Method and apparatus for capacity-efficient restoration in an optical communication system
US6587235B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 16, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jul 1, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 16, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04Q2011/0086
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and system provide capacity-efficient restoration within an optical fiber communication system. The system includes a plurality of nodes each interconnected by optical fibers. Each optical fiber connection between nodes includes at least three channel groups with different priority levels for restoration switching in response to a connection failure. The system maintains and restores full-capacity communication services by switching at least a portion of the channel groups from a first optical fiber connection to a second optical fiber connection system based on the priority levels assigned to the channel groups. Service reliability is effectively maintained without incurring additional costs for dedicated spare optical fiber equipment by improving idle capacity utilization.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.