Patent ID: 7212738
Filing Date: 2007-05-01
Classification: H04B,H04J

Abstract:
1. A redundant optical signal transmission system for use with an optical communications network, the system comprising: a plurality of primary optical transmitters, each being operable to produce a channel having a distinct wavelength; an optical signal multiplexor including a diffraction grating operable to combine the channels produced by the plurality of primary optical transmitters into a multiplexed optical signal; and a switch array operably disposed between the multiplexor and the plurality of transmitters, the switch array comprising a plurality of optical switches, each switch being operably connected to a corresponding primary optical transmitter, wherein, in the event of malfunction of one of the plurality of primary optical transmitters, the corresponding optical switch is in a reflective state in which a backup channel having a wavelength of the channel associated with the malfunctioning primary optical transmitter diffracts off the diffraction grating onto said corresponding optical switch and is thereafter reflected off the switch to the diffraction grating so as to be multiplexed with the multiplexed optical signal.