Abstract: A reconfigurable optical add-drop mulitplexer comprises a first waveguide layer having formed therein a first multiplexer-demultiplexer, a second multiplexer-demultiplexer, and a plurality of optical switches. The reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer further comprises a second waveguide layer optically coupled to the first waveguide and having a second effective index of refraction, said second waveguide layer having an optical amplifier formed therein. An input signal is amplified by the optical amplifier and communicated to the first optical multiplexer-demultiplexer where the signal is demultiplexed into a plurality individual wavelength signals. The second optical multiplexer-demultiplexer is adapted to receive a multiplexed add signal and to demultiplex the add signal into component wavelength signals. The individual wavelength signals are received at the optical switches and selectively routed to either an optical detector or toward the first multiplexer-demultiplexer.

Abstract: An optical switching device for wavelength divisional multiplexed signals uses cascaded arrays of optical steering devices for 1×N routing of WDM optical signals, where N=4, 8, 16, etc. Two cascaded arrays provide 1×4 switching; three cascaded arrays provide 1×8 switching; and so on. Each array is configured with independently controlled optical steering devices so that each wavelength channel of the WDM signal may be routed to any of N output ports. The optical steering devices may be micro-mirrors, liquid crystal-based polarization modulators, or a combination of both. By incorporating cascaded optical steering devices into a single WDM switching device, cost effective 1×N switching of WDM optical signals may be realized.

Abstract: A method of determining a transmission route for optical signals in an optical signal transmission system comprising a transmitter for optical signals, a receiver for the optical signals, and repeaters for repeating the optical signals transmitted from the transmitter to the receiver, and having transmission routes between the transmitter and the receiver, wherein the numbers of the wavelength components of the optical signals that has been in-use in each section defined to each of the transmission routes, the acquired numbers of wavelength components are compared among the transmission routes, and one of the transmission routes having the minimum number of wavelength components is determined as the transmission route used to set the line.

Abstract: A method for transmitting a packet in a wireless access network based on a wavelength identification code scheme. The method comprises the steps of connecting n number of RNCs (Radio Network Controllers) to one sub-ring where the “n” is a positive integer, and assigning a unique wavelength to each RNC; identifying a packet to be transmitted between the RNCs located within a same sub-ring using the assigned unique wavelength, and transmitting the packet through an SRC (Sub-Ring Controller); connecting m number of SRCs to one main-ring where the “m” is a positive integer, and assigning a unique wavelength to each SRC; and detaching a wavelength identification code from the packet to be transmitted between the RNCs located within different sub-rings, and transmitting the packet having the encapsulated wavelength identification code through an MRC (Main-Ring Controller).

Abstract: An integrated wavelength selectable photodiode includes a device package having an input that receives an optical signal. A set-and-hold, thermally tunable thin-film filter is positioned in the device package and includes an input that is optically coupled to the input of the device package. The set-and-hold, thermally tunable thin-film filter passes light with a predetermined optical bandwidth to an output. An optical element collimates an incident optical beam onto the input of the set-and-hold, thermally tunable thin-film filter. A detector is positioned in the device package and includes an input that is optically coupled to the output of the set-and-hold, thermally tunable thin-film filter. The detector detects data received by the integrated wavelength selectable photodiode.

Abstract: A fiber to the home FTTH network for convergence of broadcasting and communication is disclosed. The network includes: an OLT for receiving and converting a first predetermined number of broadcast signals and an Ethernet signal into a plurality of converted optical signals, combining the converted optical signals into converged optical signals for subsequent transmission by an optical wavelength division multiplexing method; and an optical network unit (ONU) for classifying the optical signal transmitted from the OLT into the first predetermined number of broadcast signals and the Ethernet signal, switching a second predetermined number of broadcasting signals of the first predetermined number of broadcasting signals according to each SIU by channel selection information contained in upstream Ethernet information, and switching the Ethernet signal to be transmitted to the SIU according to each SIU so as to transmit the switched signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical switch in which a switching operation is not affected even when the polarization state of a control light varies. The optical switch includes a loop-form optical waveguide loop circuit formed from an optical nonlinear medium, a control light input arrangement for inputting the control light into the optical waveguide loop circuit and serving as a phase control arrangement, a wavelength demultiplexing/multiplexing circuit, and a phase bias circuit.

Abstract: An optical node includes a plurality of optical input components operable to receive a plurality of signals communicated in an optical mesh network. A plurality of optical drop components coupled to the plurality of optical input components, each optical drop component operable to select a signal to drop to one or more associated client devices from any one of the plurality of optical input components. A plurality of optical output components operable to transmit a plurality of signals to be communicated in the optical mesh network, and a plurality of optical add components coupled to the plurality of optical output components and operable to transmit copies of a plurality of optical add signals to the plurality of optical output components. Each optical output component is operable to select a signal to communicate in the optical mesh network received from any one of the plurality of optical add components and the plurality of optical input components.

Abstract: Embodiments of present system encompass: a plurality of laser sources that produce a plurality of respectively different optical wavelengths; a matrix switch having a plurality of inputs operatively coupled to the plurality of laser sources, each of the plurality of inputs receiving a respective optical wavelength; and the matrix switch having an output that produces a series of interleaved pulses of the different optical wavelengths.

Abstract: A transmission apparatus that receives an optical signal by selecting any one of a plurality of provided optical signal transmission paths through protection control is configured to include a plurality of optical signal outputting sections that output the optical signals transmitted through said optical signal transmission paths respectively as optical signals having wavelengths that are different from each other, a wavelength selective optical switch capable of selectively outputting light of a wavelength corresponding to any one of the optical signals coming from the optical signal outputting sections on the basis of the frequency of a controlling frequency signal, and an optical switch controlling section that supplies said controlling frequency signal to the wavelength selective optical switch so as to output the optical signal coming from the optical signal transmission path side that is selected by said protection control among the optical signals coming from the optical signal outputting sections.

Abstract: An optical network backup channel switching control device is proposed, which is designed for use in conjunction with an optical network for providing a backup channel switching control function, and which is characterized by the capability of generating a main-channel monitoring beam and a backup-channel monitoring beam both on the local side and the remote side, where the main-channel monitoring beam is detected on the opposite side to determine whether the main channel is in good condition, and if a failure occurs to the main channel, the backup-channel monitoring beam is detected to determine whether the backup channel is in good condition. If the backup channel is in good condition, a switching action is then performed to switch the connection to the backup channel. This feature allows the optical network to have a higher level of reliability in operation.

Abstract: A wavelength access server (WAS) architecture provides aggregation of traffic streams of diverse data communication protocols as well as provision of wavelength resources in an optical transport network. The WAS provides functions such as service traffic adaptation, traffic aggregation and segmentation, traffic classification, optical inter-working and system management. In particular, system management includes aspects such as signaling, connection management, resource co-ordination, protection prioritization and access policy management.

Abstract: A method and a protection switching arrangement for protection switching of any one of a plurality of optical signals of a multi-wavelength optical signal from the failure of an optical component is provided. The multi-wavelength optical signal which contains the optical signals is itself rerouted by the use of wavelength agnostic rerouting elements, after which a tunable optical filter is used to obtain from the multi-wavelength optical signal the particular optical signal which would have been affected by the failure. In embodiments of the invention where the failed component is a switching fabric, the multi-wavelength optical signal is rerouted away from the failed switching fabric through a redundant switching fabric after which the particular optical signal is obtained with use of the tunable optical filter.

Abstract: An optical node for optical burst transport includes optical components operable to transmit and receive optical signals over an optical transmission medium. The optical components include a demultiplexer that is operable to receive a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) optical signal at an input port and to separate the WDM optical signal into two or more constituent wavelength signals, and a switching matrix that includes one or more electro-optic switches. Each electro-optic switch is operable to receive a wavelength signal and switch the signal to one of two outputs, and the outputs include an output port of the optical node and one or more drop output ports of the optical node.

