Patent ID: 7139479
Filing Date: 2006-11-21
Classification: H04B,H04J,H04Q

Abstract:
1. In an optical path comprising a plurality of optical transmission devices for transmission of a transmission signal therealong, each device receiving said transmission signal and transmitting said transmission signal, said transmission signal comprising an overhead portion and a payload portion, a method for monitoring said optical transmission path comprising: identifying a first set of said optical transmission devices associated with a first monitoring zone, said first set of optical transmission devices including first and second optical transmission devices designated as first and second end-point devices, the remaining optical transmission devices in said first set being designated as first relay devices; identifying a second set of said optical transmission devices associated with a second monitoring zone, said second set of optical transmission devices including third and fourth optical transmission devices designated as third and fourth end-point devices, the remaining optical transmission devices in said second set being designated as second relay devices; transmitting first insertion-type instruction signal to said first end-point device, said first insertion-type signal informs said first end-point device of a first monitoring information signal for monitoring said first monitoring zone and a first overhead portion for storing said first monitoring information signal and instructs insertion of said first monitoring information signal in said first overhead portion of a received transmission signal, said first end-point device thereby modifying said transmission signal by inserting said first monitoring information signal into said first overhead portion of said transmission signal and transmitting said transmission signal as modified; transmitting second insertion-type instruction signal to said third end-point device, said second insertion-type signal informs said third end-point device of a second monitoring information signal for monitoring said second monitoring zone and a second overhead portion for storing said second monitoring information signal and instructs insertion of said second monitoring information signal in said second overhead portion of a received transmission signal, said third end-point device thereby modifying said transmission signal by inserting said second monitoring information signal into said second overhead portion of said transmission signal and transmitting said transmission signal as modified; transmitting passthrough-type instruction signals to said first relay devices and to said second relay devices, said passthrough-type instruction signals inform said first or second monitoring information signal and said first or second overhead portion; and transmitting end-point processing type instruction signals to said second and fourth end-point devices, said end-point type instruction signals inform said first or second monitoring information signal and said first or second overhead portion.