Method and apparatus for performing path protection for rate-adaptive optics

摘要

A method and apparatus for performing path protection for rate-adaptive optics is provided. As part of the method, an aggregate input bit stream is received. The aggregate input bit stream is then transmitted using a rate-adaptive optical transceiver when transmitting on a first optical path. When the first optical path has a fault, the aggregate input bit stream is then transmitted on a second optical path using the rate-adaptive optical transceiver and a fixed-rate optical transceiver.

主权项

1. An apparatus, comprising:
a group of one or more input ports having an aggregate input bit stream; a rate-adaptive optical transceiver having a first transmittable bit rate and at least a second transmittable bit rate; at least one fixed-rate optical transceiver having a third transmittable bit rate; and a means of transmitting the aggregate input bit stream on a first optical path and on at least a second optical path, wherein when transmitting the aggregate input bit stream on the first optical path, the rate-adaptive optical transceiver transmitting with the first transmittable bit rate is used, and wherein when transmitting the aggregate input bit stream on the at least second optical path, the rate-adaptive optical transceiver transmitting with the at least second transmittable bit rate and the at least one fixed-rate optical transceiver are used.