Patent ID: 6016219
Filing Date: 2000-01-18
Classification: H04B,H04J,H04Q

Abstract:
An optical protection switching system having an input and an output comprising:an input optical coupler for coupling an incoming optical signal to a plurality of optical communication arrangements, such that the input optical coupler performs a head-end bridging function for 1+N protection switching;a plurality of gain-switched fiber optical amplifiers associated on a one-to-one basis with said plurality of said optical communication arrangements;a pump arrangement for optically controlling ON/OFF states of each of the plurality gain-switched fiber optical amplifiers for controlling the routing of the incoming optical signal from the input to the output;outputs from said gain-switched fiber optical amplifiers being supplied to the optical output through an output optical coupler,the plurality of gain-switched fiber optical amplifiers, the output optical coupler, and the pump arrangement together forming a gain-switched optical selector for performing a tail-end switching function for 1+N protection switching.