Transparent optical switch

Abstract

A transparent optical switch includes network management and performance monitoring using bit level information obtained by extracting selected information on a polling basis and analyzing the extracted information in the electrical domain. In one embodiment, a signal is injected into the switch fabric of the switch via a demultiplexing device. The injected signal is extracted at the output of the switching fabric via an N:1 switch and analyzed by a signal analyzer to verify input to output connections. In another embodiment, an optical switch includes first and second switch fabrics for 1:2 broadcast capability. In a further embodiment, an optical communication system includes a plurality of optical networks and a plurality of optical switches that cooperate to generate unequipped signals and to obtain autonomously switch-to-switch port connectivity information required for auto-topology discovery.

1 . An optical switch device, comprising: 
 a switch fabric;    a plurality of input ports through which incoming data contained in a bearer signal passes to the switch fabric;    a plurality of output ports through which outgoing data passes from the switch fabric;    a demultiplexing device coupled to at least one of the plurality of input ports for injecting an optical connection verification signal into the switch fabric;    a signal generator coupled to the demultiplexing device for injecting the connection verification signal into the switch fabric at a frequency that is different from a frequency of the bearer signal;    a multiplexing device coupled to at least one of the plurality of output ports; and    a first signal analyzer coupled to the multiplexing device for analyzing the data injected by the signal generator.    
   
   
       2 . The device according to  claim 1 , further including a second signal analyzer coupled to the multiplexing device and a multiplexer coupled between the first and second analyzers and the multiplexing device.  
   
   
       3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the switch fabric includes first and second switch fabrics.  
   
   
       4 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the plurality of output ports receives signals from each of the first and second switch fabrics.  
   
   
       5 . The device according to  claim 4 , further including at least one signal analyzer coupled to one or more of the plurality of output ports for analyzing data from the first and second switch fabrics.  
   
   
       6 . The device according to  claim 1 , further including an add/drop multiplexer coupled to the switch fabric.  
   
   
       7 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein switch information is inserted into header information and verified by at least one of said first signal analyzer and said second signal analyzer.  
   
   
       8 . A method for achieving bit level access to data in an optical switch, comprising: 
 coupling a plurality of input ports through which incoming data contained in a bearer signal passes to a switch fabric;    coupling a plurality of output ports through which outgoing data passes from the switch fabric;    coupling a demultiplexing device to at least one of the plurality of input ports to inject an optical connection verification signal into the switch fabric;    coupling a signal generator to the demultiplexing device for injecting the connection verification signal into the switch fabric at a frequency that is different from a frequency of the bearer signal;    coupling a multiplexing device to at least one of the plurality of output ports and    coupling a first signal analyzer to the multiplexing device for analyzing the data injected by the signal generator.    
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 8 , further including verifying a connection between an input port of the optical switch and an output port of the optical switch.  
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 8 , further including coupling a second signal analyzer to the multiplexing device and a multiplexer coupled between the first and second analyzers and the multiplexing device.  
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the switch fabric includes first and second switch fabrics.  
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the plurality of output ports receives signals from each of the first and second switch fabrics.  
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 12 , further including coupling at least one signal analyzer to one or more of the plurality of output ports for analyzing data from the first and second switch fabrics.  
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein switch information is inserted into header information and verified by at least one of said first signal analyzer and said second signal analyzer.  
   
   
       15 . A system for achieving bit level access to data in an optical switch, comprising: 
 means for coupling a plurality of input ports through which incoming data contained in a bearer signal passes to a switch fabric;    means for coupling a plurality of output ports through which outgoing data passes from the switch fabric;    means for coupling a demultiplexing device to at least one of the plurality of input ports to inject an optical connection verification signal into the switch fabric;    means for coupling a signal generator to the demultiplexing device for injecting the connection verification signal into the switch fabric at a frequency that is different from a frequency of the bearer signal;    means for coupling a multiplexing device to at least one of the plurality of output ports; and    means for coupling a first signal analyzer to the multiplexing device for analyzing the data injected by the signal generator.    
   
   
       16 . The system according to  claim 15 , further including means for verifying a connection between an input port of the optical switch and an output port of the optical switch.  
   
   
       17 . The system according to  claim 15 , further including means for coupling a second signal analyzer to the multiplexing device and a multiplexer coupled between the first and second analyzers and the multiplexing device.  
   
   
       18 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the switch fabric includes first and second switch fabrics.  
   
   
       19 . The system according to  claim 16 , wherein at least one of the plurality of output ports receives signals from each of the first and second switch fabrics.  
   
   
       20 . The system according to  claim 19 , further including means for coupling at least one signal analyzer to one or more of the plurality of output ports for analyzing data from the first and second switch fabrics.