Patent · US Expired

Verification of path integrity in optical switch network

US6980736B1 · kind B1 · utility

18Cited by
13References
50Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 3, 2002
Grant dateDec 27, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 22, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04Q2011/0083
  • WIPO fieldTelecommunications
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

To verify the integrity of optical paths through and among optical switches, optical signals are provided with co-propagating supplemental signals. The supplemental signals preferably have at least one characteristic which allows distinguishing one supplemental signal from another. Associated with a port of a switch, means are provided for detecting a supplemental signal and determining if the supplemental signal indicates that a desired optical signal is passing through the port as expected and desired. Means for imparting or changing the distinguishing characteristic of a supplemental signal may also be employed to facilitate verifying the passage of optical signals.

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