Patent ID: 9455788
Filing Date: 2016-09-27
CPC Classification: H04B,H04L,H04Q

Claim Text:
1. A hitless modulation change method at a node in an optical network, the hitless modulation change method comprising: determining that a modulation change from a first modulation scheme to a second modulation scheme is warranted for an optical modem in the node, the optical modem configured to communicate over an optical link; determining an impact of the modulation change on the optical link and associated underlying connections thereon comprising determining a length of time the modulation change will take based on a type of the modulation change and conditions on the optical link; causing changes in a data plane for the associated underlying connections, prior to performing the modulation change; and causing the modulation change subsequent to accommodating the associated underlying connections in the data plane, thereby minimizing interruptions of the associated underlying connections due to the modulation change.