Add and drop switch/aggregator for optical communications networks
US9112636B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 21, 2011 |
| Grant date | Aug 18, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 4, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04Q2011/0058
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus for an optical communications network comprising a demultiplexer, a plurality of add/drop optical switches for adding and dropping wavelength channels. The add/drop optical switches arranged in a matrix with a number of rows corresponding to a number of output ports of the demultiplexer and a number of columns corresponding to a number of transponders. Each drop optical switch has an express input port associated with an output port of the demultiplexer, a drop output port associated with an individual transponder, and an express output port. Each add optical switch has an express input port, an add input port associated with an individual transponder, and an express output port. The apparatus also comprises a multiplexer with a plurality of input ports associated with express output ports of the add/drop optical switches.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.