Four-fiber ring optical cross connect system using 4x4 switch matrices

摘要

An optical cross-connect system provides 4x4 switching matrices and self-healing from any single point of failure. The switching matrices route working traffic and redundant protection traffic between a plurality of client network elements and an optical ring. The system also has a client interface for transporting the working traffic and the protection traffic between the switching matrices and the client network elements. The optical cross-connect system further includes a ring interface for transporting the working traffic and the protection traffic between the switching matrices and the optical ring. The switching matrices are structured so that protection is provided from single point failures by electrical switching at the client network element location. This significantly reduces the need for optical switching within the matrices.