Patent ID: 6493120
Filing Date: 2002-12-10
Classification: H04Q

Abstract:
A system for filling voids between optical signals at an output fiber of an optical switch comprising:an optical buffer, comprising: an output fiber comprising a plurality of wavelengths; and a plurality of delay lines for inducing unique delays in an optical signal; a memory that includes a wavelength, a position in time, and a duration for each void between outgoing optical signals in each output fiber; and a void filling and scheduling software program, executable by a processor to, upon the arrival of a new optical signal having an arrival time and a duration: calculate an available delay for each delay line as measured from the arrival time of the new optical signal; and schedule the new optical signal within a particular void if: a particular available delay falls within the position in time of the particular void; and the duration of the new optical signal measured from the particular available delay fits within the duration of the particular void.