Abstract: Optical switches can include collimator elements that accommodate two or more optical ports. This increases the number of ports the switch can accommodate without having to increase the size of other optical components within the switch. Separate deflectors can be used to accommodate optical signals from two different groups of ports. In some embodiments cross-coupling of signals between the two groups can be accomplished through use of re-direction optics.

Abstract: A computer implemented method provisions optical wavelength connections. A set of applications is grouped to form a set of application groups. A single optical connection having a bandwidth is established through a management plane for each of the set of application groups. A set of persistent upper layer connections is then established for each of the set of application groups. The underlying optical connection is adjusted while preserving the state of the upper layer protocols.

Abstract: A wavelength selective switch includes a substrate. On the substrate, the wavelength selective switch includes at least one input port, a dispersive element, a light converging element, a light deflecting member, an output port, and a driving mechanism which drives at least one of the dispersive element, the light condenser element, and the light deflecting member, and drive by the driving mechanism is a rotational drive around an axis perpendicular to the substrate, for the dispersive element, and is a translational drive in a direction of dispersion of wavelength with respect to the substrate, for the light condenser element or the light deflecting member.

Abstract: In a multi-chip module (MCM), integrated circuits are coupled by optical waveguides. These integrated circuits receive optical signals from a set of tunable light sources. Moreover, a given integrated circuit includes: a transmitter that modulates at least one of the optical signals when transmitting information to at least another of the integrated circuits; and a receiver that receives at least one modulated optical signal having a given carrier wavelength associated with the given integrated circuit when receiving information from at least the other of the integrated circuits. Furthermore, control logic in the MCM provides a control signal to the set of tunable light sources to specify carrier wavelengths in the optical signals output by the set of tunable light sources, thereby defining routing of at least the one of the optical signals in the MCM during communication between at least a pair of the integrated circuits.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a frequency spectrum of an RF signal comprising a gate switch for generating a series of pulses from a laser of wavelength lambda modulated by an input RE signal, a first fiber optical loop for circulating a first percentage of a first pulse of the series of pulses from the gate switch, for a predetermined number of cycles n where each cycle takes time t1, a second fiber optical loop for conducting a second percentage of the first pulse for predetermined number of cycles “k”, where each cycle takes time t2, where t2*k=t1*n, a first switch with a first state for coupling the first pulse from the gate switch to a coupler, the coupler coupling the first pulse into the first fiber optical loop and tapping replicas of the pulse from the first fiber optical loop, and a second state for coupling the second percentage of the first pulse to the coupler to increase intensity of the tapped replica pulses, a processor for correlating the replicas of the pulse with each other to produce a set o

Abstract: An optical transmission apparatus according to the present invention includes: wave splitter (101) splitting an input optical signal into a plurality of wavelength bands; a plurality of optical switches (111-113) composed of optical shutters or variable optical attenuators that pass or shut off split optical signals corresponding to a plurality of optical signals split by wave splitter (101); optical coupler (120) combining optical signals that are output from the plurality of optical switches (111-113); and control section (130) setting up each of the plurality of optical switches (111-113), in which each of the plurality of optical switches is in a state of passing the split optical signals or in a state of shutting-off the split optical signals.

Abstract: The present application provides a method for wavelength switching on a multi-wavelength passive optical network, including: duplicating, when an optical network unit needs to switch from a first wavelength channel to a second wavelength channel, downlink data to be sent to the optical network unit into multiple copies, and sending the multiple copies of the downlink data to the optical network unit separately through multiple wavelength channels, where the multiple wavelength channels include at least the first wavelength channel and the second wavelength channel; sending a downlink wavelength switching command to the optical network unit to instruct the optical network unit to switch a downlink receiving wavelength of the optical network unit to a downlink wavelength of the second wavelength channel; and stopping downlink data duplication and sending the downlink data to the optical network unit through the second wavelength channel.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed in which a link state advertisement message (LSA) conforming to a Generalized Multiprotocol Label Switching (GMPLS) routing protocol is generated and transmitted. The LSA is associated with a TE Link between a transmit node and a receive node in a network. The transmit node supplies a plurality of optical signals, each of which has a plurality of frequencies, the frequencies being allocated among a plurality of spectral portions such that the plurality of spectral portions are grouped into a plurality of frequency slots. The LSA may include information indicative of a number of spectral portions, e.g., spectral slices, which correspond to frequencies of selected ones of the plurality of optical signals, said selected ones of the plurality of optical signals being available to carry data from the transmit node to the receive node.

