Patent ID: 6046833
Filing Date: 2000-04-04
Classification: H04J,H04Q

Abstract:
A heterogeneous ring network having adjacent nodes linked by optical working links, with at least one multi-wavelength working link between first and second adjacent nodes, which first and second nodes are capable of sending and receiving multi-wavelength signals on the multi-wavelength working link, the network having at least one additional node, the network having at least one working link not capable of multi-wavelength operation, the network comprising:multi-wavelength optical protection links between adjacent pairs of nodes; andan optical switching assembly at each node, the optical switching assembly having at least one optical switching element to provide a bypass path wherein light traveling along one of the node's connected protection links enters the node and is communicated to the other of the node's connected protection links without being directed to terminal equipment associated with the node;the switching assembly also permitting a state where the associated terminal equipment is coupled to at least one of the node's connected protection links;wherein the multi-wavelength protection links provide an alternative path between adjacent pairs of nodes in the event that the working and protection links between the first and second nodes become incapable of supporting multi-wavelength communication between the first and second nodes, notwithstanding the fact that at least some of the nodes in the network are not capable of sending and receiving multi-wavelength signals on their connected working and protection links.