Patent ID: 7805078
Filing Date: 2010-09-28
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
1. A method of increasing reliability of a communication system comprising: comparing a value of a characteristic associated with an optical receive signal to a first threshold value, the optical receive signal being received following exposure to climatic conditions; comparing a value of a characteristic associated with an electrical receive signal to a second threshold value, the electrical receive signal being received following exposure to climatic conditions; transmitting an input signal to a first signal path and a second signal path; coupling operatively the first signal path to an optical switch associated with an optical path, the optical path being configured to output an optical output signal based on the input signal; coupling operatively the second signal path to electrical switch associated with an electrical path, the electrical path being configured to output an electrical output signal based on the input signal; controlling, without user intervention, the optical switch based on a result of comparing the value of the characteristic associated with the electrical receive signal to the second threshold value using a second control circuit; and controlling, without user intervention, the electrical switch based on a result of comparing the value of the characteristic associated with the optical receive signal to the first threshold value using a first control circuit.