Abstract: In a multi-chip module (MCM), optical waveguides in a first plane convey modulated optical signals among integrated circuits (which are sometimes referred to as ‘chips’). Moreover, an optical-butterfly switch, optically coupled to the optical waveguides, dynamically allocates communication bandwidth among the integrated circuits. This optical-butterfly switch includes optical components in the first plane and a second plane, and optical couplers that couple the modulated optical signals to and from the first plane and the second plane. In this way, the MCM communicates the modulated optical signals among the integrated circuits without optical-waveguide crossings in a given plane.

Abstract: An optical multiplexer/demultiplexer includes a first fiber unit having an MCF and a GRIN lens, a second fiber unit having an MCF and a GRIN lens, and an optical filter. The optical filter is disposed between the GRIN lens of the first fiber unit and the GRIN lens of the second fiber unit and makes transmitted light and reflected light emitted from a core of the MCFs incident on a core of the MCFs. A leading end of the MCF and one end of the GRIN lens are held in contact with each other in the first fiber unit, while a leading end of the MCF and one end of the GRIN lens are held in contact with each other in the second fiber unit.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) passive optical networks (PON), and the transmission of point-to-point and broadcast or multicast channels from an optical line transmitter (OLT) to an optical network unit (ONU).

Abstract: An optical ring network for fixed length messages from a plurality of nodes for transmission to different nodes uses a plurality of wavelengths for transmission, and messages for transmission are ordered and arranged on a per-wavelength basis to minimize a transmit finish time. Each node may be operated in an ADM (add drop multiplexer) mode where an optical node removes information on a particular wavelength and adds information on the same particular wavelength, or each node may be operated in a CDC (colorless, directionless, contentionless) mode where information is assigned to a wavelength according to a selection algorithm which may place it on any wavelength without regard to an original node wavelength. The selection algorithm optimizes selection of messages and wavelengths for transmit finish time.

Abstract: A method for routing C-band and L-band optical signals, and a system, apparatus, and computer program that operate in accordance with the method. The method comprises selecting one or more C-band optical signals using one or more C-band components, resulting in one or more selected C-band optical signals. One or more L-band optical signals are selected using one or more L-band components, resulting in one or more selected L-band optical signals. The selected C-band and L-band optical signals are combined.

Abstract: A method for regenerating optical signal includes determining a source optical signal to be regenerated, adding a first pump optical signal and a second pump optical signal to the source optical signal to yield an intermediate optical signal, creating a first conjugate optical signal and a second conjugate optical signal from the intermediate optical signal, and performing degenerate phase-sensitive amplification utilizing the first conjugate optical signal, the second conjugate optical signal and the source optical signal to yield an output optical signal. The source optical signal is modulated with a multilevel modulation format. Each conjugate optical signal has a phase that is a conjugate of a multiple of the phase of the source optical signal.

Abstract: A method and systems for implementing an access control algorithm across an optical network are described. The network includes a plurality of switch port devices, each including a local control plane processor. The local control plane processors receive control information related to the plurality of switch port devices; determine destination devices to which each of the plurality of switch port devices can transmit data and availability to receive incoming bursts at the switch port devices; and determine a time during the transmission period when the data is to be transmitted to at least one destination. Optionally, a central control plane processor receives control information from the local control plane processors and determines a time during a transmission period when at least a portion of the data is to be transmitted from at least one of the switch port devices to a destination, thereby regulating traffic over the optical network.

