Patent ID: 6915463
Filing Date: 2005-07-05
Classification: H04J,H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of performing protection switching in a communications network, the method comprising: a) on an ongoing basis, providing forward error correction (FECI coding for data transmitted on the communications network and monitoring a raw bit error rate (BER) determined prior to performing the error correction based on the FEC coding in respect of a first path through the communications network; b) on an ongoing basis, determining a first order derivative of said raw BER based on at least one previous raw BER and a current raw BER; c) determining a predicted raw BER at a next time interval based on the current BER and said first order derivative; and d) comparing the predicted BER with a predetermined threshold, and if the predicted raw BER is exceeding the threshold, instigating a switch to a protection path through the network.