network healing smart fiber optic switch
US6430335B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 25, 2000 |
| Grant date | Aug 6, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 8, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04J14/0279
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A network healing smart fiber optic switch for fast, automatic switching between multiple paths of an optical transmission line with minimal disruption. The network healing smart fiber optic switch accepts multiple fiber optic inputs and splits each optical signal into primary and secondary signals. The primary optical signals go to an optical switch, which selects the primary optical signal to send to the output based on a control signal from a controller. The secondary optical signals go to the controller, and based on the relative signal strength of the secondary optical signals, the controller outputs a control signal to the optical switch. The controller is in communication with a remote computer or another controller and the controller's output signal to the optical switch can be overridden by the remote computer or other controller. The network healing smart fiber optic switch automatically senses the condition, including faults, on fiber optic cables and switches between fiber optic cables. The switching occurs automatically and quickly with minimal disruption to the transmitted signal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.