Abstract: A method of establishing a data connection between terminal switching nodes in a network involves switching nodes participating in a network layer wavelength routing (WR) protocol to determine the next hop switching node for every possible combination of terminal nodes based on the network topology. Switching nodes participate in a network layer wavelength distribution (WD) once the data connection is to be established. The WR protocol determines the path used through the network, while the WD protocol assigns wavelengths on each link between switching nodes. The wavelengths may be different on different optical links. The switching nodes include wavelength converters with an optical switch or optoelectronic converters with a digital electronic switch. Advantages of using potentially different wavelengths along various segments of a single end-to-end connection yields increased wavelength efficiency.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for performing a spectrum assignment and route selection algorithm in an optical WDM network. The optical WDM is assigned an optical band of frequencies. In accordance to the present invention, a new spectrum assignment in the optical band always adjoins a spectrum assignment previously allocated. The very first spectrum assignment may be made to start with one end frequency in the optical band. Given a spectrum demand, one or more spectrum assignments are identified and one or more feasible routes are determined. Among the one or more feasible routes, an optimal route may be selected based on a set of pre-defined criteria. The spectrum assignment and route selection algorithm disclosed herein reduces computational complexities and improves spectrum efficiencies.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved optical communication network (300) that utilizes an apparatus of optical channel protection. The apparatus for optical channel protection of the present invention including a transmitting end network switch (200), a first and a second receiving end network switch (201, 202), a plurality of wavelength tuneable transmitting end transponders (400, 401 . . . 405), a plurality of wavelength tuneable receiving end transponders (400?, 401? . . . 405?), a transmitting end controller (10a) connected to a network monitoring and control system (100a) and a receiving end controller (10b) connected to said network monitoring and control system (100a). The present invention utilizes a method of optical channel protection that can be broadly categorized under optical multiplex switching.

Abstract: An optical node includes an optical routing apparatus including N ports, N is an integer greater than 2, the optical routing apparatus configured to direct light that is input to each of the N ports to all of the other N ports, and a configurable optical blocking element located in line with at least one of the N ports. A method includes broadcasting a plurality of optical signals over a plurality of ports using a broadcast element, selectively receiving a desired signal from all of the plurality of optical signals at one of the plurality of ports, and blocking the plurality of signals via a blocking element in line with one of the plurality of ports thereby preventing a multiple path of the broadcast plurality of optical signals.

Abstract: Methods and systems for optical communication in a submarine network are provided. An input signal is received from a terminal at a reconfigurable branching unit (BU), and the input signal is split into at least two parts, with one part being associated with one or more trunk terminals and another part being associated with one or more branch terminals. Each of one or more spectrum channels are selected and individually switched to one of a plurality of paths using at least one wavelength selective switch (WSS), with the at least one WSS being configured to transmit the one or more spectrum channels to their respective target output port and to combine signals switched to a specific port into a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) signal. Individual spectrum channels are filtered out using at least one wavelength blocker (WB).

Abstract: In an optical transmission apparatus, a path information table stores paths set in a network and wavelength channel information on the paths. A controller searches for an apparatus which performs route switching of paths using a plurality of grouped wavelength channels, based on fault information on the network detected by the optical transmission apparatus, fault information on the network detected by other optical transmission apparatus, and the paths and wavelength channel information on the paths stored in the path information table. When determining that the number of operating paths is maximized by performing the route switching of the paths in the optical transmission apparatus, the controller performs the route switching of the paths.

Abstract: The present principles are directed to a transponder aggregator-based optical loopback in a multi-degree colorless, directionless, contention-less, reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexer. The multiplexer includes a reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexer section for performing connect operations for wavelength division multiplexing signals among all degrees. The section has a plurality of subsections. Each of the subsections corresponds to a respective one of the degrees and has an optical separator at an input side and an optical combiner at an output side. The multiplexer further includes a transponder aggregator section having a split-and-select switch-based transponder aggregator. The multiplexer also includes an optical line loopback having a connection path between the optical separator at the input side and the optical combiner at the output side of at least one of the subsections.

Abstract: An optical transmission device includes: a controller that controllably extends a pass band of an optical transmission path for transmission of a known symbol sequence; and a transmission processing unit that provides the known symbol sequence after the controller controllably extends the pass band.

Abstract: In order to reduce power consumption in network equipment for optical transmission networks, it is proposed by reducing E/O conversion and signal processing in optical networks when not needed. A network node has two or more line cards. Each line card contains a receive side transponder section with a network side optical receiver, a first electrical section, and a client side optical transmitter and a transmit side transponder section with a network side optical transmitter, a second electrical section, and a client side optical receiver. The first electrical section has at least one intermediate electrical output the second electrical section has at least one intermediate electrical input. The intermediate electrical outputs and inputs lead to an electrical switch matrix, which controllably interconnects the intermediate electrical outputs and inputs.

