Spare Channel Or Standby Optical Fiber Patents (Class 398/5)
  • Patent number: 9124383
    Abstract: A reconfigurable electrical add/drop multiplexing node, a network, and optoelectronic integrated circuit form a novel high capacity fiber-optic integrated transmission and switching system with a baseline target capacity in excess of 1 Tbps. The node, network, and circuit can leverage optoelectronic integration of transmission and switching components along with using the full “transparency” window of modern optical fibers from about 1270 nm to about 1670 nm for a large number of relatively low-rate wavelengths. The electrical switching fabric can be part of a Reconfigurable Electrical Add/Drop Multiplexer (READM) with similar functionality as a Reconfigurable Optical Add/Drop Multiplexer (ROADM) except in a highly integrated fashion with the transmission components. The electrical switching fabric can implement flow switching on a composite signal to provide comparable functionality to optical components in electrical circuitry such as in Complementary metal-oxide-semiconductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Ciena Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Y. Frankel, John P. Mateosky, Michael H. Shahine, Joseph Berthold
  • Patent number: 9083542
    Abstract: The invention provides for a method for using a computer network (10) comprising a number of switches (18, 20) each having ports for receiving and sending streams, wherein the streams are sent from a router (14) via the ports of switches (18, 20), that have shown interest, to at least one receiver (24, 26), whereby in case of a link failure at least one of the at least one receiver (24, 26) sends back a message to the router.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Marc Smaak, Stephan van Tienen
  • Patent number: 9054955
    Abstract: Apparatus for enabling recovery from failures in up to M working paths of a set of N working paths that are allocated N frequency slots of L different slot widths, where M, N and L are positive integers, N?L>1, and N>M>1. The apparatus includes a processor and a control plane interface. The processor is operative to allocate protection frequency slots to M protection paths in different manners depending on whether M is greater than L, equal to L or less than L. The control plane interface is operatively associated with the processor and is operative to effect provisioning of the M protection paths for supporting recovery from the failures. Related network, apparatus and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Inventor: Doron Handelman
  • Patent number: 9054831
    Abstract: A method and system of determining a new path through an optical network from a source node to a destination node when a link in an original path fails are disclosed. When a fault on a link is detected, adjoint weights are assigned to each operational link for each node on the original path. A connection cost is determined for each node based on the adjoint weights of the links connected to the node. A new path through the optical network is determined based at least in part on the adjoint weights and the connection costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Ciena Corporation
    Inventors: Anurag Prakash, Mohit Chhillar, Marian Trnkus
  • Patent number: 9053298
    Abstract: A data transmission system using an optical fiber includes an optical fiber, a first light-emitting device, a second light-emitting device, a first photo-detecting device and a second photo-detecting device. Each of the first light-emitting device and the second light-emitting device is optically coupled to the input facet of the optical fiber, respectively. Each of the first photo-detecting device and the second photo-detecting device is optically coupled to the output facet of the optical fiber, respectively. In particular, the first light-emitting device and the second light-emitting device are packaged into a first optical subassembly, and the first photo-detecting device and the second photo-detecting device are packaged into a second optical subassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: AmTRAN TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventor: Wen-Ping Yu
  • Publication number: 20150139636
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of simulcasting data fragments sent over a first packet-switched computer network to a trunk network and redistributed over a second packet-switched computer network. A method is provided comprising the steps of providing a trunk network including multiple links including an RF link and a fiber link, wherein all the transmission links transmit data packets to a receiver which will redistribute the earliest data packets with a matching frame check sequence (FCS) over the second packet switched computer network. The method provides for a sender for adding an incremental sender sequence number and sender FCS to the data packets, creating a sender data packet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Daniel J. Wisehart
  • Patent number: 9036990
    Abstract: A multi-channel optoelectronic device is configured to establish a redundant status link with a remote device. The optoelectronic device can transmit N transmit optical signals to the remote device over a plurality of transmit channels and receive N receive optical signals from the remote device over a plurality of receive channels. The optoelectronic device includes one or more spare transmit and receive channels. When used with a remote device having spare transmit and receive channels, each device can establish a status link with the other and use the status link to switch out transmit and/or receive channels to identify and permanently switch out the worst transmit and/or receive channels. Alternately, the device can interoperate with a non-status-link enabled remote device by determining that the remote device is not status-link enabled, transitioning to a low transmit power mode, and transmitting and receiving over a plurality of default transmit and receive channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: FINISAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher R. Cole, Lewis B. Aronson, Darin James Douma
