Method and apparatus for regenerating optical signals in an all-optical cross-connect switch
First Claim
1. A method of regenerating optical signals in an all-optical cross-connect switch, the method comprising:
- providing one or more smart port cards, each of the one or more smart port cards including an optical-electrical-optical converter in an optical path, the optical-electrical-optical converter to convert an input optical signal into an electrical signal and the electrical signal into an output optical signal, the output optical signal being responsive to the input optical signal;
providing one or more passive port cards, the one or more passive port cards without an optical-electrical-optical converter; and
generating an optical path through an optical switch fabric of optical switches for optical signals to flow between the one or more smart port cards and the one or more passive port cards.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods, apparatus and systems for regenerating, monitoring and bridging optical signals through an optical cross-connect switch to provide increased reliability. A self testing method, apparatus and system for an optical cross-connect switch. An optical-to-electrical-to-optical converter (O/E/O) is provided in an optical cross-connect switch to provide optical-electrical-optical conversion. I/O port cards having an optical-to-electrical-to-optical converter are referred to as smart port cards while I/O port cards without an optical-to-electrical-to-optical converter are referred to as passive port cards. Test port/monitor cards are also provided for testing optical cross-connect switches. Methods, apparatus and systems for performing bridging, test access, and supporting redundant optical switch fabrics are also disclosed.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of regenerating optical signals in an all-optical cross-connect switch, the method comprising:
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providing one or more smart port cards, each of the one or more smart port cards including an optical-electrical-optical converter in an optical path, the optical-electrical-optical converter to convert an input optical signal into an electrical signal and the electrical signal into an output optical signal, the output optical signal being responsive to the input optical signal;
providing one or more passive port cards, the one or more passive port cards without an optical-electrical-optical converter; and
generating an optical path through an optical switch fabric of optical switches for optical signals to flow between the one or more smart port cards and the one or more passive port cards. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. An apparatus for regenerating optical signals in an all-optical cross-connect switch, the apparatus comprising:
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a smart port card, the smart port card including an optical-electrical-optical converter in an optical path, the optical-electrical-optical converter to convert an input optical signal into an electrical signal and the electrical signal into an output optical signal. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of regenerating optical signals in an all-optical cross-connect switch, the method comprising:
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converting a first optical signal into an electrical signal;
converting the electrical signal into a second optical signal, the second optical signal being responsive to the first optical signal; and
forming an optical path through an optical switch fabric of optical switches over which optical signals can be transported through the optical cross-connect switch. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification