Patent ID: 6763191
Filing Date: 2004-07-13
Classification: H04Q

Abstract:
An optical switching method for switching a plurality of series of upstream optical signal samples to a destination route, the method comprising:selecting n series of upstream optical signal samples from groups of k1, . . . ,km series of upstream optical signal samples that are respectively carried over m separate fiber optic cables in a wavelength division multiplexed form over channel wavelengths {&lgr;ii,jj} at data rates {DRii,jj} respectively, the n series of upstream optical signal samples being respectively carried over channel wavelengths &lgr;1, . . . ,&lgr;n at respective data rates DR1, . . . ,DRn and comprising series of upstream optical signal samples from at least two of the m separate fiber optic cables, where n and k1, . . . , km are integers greater than one, m is an integer greater than or equal to two, n1+ . . . +km, ii is an index running from 1 to m, and jj is an index running from 1 to kj where j is an index running from 1 to m; dropping the n series of upstream optical signal samples from those of the m separate fiber optic cables that carry the n series of upstream optical signal samples; optically converting the n series of upstream optical signal samples into a combined series of upstream optical signal samples having the upstream optical signal samples carried over a channel wavelength &lgr;D at a combined data rate DRc, the channel wavelength &lgr;D being useful for carrying optical signal samples to the destination route; and routing said combined series of upstream optical signal samples to said destination route.