Abstract: A device may include a communication interface to communicate with an optical line terminal and a processor. The processor may set an optical path from the optical line terminal to an optical network terminal, the optical path including one or more optical network elements. In addition, the processor may obtain, from the optical line terminal, a status reading of the optical network terminal when the optical path is set. Further, the processor may obtain, from the optical line terminal, a power reading at the optical network terminal when the optical path is set. The processor may record the status reading and the power reading.

Abstract: A system for communicating cross-connection information within an optical network by use of wavelength information is provided. Cross-connection information in Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) devices is abstracted, to produce wavelength reachability information and wavelength occupation status information for each node within the optical network. Cross-connection information is distributed from one node to all other nodes or a Path Calculation Equipment (PCE), through extended routing protocols, providing a base for calculating service paths.

Abstract: An optical switch is constructed by: first and second optical switches each having ports of k inputs and k outputs; a third optical switch of k inputs and k outputs which can perform a bi-directional transmission; 2k first optical circulators; 2k second optical circulators; and 2k selecting switches. First to kth interfaces are connected by the first optical switch. (k+1)th to 2kth interfaces are connected by the second optical switch. The first to kth interfaces are connected to one of the (k+1)th to 2kth interfaces by the third optical switch. An optical crossconnect apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A circuit for transmitting signals in a network node, particularly for a channel card for an optical WDM signal transmission device, with a first holding device assigned to the local side of the network node, which can be freely equipped by means of a local-side transceiver unit and which has an internal transmitting port connection and an internal receiving port connection which, in case first holding device is equipped with local-side transceiver unit, are connected to the respective transmitting or receiving ports of local-side transceiver unit, with two additional holding devices assigned to the remote side of the network node having similar ports. A controllable signal switching unit is provided with novel construction to configure connections between the respective internal ports.

Abstract: The present invention provides an information processing system, comprising a plurality of calculation nodes with an optical transmitter, which individually outputs a plurality of optical signals each having a different wavelength, and an optical receiver, which individually receives a plurality of optical signals each having a different wavelength, an optical transmission path connecting a plurality of the calculation nodes to each other, and optical pathway switching unit, lying in the optical transmission path, for transmitting the optical signal to the specific calculation node in accordance with a wavelength of the optical signal output from one of the calculation nodes.

Abstract: A WDM optical cross-connect has input and output channels for through traffic. A first group of matrices connects the input channels to the output channels. Each input channel is connected to an input of a matrix of the first group and each output channel is connected to an output of the matrix. Input/output channels are provided for adding/dropping traffic. Each add/drop channel is connected to an input/output of a second group of matrices. The outputs/inputs of the second group of matrices are connected to inputs of a third group of matrices or outputs of a fourth group of matrices and the outputs/inputs of the third/fourth group of matrices are connected to inputs/outputs of the first group of matrices such that the matrices of the second, third and first groups of the first, fourth and second groups each form a Clos network.

Abstract: An optical apparatus is disclosed wherein increase of the number of wavelength selective switches provided for a standby system can be suppressed. The optical apparatus includes a plurality of upstream side optical devices and a plurality of downstream side optical devices configured such that a plurality of output ports to be set as output destinations of light from a plurality of input ports can be changed over for each wavelength. An upstream side standby switch connected at a plurality of inputs thereof individually to the input ports and can change over an output of light from the inputs for each wavelength. A downstream side standby switch is connected at an input thereof to the output of the upstream side standby switch and at a plurality of outputs thereof individually to the output ports and can output light from the input to the plural outputs thereof.

Abstract: Optical fiber interconnection devices, which can take the form of a module, are disclosed that include an array of optical fibers and multi-fiber optical-fiber connectors, for example, a twenty-four-port connector or multiples thereof, and three eight-port connectors or multiples thereof. The array of optical fibers is color-coded and is configured to optically interconnect the ports of the twenty-four-port connector to the three eight-port connectors in a manner that preserves transmit and receive polarization. In one embodiment, the interconnection devices provide optical interconnections between twenty-four-fiber optical connector configurations to eight-fiber optical connector configurations, such as from twenty-four-fiber line cards to eight-fiber line cards, without having to make structural changes to cabling infrastructure. In one aspect, the optical fiber interconnection devices provide a migration path from duplex optics to parallel optics.