  • Publication number: 20150125141
    Abstract: A procedure for transferring wavelengths, and a system that operates in accordance with the procedure. The system comprises at least one network terminal, each including a switch and a controller. A plurality of wavelength sets are applied to the switch. The controller is arranged to operate the switch such that the switch (a) selects at least one wavelength from at least one of the plurality of wavelength sets, based on electrical monitoring at a port module external to the network terminal, and (b) outputs the at least one wavelength to an output of the at least one network terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: TELLABS OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Peigang Hu, Eric L. Chan, Matthew S. Vrba
  • Patent number: 9020348
    Abstract: A light source package is disclosed for a Raman amplifier node having a primary optical fiber for carrying an optical signal and a secondary optical fiber for carrying the optical signal when the signal is rerouted from the primary optical fiber. The light source package includes a primary light source for emitting light into the primary optical fiber when the optical signal is carried by the primary optical fiber to induce Raman gain of the optical signal, and a secondary light source for emitting light into the secondary optical fiber when the optical signal is carried by the secondary optical fiber to induce Raman gain of the optical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: II-VI Incorporated
    Inventors: Peter Wigley, Ian Peter McClean
  • Patent number: 9014550
    Abstract: A cross connecting unit outputs an including frame whose type matches a type of an including frame stored in a storage unit in association with identification information of a multiplexing unit having a problem among including frames generated by an including unit to a backup multiplexing unit when any one of multiplexing units has a problem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiko Tsuchiya
  • Publication number: 20150104166
    Abstract: We propose an efficient procedure, namely disjoint pair procedure based cloud service embedding procedure that first maps working and backup virtual nodes over physical nodes while balancing computational resources of different types, and finally, maps working and backup virtual links over physical routes while balancing network spectral resources using the disjoint pair procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: NEC LABORATORIES AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Ankitkumar Patel, Philip Nan Ji
  • Patent number: 9008500
    Abstract: The invention discloses a system, a method and an apparatus for optical network protection. The system includes: an output control apparatus for obtaining protection mode information configured by a system and controlling an input signal to be output from a set line corresponding to said protection mode information; and a detection control apparatus for detecting powers of signals transmitted on an active line and on a standby line, if it is determined that the active line is abnormal and the standby line is normal according to detection results, then controlling the input signal to be output from a protection line corresponding to the protection mode information; if it is determined that the active line is normal, or that the active line and the standby line are abnormal according to the detection result, then controlling the input signal to be output from a set line corresponding to the protection mode information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: ZTE Corporation
    Inventor: Hongbing Zou
  • Patent number: 9008501
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are optical distribution networks and corresponding methods for providing physical-layer redundancy. Example embodiments include a head-end passive optical splitter-combiner (OSC) to split optical signals from an Optical Line Terminal (OLT) onto primary and secondary optical paths for redundant distribution to optical network terminal(s) (ONTs), a passive access OSC for tapping the redundant signals, and an optical switch for selecting between the redundant signals and providing an ONT access to the selected signal. Example optical distribution networks and corresponding methods provide multiple drop points, a fully cyclical path, and autonomous protection switching, all at low cost. A further advantage of these networks and methods is that where faults may occur, maintenance may not be required for a certain time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Tellabs Bedford, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig L. Lutgen
  • Patent number: 9002195
    Abstract: In an optical communication system containing a primary line and backup line card, a method includes providing interfaces for the primary and backup line card, each line card including a transmitter and receiver; and selecting output from the transmitter from either the primary or back up line card including selecting the backup line card when the primary line card encounters a failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: NEC Laboratories America, Inc.
    Inventors: Junqiang Hu, Philip Nan Ji, Ting Wang, Yoshiaki Aono
  • Patent number: 9002196
    Abstract: A device may include a component, a first switch, a repeater, and a second switch. The component may configure optical paths between ports. The component may comprise a first pair of optical ports connected to a first pair of optical fibers, and a second pair of optical ports connected to a second pair of optical fibers. The first switch may be configured to output one of two optical signals received by the first pair of optical ports from the first pair of optical fibers. The repeater may reshape or amplify the outputted optical signal. The second switch may be configured to direct the reshaped or amplified signal to one of the second pair of optical ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn A. Wellbrock, Tiejun J. Xia
  • Patent number: 8995827
    Abstract: System and method embodiments are provided herein to obtain minimum or optimal spare capacity allocation (SCA) using partial disjoint paths (PDP) for bi-connected network topology. Both an integer linear programming (ILP) optimization model and an approximation algorithm, referred to herein as Successive Survivable Routing (SSR), are formulated for resolving the SCA with PDP. The embodiments include assigning a working path and a primary backup path on two disjoint routes between two end nodes, and assigning a plurality of secondary backup paths that are partially disjoint and that each pass through one fiber cut group on one of the two disjoint routes and all remaining fiber cut groups on the other one of the two disjoint routes. Each of the fiber cut groups includes all fiber cut pairs on both disjoint routes that have the same effect of interrupting a flow on both disjoint routes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Futurewei Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Victor Yu Liu
  • Patent number: 8983286
    Abstract: A node of an optical transport network system transmits optical wavelengths to an adjacent node through an operational line. An apparatus for protection switching of the optical transport network system transmits only an optical channel with a fault among a plurality of optical channels composed of flexible optical channel data units in an optical wavelength of the operational line, via a reserve line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Ji Wook Youn, Jongho Kim, Jong-Yoon Shin
  • Patent number: 8965198
    Abstract: A method for shared mesh restoration includes configuring a switch to allow sharing of a plurality of backup line cards across a plurality of node degrees associated with a reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexer (ROADM). The switch is communicatively coupled to the ROADM. The method further includes configuring a number of backup line cards coupled to the switch. The number of backup line cards is based on determining a number of active backup lightpaths for each of a plurality of network failures associated with each of the plurality of node degrees of the ROADM, identifying which node degree and failure has the largest number of active backup lightpaths for all of the plurality of node degrees of the ROADM and for each of the plurality of network failures, and determining the number of backup line cards to configure based on the identified largest number of active backup lightpaths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Qiong Zhang, Paparao Palacharla, Xi Wang, Motoyoshi Sekiya
  • Patent number: 8958701
    Abstract: A method, a network, and a node each implement the transmission of Automatic Protection Switching (APS) switching coordination bytes across an OTN network. A working signal and a protection signal are received, one of which is designated as an active signal. The active signal is encapsulated in an Optical channel Data Unit (ODU) signal. APS switching coordination bytes from the working and protection signals are placed in an overhead segment of the ODU signal. The ODU signal is transmitted into and received from an Optical Transport Network (OTN) network. The working and protection signals are recreated based on the active signal encapsulated in the ODU signal and the APS switching coordination bytes in the overhead segment. The recreated working and protection signals are transmitted. In this manner, a single ODU signal may be used to transmit both the working and protection signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ciena Corporation
    Inventors: Abhishek Chaudhary, Hongxing Meng, Satish Gopalakrishna
  • Publication number: 20150030321
    Abstract: A multi-channel optoelectronic device is configured to establish a redundant status link with a remote device. The optoelectronic device can transmit N transmit optical signals to the remote device over a plurality of transmit channels and receive N receive optical signals from the remote device over a plurality of receive channels. The optoelectronic device includes one or more spare transmit and receive channels. When used with a remote device having spare transmit and receive channels, each device can establish a status link with the other and use the status link to switch out transmit and/or receive channels to identify and permanently switch out the worst transmit and/or receive channels. Alternately, the device can interoperate with a non-status-link enabled remote device by determining that the remote device is not status-link enabled, transitioning to a low transmit power mode, and transmitting and receiving over a plurality of default transmit and receive channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Christopher R. Cole, Lewis B. Aronson, Darin James Douma
