Abstract: A reconfigurable optical add drop multiplexer core device includes a light distributor, a light combiner, and first and second sets of add and drop ports. The light distributor is configured to receive an optical signal along a primary input of the reconfigurable optical add drop multiplexer core device and to distribute the received optical signal along a plurality of subtending outputs. The light combiner is configured to receive optical signals along a plurality of subtending inputs, to combine the received optical signals into a combined signal, and to output the combined signal. The add and drop ports in the first set function as add and drop ports, respectively, and the add and drop ports in the second set function as both add and drop ports, respectively, and as express ports connectable to another reconfigurable optical add drop multiplexer core device.

Abstract: An optical node includes a reconfigurable optical add drop multiplexer (ROADM) core configured to transmit optical signals of multiple wavelengths to and receive optical signals of multiple wavelengths from another optical node. The ROADM core is also configured to add optical signals thereto and to drop optical signals therefrom. The node also includes two different types of add-on devices, each connected to the ROADM core device and configured to process optical signals of multiple wavelengths. As a result, a multifunctional and reconfigurable optical node can be provided.

Abstract: A reconfigurable optical add drop multiplexer core device includes a light distributor, a light combiner, and first and second sets of add and drop ports. The light distributor is configured to receive an optical signal along a primary input of the reconfigurable optical add drop multiplexer core device and to distribute the received optical signal along a plurality of subtending outputs. The light combiner is configured to receive optical signals along a plurality of subtending inputs, to combine the received optical signals into a combined signal, and to output the combined signal. The add and drop ports in the first set function as add and drop ports, respectively, and the add and drop ports in the second set function as both add and drop ports, respectively, and as express ports connectable to another reconfigurable optical add drop multiplexer core device.

Abstract: A reconfigurable optical add drop multiplexer core device includes a light distributor, a light combiner, and first and second sets of add and drop ports. The light distributor is configured to receive an optical signal along a primary input of the reconfigurable optical add drop multiplexer core device and to distribute the received optical signal along a plurality of subtending outputs. The light combiner is configured to receive optical signals along a plurality of subtending inputs, to combine the received optical signals into a combined signal, and to output the combined signal. The add and drop ports in the first set function as add and drop ports, respectively, and the add and drop ports in the second set function as both add and drop ports, respectively, and as express ports connectable to another reconfigurable optical add drop multiplexer core device.

Abstract: An enhanced Dense Wave Division Multiplexing (DWDM) network is optimized through bundling subchannel traffic in DWDM channels at network nodes and “hubbing” the DWDM channels at nodes receiving a relatively higher volume of aggregate traffic than other nodes. The optimization can eliminate low rate links and supporting network equipment. The bundling and hubbing may also be used independently from one another. The DWDM network may be enhanced with SONET, SDH, Ethernet, ATM, or other technology. The DWDM network may be a BLSR, UPSR, point-to-point, mesh, or other network configuration.

Abstract: A method and corresponding apparatus allows multiple virtual switches in a physical switch to share one physical Resilient Packet Ring (RPR) in an RPR network. Modules in the multiple virtual switches add multicast information to traffic to direct the traffic along a common path to other physical switches on the ring, and modules in the virtual switches inspect traffic to determine whether the traffic is directed to the respective virtual switch. Multiple virtual RPR subrings are made available in a single physical ring, increasing usefulness of virtual switches formerly only able to support multiple tributary connections to other networks but not able to share a single ring network communications path. Sharing a single communications path increases overall network bandwidth, and at least one implementation allows for spatial reuse.

Abstract: A reconfigurable optical add drop multiplexer core device includes a light distributor, a light combiner, and first and second sets of add and drop ports. The light distributor is configured to receive an optical signal along a primary input of the reconfigurable optical add drop multiplexer core device and to distribute the received optical signal along a plurality of subtending outputs. The light combiner is configured to receive optical signals along a plurality of subtending inputs, to combine the received optical signals into a combined signal, and to output the combined signal. The add and drop ports in the first set function as add and drop ports, respectively, and the add and drop ports in the second set function as both add and drop ports, respectively, and as express ports connectable to another reconfigurable optical add drop multiplexer core device.

Abstract: An optical node includes a reconfigurable optical add drop multiplexer (ROADM) core configured to transmit optical signals of multiple wavelengths to and receive optical signals of multiple wavelengths from another optical node. The ROADM core is also configured to add optical signals thereto and to drop optical signals therefrom. The node also includes two different types of add-on devices, each connected to the ROADM core device and configured to process optical signals of multiple wavelengths. As a result, a multifunctional and reconfigurable optical node can be provided.

Abstract: An optical node includes a reconfigurable optical add drop multiplexer (ROADM) core configured to transmit optical signals of multiple-wavelengths to and receive optical signals of multiple-wavelengths from another optical node via a network interface, and to add optical signals thereto and to drop optical signals therefrom. The node also includes two of a colorless optical add/drop device, a colored optical add/drop device, and a spur optical device configured to receive signals from the network interface and output the received signals from a spur interface, to add signals that are output from the spur interface without passing through the network interface, to receive signals from the spur interface and transmit the received signals to the ROADM core and the network interface, and to receive signals from the spur interface and drop the received signals without passing through the network interface.

Abstract: An enhanced Dense Wave Division Multiplexing (DWDM) network is optimized through bundling subchannel traffic in DWDM channels at network nodes and “hubbing” the DWDM channels at nodes receiving a relatively higher volume of aggregate traffic than other nodes. The optimization can eliminate low rate links and supporting network equipment. The bundling and hubbing may also be used independently from one another. The DWDM network may be enhanced with SONET, SDH, Ethernet, ATM, or other technology. The DWDM network may be a BLSR, UPSR, point-to-point, mesh, or other network configuration.