Abstract: A method of protection switching between first and second transceivers where dispersion compensation is effected electrically in the transmitters. The method includes detecting, at the second transceiver, a signal failure of a signal transmitted from the first transceiver and, upon detecting the signal failure, signalling the first transceiver to change its compensation function. The signalling can be done by encoding overhead bits in a signal transmitted from the second to the first transceiver. Another method of protection switching includes both transceivers toggling alternate reception paths upon detecting a signal failure and changing their dispersion compensation function to that of their respective alternate path.

Abstract: An interworking device, method and system distribute reference timing between at least two communication networks. The interworking device includes a first communication interface operable to communicate with a first communication network operating using a first communication protocol and a second communication interface operable to communicate with a second communication network operating using a second communication protocol. The interworking device also includes a client generic framing procedure/optical transport network (“GFP/OTN”) mapping block in communication with the first communication interface and the second communication interface. The client GFP/OTN mapping block recovers a first reference timing signal from data received from the first communication network.

Abstract: An interworking device, method and system distribute reference timing between at least two communication networks. The interworking device includes a first communication interface operable to communicate with a first communication network operating using a first communication protocol and a second communication interface operable to communicate with a second communication network operating using a second communication protocol. The interworking device also includes a client generic framing procedure/optical transport network (“GFP/OTN”) mapping block in communication with the first communication interface and the second communication interface. The client GFP/OTN mapping block recovers a first reference timing signal from data received from the first communication network.