Patent ID: 7145867
Filing Date: 2006-12-05
Classification: H04L,H04Q

Abstract:
1. A method for routing optical data packets comprising: establishing a schedule pattern comprising a plurality of time slots, wherein the schedule pattern includes at least one time slot in which an ingress edge unit can communicate with a destination egress edge unit, at least one time slot in which an ingress edge unit can communicate with an intermediate edge unit, and at least one time slot in which the intermediate edge unit can communicate with the destination egress edge unit: receiving a data packet at the ingress edge unit; determining if the schedule pattern allocates sufficient bandwidth to communicate the data packet to the destination egress edge unit without deflection; if sufficient bandwidth has been allocated, communicating the data packet to the destination egress edge unit; and if sufficient bandwidth has not been allocated: determining the current traffic demand; and if sufficient bandwidth has not been allocated to communicate the data packet to the destination egress edge unit without deflection under the current traffic demand, updating the schedule pattern to increase the allocated bandwidth between the ingress edge unit and the destination egress edge unit.