Patent ID: 6504963
Filing Date: 2003-01-07
Classification: G02B,H04J,H04L,H04Q

Abstract:
A bi-directional optical fiber switch for use in an optical communication network comprising:a west ring switch comprising a first and second optical switch, wherein said west ring switch connects to a west receive working fiber, an east receive protection fiber, a west transmit working fiber, and an east transmit protection fiber; an east ring switch interconnected to said west ring switch, said east ring switch comprising a third and fourth optical switch, wherein said east ring switch connects to an east transmit working fiber, a west transmit protection fiber, an east receive working fiber, and a west receive protection fiber; wherein optical signals pass through said east and west ring switches when said east and west ring switches are in a first switching state; and wherein optical signals from one of said east and west receive working fibers are diverted to one of said east and west transmit protection fibers, respectively, when one of said east and west ring switches is in a second switching state.