Node architecture for modularized and reconfigurable optical networks, and methods and apparatus therefor
DCFirst Claim
1. An optical transport switching system for use in an optical network, comprising:
- an optical access ingress subsystem which is adapted to receive an optical signal associated with an access network;
an optical access egress subsystem;
a transport ingress subsystem;
a transport egress subsystem; and
an optical switch subsystem which is adapted to ingress the optical signal into the optical network by optically coupling the optical access ingress subsystem to the transport egress subsystem and which is adapted to selectively provide optical coupling between the transport ingress subsystem and at least one of (1) the optical access egress subsystem, and (2) the transport egress subsystem.
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Abstract
An optical transport switching system having an all-optical switch that can be selectively configured to provide cross-connection and add/drop multiplexing functions. Optical circuit cards are provided in a chassis/bay, and connected by an optical backplane. The circuit cards may include access line interface cards, optical access ingress cards, transport ingress cards, transport egress cards, and optical access egress cards. An optical switching fabric provides selective optical coupling between the cards. The all-optical switch can be used in an optical network that allows external/access networks to access the optical network, including access networks that use Gigabit Ethernet or SONET signaling. Wavelength conversion is provided for non-compliant wavelengths of the access networks. A local area network enables control and monitoring of the cards by a local node manager.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. An optical transport switching system for use in an optical network, comprising:
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an optical access ingress subsystem which is adapted to receive an optical signal associated with an access network; an optical access egress subsystem; a transport ingress subsystem; a transport egress subsystem; and an optical switch subsystem which is adapted to ingress the optical signal into the optical network by optically coupling the optical access ingress subsystem to the transport egress subsystem and which is adapted to selectively provide optical coupling between the transport ingress subsystem and at least one of (1) the optical access egress subsystem, and (2) the transport egress subsystem. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An optical transport switching system for use in an optical network, comprising:
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an optical access ingress subsystem; an optical access egress subsystem which is adapted to direct the optical signal toward an access network; a transport ingress subsystem; a transport egress subsystem; and the optical switch subsystem is adapted to egress an optical signal from the optical network by optically coupling the optical signal from the transport ingress subsystem to the optical access egress subsystem and is adapted to selectively provide optical coupling between the transport egress subsystem and at least one of (1) the optical access ingress subsystem and (2) the transport ingress subsystem.
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26. An optical transport switching system for use in an optical network, comprising:
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means for switching optical signals; means for providing optical access ingress to the optical network; means for providing optical access egress from the optical network; means for providing transport ingress to the optical switching means; and means for providing transport egress from the optical switching means; wherein; the switching means is adapted to ingress the optical signal into the optical network by optically coupling the means for providing optical access ingress to the means for providing transport egress and is adapted to selectively provide optical coupling between the means for providing transport ingress and one of (1) the means for providing optical access egress, and (2) the means for providing transport egress.
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27. An optical transport switching system for use in an optical network, comprising:
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a receiving apparatus having a plurality of respective receiving locations adapted to receive respective optical circuit cards with respective controllers, and a receiving location for receiving a central controller; an optical backplane associated with the receiving apparatus for optically coupling to the optical circuit cards; and a local area network for electrically coupling the central controller to the circuit card controllers to enable the central controller to control and monitor the optical circuit cards. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
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Specification