Abstract: An optical telecommunication system with automatic channel switching is disclosed. The system is provided with two symmetrical fiber channels and two subsystems. Each subsystem is formed by two 2×2 optical switches that are connected to each end of the primary and secondary channels, including an input light source, an optical receiver, multiple fiber optic power meters, and a control circuit. Data signals are normally sent over the primary channel, while test signals are passed through the secondary channel. The fiber optic power meters are connected to the receiving ends to monitor the power level of transmitted signals over the two channels simultaneously. If a line disconnection is detected, the control circuit automatically initiates a channel switching between the primary channel and secondary channel, and yet optical signals are transmitted and received transparently with high efficiency and reliability.

Abstract: An optical telecommunication system with automatic channel switching is disclosed. The system is provided with two symmetrical fiber channels and two subsystems. Each subsystem is formed by two 2×2 optical switches that are connected to each end of the primary and secondary channels, including an input light source, an optical receiver, multiple fiber optic power meters, and a control circuit. Data signals are normally sent over the primary channel, while test signals are passed through the secondary channel. The fiber optic power meters are connected to the receiving ends to monitor the power level of transmitted signals over the two channels simultaneously. If a line disconnection is detected, the control circuit automatically initiates a channel switching between the primary channel and secondary channel, and yet optical signals are transmitted and received transparently with high efficiency and reliability.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for switching channel connection between multiple optical channels synchronously and automatically. The apparatus employs an optical switch to interface among a plurality of optical channels, and an optical power meter to monitor data transmission over the plurality of optical channels by measuring the optical power level of optical signals over the channel. When signal transmission is detected over a specific optical channel, the optical switch is locked to the specific optical channel allowing data signals over the specific optical channel to be transmitted to a specific device or another optical channel through the optical switch. When no optical signal is detected over the channel, said optical switch will be switched to another optical channel, such that signal monitoring and switching channels among a plurality of optical channels is able to be performed synchronously and automatically.