Apparatus and method for reading data from an optical packet header
US6694098B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 13, 1999 |
| Grant date | Feb 17, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 13, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04Q2011/0039
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method of reading and updating a packet header of an optical packet for transmission over an optical network involves dividing the input signal into two paths. The signal in one path (46) is converted into an electrical signal and the header information is read. The data stored in the packet header is removed optically in the other path (44) by constraining the packet header signal to have a constant amplitude. Updated header information is used to modify the constant amplitude signal using a modulator (60). An apparatus is provided for implementing the method. The header is thus read in the electrical domain, but it is updated optically.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.