Abstract: An improved photonic switch having optical amplification is described. Signals are amplified before they are switched, after they are switched, or both before and after they are switched. The optical amplification compensates for fixed losses within the switch and transmission system, or provides output power equalization. The photonic switching system includes a demultiplexer for dividing incoming light into different wavelengths or wavebands. The different signals are then supplied to optical amplifiers. The amplifiers amplify the optical signals before supplying them to the optical switch core. Once in the optical switch core, the signals are switched as desired to specified output nodes, then multiplexed back together to provide an output signal from the photonic switching system. In some systems amplification is further provided on the output side.

Abstract: A wavelength division multiplexed optical communication system including a first optical line interface optically coupled to a first transponder and an optical demultiplexer through which the first optical line interface is not optically coupled to the first transponder. The system also includes a second optical line interface and at least one switch. The switch is operable to optically couple the second optical line interface to (a) the first optical line interface through at least the optical demultiplexer, and alternatively (b) the second transponder. A method for an optical add/drop multiplexing system also is provided.

Abstract: In order to determine a spectral route between a departure node (N1) and an arrival node (N6) in a WDM optical telecommunications network, the method comprises a step of determining a spatial route connecting the departure node to the arrival node, said spatial route comprising a sequence of route segments (Li), each route segment directly interconnecting two network nodes and being capable of conveying at least one wavelength. The method further comprises the following steps: identifying wavelengths that are usable along each of the route segments; and constructing a graph in which the vertices (i,fk,?l) are the wavelengths usable in the route segments and the arcs joining each of two consecutive vertices are the transitions between the wavelengths represented respectively by said consecutive vertices.

Abstract: A method and a system in which selected wavelengths of a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) signal are modulated with multicast data for multicasting data services on an optical network. The WDM signal is received from a hub node of the optical network, such as a unidirectional ring network or a bi-directional ring network. A four-port wavelength crossbar switch (4WCS) selectably switches selected wavelengths from the optical network to a modulator loop. The modulator loop includes a multicast modulator that modulates the selected plurality of wavelengths with the multicast data. Each modulated wavelength is then switched back to the optical network by the 4WCS switch, and sent to a plurality of subscriber nodes of the optical network. This architecture allows a facility provider to be physically separated from a content provider, and affords the flexibility of selectively delivering multicast content to individual subscribers.

Abstract: A modular cross connect system for optical telecommunication networks has the optical unit divided in at least two main bodies with one section for connection comprising the collimators and a main commutation section with MEMS devices. The first section is a fixed part while the second section is a readily removable section. The two sections face each other through a window and, in the first section, optics are provided for steering all or part of the optical signals from and to the main MEMS unit to a MEMS standby or protection plane to allow replacement of the main MEMS unit without interrupting service.

Abstract: A technique for photonic switching is disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized as a method for photonic switching. The method may comprise receiving at least one optical signal at a photonic line card, wherein the at least one optical signal comprises one or more wavelength channels and the photonic line card comprises at least one integrated optical switch. The method may also comprise routing at least one of the one or more wavelength channels through the at least one integrated optical switch to a photonic bus, wherein the photonic bus comprises a plurality of optical paths and each of the plurality of optical paths is capable of carrying multiple wavelength channels.

Abstract: A tool for static or dynamic planning of a WDM network with dedicated protection. The WDM network is represented by a layered graph having image nodes for each node of the network and horizontal arcs for each link of the network, so as to replicate in each layer the topology of the network. A Bhandari algorithm is adapted for finding on the layered graph a working-spare pair of lightpaths for each connection request to be allocated.

Abstract: A method for creating a full duplex fiber optic network using one single fiber optic cable of the multimode fiber type for simultaneous transmission and reception is described. The method includes the steps of equipping end user devices and switches with bidirectional transceivers utilizing multi-frequency lasers, allocation of wavelengths to the end user devices to assure interoperability of redundant systems, and connecting the elements with multimode fiber optic cable. The network components include multi-frequency bidirectional transceivers, switches, and multimode fiber optic cable. This full duplex fiber optic network can be created as a single-backbone network or multiple-backbone network operating in series or in parallel to provide backup redundancy. Various embodiments are disclosed to show the versatility and scalability of the network.

