Verification of path integrity in optical switch network

摘要

To verify the integrity of optical paths through and among optical switches, optical signals are provided with co-propagating supplemental signals. The supplemental signals preferably have at least one characteristic which allows distinguishing one supplemental signal from another. Associated with a port of a switch, means are provided for detecting a supplemental signal and determining if the supplemental signal indicates that a desired optical signal is passing through the port as expected and desired. Means for imparting or changing the distinguishing characteristic of a supplemental signal may also be employed to facilitate verifying the passage of optical signals.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
detecting, at an output port of an optical switch, a supplemental signal that is co-propagated with an optical signal, wherein the supplemental signal includes one or more pre-determined attributes; storing information about the one or more attributes of the detected supplemental signal to maintain a historical trend; causing evaluation of the one or more pre-determined attributes of the detected supplemental signal for determining whether an alarm condition exists with respect to the optical signal; and triggering the alarm condition based on the historical trend.