Apparatus and method for switching paths in a wavelength-multiplexing network
US8861956B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 26, 2012 |
| Grant date | Oct 14, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 22, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04Q2011/0039
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus switches paths in a wavelength-multiplexing network in which a first number of wavelengths each used for a path to transmit an optical signal are multiplexed into an optical fiber. The apparatus includes an entire switching unit and a second number of individual switching units where the second number is smaller than the first number. The entire switching unit is configured to perform a path-switching process for switching a path, simultaneously on all the first number of wavelengths when failures have occurred for all the first number of wavelengths. The second number of individual switching units are each configured to perform the path-switching process individually on one of a third number of wavelengths included in the first number of wavelengths when at least one failure has occurred for the third number of wavelengths where the third numbers is smaller than the first number.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.