  • Patent number: 8942558
    Abstract: Due to demand for more network bandwidth, a need for multi-user optical network topologies has, and will continue to, increase. A method or corresponding apparatus in embodiments of the present invention provide for an availability determination tool for determining and displaying wavelength and subrate availabilities within a network. Benefits of embodiments of a tool include allowing a user to identify the availability and capacity of any wavelength on any network, via an interactive graphical user interface, such as by using three-dimensional representations. In one embodiment, the disclosed availability determination tool allows users to locate and view any combination of available wavelengths between nodes in an optical network topology, and generate graphical and tabular reports of the availability in order to maintain an efficient and organized method or apparatus for determining and controlling wavelengths in a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Tellabs Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Jenkins, Ramasubramanian Anand, Hector Ayala, Dion Kwun Kit Leung, Kenneth M. Fisher
  • Patent number: 8942555
    Abstract: A system and method for Passive Optical Networks (PON) providing integration (cross-correlation) of powersave and fiber protection, optionally with encryption, facilitating the successful operation and/or benefits that can be gained when operating a PON system with these features. A major problem with power save is the detection, since both the OLT and the ONUs rely on a valid signal in order to detect fiber failure. However, the OLT may not detect this for sleeping ONUs, and an ONU in Tx/Rx sleep-mode, may not detect a fiber failure, and may not be aware of the OLTs switchover. In addition to solving the problem of combined fiber protection and power savings, a solution is also needed for providing security for this combination. A current embodiment is a system and method for Passive Optical Networks (PON) providing integration (cross-correlation) of powersave and fiber protection, optionally with encryption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: PMC-Sierra Israel Ltd.
    Inventors: Zachi Haramaty, Elan Rohekar, Barak Perlman, Raziel Gabe
  • Publication number: 20150016815
    Abstract: A network management system manages preplanned alternative paths in a wavelength switched optical network for a traffic flow having a working path and two or more preplanned alternative paths from a source node to a destination node. A processing part determines if, after the fault, a number of available alternative paths for the respective traffic flow drops to a threshold. If so, a new alternative path is calculated and set up the new alternative path in the nodes, to enable one or more of the nodes to move the traffic flow onto the new alternative path in the event of further faults without waiting for input from the network management system. Thus multiple faults can be handled without the nodes needing to store details of so many such alternative paths. Otherwise, many such alternative paths are needed to take account of many different possible failure locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET L M ERICSSON (PUBL)
    Inventors: Massimiliano Maggiari, Michela Bevilacqua, Carla Marcenaro
  • Publication number: 20150010298
    Abstract: A number of users interface with a network via a multiplex module, on a communication path established between the multiplex module and a point of presence. Some users may be served by one or more first channels of the communication path while one or more remaining users may be served by one or more additional channels of the communication path. Users having a basic service level agreement may be served by the first channels while users having an extended service level agreement may be served by the one or more additional channels. Allocation of users to distinct channel types based on their service level agreements may apply at a primary point of presence or may apply at a redundant point of presence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: François D. Menard
  • Patent number: 8929728
    Abstract: A method for realizing an automatic protection switching of a transmission device is provided, and the method includes that: according to a received automatic protection switching trigger condition and information of each line sub-card, which are transmitted by a cross sub-card via a Time Division Multiplexing Fabric to Framer Interface (TFI5) frame, a control sub-card determines to execute protection switching, and sends a protection switching command to the cross sub-card; and the cross sub-card completes the protection switching action. A system for realizing an automatic protection switching of a transmission device is also provided. According to the technical solution of the present invention, the automatic protection switching of the transmission device in an Optical Transport Network (OTN) is achieved conveniently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: ZTE Corporation
