OPTICAL NODE WITH ADD-DROP OR CROSS-CONNECT FUNCTIONALITY

摘要

The invention relates to a device and to several methods regarding an optical node with add-drop and/or cross-connect functionality. The inventive node represents the interconnection of a first and a second optical line via a first and second drop path, respectively, provided with a first cross-connect and a second cross-connect to a first and a second tributary output. In parallel thereto, a first and a second tributary input is coupled into the second optical line via the first or second cross-connect either by a first wavelength converter and a second add path or by a second wavelength converter and a first add path. The inventive optical node allows that optical signals may maintain or change their direction and/or maintain or change their wavelength. The inventive optical node also allows interconnection of optical transmitter signals to the inputs of the tributary side.