Method and system for in-band connectivity for optical switching applications
US6477291B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 13, 2001 |
| Grant date | Nov 5, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 13, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04Q2011/0088
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method (and system) for communicating between at least two optical switching systems. Each of the optical switching systems includes an optical cross-connect coupled to an incoming fiber bundle and coupled to an outgoing fiber bundle. The method determines a control channel from a plurality of available channels. The plurality of available channels is provided on one or more optical fibers. The plurality of optical fibers are coupled between a first optical switch system and a second optical switch system. The method also opens an internal communication loop for the control channel between a first multiplexing device coupled to the first optical switch system and a second multiplexing device coupled to the second optical switch system. The method also includes forming a connection between the first optical switch system and the second optical switch system during a period of time that the internal communication loop has been opened. A step of maintaining the connection and transferring internal information between the first optical switch system and the second optical switch system also is included.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.