Patent ID: 9197354
Filing Date: 2015-11-24
Classification: H04J,H04Q

Abstract:
1. An optical network, comprising: a first network element with an add Wavelength Selective Switch (WSS); a second network element with a drop WSS communicatively coupled to the add WSS of the first network element by a first optical fiber, wherein the first optical fiber includes a first plurality of optical channels and a second plurality of optical channels; wherein each of the first plurality of optical channels are located on an optical spectrum over the first optical fiber with substantially no spectrum between adjacent channels, and wherein each of the second plurality of optical channels are located on the optical spectrum with substantially no spectrum between adjacent channels; wherein a plurality of bins are defined directly adjacent to and touching one another over the optical spectrum by a management system for operations, administration, maintenance, and provisioning of the optical network, wherein each of the first plurality of optical channels and the second plurality of optical channels are assigned to a variable number of the plurality of bins, and wherein a width of each of the plurality of bins is smaller than or equal to a smallest required roll-off on the add WSS, the drop WSS, or any wavelength selective components in the optical network; and wherein at least one channel of the first plurality of optical channels or the second plurality of optical channels is assigned to more than one bin.