Abstract: An address recognition apparatus may include a first normalizing unit, a second normalizing unit and an address determination unit. The first normalizing unit normalizes a first electric signal and generates a first normalized signal, wherein the first electric signal is associated with a first divided set of optical packet signals. The second normalizing unit normalizes a second electric signal and generates a second normalized signal, wherein the second electric signal is associated with a second divided set of optical packet signals. The address determination unit refers to the first and second normalized signals and determines whether a destination address of a set of optical packet signals is identical to or different from an address allocated to a self-station associated with the address recognition apparatus, wherein the set of optical packet signals has been divided into the first and second divided sets of optical packet signals.

Abstract: An all-optical, optical cross-connect includes first and second pluralities of multiport optical devices. Each of the first plurality of multiport optical devices have at least one input port for receiving a WDM optical signal and a plurality of output ports for selectively receiving one of more wavelength components of the optical signal. Each of the second plurality of multiport optical devices have a plurality of input ports for selectively receiving one of more wavelength components of the optical signal and at least one output port for selectively receiving one of more wavelength components of the optical signal. At least one of the first or second plurality of multiport optical devices are all-optical switches that can route every wavelength component independently of every other wavelength component.

Abstract: The present invention provides an all optical cross connect switch utilizing two-axis MEMS mirrors for cross connecting optical fibers in a first set of optical fibers to optical fibers in a second set of optical fibers. The optical fibers in the first and second sets of optical fibers are precisely positioned in a first fiber-microlens positioning array to define a first set of parallel collimated cross-connect communication beam paths, with each collimated cross-connect communication beam path connecting an optical fiber in the first set of optical fibers with a MEMS mirror in a first MEMS mirror array. Alignment beams are added to and aligned co-axially with each of the first and second sets of parallel collimated cross-connect communication beams.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to photonic-interconnection-based compute clusters that provide high-speed, high-bandwidth interconnections between compute cluster nodes. In one embodiment of the present invention, the compute cluster includes a photonic interconnection having one or more optical transmission paths for transmitting independent frequency channels within an optical signal to each node in a set of nodes. The compute cluster includes one or more photonic-interconnection-based writers, each writer associated with a particular node, and each writer encoding information generated by the node into one of the independent frequency channels. A switch fabric directs the information encoded in the independent frequency channels to one or more nodes in the compute cluster.

Abstract: An optical crossbar switch for optically coupling optic fibers comprising: at least one first fiber (21) and a plurality of second fibers (22); a moveable fiber-end carriage (41) coupled to an end of the at least one first fiber and constrained to move along a predetermined trajectory; at least one moveable slack-control carriage (42) coupled to the body of the at least one first fiber and constrained to move along a predetermined trajectory; and at least one moving device (70, 80) controllable to move the carriages; wherein to optically couple a first fiber of the at least one first fiber to a second fiber of the plurality of second fibers, the at least one moving device moves the fiber-end carriage of the first fiber along its trajectory to a position at which the end of the first fiber is optically coupled to an end of the second fiber and moves the at least one slack-control carriage to take up slack in the first fiber generated by movement of its fiber-end carriage.

Abstract: A cross connector for the transparent switching of optical signals is disclosed, comprising a first switching module with one or several switching modules of varying granularity, such as patch panel, wavelength groups or/and wavelengths. A second switching device is connected in series with the first switching device and comprises a polarization multiplex switching granularity.

Abstract: Optical fiber interconnection devices, which can take the form of a module, are disclosed that include an array of optical fibers and multi-fiber optical-fiber connectors, for example, two twelve-port connectors or multiples thereof, and three eight-port connectors or multiples thereof. The array of optical fibers is color-coded and is configured to optically interconnect the ports of the two twelve-port connectors to the three eight-port connectors in a manner that preserves transmit and receive polarization. In one embodiment, the interconnection devices provide optical interconnections between twelve-fiber optical connector configurations to eight-fiber optical connector configurations, such as from twelve-fiber line cards to eight-fiber line cards, without having to make structural changes to cabling infrastructure. In one aspect, the optical fiber interconnection devices provide a migration path from duplex optics to parallel optics.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide structures for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) that can be sensed, activated, controlled or otherwise addressed or made to respond by the application of forcing functions. In particular, an optical shutter structure suitable for use in an optical switch arrangement is disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical shutter or switch can be scaled and/or arranged to form arbitrary switch, multiplexer and/or demultiplexer configurations. In another embodiment of the present invention, an optical switch can include: a shutter; and a flexure coupled to the shutter, whereupon a vibration transmitted to the flexure when in the presence of a resonant frequency causes the shutter to move across an opening for the passage of an optical signal.

