Abstract: A repeatered, multichannel fiber optic communication network includes a plurality of full duplex fiber optic channels and one or more auxiliary channels. In order to supervise and control the operation of the network, for both data transmission and fault/maintenance actions, each terminal station contains a processor-based subsystem capable of network monitoring, first level maintenance action, fault isolation, and remote network control and status reporting. This processor-based subsystem interfaces with each fiber optic channel, with an orderwire communication link, and with external input/output devices and surveillance equipment. Three substantially autonomous processor-based sections which are dedicated to performing specific functions within the overall network operation are employed for carrying out these separate interfacing tasks.

Abstract: Voice and alarm signalling capability between supervisory personnel at monitor and control sites located at separated transceiver facilities of a (repeatered) multichannel communication network is provided by a multichannel multiplexed encode/decode scheme in which voice and/or alarm signals generated at one station are digitally encoded and formatted so as to be inserted into the data stream of the normally conveyed data traffic over the active channels of the network. At the receiving terminal site, these inserted signals are removed from the high data rate digital data stream and delivered to decoding equipment which reconstructs the original voice and/or alarm signals for delivery to the audio equipment of station operation personnel. The encoded signals are inserted as overhead bits for each active channel, so that a fault on one channel will not prevent the completion of trasmission of the intended communication between terminal site personnel.