Patent ID: 8509615
Filing Date: 2013-08-13
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus, comprising: a segment of optical fiber; an optical circuit having a first and second inputs, and first and second outputs, the segment of optical fiber being configured to supply an optical signal carrying client data and a first optical service channel carrying first service channel data, the optical circuit being configured to receive the optical signal and the first optical service channel at the first input, and supply the first optical service channel at the second output; a receiver circuit configured to receive the optical service channel from the first output and generate an electrical signal in response thereto, the electrical signal carrying the first service channel data; a switch circuit having first and second switch outputs, the switch circuit being configured to selectively supply the optical service channel data to one of the first and second switch outputs; a control circuit coupled to the second switch output, such that the control circuit receives the first optical service channel data when the switch circuit supplies the first optical service channel data to the second switch output, the control circuit being configured to generate second optical service channel data; and a transmitter circuit coupled to the first switch output, such that the transmitter circuit receives the first optical service channel data when the switch circuit supplies the first optical service channel data to the first switch output by bypassing the control circuit, whereby the transmitter circuit generates a second optical service channel carrying the first optical service channel data, the second input of the optical circuit being configured to receive the second optical service channel, the second optical service channel and the optical signal being supplied at the second output of the optical circuit.