Abstract: An approach is provided for a free-space optical switch. A command is received to change a connection state of a free-space optical transmission path. A mirror is controlled to change the connection state of the free-space optical transmission path with respect to a particular port of a plurality of ports that interface to respective optical fibers, wherein the ports correspond to holes disposed about a circumferential surface of a port ring.

Abstract: A device (D) dedicated to optical switching in a switching node (NC) comprises at least one first switching matrix (MC1) and one second switching matrix (MC2) coupled to each other and each comprising i) a first stage including Ni diffusion modules each having a first input and Mi first outputs and ii) a second stage including Ni fusion modules each having Ni second inputs each coupled to one of the Mi first outputs of one of the Ni diffusion modules via an optical line, at least one third input and one second output. The second stage of at least one of the matrices comprises at least one additional fusion module having Ni second inputs adapted to apply optical power adjustment and one second output. At least one optical line (LS1) couples the second output of an additional fusion module of one of the matrices (MC1) to a third input of each of the Ni fusion modules of the other matrix (MC2).

Abstract: A technique for improving optical cross-connections comprises placing a switch in front of a number of processing units. So configured, the units are no longer dedicated to a specific link or signal. When necessary, a unit is connected/disconnected to one or more optical links by the switch to carry out any number of processing functions, such as regeneration, Raman pumping, dispersion equalization/compensation or performance monitoring. Because the units are no longer dedicated to specific links the cost of the cross-connections and the network it is a part of can be reduced.

Abstract: A ring communication network according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of nodes in which a single one of the nodes is configured for full channel conversion and the remaining nodes, other than the single node, are configured for no channel conversion. Links with no more than W channels couple the nodes. The ring communication network may include N nodes and links connecting the nodes for carrying data in W channels such that N?2 log2 W?1, where W is a power of 2. Each of the N nodes includes switches connected such that each channel of a first one of the links adjacent to any one of the N nodes can be switched to no more than W?1 channels of another one of the links adjacent to any one node.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the disclosure describes a multi-stage switch having at least one ingress switch module to receive data and to generate frames that are transmitted as a wavelength division multiplexed signal. The multi-stage switch further includes a core switch module operatively connected to receive the wavelength division multiplexed signal from the at least one ingress switch module and to switch the frames. The multi-stage switch additionally includes at least one egress switch module to receive the wavelength division multiplexed signal from the core switch module and to transmit data.

Abstract: Highly Scalable Multi-granular Node Architecture based upon strictly non-blocking waveband switch constructed around cyclic arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) routers. In one implementation, the invention includes a first N×N cyclic arrayed waveguide grating (AWG); a middle stage includes N tuner modules, and a second N×N cyclic AWG for routing information from a plurality of different optical networks. Another implementation of the invention further provides an add/drop switch, and a shuffler for performing add/drop functions and preserving the wavelength order.

Abstract: A multiple-plane OBS node comprises N input ports, N 1×N switches, N switching planes, N2 FDLs, N optical couplers, and N output ports, each input port is connected with the input of a corresponding 1×N switches, the N outputs of each 1×N switch are connected with a corresponding input of each switching plane respectively, a corresponding output of each switching plane is connected with the input of the same corresponding optical coupler via a respective FDL, and each output port is connected with the output of a corresponding optical coupler, wherein N is an integer.

