Patent ID: 6400476
Filing Date: 2002-06-04
Classification: H04B,H04J

Abstract:
An optical communication network capable of carrying optical signals at a plurality of wavelengths bidirectionally, the network comprising:an internal fiber optic link capable of carrying the plurality of wavelengths in a first direction; an external fiber optic link capable of carrying the plurality of wavelengths in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction; a first communication channel for at least a first wavelength in said plurality, comprising only first portions of both of the internal and external fiber optic links, the first communication channel being terminated by two nodes; a second communication channel for said first wavelength, comprising only second portions of both of the internal and external fiber optic links, the second communication channel being terminated by said two nodes, the second portions of the internal and external fiber optic links being different from the first portions of the internal and external fiber optic links; detection circuitry for determining degradation in the first communication channel; a plurality of optical switches activated by the detection circuitry for redirecting communications at said first wavelength from the first communication channel to the second communication channel upon detection of degradation in the first communication channel.