    Inventors: Changlong Zhong, Jian Geng
  • Patent number: 8923701
    Abstract: A wireless communications link comprising an RF link and a free space optics (FSO) link, a switch, an RF signal monitoring apparatus, an optical signal monitoring apparatus, alarm apparatus and a controller. The switch operates in a normal mode to aggregate the links to form a link aggregation group and to route traffic on the link aggregation group, a first protection mode to route traffic on the FSO link, or a second protection mode to route traffic on the RF link. The controller is arranged to receive an alarm signal and to generate and transmit a control signal to cause the switch to operate in the first protection mode when a first alarm signal is received, the second protection mode when a second alarm signal is received, and the normal mode when an indicator is received indicating that both signal quality parameters are above their threshold values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ)
    Inventors: Antonio D'Errico, Marzio Puleri
  • Publication number: 20140363152
    Abstract: A communication system includes a source node and an end node of a first working path, a source node and an end node of a second working path, and a source node and an end node of a common path serving as a protection path shared by the first and second working paths. The source node of the common path transfers one of signals received from the source nodes of the first and second working paths to the common path, and the end node of the common path transmits the signal received through the common path to each of the end nodes of the first and second working paths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Shingo HIRONAKA, Takashi HONDA
  • Publication number: 20140341561
    Abstract: A method for error detection within a passive optical network (PON), the method comprising receiving a first upstream optical signal that is copied at an optical splitter, converting the first upstream optical signal to a first electrical signal, receiving a second electrical signal that is converted from a second upstream optical signal that is copied at the optical splitter, and determining a corrected transmitted data stream using at least the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal, wherein the first upstream optical signal and the second upstream optical signal are copies of an upstream optical signal generated from a plurality of optical network units (ONUs).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: Futurewei Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank J. Effenberger, Lei Zong
  • Publication number: 20140341562
    Abstract: Systems and methods for optical path protection for distributed antenna systems are provided. In one embodiment, a system comprises a hub and at least one node located remotely from the hub. The hub is coupled to the node by first and second fiber paths, the first fiber path comprising an uplink fiber and a downlink fiber, the second fiber path comprising an uplink fiber and a downlink fiber. The node is coupled to the downlink fibers of the first and second fiber paths via an optical combiner, and is further coupled to the uplink fibers of the first and second fiber paths via an optical splitter. The node further monitors a signal quality of a downlink optical signal and communicates to the hub information indicative of the signal quality. The hub switches communications between the hub and the node from the first to second fiber path based on the information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: John Sabat, JR., Thomas G. Hebert
  • Publication number: 20140341560
    Abstract: A protection channel provisioning method includes: reserving a first protection channel corresponding to a first work channel and a second protection channel corresponding to a second work channel; provisioning a shared protection channel by configuring a circuit of node equipment provided on a shared route on which the first protection channel and the second protection channel are redundantly reserved so that a data signal of the first work channel or a data signal of the second work channel is transmitted via the shared route; and configuring a circuit of branch node equipment provided in a branch node at which the shared protection channel is guided to a first node corresponding to the first protection channel and a second node corresponding to the second protection channel so that the data signal transmitted via the shared protection channel is not guided to the first node and the second node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Masakazu Bamba
  • Patent number: 8891956
