Patent ID: 6154296
Filing Date: 2000-11-28
Classification: H04B,H04J

Abstract:
An optical network with a reduced number of protect fibers and associated equipment, the network comprising:a plurality of nodes, comprising:at least two shared nodes; anda plurality of unshared nodes;a plurality of working lines, each one of the plurality of working lines connecting a pair of the plurality of nodes to form at least two rings, wherein first and second ones of the at least two rings each include a respective working line connecting first and second ones of the at least two shared nodes; anda plurality of back-up lines comprising:at least one shared protect line connecting the at least two shared nodes: anda plurality of protect lines, each one of the plurality of protect lines connecting one of the plurality of unshared nodes to one other of the plurality of nodes connected by one of the plurality of working lines;wherein said first and second ones of said at least two shared nodes are connected by a first one of said at least one shared protect lines, said first one of said at least one shared protect lines acting as a back-up line for both said first one of said at least two rings and said second one of said at least two rings.