Terminal equipment and optical communication system using the same

• US 5,319,488 A
• Filed: 03/17/1992
• Issued: 06/07/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Inventors: Ishiwatari, Junichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Chilcot, Jr., Richard E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NEGASH, KINFE MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US07/852,801
• Time in Patent Office: 812 Days
• Field of Search: 359/118, 359/135, 359/137, 359/143, 359/152, 359/164-165, 359/174, 359/176-177, 359/179, 359/173, 370/85.8, 370/85.11, 340/825.08
• US Class Current: 398/115
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/0773 Network aspects, e.g. central monitoring of transmission parameters

Abstract

A terminal equipment is connected in a first optical network and connected, via a conductive path, to a predetermined one of a plurality of communication devices connected in a second optical network. The above terminal equipment includes an optical transmitter/receiver unit, a controller for controlling the above predetermined one of the communication devices in order to monitor the communication devices connected in the second optical network, and a selector unit. This selector unit transfers, via a control path coupled to the predetermined one of the communication devices, a poling signal from the first optical network to a specified one of the communication devices addressed by the poling signal, and sends back, to the first optical network, control data which shows a status of the specified one of the communication devices connected in the second optical network and which is received, via the control path, from the specified one of the communication devices.

Claims

1. A terminal equipment connected in a first optical network and connected, via a conductive path, to a predetermined one of a plurality of communication devices connected in a second optical network, said terminal equipment comprising:

transmitter/receiver means, coupled to said first optical network for communicating with said first optical network and to said conductive path for communicating with said second optical network via said conductive path;

control means, coupled to said transmitter/receiver means, for controlling said predetermined one of the communication devices in order to monitor the communications devices connected in said second optical network; and

selector means, coupled to said transmitter/receiver means and said control means, for transferring, via a control path coupled to said predetermined one of the communication devices in said second network, a polling signal from said first optical network to a specified one of said communication devices addressed by said polling signal and for sending back, to said first optical network, control data which is indicative of a status of said specified one of the communication devices connected in said second optical network and which is received, via said control path, from said specified one of the communication devices.

2. A terminal equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein said transmitter/receiver means comprises conversion means for converting a light signal from said first optical network into an electric signal and for converting an electrical signal received from said predetermined one of the communication devices into a light signal.

3. A terminal equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein said transmitter/receiver means comprises multiplexer/demultiplexer means for demultiplexing a light signal from said first optical network and multiplexing signal which are to be sent to said first optical network.

4. A terminal equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein said terminal equipment and said predetermined one of said communication devices are installed in a single station.

5. A terminal equipment connected in a first optical network and connected, via a conductive path, to a predetermined one of a plurality of communication devices connected in a second optical network, said terminal equipment comprising:

transmitter/receiver means, coupled to said first optical network for communicating with said first optical network and to said conductive path for communicating with said second optical network via said conductive path;

control means, coupled to said transmitter/receiver means, for controlling said predetermined one of the communication devices in order to monitor the communication devices connected in said second optical network; and

selector means, coupled to said transmitter/receiver means and said control means, for transferring, via a control path coupled to said predetermined one of the communication devices in said second network, a polling signal from said first optical network to a specified one of said communication devices addressed by said polling signal and for sending back, to said first optical network, control data which is indicative of a status of said specified one of the communication devices connected in said second optical network and which is received, via said control path, from said specified one of the communication devices,

wherein said control means comprises means for determining whether or not said polling signal is addressed to said terminal equipment and for controlling said selector means so that said polling signal is transferred, via said control path, to said predetermined one of said communication devices when it is determined that said polling signal is not addressed to said terminal equipment.