Abstract: A traffic signal node cross scheduling method includes: decomposing a multi-wavelength signal into multiple first single-wavelength signals; decomposing a first single-wavelength signal into multiple small-granularity wavelength signals; scheduling the multiple small-granularity wavelength signals; and converging the multiple small-granularity wavelength signals after scheduled into a second single-wavelength signal. A traffic signal node cross scheduling system is also provided by the embodiments of the present invention. According to the traffic signal node cross scheduling method and system provided by the embodiments of the present invention, one scheduling matrix may be used to implement the scheduling of the wavelength and sub-wavelength traffics, which improves the integration of the network node cross scheduling system and the utilization rate of the scheduling matrix, and reduces the hardware cost of the network node cross scheduling system.

Abstract: Optical bypass node upgrade configurations are disclosed: (1) a configuration where optical taps are pre-positioned in wavelength division multiplex (WDM) line systems terminating at optical-electrical-optical (OEO) core switching nodes to allow for future upgrade of the nodes to degree-two or higher optical bypass; (2) a configuration where the taps are pre-positioned in a degree-two optical bypass node to allow for future upgrade to a degree-N optical bypass node; and (3) a configuration and procedure for upgrading OEO core switching nodes to optical bypass when the taps have not been pre-positioned in the WDM line systems. These configurations do not introduce bit errors for non-upgraded optical paths.

Abstract: A method and system provide capacity-efficient restoration within an optical fiber communication system. The system includes a plurality of nodes each interconnected by optical fibers. Each optical fiber connection between nodes includes at least three channel groups with different priority levels for restoration switching in response to a connection failure. The system maintains and restores full-capacity communication services by switching at least a portion of the channel groups from a first optical fiber connection to a second optical fiber connection system based on the priority levels assigned to the channel groups. Service reliability is effectively maintained without incurring additional costs for dedicated spare optical fiber equipment by improving idle capacity utilization.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) Passive Optical Network (PON) system having a dual central office. The WDM PON system is configured to guarantee system stability by employing a plurality of central offices on a ring type optical communication line and allowing another central office to assume control when a problem occurs in one central office, and further to appropriately compensate for various types of loss caused by various environmental factors, such as insertion loss caused by interfacing various devices with a ring type optical communication line and loss caused by the degradation of an optical cable.

Abstract: A device and method for multiplexing or demultiplexing M optical signals, each having a different wavelength ?m. An MMI waveguide has a length such that each optical signal that propagates into the MMI waveguide at an i:th access waveguide, where i?N, and N is greater than or equal to 2, produces N self-images inside the MMI waveguide at a respective distance Im from the access waveguides. Each of M wavelength selective reflectors is arranged near a respective distance Im, wherein the m:th reflector reflects the optical signal carried by the m:th wavelength, where 2?m?M, while being substantially transparent to all other wavelengths. Each of M phase adjustors is arranged relative to a corresponding reflector, wherein the m:th phase adjustor adjusts the phase of the self-images of the optical signal carried by the m:th wavelength to create a single self-image at a selected output access waveguide when reflected by the m:th reflector.

Abstract: System and methods for upgrading an optical add-drop multiplexer (OADM) to higher degree wavelength selective router (WSR)/wavelength selective switch (WSS) are disclosed. For example, an OADM of degree-2 may be provisioned for upgrades to degree-3 and higher. The existing links power and signal-to-noise (SNR) budgets are not significantly affected when the node is upgraded to a higher degree WSS/WSR. Cascaded power dividers and combiners may be used in conjunction with optical amplifiers and reconfigurable blocking filters to increase the number of paths over which an optical signal can be routed/switched without affecting the paths already utilized. Prior to enabling service on either an input or output fiber, taps and combiners are pre-provisioned so as to ensure that at least one additional transmission path is always available.

