Patent ID: 7599620
Filing Date: 2009-10-06
Classification: H04Q

Abstract:
1. A communications network for a metropolitan area comprising: a plurality of access multiplexers, each access multiplexer operable to provide multiplexing of data packets from a plurality of end-users onto a sparse dense wavelength division multiplexed (S-DWDM) wavelength; the S-DWDM wavelength having an optical precision capable of being interleaved into the optical frequency constraints of a dense wavelength division multiplex (DWDM) wavelength plan used in a core network; a photonic switch, coupled to the access multiplexers via fiber optic cable for carrying a plurality of S-DWDM wavelengths, being all-optical and operable to switch the plurality of S-DWDM wavelengths into a DWDM signal for transmission; and a core node being part of the core network, coupled to the photonic switch via a fiber optic cable for carrying the DWDM signal, and operable to route the data packets within the communications network or out to a long haul network.