Patent ID: 6556319
Filing Date: 2003-04-29
Classification: H04B,H04J,H04Q

Abstract:
A fiber optic system, comprising:a primary transmission path provided from a first source, the primary transmission path including at least one line unit; a backup transmission path provided from the first source, the backup transmission path including at least one line unit; a branch unit provided at a meeting point of the primary and backup transmission paths provided from a first source, the branch unit comprising: a combiner for combining signals received on the primary and back transmission paths provided from a first source, and for outputting a combined signal on an output port of the combiner, wherein, in a first mode of operation, the at least one line unit of the backup transmission path provided from a first source is set to a zero or near-zero power output state, so that the combined signal corresponds substantially to a signal obtained from the primary transmission path provided from a first source, and wherein, in a second mode of operation, the at least one line unit of the backup transmission path provided from a first source is set to a normal, non-zero or non-near zero power output state, so that the combined signal includes a signal obtained from the backup transmission path provided from a first source.