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Abstract

The present invention is directed to a system for the wavelength division multiplexing/asynchronous transfer mode (WDM/ATM) operation of high-capacity optical communication networks. The optical components of the network can transport vast amounts of information, while the ATM-based electronics provides data processing, and information distribution. The capacity of the communications network to reconfigure and rearrange itself is maximized through wavelength translation of its data signals using a limited set of fixed-wavelength channels. The system incorporates an optical fiber communication network ring, or several optical fiber communication network rings that are connected to each other, through which data signals are transmitted and received. Optical WDM cross-connecting switch devices 4a-4e connect adjacent optical fiber rings 3a, 3b to each other, and control the routing of the data signals into and out of the optical fiber rings 3a, 3b. Access node circuits 2a-2d connected to the WDM cross-connecting switch devices 4a-4d can access the data signals in the optical fiber rings 3a, 3b. Each of the access node circuits 2a-2d can then route the data signals to individual user stations 5a-5h connected to it. A network controller 8 configures the WDM cross-connecting switch devices 4a-4e through their corresponding local node controllers 7.

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First Claim