Patent ID: 7162116
Filing Date: 2007-01-09
Classification: G02B,H04J,H04Q

Abstract:
1. An optical protection switch comprising: a plurality of data inputs; for each data input a respective straight-through output, and a corresponding service optical path between the data input and its respective straight-through output; a plurality of protection outputs; for each protection output a respective protection optical path terminating at the protection output, each protection optical path intersecting each service optical path at a respective intersection location; and a protection array having a plurality of sites, each site located at an intersection location, the protection array adapted to operate in a protection mode and a service mode, the plurality of sites comprising: a plurality of populated sites, each populated site having a protection switching element for redirecting an input signal input at the respective data input towards the respective protection output when the protection array operates in protection mode, the protection switching element for allowing the input signal to traverse the populated site unaffected towards the respective straight-through output when the protection array operates in service mode, and a plurality of unpopulated sites, each unpopulated site for allowing an input signal input at the respective data input to pass through the unpopulated site unaffected towards the respective straight-through output.