Abstract: Methods for protecting data signals which are being transmitted via optical conductors are disclosed. At least one operational optical conductor set that is connected at both ends to optical switching devices is provided for the purpose of bi-directional transmission of the data signals. A stand-by optical conductor set is also connected at both ends to the optical switching devices. In the event of interference on at least one optical conductor of the operational optical conductor set, such as a signal failure determined at the receiving end, there is a switchover at the receiving end from the respective operational optical conductor set to the stand-by optical conductor set. Consequently, there is a signal failure at the opposite end, and immediately thereupon there is also a similar switchover at the opposite end to the stand-by optical conductor set.

Abstract: Methods for protecting data signals which are being transmitted via optical conductors are disclosed. At least one operational optical conductor set that is connected at both ends to optical switching devices is provided for the purpose of bi-directional transmission of the data signals. A stand-by optical conductor set is also connected at both ends to the optical switching devices. In the event of interference on at least one optical conductor of the operational optical conductor set, such as a signal failure determined at the receiving end, there is a switchover at the receiving end from the respective operational optical conductor set to the stand-by optical conductor set. Consequently, there is a signal failure at the opposite end, and immediately thereupon there is also a similar switchover at the opposite end to the stand-by optical conductor set.

Abstract: A method for standby switching in optical transmission devices is provided, wherein, in addition to a working signal and a protection signal, respective control signals with information concerning the allocation state are transmitted and evaluated at the receiving end. The control signals are transmitted via a monitoring channel even when the useful signal is switched off.

Abstract: An optical cross-connect having a distribution rack, which can be monitored via a network management system, having external and internal optical distribution inputs and distribution outputs, wherein the equipment complexity for connecting optical connections as required between the inputs and outputs is greatly reduced.

Abstract: A controllable optical switching module (OSM) has at least N optical inputs (i1 to iN) and at least N optical outputs (e1 to eN) for selectively switching through optical signals (os1 to osN), with a respective optical signal (os1 to osN) being able to be switched through from an optical input (i1 to iN) via a respective switching point (SP) in a switching matrix (SM) to an optical output (e1 to eN) using a control unit (CU). The order of the arrangement of the optical inputs (i1 to iN) is determined by virtue of the respective attenuation (A1 to AN) produced when the optical signals (os1 to osN) are switched through from an optical input (i1 to iN) via a switching point (SP) to an optical output (e1 to eN) increasing or decreasing from the first to the Nth optical input (i1 to iN).

Abstract: Method for operating a multistage NxN space division switching arrangementIn a multistage integrated-optical NxN space division switching arrangement with N=2.sup.n (where n=1, 2, 3, . . . ) input pyramids, which each follow a space division switching arrangement input, of integrated-optical lx2 switches which may have two switched-on states, and N=2.sup.n output pyramids, which each precede a space division switching arrangement output, of integrated-optical 1x2 switches which may have two switched-on states, and having a (perfect shuffle) link network of N.sup.2 links running between input and output pyramids, in which network light at one and the same wavelength always occurs at each input of the NxN space division switching arrangement, the wavelength of the individual inputs being repeated at intervals of in each case M=2.sup.m (where m=1, 2, . . . , n-1) inputs,--when in each case two links are directly connected to each of the respective 2.sup.

Abstract: For alternate circuiting between the two fibers of a double light waveguide connection proceeding between two nodes, the optical signal is split at the transmission side onto the two fibers. The two fibers are combined at the node of the reception side by an optical switch over device via which the working fiber is connected to the node of the receive side during a normal operating mode and which, in an alternate circuit mode, the redundant fiber is automatically connected to the node of the receive side instead of the working fiber. Two optical switches are inserted at the transmission side between the splitter and the two fibers, both of these optical switches being closed in normal operating mode. Only the optical switch inserted between the redundant fiber and the splitter remains closed in the alternate circuit mode, by contrast whereto the optical switch inserted between the splitter and the working fiber is opened.