Apparatus and method for protection of an asynchronous transfer mode passive optical network interface

A method and apparatus for protecting faults in an optical network. Protection is based on 1:n protection at an Optical Line Terminator ("OLT"). Each working interface module in the OLT is coupled via a fiber to a 2:N splitter which provides communication with N Optical Network Units (&quo...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors Yen, Wei, Xu, Dexiang, Ho, Elton
Format Patent
LanguageEnglish
Published 13.06.2002
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:A method and apparatus for protecting faults in an optical network. Protection is based on 1:n protection at an Optical Line Terminator ("OLT"). Each working interface module in the OLT is coupled via a fiber to a 2:N splitter which provides communication with N Optical Network Units ("ONU"). A protection interface module is coupled via a fiber to a 1:n switch whose output is coupled to each of the 2:N splitters. In the event of a fiber break, protection switching is performed by forming a backup link to the 2:N splitter associated with the failed fiber through the protection interface module. The 1:n protection arrangement may be replicated and extended to a g*(1:n) protection arrangement. A uni-ranging process speeds up protection switching by ranging only one ONU associated with a failed fiber, rather than all ONUs associated with a failed fiber.