Robust mesh transport network comprising conjoined rings
US8625411B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 31, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jan 7, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 7, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04J2203/006
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A mesh network architecture is disclosed whose protected services can be restored quickly after the failure of a network element (i.e., a network node, a network transmission facility). Furthermore, the protected services can be restored after all single and most multiple network-element failures as quickly as a ring network can recover from a single network-element failure. And still furthermore, the illustrative embodiment is also advantageous in that it can be administered and maintained, for most purposes, as a collection of distinct ring networks. Embodiments of the present invention can use any protocol or transmission technology (e.g., wavelength division multiplexing, SONET/SDH, ATM, etc.). Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention distinguish between the transport function, the provisioning function, and the fault notification functions of a network and provide that each of the functions can be accomplished by different networks using different protocols.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.