Abstract: Data locality constraints are alleviated by a data processing system and method of reorganizing data. Multiple electronic components are configured to modulate a light beam on a shared photonic interconnect and to detect the data according to a global schedule to reorganize data across the multiple electronic components. By constructing data transfer patterns in a shared photonic interconnect, rather than in dedicated reorganization hardware, data is reorganized while in transit, greatly accelerating the reorganization of data, and reducing the amount of power-consuming hardware necessary to achieve the task.

Abstract: A front end device includes: an optical filter configured to receive a WDM optical signal including a plurality of optical signals each having a superposing signal superposed thereon by frequency shift keying, with a transmittance being periodically changed with respect to a wavelength and a wavelength with which a peak of the transmittance appears being shifted according to an incident angle; an optical structure configured to guide the WDM optical signal to the optical filter so that the WDM optical signal enters the optical filter at a plurality of different angles; and an optical detector configured to convert an optical signal output from the optical filter to an electrical signal.

Abstract: In an optical access network system in which a relay station receives a wavelength multiplexed and time-division multiplexed optical signal (WDM optical signal) from an optical network, and the relay station transmits optical signals having specified wavelengths to subscriber units, the relay station demultiplexes the WDM optical signal into a plurality of groups with one group having a plurality of optical signals having a fixed wavelength interval between signals, then divides the optical signals of each group into k branches (k is the number of subscriber units) and inputs the signals to optical switches, and by turning ON/OFF the optical switches such that they are spaced in time, inputs the branched optical signals to the respective specified subscribers units.

Abstract: New designs of optical devices, particularly for dropping a selected wavelength or a group of wavelengths as well as demultiplexing a multiplexed signal into several signals, are disclosed. An optical device employs thin film filters with reflectors to reassemble as a fiber Bragg grating. Depending on implementation, a reflector may be a mirror or a coated substrate disposed in a unique way to reflect a light beam from a filter back to a common port of a device. The reflector may also be coated accordingly to bypass a certain portion of the light beam for other purposes. As a result, the optical devices so designed in accordance with the present invention are amenable to small footprint, enhanced impact performance, lower cost, and easier manufacturing process.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a network element (NE) configured to support routing-associated signal compatibility constraint information that is associated with the NE using Generalized Multi-Protocol Label Switching (GMPLS) and an open shortest path first (OSPF) routing protocol, wherein the signal compatibility constraint information comprises a modulation type list, a Forward Error Correction (FEC) type list, a bit rate range list, and an acceptable client signal list, and wherein the signal compatibility constraint information is associated with a resource block (RB) pool for a plurality of NEs. Also disclosed is a network component comprising a transmitter unit configured to transmit signal compatibility constraints via GMPLS OSPF routing, wherein the signal compatibility constraints comprise a modulation type list, a FEC type list, a bit rate range list, and an acceptable client signal list.

Abstract: One embodiment provides an intelligent passive optical network (PON) node. The intelligent PON node includes a number of optical line terminal (OLT)-side transceivers coupled to a first optical fiber, a number of optical network unit (ONU)-side transceivers, a switching mechanism configured to couple the OLT-side transceivers and the ONU-side transceivers, and a controller configured to control the coupling operation of the switching mechanism. The OLT-side transceivers are configured to transmit optical signals on a number of wavelength channels to and receive optical signals on a number of wavelength channels from the OLT. A respective ONU-side transceiver is configured to transmit optical signals to and receive optical signals from a downstream PON.

Abstract: Optical networks occasionally experience a fault along a communications path. Service providers prefer to have an alternative communications path available to enable users to still communicate in a seamless manner. Accordingly, a method and corresponding apparatus for providing path protection for dedicated paths in an optical network is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a path computation element (PCE) coupled to a path computation client (PCC) and configured to perform a path computation using port wavelength restriction information for a network element (NE), wherein the port wavelength restriction information is encoded and received in a port wavelength restriction Type-Length-Value (TLV) that comprises a matrix identifier (ID), a restriction type, and the port wavelength restriction information. Also disclosed is a network component comprising at least one processor coupled to a memory and configured to receive a port wavelength restriction information TLV that corresponds to a NE, and obtain a restriction type and port wavelength restriction information based on the restriction type from the port wavelength restriction TLV, and use the port wavelength restriction information to calculate a path for the NE.