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a method may include for each particular working demand in a communication network, calculating a dedicated backup path for a working path of the particular working demand such that each particular backup path does not include links present in the working path. The method may also include, for each particular working demand: (i) assigning to the backup path a wavelength associated with the particular working demand; and (ii) assign to the backup path a transponder at each of the source and destination of the backup path associated with the wavelength; such that the backup path for at least one particular working demand is assigned a transponder that is also assigned to the backup path for at least one other particular working demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Xi Wang, Paparao Palacharla
  • Patent number: 8891957
    Abstract: A method of managing fault recovery in a trunk-branched OADM network may include determining that an optical power level over data channels of a first communications link between a first and a second terminal of the branched optical network exceeds an optical power limit. The method may further include increasing optical power sent over spare channels of the first communications link to a first level at which the optical power level over the data channels decreases to a second level below the optical power limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Subsea Communications LLC
    Inventors: Ruomei Mu, Ekaterina A. Golovchenko, Frank W. Kerfoot, III
  • Publication number: 20140334811
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for cost-effectively conserving power in a PON. Protection ports, usually on a protection LT card, are configured to communicate with a selectable one of the downstream ODN splitter/combiners associated with the primary ports on the remaining LT cards of the OLT. Each protection port includes at least a splitter for distributing a transmitted signal from a light source to a plurality of switched protection fibers, and may have an optical amplifier to provide for lossless or low-loss distribution. Each port may also have a combiner for combining received signals from a plurality of switched protection fibers. Traffic flow through the OLT is monitored and when it is determined that traffic flow has reached a threshold level, traffic is routed via a protection port instead of a primary port. If the traffic rerouted to a protection card, then the method may further include powering down the primary LT card or placing it in a mode having reduced power consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventors: Joseph L. Smith, Ronald Heron, Edward E. Harstead, Peter J. Vetter
  • Patent number: 8879914
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling traffic in an optical network having a plurality of OLTs for communicating with a plurality of PONs. A traffic controller receives traffic information concerning current traffic volume and, preferably with reference to a rules database, calculates the number of OLTs required to support the current traffic volume. A separate determination may be made whether a network reconfiguration is permitted at this time. If a reconfiguration is permitted, the traffic controller configures a traffic control switch to route the PON traffic to an from only the calculated number of OLTs. The traffic control switch may be implemented using a voltage-controlled optical fiber coupling or electronically, routing the traffic as electrical signals to and from electro-optical converters associated with each PON. The OLTs to be used may be selected by the traffic controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventors: Dusan Suvakovic, Doutje Van Veen
  • Patent number: 8879904
    Abstract: An optical network and method of protection switching between first and second transceivers where dispersion compensation is effected electrically in the transmitters. The method includes detecting, at the second transceiver, a signal failure of a signal transmitted from the first transceiver and, upon detecting the signal failure, signaling the first transceiver to change its compensation function. The signaling can be done by encoding overhead bits in a signal transmitted from the second to the first transceiver. Another method of protection switching includes both transceivers toggling alternate reception paths upon detecting a signal failure and changing their dispersion compensation function to that of their respective alternate path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Rockstar Consortium US LP
    Inventors: James Harley, Gerard Swinkels, Michael Watford
  • Publication number: 20140321844
    Abstract: method is provided for reducing adverse effects of a link failure in an optical network, wherein the optical network comprises at least one main link which comprises a first optical fiber amplifier (OFA), and along which communications traffic is currently being conveyed, and at least one protection link which comprises a second optical fiber amplifier (OFA) along which communications traffic is not currently being conveyed, wherein the at least one protection link is adapted to carry out communications traffic diverted from the at least one main link when a failure occurs at said at least one main link or at one or more nodes associated therewith, and wherein the method is further characterized in that when no communications traffic is being conveyed along the at least one protection link, one or more pumps of the second OFA is operating to provide an output having a pre-defined power level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: ECI Telecom Ltd.
