System and method for sharing a spare channel among two or more optical ring networks

摘要

A system and method for sharing a spare channel among two or more optical ring networks that have a common span. A first optical cross-connect switch (OCCS) and a first OCCS controller are placed at one end of the span and a second OCCS and OCCS controller are placed at the other end of the span. The first OCCS and the first OCCS controller are coupled to a first ADM from each optical ring, and the second OCCS and the second OCCS controller are coupled to a second ADM from each optical ring. The first OCCS controller receives alarm indications from each ADM that it is coupled to that senses a ring failure. The second OCCS controller receives alarm indications from each ADM that it is coupled to that senses a ring failure. Upon receiving an alarm indication, the first OCCS controller directs the first OCCS to optically couple the ADM that originated the alarm indication to the spare channel, and the second OCCS controller directs the second OCCS to optically couple the ADM that originated the alarm indication to the spare channel.