Patent ID: 6990067
Filing Date: 2006-01-24
Classification: H04J,H04Q

Abstract:
1. An optical communication switch comprising at least a first and a second interfaces each adapted to be connected to at least one segment of a first optical path and a segment of a second optical path, wherein said first interface is adapted to: receive a first part of communication carried along a first segment of said first optical path; convey a second part of the communication towards said first segment of said first optical path; receive a second part of communication carried along said first segment of said second optical path; and convey a first part of communication towards said first segment of said second optical path; wherein said second interface is adapted to: convey a first part of communication towards a second segment of said first optical path; receive a second part of the communication carried along said second segment of said first optical path; convey a second part of communication towards said second segment of said second optical path; and receive a first part of communication carried along said second segment of said second optical path, wherein under normal operating conditions said optical communication switch is adapted to: receive the first part of communication carried along said first segment of said first optical path at said first interface, and convey it towards said second segment of said first optical path; receive a second part of the communication carried along said second segment of said first optical path at said second interface, and convey it towards said first segment of said first optical path; receive the second part of communication carried along said first segment of said second optical path at said first interface, and convey it towards said second segment of said second optical path; receive a first part of the communication carried along said second segment of said second optical path at said second interface, and convey it towards said first segment of said second optical path; and wherein in response to a fault detected along the second segment of the first optical path, said optical communication switch is adapted to: divert the first part of communication received from said first segment of said first optical path at said first interface, and convey it via said second interface towards said second segment of said second optical path; and divert the first part of communication received from said second segment of said second optical path at said second interface, and convey it via said first interface towards said first segment of said first optical path.