6. A terminal equipment connected in a first optical network and connected, via a conductive path, to a predetermined one of a plurality of communication devices connected in a second optical network, said terminal equipment comprising:

transmitter/receiver means, coupled to said first optical network for communicating with said first optical network and to said conductive path for communicating with said second optical network via said conductive path;

control means, coupled to said transmitter/receiver means, for controlling said predetermined one of the communication devices in order to monitor the communication devices connected in said second optical network; and

selector means, coupled to said transmitter/receiver means and said control means, for transferring, via a control path coupled to said predetermined one of the communication devices in said second network, a polling signal from said first optical network to a specified one of said communication devices addressed by said polling signal and for sending back, to said first optical network, control data which is indicative of a status of said specified one of the communication devices connected in said second optical network and which is received, via said control path, from said specified one of the communication devices,

wherein said transmitter/receiver means comprises multiplexer/demultiplexer means for demultiplexing a light signal from said first optical network and multiplexing signals which are to be send to said first optical network, and

wherein said multiplexer/demultiplexer means comprises means for separating said polling signal from a light signal from said first optical network and for inserting said control data in a light signal which is to be sent to said first optical network.

7. A terminal equipment connected in a first optical network and connected, via a conductive path, to a predetermined one of a plurality of communication devices connected in a second optical network, said terminal equipment comprising:

transmitter/receiver means, coupled to said first optical network for communicating with said first optical network and to said conductive path for communicating with said second optical network via said conductive path;

control means, coupled to said transmitter/receiver means, for controlling said predetermined one of the communication devices in order to monitor the communication devices connected in said second optical network; and

selector means, coupled to said transmitter/receiver means and said control means, for transferring, via a control path coupled to said predetermined one of the communication devices in said second network, a polling signal from said first optical network to a specified one of said communication devices addressed by said polling signal and for sending back, to said first optical network, control data which is indicative of a status of said specified one of the communication devices connected in said second optical network and which is received, via said control path, from said specified one of the communication devices,

wherein said polling signal comprises a serial signal, and said control data comprises a serial signal.

8. A terminal equipment connected in a first optical network and connected, via a conductive path, to a predetermined one of a plurality of communication devices connected in a second optical network, said terminal equipment comprising:

transmitter/receiver means, coupled to said first optical network for communicating with said first optical network and to said conductive path for communicating with said second optical network via said conductive path;

control means, coupled to said transmitter/receiver means, for controlling said predetermined one of the communication device in order to monitor the communication devices connected in said second optical network; and

selector means, coupled to said transmitter/receiver means and said control means, for transferring, via a control path coupled to said predetermined one of the communication devices in said second network, a polling signal from said first optical network to a specified one of said communication devices addressed by said polling signal and for sending back, to said first optical network, control data which is indicative of a status of said specified one of the communication devices connected in said second optical network and which is received, via said control path, from said specified one of the communication devices,

wherein said terminal equipment further comprises memory means for storing the control data from said specified one of the communication devices; and

said control data is read out from said memory means in response to said polling signal.

9. An optical communication system comprising:

a first optical network comprising a plurality of first communication devices;

a second optical network comprising a plurality of second communication devices;

a conductive path connecting a predetermined one of the first communication devices and a predetermined one of the second communication devices; and

a control path connecting said predetermined one of the first communication devices and said predetermined one of the second communication devices to each other,

wherein each of said predetermined one of the first communication devices and said predetermined one of the second communication devices, respectively, comprises;

transmitting/receiver means, coupled to a corresponding one of said first and second optical networks for communicating with one of said first and second optical networks and to said conductive path for communicating with another one of said first and second optical networks via said conductive path;

control means, coupled to said transmitter/receiver means and being operative for monitoring communication devices connected in the other one of said first and second optical networks; and

selector means, coupled to said transmitter/receiver means and control means, for transferring, via said control path, a polling signal from said corresponding one of the first and second optical networks to a specified one of the communication devices connected in the other one of the first and second optical networks and addressed by said polling signal and for sending back, to said one of the first and second optical networks, control data indicative of a status of said specified one of the communication devices connected in said second optical network and which is received, via said control path, from said specified one of the communication devices.

10. An optical communication system as claimed in claim 9, wherein:

said transmitter/receiver means of said corresponding one of the first communication devices comprises first means for converting a light signal from said first optical network into an electrical signal and for converting an electrical signal received from said predetermined one of the second communication devices into a light signal; and

said transmitter/receiver means of said corresponding one of the second communication devices comprises second means for converting a light signal from said second optical network into an electric signal and for converting an electric signal received from said predetermined one of the first communication devices into a light signal.