Abstract: An example embodiment of the present invention is a non-blocking wavelength switching architecture that enables graceful scaling of a network wavelength switching node from small to large fiber counts using fixed size bidirectional 1×N Wavelength Selective Switches (WSS). The architecture uses an intermediate broadcast and select layer implemented using optical splitters and WSSs to eliminate wavelength blocking.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and device for obtaining the routing information of an electro-optical multi-layer network. The ports on which an optical transmitter and an optical receiver are located are determined, and the electro-optical conversion information is added to the routing information on a port of the optical layer node side or the electro layer node side on which the optical transmitter and the optical receiver are located. The electro-optical conversion information includes but is not limited to the wavelength tuning capability and signal processing capability.

Abstract: A system for transmitting data on an optical burst network. The system includes an optical core configured to switch data bursts based upon a wavelength of the data bursts. The system also includes a plurality of switch port devices operably connected to the optical core, wherein at least one of the plurality of switch port devices is configured to transfer the data bursts to the optical core and at least one of the plurality of switch port devices is configured to receive the data bursts from the optical core. The system further includes at least one control plane processor operably connected to the plurality of switch port devices and configured to transmit scheduling information to at least one of the plurality of switch port devices configured to transfer the data bursts to the optical core.

Abstract: A photonic network includes a plurality of nodes each supporting add and drop of at least Y wavelengths, a plurality of optical links interconnecting the plurality of nodes, the plurality of optical links support up to X wavelengths and Y?X, an optical routing protocol configured to compute a loop-free path through the plurality of nodes on the plurality of links, the loop-free path is computed for one of the X wavelengths or a group of the X wavelengths using routing constructs adapted to a photonic domain, and optical components at each of the plurality of nodes configured to selectively block at least one of the X wavelengths based on the computed loop-free path. A photonic routing method and photonic node are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of establishing a data connection between terminal switching nodes in a network and switching nodes for implementing the method. The method involves switching nodes participating in a network layer wavelength routing (WR) protocol to determine the next hop switching node for every possible combination of terminal nodes based on the network topology. The method also involves the switching nodes participating in a network layer wavelength distribution (WD) once the data connection is to be established. The WR protocol determines the path used through the network, while the WD protocol assigns wavelengths on each link between switching nodes. The wavelengths may be different on different optical links. The switching nodes include wavelength converters with an optical switch or optoelectronic converters with a digital electronic switch. A digital electronic switch can also provide signal reformatting.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system includes one or more electrical switches to transfer data in a data network; one or more optical switching groups coupled to each electrical switch, each switching group having one or more server racks, each server rack coupled to a top of rack (TOR) switch and an optical transceiver coupled to the TOR switch; and an optical switching unit (OSU) coupled to the one or more optical switching groups.

Abstract: Each of a plurality of data flows is classified as having a respective data flow type, and each data flow is assigned to one of a plurality of subcarrier groups, based on the data flow's type, wherein each subcarrier group comprises a respective plurality of subcarriers. First data flows assigned to a first subcarrier group are transmitted exclusively on respective subcarriers in the first subcarrier group, and second data flows assigned to a second subcarrier group are transmitted together on all of the subcarriers in the second subcarrier group.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a processor, wherein the processor is configured to to determine a plurality of available wavelengths that are available to transmit data over an optical network comprising a plurality of downstream nodes, select a plurality of encoding wavelengths from the available wavelengths, wherein the encoding wavelengths is a subset of the available wavelengths, and encode the data using the encoding wavelengths, wherein the encoding wavelengths dictate the switching behavior of the downstream nodes when the data is received by the downstream nodes.

Abstract: An optical add/drop module of a reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexer node includes a first set of optical switches configured to receive respective first optical signals, at respective channel receive ports, to be added to a first wave division multiplexed optical signal and to direct the first optical signals to, in a first state, at least one fully functional transmit degree port, and in a second state, to at least one partially functional transmit degree port; and a second set of optical switches configured to receive respective second optical signals to be dropped from a second wave division multiplexed signal via, in a first state, a fully functional receive degree port, and in a second state, via a partially functional receive degree port, and to direct the second optical signals to respective channel transmit ports. An auxiliary device can be used to make the partially functional ports fully functional.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical cross-connect apparatus supporting plural directions, and provides a method of effectively performing an alarm indication by a node supervisory unit of the optical cross-connect apparatus. The node supervisory unit includes an alarm indication information storage unit that manages a management table for each of the plural directions. The management table manages not only received alarm indication information but also “internal WSS input/output port optical fiber connection state”, “WSS optical path setting state on DROP/THROUGH selection side”, “transponder destination location”, and “destination direction”, with respect to each direction. Then, a process flow is added to match received FDI information with the management information stored in the management table for each direction, and to specify an alarm destination.