Abstract: In an ADM device, first and second modulators and first and second demodulators are provided as a mod/demod device for radio communication, first to fourth SDH interface circuits and first and second SDH mapping/demapping circuits are provided for processing SDH signals, and path switching is performed by means of first and second signal branch circuits and first and second signal switches to enable simultaneous processing of both modulated signals and SDH signals. This configuration eliminates the need for outside mod/demod devices for radio communication when forming a radio network and therefore reduces the cost of constructing a system. In addition, the ability to simultaneously process modulated signals and SDH signals enables the simultaneous construction of an optical and radio network.

Abstract: An apparatus for optical communication is provided. The apparatus includes a first waveguide formed on a first surface and a second waveguide formed on a second surface. The first and second surfaces are bonded together to form an air gap between the first and second surfaces and diffraction gratings of the first and second waveguides are facing each other. A third waveguide is formed on a third surface, and the third surface is bonded to the second surface so an air gap exists between the third and second surface and diffraction gratings of the third and second wave guides face each other. The light beam passes from the second wave guide across the air gap and into the third waveguide.

Abstract: A system and process may include assigning a unique host identifier to a host that is a node of a network. The host is adapted to host at least one network interface. The system and process may further include creating a host/guest relationship for each hosted network interface by associating a network interface identifier of the hosted network interface with the unique host identifier.

Abstract: An all-optical, optical cross-connect includes first and second pluralities of multiport optical devices. Each of the first plurality of multiport optical devices have at least one input port for receiving a WDM optical signal and a plurality of output ports for selectively receiving one of more wavelength components of the optical signal. Each of the second plurality of multiport optical devices have a plurality of input ports for selectively receiving one of more wavelength components of the optical signal and at least one output port for selectively receiving one of more wavelength components of the optical signal. At least one of the first or second plurality of multiport optical devices are all-optical switches that can route every wavelength component independently of every other wavelength component.

Abstract: A mirror controller of an optical switch comprises a signal generator (10, 82, 83) for passing the optical signal on the same light path as the one for optical communication using the optical switch, and an image analyzer (15, 16, 81) detecting the optical signal as the light scattered by at least one of tilt mirrors (111, 123) and an output collimator array (14). The image analyzer detects the position of the light beam image as a control position (121, 141, 85) based on the scattered light, and controls the tilt mirrors in such a manner that the detected control position coincides with the predetermined desired target position (122, 142, 84, 86) on at least one of the tilt mirrors and the output collimator array. The mirror controller can realize the connection test of the optical signal between input and output with high accuracy and reliability.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for dynamic provisioning of reliable connections in the presence of multiple failures in optical networks are described. One embodiment is a method for allocation of protection paths after a failure in an optical network. The method comprises, responsive to a failure in an active lightpath, switching traffic on the active lightpath to a protection path; subsequent to the switching, identifying all active lightpaths in the network that no longer have an available protection path; and attempting to allocate a protection path to each of the identified active lightpaths.

Abstract: A method for implementing the reconstruction of an optical network. In the operating system (OS) side, the OS with trail function calculates data of the OS side and the network element side needed by the reconstruction base on the inputted physical information related to the optical network reconstruction and the stored data related to the network, then the OS divides the expansion procedure into smaller steps to modify said data one by one, thus accomplishing the reconstruction of the optical network. The invention can automatically reconstruct an optical network without interrupting the traffic thereof, and the method being simpler, more reliable and less risky one compared with the prior manual method.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a control apparatus and a control method having a simple constitution, which can stably perform switching of optical path in an optical signal exchanger, while suppressing an influence on a control due to the mechanical resonance of tilt mirrors. To this end, the control apparatus of the optical signal exchanger is constituted such that in an optical signal exchanger of three-dimensional type using one set of MEMS mirror arrays, each having a plurality of tilt mirrors arranged on a plane, each tilt mirror having a reflecting surface an angle of which is controllable, when the angle of the MEMS mirror on the optical path is feedback controlled by detecting power of an optical signal output from a specific position, a resonance component removing section that removes a resonance frequency component included in a control signal is shared corresponding to a pair of driving electrodes arranged in a coaxial direction of the MEMS mirror.

