Patent ID: 6889009
Filing Date: 2005-05-03
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
1. A method of managing a free-space optical network, comprising the steps of: directing network data traffic over one or more free-space optical links in the free-space optical network; monitoring one or more environmental conditions in a vicinity of at least one of the one or more free-space optical links; and routing the network data traffic through an non-wireless alternate communication path in response to data obtained from the step of monitoring one or more environmental conditions in a vicinity of at least one of the one or more free-space optical links; wherein the step of monitoring one or more environmental conditions comprises the step of collecting data indicative of at least one of the one or more environmental conditions with an instrument located in the vicinity of the at least one of the one or more free-space optical links; wherein the step of monitoring one or more environmental conditions further comprises the step of: sending an alarm over the free-space optical network in response to the data indicative of at least one of the one or more environmental conditions.