Patent ID: 7447398
Filing Date: 2008-11-04
Classification: H04Q

Abstract:
1. An optical crossconnect apparatus comprising: a demultiplexer for demultiplexing a wavelength multiplexed optical signal from a first transmission line; a plurality of wavelength tunable transponders for transmitting and receiving an optical signal with a client, wherein the wavelength of the optical signal to be transmitted to an optical switch is tunable; a plurality of wavelength tunable repeaters for extracting and forwarding an in-channel monitoring control signal, wherein the wavelength of the optical signal to be transmitted to said optical switch is tunable; a multiplexer for wavelength-multiplexing the optical signal and transmitting the multiplexed signal to a second transmission line; said optical switch having the output of said demultiplexer and said transponder and said wavelength tunable repeater as an input, and having the input of said multiplexer and said transponder and said wavelength tunable repeater as an output; and a monitoring controller for transmitting and receiving the in-channel control signal with said wavelength tunable transponder and said wavelength tunable repeater, controlling transmission wavelengths of wavelength tunable transmitters of said wavelength tunable transponder and said wavelength tunable repeater, and controlling connection of said optical switch.