Patent ID: 9209895
Filing Date: 2015-12-08
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
1. A method for reducing adverse effects of a link failure in an optical network, wherein the optical network comprises at least one main link which comprises a first optical fiber amplifier (OFA), and along which communications traffic is currently being conveyed, and at least one protection link which comprises a second optical fiber amplifier (OFA) along which communications traffic is not currently being conveyed, wherein the at least one protection link is adapted to carry out communications traffic diverted from the at least one main link when a failure occurs at said at least one main link or at one or more nodes associated therewith, and wherein the method is further characterized in that when no communications traffic is being conveyed along the at least one protection link, one or more pumps of the second OFA is operating to provide an output having a pre-defined power level, and wherein the first OFA is operative by a LOS-N operating mode where there is no shutdown of the first OFA when a LOS is detected, or is operative by shifting between LOS-N operating mode and LOS-A operating mode in which the first OFA undergoes shutdown after LOS detection, and wherein the shifting between said two modes is carried out every time a LOS is detected.