Hybrid WDM/TDM network Architecture
First Claim
1. A method for connecting a first network device to a plurality of client devices, the method comprising:
- associating at least one wavelength with each of the plurality of client devices;
tuning a tunable light source to generate an optical carrier signal at a specified wavelength associated with at least a specified client device;
modulating the optical carrier signal for transmitting data intended for the specified client device;
polling the specified client device for a response; and
receiving any response transmitted by the specified client device in response to the step of polling.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for configuring a server/client network architecture. A server network device impresses an optical signal onto an optical link at a specified wavelength, where distinct wavelengths are associated with one or more of a plurality of client devices. Thus, the server addresses a specified client device, thereby polling the specified device for a response. An optical demultiplexer/combiner directs the server optical signal to the specified recipient client device on the basis of the wavelength of the server optical signal, and combines all responses on the client devices for transmission back to the server. Any transmission by the specified client device in response to polling by the server is thus received by the server.
12 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method for connecting a first network device to a plurality of client devices, the method comprising:
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associating at least one wavelength with each of the plurality of client devices;
tuning a tunable light source to generate an optical carrier signal at a specified wavelength associated with at least a specified client device;
modulating the optical carrier signal for transmitting data intended for the specified client device;
polling the specified client device for a response; and
receiving any response transmitted by the specified client device in response to the step of polling. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An apparatus for coupling a first network device with a plurality of client network devices, the apparatus comprising:
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an optical link;
a tunable light source for injecting an optical signal characterized by a carrier wavelength onto the optical link; and
a demultiplexer/combiner for directing the optical signal to at least one specified client network device on the basis of the carrier wavelength of the optical signal and for directing optical signals from the plurality of client network devices to the first network device. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A computer program product for use on a computer system for directing data flow between a first network device and one of a plurality of client network devices, the computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable program code thereon, the computer readable program code comprising:
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program code for code for impressing modulation upon an optical carrier to represent information for transmission to a specified client device;
program code for tuning a tunable light source for polling the specified client network device determined on the basis of a specified wavelength of the tunable light source; and
program code for receiving data from the specified client network device in response to polling by the first network device.
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12. An optical server/client network comprising:
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a first network device;
a tunable light source capable of modulation by the first network device;
an optical link coupled to the tunable light source for receiving a server optical signal transmitted by the tunable light source; and
a demultiplexer/combiner coupled to the optical link for directing distinct wavelength components of the server optical signal to at least one of a plurality of client network devices and for directing any client optical signal through the optical link to the first network device.
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Specification