Abstract: In order to connect a path and a transponder with low loss, reduce an apparatus cost, reduce an apparatus size, and improve a reliability of an apparatus, a wavelength path multiplexing/demultiplexing apparatus comprises multiplexing/demultiplexing unit having a multiplexing port through which a wavelength multiplexed light is inputted and outputted and a demultiplexing port in which the wavelength multiplexed light is demultiplexed into the lights included in the wavelength multiplexed light based on the wavelength and through which the light is inputted and outputted and first switch unit which have a first port to which the demultiplexing port is connected and a second port and connect the second port to one of the first ports; and the demultiplexing port is connected to the first port of each of the first switch unit and the first port is connected to the demultiplexing port of each of the multiplexing/demultiplexing unit.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a device and a method for colorless optical switching, where the device includes: a demultiplexer, configured to demultiplex the input multi-wavelength light into multiple beams of light with single wavelength; a first optical cross unit, configured to output the received multiple beams of light with single wavelength through target ports to an optical switch array; the optical switch array, configured to drop the light that needs to be dropped from multiple beams of light with single wavelength, receive the light added by the local node, and output the light that needs to pass in the multiple beams of light with single wavelength and the light added by the local node; and a combiner, configured to combine the light output by the optical switch array. The optical switch device and method provided in the embodiments of the present invention feature colorlessness, low insertion loss, and low costs.

Abstract: A splitter module for a PON (passive optical network) and method of operating same. An IW (interfering wavelength) is selectively distributed and multiplexed with a downstream PON signal. The ONU (optical network unit) measures and reports performance characteristics such as BER (bit error rate). The performance reporting can be used to identify splitter ports associated with particular ONUs.

Abstract: An approach is provided for integrating one or more fiber switches in a passive optical network. A platform generates a command signal to control a splitter hub of a passive optical network, the splitter hub being configured to communicate with a plurality of optical network terminals that respectively serve a plurality of customer premises. The splitter hub includes a fiber switch configured to provide switching between one of a plurality of input ports and one of a plurality of output ports of the splitter hub.

Abstract: Pairs of distributed feedback (DFB) lasers are provided on a substrate. An arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) is also provided on the substrate having input waveguides, each of which being connected to a corresponding pair of DFB lasers. The wavelengths of optical signals supplied from each pair of DFB lasers may be spectrally spaced from one another by a free spectral range (FSR) of the AWG. By selecting either a first or second DFB laser in a pair and temperature tuning to adjust the wavelength, each pair of DFB lasers can supply optical signals at one of four wavelengths, pairs of which are spectrally spaced from one another by the FSR of the AWG. A widely tunable transmitter may thus be obtained.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an AFDX network which is extended by a passive optical network or PON. The AFDX network comprises an AFDX switch to which are connected a plurality of equipments. The AFDX switch constitutes the optical line termination and said equipments constitute the optical network terminations of the PON. The PON broadcasts over the downlink, to all said equipments, every AFDX frame output by said AFDX switch. It also multiplexes over the uplink the AFDX frames transmitted by the same equipments. The invention also concerns an ?AFDX network using a PON.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a path computation element (PCE) configured to perform a path computation using signal compatibility constraints information for a network element (NE) in a wavelength switched optical network (WSON), wherein the signal constraints information are communicated at a Generalized Multi-Protocol Label Switching (GMPLS) control plane layer and comprise a plurality of signal attributes and a plurality of NE compatibility constraints. A network component comprising a transmitter unit configured to transmit signal compatibility constraints via GMPLS signaling, wherein the signal compatibility constraints define the signal compatibility constraints for a NE in a WSON. A method comprising receiving signal compatibility constraints for a NE in a WSON, performing a path calculation based on the signal compatibility constraints for the NE, and sending signal compatibility constraints associated with a computed path.

Abstract: A photonic-based distributed network switch that utilizes multiple photonic broadcast stars and separate optical transmitters to improve overall reliability, allow load balancing, and provide failover for the network switch and the network with which the switch is used.