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 network of spine switches and leaf switches is disclosed wherein the spine switches and leaf switches are coupled using a simplified interconnect made up of multiple signal carrying media (SCM's). In the simplified interconnect, “virtual” links are used rather than physical links to couple the leaf switches to the spine switches. The virtual links are implemented using wavelength division multiplexing. By implementing virtual links, the network achieves the same connectivity as that provided by a Clos network without the complex interconnect that is typically required in a Clos network.

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 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: 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: Provided are a photonic cross-connector system, a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) system using the photonic cross-connector system, and an optical communication network based on the WDM system. The photonic cross-connector system includes: an optical coupler branching an input optical signal into a plurality of paths; a wavelength selective switch (WSS) extracting at least one wavelength signal from the input optical signal and outputting the extracted wavelength signal to at least one port; a WDM multi-casting apparatus simultaneously copying and reproducing the input optical signal into different wavelengths and changing modulation methods of the input optical signal into different types of modulation methods; an optical transmitter and/or receiver branching and coupling the input optical signal; and a control system controlling the optical coupler, the WSS, the WDM multicasting apparatus, and the optical transmitter and/or receiver.

Abstract: A communication system (10) employs switching circuits, such as an add/drop multiplexer (70) and another add/drop multiplexer (110). The bandwidth of a circuit switched connection between the switching circuits is altered without taking down the connection.

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: 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: 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: An optical network includes an optical ring and at least three subnets. Each subnet includes a plurality of add/drop nodes coupled to the optical ring. The add/drop nodes are operable to passively add a first traffic stream in a first direction on the optical ring and a second traffic stream in a second direction on the optical ring. The first traffic stream comprises different content than the second traffic stream, and the first traffic stream and the second traffic stream are transmitted on the same wavelength. The network also includes a plurality of gateway nodes. The gateway nodes are each coupled to the optical ring at a boundary between neighboring subnets and are operable to selectively pass and terminate wavelengths between subnets to allow wavelength reuse in the subnets.

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 optical crossconnect apparatus which includes one terminal connected to a transmission path from one optical transmission terminal station and another terminal connected to a transmission path from another optical transmission terminal station, a first optical signal switch having “M1” ports and “N1” ports, through which the optical signal can pass, a second optical signal switch having “M2” ports and “N2” ports, through which the optical signal can pass, and “L” optical signal repeaters, one end connected to the “N1” ports of the first optical signal switch, and the other end connected to the “N2” ports of the second optical switch. The “N1” and the “N2” ports are equal to “L” optical signal repeaters. The “M1” ports of the first optical signal switch connected to the one terminal, and the “M2” ports of the second optical signal switch connected to the other terminal are larger than, or equal to 2.

Abstract: An optical cross-connect includes multiple input ports that each receives an optical input signal and multiple output ports that each output an optical output signal. The optical cross-connect also includes a distributing amplifier associated with each input port that generates multiple copies of the input signal received at the associated input port and multiple filter units that receive one or more of the copies and forward traffic in selected channels of particular copies. In addition, the optical cross-connect includes a combining amplifier associated with each output port that receives the traffic forwarded by one or more of the filter units and combines the received traffic into an output signal. Moreover, the optical cross-connect includes at least one upgrade input port and at least one upgrade output port expanding the capacity of the optical cross-connect, as well as associated upgrade distributing and combining amplifiers and upgrade filter units.

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: 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: The present invention relates to a node used in an optical communication network, and comprises functions for transferring and receiving data, and a unit for establishing and releasing a cut through path to a node of the next stage, the establishing and releasing unit having a detecting unit which detects the arrival of a request packet for establishing a cut through path to the node stage.

Abstract: The control of the transmission of useful optical signals on different line paths of an optical transmission device is accomplished via at least one of the following features: using signal sources and signal sinks, the useful optical signals are coupled into the line paths, or are coupled out of them; at least one portion of the optical line paths is configured as normal line paths having coupling nodes via which a switchover to an alternative line path can be undertaken if a normal line path is disturbed; in addition to the useful optical signals, test signals, whose evaluation is used for the switchover between the line paths, are transmitted bidirectionally section-by-section; at least two types of test signals can be transmitted, of which a first type is used as an indicator for an intact line path and a second type as an indicator for a disturbed line path; and any switchover to an alternative line path is only undertaken if, before the detection of the disturbance, a test signal of the first type has be