Abstract: Hierarchical hybrid optical networking is based on balancing cost and performance of optical networks by providing transparent (optical) switching of subsets of wavelengths in addition to opaque (electrical) switching of individual light paths. Effective use of wavelength-subset switching requires aggregating and deaggregating wavelength subsets in a simple, cost-effective manner. Non-uniform wavebands are introduced and analyzed their performance advantage as compared with uniform wavebands. Also proposed are several architectural options for a hierarchical hybrid optical cross-connect system that combines non-uniform wavebands and improved utilization of OEO ports.

Abstract: An optoelectronic device that has a network address (e.g., IF address) and participates in in-band traffic for purposes of performing functions (e.g., network diagnostics, network control, network provisioning, fault isolation, etc.) that are traditionally performed by host equipment. An embodiment of the invention may have a protocol engine and a status monitoring module. The protocol engine identifies data packets that are addressed to the optoelectronic device, and allows the optoelectronic device to insert packets of information generated by the device into in-band data. Logic of the optoelectronic device may modify the operating parameters of the device according to the control information included in the data packets. The status monitoring module detects the device's physical conditions and the conditions of its links.

Abstract: A wavelength selective optical switch of the present invention separates a WDM light emitted from an input port of an input and output optical system, according to wavelengths, by a diffraction grating, and thereafter, condenses the lights of respective wavelengths on MEMS mirrors respectively corresponding to the respective wavelengths, in a mirror array, to reflect them by a condenser optical system, to thereby switch optical paths for the respective lights. The condenser optical system is configured by combining a plurality of lenses whose focal distances are different from each other, and positions in an optical axis direction of the lenses are adjustable by a slide mechanism. Thus, despite an error in the focal distances of the condenser lenses, in a mounting angle of a spectral element or the like, a beam pitch at the condensing positions of the lights of respective wavelengths can be coincident with a mirror pitch in the mirror array.

Abstract: The field of the invention is that of switching optical signals with carrier wavelength conversion capacity, comprising a set of input ports (PE1-PEn), a set of output ports (PS1-PSn) functionally connected to the input ports so that an input signal presented to one of the input ports may be selectively routed to at least one of the output ports, and wavelength conversion means (34) providing a capacity for converting an input signal carrier wavelength to at least one other output port output wavelength.

Abstract: An optical packet switching system in which transmission quality, reliability, and system management in optical packet switching control are improved. An optical packet switch section includes semiconductor optical amplifiers as gate switches multistage-connected on paths along which optical packets sent from a plurality of input line cards are transmitted and performs optical packet switching by broadcasting the optical packets to a plurality of gate switches, by selecting the optical packets by ON/OFF gating operation of the gate switches, and by absorbing noise signals which flow along non-selected paths by putting gate switches at a final stage into the OFF state. A switch control section exercises ON/OFF drive control over the gate switches in the optical packet switch section on the basis of port connection requests from the plurality of input line cards so as to generate requested paths.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatuses are described in which an array of optical gain mediums capable of lasing are contained in a single integral unit. The array may contain four or more optical gain mediums capable of lasing. Each optical gain medium capable of lasing supplies a separate optical signal containing a band of wavelengths different than the other optical gain mediums capable of lasing in the array to a first multiplexer/demultiplexer. A connection for an output fiber exists to route an optical signal to and from a passive optical network.

Abstract: In a WDM optical communication network composed of a transmitter, an optical switching device (an optical cross-connect, an optical router, etc.) and a receiver, when transmitting switching information to the optical switching device, the transmitter suspends the transmission of a main signal by a wavelength for switching of a WDM optical signal and transmits switching information instead. Upon receipt of this switching information, the optical switching device switches a route, re-starts the transmission of a main signal after the switching is completed and transfers the main signal through the switched route. The signal speed of switching information is sufficiently lower than the modulation speed of the main signals with other wavelengths.

Abstract: An optical network, which includes edge and switching nodes, optically communicate information formatted into statistically multiplexed control and data bursts and/or metadata. Control bursts are transmitted prior to the data bursts to configure optical switches in selected switching nodes so that the data bursts do not require O-E-O conversion. Each edge node consists of an adaptive PBS medium-access layer (MAC) component in order to achieve the transmission throughput improvement. The adaptive PBS MAC component enables the PBS data burst size to adapt to the TCP flow, allowing the PBS data burst to be transmitted immediately for the TCP flow experiencing TCP slow start. It performs a “deep” packet inspection of control packets coming back to the data source from the destination PBS network edge node to detect packet losses.

