Coherent Optical Multiplexing 1+1 Protection with Reduced Insertion Loss

The patent segments the optical signal processing into separate functional modules: optical multiplexing unit, optical switching unit, and optical demultiplexing unit. Each wavelength channel is independently processed through dedicated relay ports, allowing protection switching without combining multiple wavelengths that would cause high insertion loss. This segmentation enables selective switching of individual channels while maintaining signal quality.

The patent introduces an optical multiplexing unit as an intermediary that combines multiple wavelength channels into a single optical path for transmission through the optical switch. This intermediary structure allows the switch to handle aggregated traffic with lower insertion loss while maintaining the ability to perform per-wavelength protection switching through wavelength-specific relay ports.

The patent implements local quality by providing wavelength-specific relay ports that maintain dedicated optical paths for each wavelength channel. Each relay port is optimized for its specific wavelength, allowing independent signal quality management. This enables the system to maintain high signal transmission quality for each channel while achieving bandwidth efficiency through multiplexing multiple channels through the same physical infrastructure.

The patent introduces dynamic control capabilities that allow the system to adaptively manage multiple wavelength channels. The optical switching unit can dynamically switch individual wavelengths between working and protection paths based on real-time signal quality and network conditions. This dynamic management enables the system to maintain optimal signal transmission quality for each channel while efficiently utilizing available bandwidth through flexible resource allocation.