Free-space optical network with agile beam-based protection switching

摘要

A system includes a network having multiple network nodes (102-110) each configured for free-space optical communication. Each network node includes one or more apertures through which optical beams are transmitted and received over optical links (112). The optical links include (i) a traffic link (112a) that transports higher-rate traffic between nodes and (ii) an acquisition/tracking link (112b) that transports lower-rate signals used to establish and maintain location knowledge of other nodes. Each network node also includes a network processor configured to determine one or more backup paths through the network. Each network node further includes a beam steering unit (420) configured to redirect an optical beam from the traffic link onto the acquisition/tracking link to create a backup traffic link.