Abstract: Consistent with the present invention, tunable demultiplexers are provided in WSS-based add/drop multiplexer. The tunable demultiplexers are modular and thus allow the add/drop multiplexer to be readily expandable, and facilitate flexible add/drop capabilities whereby a channel present on any input line to the WSS can be dropped and supplied to one or more desired outputs of the tunable demultiplexer. Similar flexibility can be achieved on the add-side of the WSS. Moreover, the demultiplexers and the WSS are remotely configurable, thus obviating the need to manually disconnect and connect demultiplexers to a router. In a particular embodiment, multicast switches are provided that permit the same channel, for example, to be provided to one or more outputs of the add/drop multiplexer, such that copy of the channel can carry working traffic while the other copy carries protection traffic. As a result, 1+1 and 1:N optical layer protection can be achieved.

Abstract: A modular reconfigurable multi-server system for use in a wavelength-division-multiplexed based photonic burst switched (PBS) network with variable time slot provisioning. An optical high-speed I/O module within the multi-server system enables it to serve as an edge node in the PBS network. The optical I/O module statistically multiplexes the incoming packets (e.g., IP packets or Ethernet frames) received from a legacy network, generates control and data bursts, which are then scheduled for transmission over the PBS network. The optical I/O module then optically transmits and receives the scheduled optical bursts according to traffic priority and available network resources.

Abstract: An optical switch for switching communication light beams propagating through a plurality of optical fibers. The switch includes a plurality of input-side lenses, a plurality of moving mirrors, a plurality of output-side lenses, light emitting units, and light receiving units arranged for optical communication. The plurality of input-side lenses include first input-side lenses to which communication light beams coming from first external units and propagating through input-side optical fibers connect optically and second input-side lenses to which the light beams from the light emitting units connect optically.

Abstract: An optical add/drop multiplexer (OADM) adapted to route optical signals having at least two different bit rates. The OADM has at least two sets of DWDM channels, e.g., with channels in a first set having a first bandwidth value suitable for the transmission of 10-Gb/s signals and channels in a second set having a second bandwidth value suitable for the transmission of 40-Gb/s signals. The first and second sets occupy two different spectral bands and the first set has two subsets of interleaved channels. In one embodiment, the OADM has first and second optical branches adapted to process optical signals corresponding to first and second groups of channels, respectively. The first group includes a first subset from the first set while the second group includes the second set and a second subset from the first set. Advantageously, OADMs of the invention may be used to create independent processing paths for different groups of channels. As a result, a communication system having those OADMs can be upgraded, e.g.

Abstract: The multi-unit wavelength switch enables multiple independent wavelength switching of a plurality of incoming multiplexed optical beams simultaneously on the same optical platform. The different units can have similar functionality or provide disparate functionality, e.g. any one or more of switching, dynamic gain equalization, wavelength blocking, and power monitoring.

Abstract: An optical network includes a plurality of subnets. The subnets each include a plurality of add/drop nodes coupled to the optical ring and operable to passively add and drop traffic to and from the optical ring. The network further includes a plurality of gateway nodes. The gateway nodes are each coupled to the optical ring at a boundary between neighboring subnets and operable to selectively pass and terminate wavelengths between subnets to allow wavelength reuse in the subnets and to provide protection switching.

Abstract: A main optical signal is wavelength-multiplexed with an optical identifier which is different in wavelength from this main optical signal, before a wavelength-demultiplexing is take place at a desired point so as to isolate the optical identifier from the main optical signal for the purpose of monitoring establishment of correct or incorrect transmission route between transmission and receiving sides based on the detected optical identifier with reference to the stored corresponding data to the relationship between the main optical signal and the optical identifier which belongs to the main optical signal, wherein the monitoring is made without any photoelectric conversion of the main optical signal and any deterioration in quality of the main optical signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical communication network and to a network element for use in such a network. The network element comprises a plurality of receivers (70-76) for receiving optical communication signals, a plurality of transmitters (54-62, 82-86) for transmitting optical communication signals, and a plurality of network connections, each network connection having an individual signal impairment characteristic. The pluralities of receivers (70-76) and transmitters (54-62, 82-86) are adapted to employ a plurality of different modulation schemes (64, 66). Furthermore, the pluralities of receivers (70-76) and transmitters (54-62, 82-86) are assigned to the network connections as a function of the individual signal impairment characteristics.