11. An optical communication system as claimed in claim 9, wherein:

said transmitter/receiver means of said predetermined one of the first communication devices comprises multiplexer/demultiplexer means for demultiplexing a light signal from said first optical network and multiplexing signals which are to be sent to said first optical network; and

said transmitter/receiver means of said predetermined one of the second communication devices comprises multiplexer/demultiplexer means for demultiplexing a light signal from said second optical network and multiplexing signals which are to be sent to said second optical network.

12. An optical communication system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said predetermined one of the first communication devices and said predetermined one of the second communication devices are installed in a single station.

13. An optical communication system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said first communication devices comprises a repeater, and said second communication devices comprises a repeater.

14. An optical communication system comprising:

a first optical network comprising a plurality of first communication devices;

a second optical network comprising a plurality of second communication devices;

a conductive path connecting a predetermined one of the first communication devices and a predetermined one of the second communication devices; and

a control path connecting said predetermined one of the first communication devices and said predetermined one of the second communication devices to each other,

wherein each of said predetermined one of the first communication devices and said predetermined one of the second communication devices, respectively, comprises;

transmitting/receiver means, coupled to a corresponding one of said first and second optical networks for communicating with one of said first and second optical networks and to said conductive path for communicating with another one of said first and second optical networks via said conductive path;

control means, coupled to said transmitter/receiver means and being operative for monitoring communication devices connected in the other one of said first and second optical networks; and

selector means, coupled to said transmitter/receiver means and control means, for transferring, via said control path, a polling signal from said corresponding one of the first and second optical networks to a specified one of the communication devices connected in the other one of the first and second optical networks and addressed by said polling signal and for sending back, to said one of the first and second optical networks, control data indicative of a status of said specified one of the communication devices connected in said second optical network and which is received, via said control path, from said specified one of the communication devices,

wherein said predetermined one of the first communication devices comprises first means for determining whether or not said polling signal is addressed to said predetermined one of the first communication devices and for controlling said selector means so that said polling signal is transferred, via said control path, to the second optical network when it is determined that said polling signal is not addressed to said predetermined one of the first communication devices; and

said predetermined one of the second communication devices comprises second means for determining whether or not said polling signal is addressed to said predetermined one of the second communication devices and for controlling said selector means so that said polling signal is transferred, via said control path, to the first optical network when it is determined that said polling signal is not addressed to said predetermined one of the second communication devices.

15. An optical communication system comprising:

a first optical network comprising a plurality of first communication devices;

a second optical network comprising a plurality of second communication devices;

a conductive path connecting a predetermined one of the first communication devices and a predetermined one of the second communication devices; and

a control path connecting said predetermined one of the first communication devices and said predetermined one of the second communication devices to each other,

wherein each of said predetermined one of the first communication devices and said predetermined one of the second communication devices, respectively, comprises;

transmitting/receiver means, coupled to a corresponding one of said first and second optical networks for communicating with one of said first and second optical networks and to said conductive path for communicating with another one of said first and second optical networks via said conductive path;

control means, coupled to said transmitter/receiver means and being operative for monitoring communication devices connected in the other one of said first and second optical networks; and

selector means, coupled to said transmitter/receiver means and control means, for transferring, via said control path, a polling signal from said corresponding one of the first and second optical networks to a specified one of the communication devices connected in the other one of the first and second optical networks and addressed by said polling signal and for sending back, to said one of the first and second optical networks, control data indicative of a status of said specified one of the communication devices connected in said second optical network and which is received, via said control path, from said specified one of the communication devices, wherein

said transmitter/receiver means of said predetermined one of the first communication devices comprises multiplexer/demultiplexer means for demultiplexing a light signal from said first optical network and multiplexing signals which are to be sent to said first optical network; and

said transmitter/receiver means of said predetermined one of second communication devices comprises multiplexer/demultiplexer means comprises means for demultiplexing a light signal from said second optical network and multiplexing signals which are to be sent to said second optical network, and

wherein said multiplexer/demultiplexer means of said transmitter/receiver means of said predetermined one of the first communication devices comprises first means for separating said polling signal from a light signal transferred from said first optical network and for inserting said control data into a light signal which is to be sent to said first optical network; and

said multiplexer/demultiplexer means of said transmitter/receiver means of said predetermined one of the second communication devices comprises second means for separating said polling signal from a light signal transferred from said second optical network and for inserting said control data into a light signal which is to be sent to said second optical network.