    Inventors: Avi LEVY, Eyal LICHTMAN
  • Publication number: 20140321845
    Abstract: The present invention is applicable to the field of PONs and provides a PON protection method and apparatus. A first transmission path is established between a first OLT and a far-end network node, and a second transmission path is established between a second OLT and the far-end network node. When it is found that a fault occurs on an optical path of the first OLT, a PON port corresponding to the optical path is switched to a corresponding PON port on the second OLT, and a fault notification is sent to the far-end network node. After receiving the fault notification, the far-end network node switches a data flow of the PON port corresponding to the optical path from the first transmission path to the second transmission path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Yuanlong Jiang, Hongyu Li
  • Publication number: 20140321846
    Abstract: Control and monitoring of airfield lighting from a control tower and other maintenance/supervisory locations uses double loop self healing fiber optic communications circuits to enhances speed of operation even with large and complex airfield lighting system requirements, and significantly increased reliability and operating lifetime thereof. A plurality of local light control and monitoring groups are used, wherein each group has at least one fiber optic communications concentrator that independently communicates with light controllers within the group and the remote supervisory control and monitoring systems in the control tower and other locations. This allows faster control response of the lamps in each of the airfield light fixtures, and monitoring concentration of operational data within each group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Maoz Ohad, Andrei Weintraub
  • Patent number: 8873948
    Abstract: A border node of an optical network receives optical channel traffic parameter(s) associated with an optical channel from an optical channel originator external to the optical network. The received parameters are used to determine the suitability of at least one optical path within the optical network for an externally originating optical channel. If a suitable optical path is determined, an optical channel availability message indicating the availability at the border node of an optical path within the optical network for the optical channel is sent to the optical channel originator. The optical channel originator determines an available optical channel status of the optical channel from the received optical channel availability message for the optical channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (Publ)
    Inventors: Diego Caviglia, Giulio Bottari, Daniele Ceccarelli
  • Publication number: 20140314401
    Abstract: Transmission equipment comprises: a measurement unit configured to measure respective transmission delays of the plurality of paths by using a frame transmitted between the transmission equipment and correspondent equipment; a detector configured to detect a priority of an input packet; a selector configured to select a path for transmitting the input packet from among the plurality of paths; and a frame processing unit configured to transmit a frame onto which the input packet is mapped to the correspondent equipment through a path selected by the selector. The selector selects an alternative path for transmitting the input packet from among the plurality of paths based on the priority of the input packet detected by the detector and respective transmission delays of the plurality of paths measured by the measurement unit when a failure occurs in a path that has been selected by the selector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Tomoyoshi Fujimori
  • Patent number: 8861952
    Abstract: A multi-channel optoelectronic device is configured to establish a redundant status link with a remote device. The optoelectronic device can transmit N transmit optical signals to the remote device over a plurality of transmit channels and receive N receive optical signals from the remote device over a plurality of receive channels. The optoelectronic device includes one or more spare transmit and receive channels. When used with a remote device having spare transmit and receive channels, each device can establish a status link with the other and use the status link to switch out transmit and/or receive channels to identify and permanently switch out the worst transmit and/or receive channels. Alternately, the device can interoperate with a non-status-link enabled remote device by determining that the remote device is not status-link enabled, transitioning to a low transmit power mode, and transmitting and receiving over a plurality of default transmit and receive channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher R. Cole, Lewis B. Aronson, Darin James Douma
  • Patent number: 8861956
    Abstract: An apparatus switches paths in a wavelength-multiplexing network in which a first number of wavelengths each used for a path to transmit an optical signal are multiplexed into an optical fiber. The apparatus includes an entire switching unit and a second number of individual switching units where the second number is smaller than the first number. The entire switching unit is configured to perform a path-switching process for switching a path, simultaneously on all the first number of wavelengths when failures have occurred for all the first number of wavelengths. The second number of individual switching units are each configured to perform the path-switching process individually on one of a third number of wavelengths included in the first number of wavelengths when at least one failure has occurred for the third number of wavelengths where the third numbers is smaller than the first number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Yasuki Fujii, Ryoichi Mutoh, Toru Katagiri
  • Patent number: 8855483