Abstract: The optical systems of the present invention include optical switching device generally configured to control signal characteristic profiles over the pluralities of signal channels, or wavelengths, to provide desired signal characteristic profiles at the output ports of the device. Various signal characteristics that can be controlled include power level, cross-talk, optical signal to noise ratio, etc. The optical switching devices can include balanced demultiplexer/multiplexer combinations and switches that provide for uniform optical loss through the devices. In addition, low extinction ratio switches can be configured to provide higher extinction ratios.

Abstract: An architecture and method for performing coarse-grain reservation of lightpaths within wavelength-division-multiplexed (WDM) based photonic burst switched (PBS) networks with variable time slot provisioning. The method employs a generalized multi-protocol label switched (GMPLS)-based PBS label that includes information identifying each lightpath segment in a selected lightpath route. A resource reservation request is passed between nodes during a forward traversal of the route, wherein each node is queried to determine whether it has transmission resources (i.e., a route lightpath segment) available during a future timeframe. Soft reservations are made for each lightpath segment that is available using information contained in a corresponding label. If all lightpath segments for a selected route are available, the soft reservations turn into hard reservations. The stored reservations enable quick routing of control burst that are employed for routing data during scheduled use of the lightpaths.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical ring network for burst data communication having a plurality of core nodes connected with each other through fiber links. Each core node comprises a demultiplexer for demultiplexing a received optical signal into a plurality of channels by wavelength, an add/drop section for dropping channels selected from the plurality of channels based on a control signal, a multiplexer for multiplexing and outputting the plurality of channels inputted through the add/drop section, a branching section arranged between the demultiplexer and the add/drop section for branching off channel portions from each channel, and a controller for recognizing destinations for frames with each channel modulated and outputting the control signal for dropping the selected channels to the add/drop section.

Abstract: A modular reconfigurable multi-server system with hybrid optical and electrical switching fabrics for high-speed networking within a wavelength-division-multiplexed based photonic burst-switched (PBS) network with variable time slot provisioning. An optical high-speed I/O module within the multi-server system includes an optical switch with the control interface unit. A server module of the multi-server system statistically multiplexes IP packets and/or Ethernet frames to be transmitted over the PBS network, generate control and data bursts and schedule their transmission. Then, the server E-O converts the bursts, and then transmits the optical bursts to the optical I/O module. The optical I/O module then optically transmits the bursts to the next hop in the optical path after processing the optical control burst to configure the optical switch, which then optically switches the optical data burst without performing an O-E-O conversion.

Abstract: A bit-rate-transparent electrical space-division switching matrix is employed in an optical cross-connect and the input/output stage is constructed from simple, broadband optical receivers and transmitters. Since the switching matrix operates in unclocked manner, i.e. its switching function is not based on internal bit timing and frame timing, arbitrary signals can be switched though transparently at almost any bit rate, independently of the protocol-type being used. The inputs and outputs likewise operate fully independently of bit rate and protocol, since they only implement an O/E conversion or O/E conversion. By virtue of this structure, a simply constructed but extremely powerful optical cross-connect is created that can be employed equally for all types of optical signals within the stipulated wavelength-range.

Abstract: For a WDM device including a multiplexer receiving fixed wavelengths, wavelength-converting parts for converting input wavelengths from optical transmission devices into the fixed wavelengths, and interface parts provided between the multiplexer and the wavelength-converting parts and having a specific wavelength that matches the fixed wavelength of the multiplexing part, a method and a device is provided for automatically determining the specific wavelength of the interface part that is to be selected as a converted wavelength output from the wavelength-converting part.