Patent ID: 6434288
Filing Date: 2002-08-13
Classification: H04J,H04Q

Abstract:
An optical switching system including a working output port to be connected to a working transmitting path, a working input port to be connected to a working receiving path, a preparatory output port to be connected to a preparatory transmitting path, a preparatory input port to be connected to a preparatory receiving path, a working add port to be connected to a transmitting section of a working terminal unit, a working drop port to be connected to a receiving section of the working terminal unit, a preparatory add port to be connected to a transmitting section of a preparatory terminal unit, and a preparatory drop port to be connected to a receiving section of the preparatory terminal unit, said optical switching system comprising:a transmitting section including a working transmitted optical signal splitter for splitting an optical signal input to the working add port and for supplying split optical signals to the working output port and toward the preparatory output port, and a preparatory transmitted optical signal selector for selecting one of a first output of the working transmitted optical signal splitter and an optical signal input to the preparatory add port, and for supplying a selected optical signal to the preparatory output port; and a receiving section including a receiving optical switch for receiving an optical signal input to the working input port and an optical signal input to the preparatory input port, for outputting as two output signals the two input signals by spatially switching their paths or by passing them through, and for connecting a first output of the two output signals to the working drop port, and a preparatory receiving optical gate for turning on or off a second output signal of the receiving optical switch to be supplied to the preparatory drop port.