OPTICAL WDM TRANSMISSION SYSTEM HAVING A DISTRIBUTED ARRANGEMENT OF REGENERATORS

摘要

A network node is provided for use in a WDM optical transmission system that includes a plurality of network nodes interconnected by communication links. The network node includes an optical switch 210 having at least one input port for receiving from the transmission system a WDM signal having a plurality of wavelength components 214. The network node also includes a regenerator arrangement 230 having sufficient regeneration capacity to regenerate a prescribed fraction of the plurality of wavelength components. The prescribed fraction is less than a maximum number of wavelength components that may be received by the node. A network management element 240 is provided so that the network node can for communicate with a network management center in the transmission system.