16. An optical communication system comprising:

a first optical network comprising a plurality of first communication devices;

a second optical network comprising a plurality of second communication devices;

a conductive path connecting a predetermined one of the first communication devices and a predetermined one of the second communication devices; and

a control path connecting said predetermined one of the first communication devices and said predetermined one of the second communication devices to each other,

wherein each of said predetermined one of the first communication devices and said predetermined one of the second communication devices, respectively, comprises;

transmitting/receiver means, coupled to a corresponding one of said first and second optical networks for communicating with one of said first and second optical networks and to said conductive path for communicating with another one of said first and second optical networks via said conductive path;

control means, coupled to said transmitter/receiver means and being operative for monitoring communication devices connected in the other one of said first and second optical networks; and

selector means, coupled to said transmitter/receiver means and control means, for transferring, via said control path, a polling signal from said corresponding one of the first and second optical networks to a specified one of the communication devices connected in the other one of the first and second optical networks and addressed by said polling signal and for sending back, to said one of the first and second optical networks, control data indicative of a status of said specified one of the communication devices connected in said second optical network and which is received, via said control path, from said specified one of the communication devices,

wherein said polling signal comprises a serial signal, and said control data comprises a serial signal.

17. An optical communication system comprising:

a first optical network comprising a plurality of first communication devices;

a second optical network comprising a plurality of second communication devices;

a conductive path connecting a predetermined one of the first communication devices and a predetermined one of the second communication devices; and

a control path connecting said predetermined one of the first communication devices and said predetermined one of the second communication devices to each other,

wherein each of said predetermined one of the first communication devices and said predetermined one of the second communication devices, respectively, comprises;

transmitting/receiver means, coupled to a corresponding one of said first and second optical networks for communicating with one of said first and second optical networks and to said conductive path for communicating with another one of said first and second optical networks via said conductive path;

control means, coupled to said transmitter/receiver means and being operative for monitoring communication devices connected in the other one of said first and second optical networks; and

selector means, coupled to said transmitter/receiver means and control means, for transferring, via said control path, a polling signal from said corresponding one of the first and second optical networks to a specified one of the communication devices connected in the other one of the first and second optical networks and addressed by said polling signal and for sending back, to said one of the first and second optical networks, control data indicative of a status of said specified one of the communication devices connected in said second optical network and which is received, via said control path, from said specified one of the communication devices,

wherein said predetermined one of the first communication devices comprises first memory means for storing the control data from said second optical network; and

said predetermined one of the second communication devices comprises second memory means for storing the control data from said first optical network.

18. An optical communication system comprising:

a first optical network comprising a plurality of first communication devices;

a second optical network comprising a plurality of second communication devices;

a conductive path connecting a predetermined one of the first communication devices and a predetermined one of the second communication devices; and

a control path connecting said predetermined one of the first communication devices and said predetermined one of the second communication devices to each other,

wherein each of said predetermined one of the first communication devices and said predetermined one of the second communication devices, respectively, comprises;

transmitting/receiver means, coupled to a corresponding one of said first and second optical networks for communicating with one of said first and second optical networks and to said conductive path for communicating with another one of said first and second optical networks via said conductive path;

control means, coupled to said transmitter/receiver means and being operative for monitoring communication devices connected in the other one of said first and second optical networks; and

selector means, coupled to said transmitter/receiver means and control means, for transferring, via said control path, a polling signal from said corresponding one of the first and second optical networks to a specified one of the communication devices connected in the other one of the first and second optical networks and addressed by said polling signal and for sending back, to said one of the first and second optical networks, control data indicative of a status of said specified one of the communication device connected in said second optical network and which is received, via said control path, from said specified one of the communication devices,

wherein one of said first communication devices is a master terminal equipment which generates said polling signal.