    Abstract: A method of restoration for an optical network, the network comprising a plurality of nodes (40, 50) interconnected with each other by optical links (130), a subset of the nodes (40) each comprising a regenerator, the method comprising: storing 160) a quality of transmission parameter and a regenerator availability at each of the plurality of nodes (40, 50); notifying (170) a branch node (110) in response to detecting a failure (140) within a link (130) forming part of the path between a source node (20) and a destination node (30), wherein the branch node (110) is the neighbouring upstream node (40, 50) upstream of the link failure (140), the branch node (110) having a regenerator; the branch node (110) computing (190) a restoration segment (100) to a merge node (120) having a regenerator which is a neighbouring downstream node which is downstream of the link failure (140), the restoration path (100) being based on the quality of transmission parameter and regenerator availability information; restoring (180
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ)
    Inventors: Piero Castoldi, Filippo Cugini, Nicola Sambo, Isabella Cerutti, Alessio Giorgetti, Luca Valcarenghi
  • Publication number: 20140286634
    Abstract: A transmission circuit of a transmission device transmits a signal to a reception circuit of a reception device via a plurality of signal paths included in a communication line. A first interface circuit is connected to the transmission circuit and one or more signal paths. A second interface circuit is connected to the transmission circuit and remaining signal paths expect for the one or more signal paths. A third interface circuit is connected to the reception circuit and the one or more signal paths. A fourth interface circuit is connected to the reception circuit and the remaining signal paths. An operation for transmitting and receiving the signal via the plurality of signal paths is changed to an operation for transmitting and receiving the signal via the remaining signal paths when the one or more signal paths enter a disconnected state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Jun TSUIKI
  • Publication number: 20140286633
    Abstract: A transponder among a plurality of transponders that are connected with a client device via a plurality of optical couplers, the transponder includes a protection timer configured to be activated when an alarm indication signal transmitted from the client device is received, and a controller configured to control transmission of an optical signal to one of the plurality of optical couplers when the protection timer times out, wherein a timeout value of the protection timer is set to a value different from a timeout value of a protection timer included in another transponder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Yuuichi Namai, Eijiro Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8842982
    Abstract: A passive optical network is provided which uses existing GPON OAM functionality and standard routing protocol messages to solve the downstream routing problem between an access service provider and one or more other communication provider networks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: British Telecommunications Public Limited Company
    Inventor: Justin Kang
  • Publication number: 20140270749
    Abstract: A system includes a network having multiple network nodes each configured for free-space optical communication. Each network node includes one or more apertures through which optical beams are transmitted and received over optical links. The optical links include (i) a traffic link that transports higher-rate traffic between nodes and (ii) an acquisition/tracking link that transports lower-rate signals used to establish and maintain location knowledge of other nodes. Each network node also includes a network processor configured to determine one or more backup paths through the network. Each network node further includes a beam steering unit configured to redirect an optical beam from the traffic link onto the acquisition/tracking link to create a backup traffic link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: William J. Miniscalco, Irl W. Smith
  • Patent number: 8831428
    Abstract: Communication devices, systems, and methods for dynamic cell bonding (DCB) for networks and communication systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of operating a wireless communication system is provided. The method includes determining a first plurality of remote units in a cloud bonded to a communication session, measuring a received signal strength from each of the first plurality of remote units, and measuring a received signal strength from each of a second plurality of remote units in the cloud not bonded to the communication session. One or more of the second plurality of remote units is dynamically bonded to the communication session if the measured received signal strength of the one of the second plurality of remote units is greater than the measured received signal strength of the first plurality of remote units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC
    Inventors: Andrey Kobyakov, Michael Sauer
  • Patent number: 8824885
    Abstract: Optical network protection devices and protection methods including: a working line; a protection line; a determination module configured to determine the protection type of optical network; a first judgment module configured to judge whether the working line is normal according to performance parameter values of service signal in the working line and switching conditions configured for multiplexing section protection when the protection type of optical network is the multiplexing section protection; a second judgment module, configured to judge whether the working line is normal according to performance parameter values of service signal in the working line and switching conditions configured for channel section protection when the protection type of optical network is the channel section protection; a switching module, configured to take the service signal in the protection line as an output signal when working line is abnormal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: ZTE Corporation
    Inventors: Zhennan Liu, Yong You
  • Patent number: 8824899
    Abstract: OSUs 1 to N are connected to a plurality of PON lines respectively. A control unit performs processing for registering a plurality of subscriber devices connected to the plurality of PON lines respectively and processing for allocating a bandwidth. In addition, the control unit switches an OSU while a state of registration of the plurality of subscriber devices is maintained, by changing a communication path between the plurality of PON lines and a plurality of OSUs 1 to N.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhisa Yamashita