Methods and apparatus for automated testing and analysis of dense wavelength division multiplexing (dwdm), wavelength selective and/or optical switching devices

Abstract

A system for performing testing and analysis of a DWDM optical switch in a computer controlled, automated manner for switches from multiple vendors is described. The introduction of automation of the testing configuration and the extensive use of protocol adaptation to provide a consistent user interface for the test apparatus across multiple vendor implementations through the use of programmable adapter modules facilitates systematic and efficient testing. Proper functionality of a given optical switch implementation, quantification of a system's parameters and determination of switching performance measures can be obtained. Capabilities are built into the analysis engine for the determination of Service Level Agreement (SLA) parameters that can be provided for the optical layer or as input to calculations of SLA at higher-level protocols. The automated apparatus provides an efficient tool for evaluating and comparing DWDM optical switching devices, e.g., devices from different manufactures, which use different switch control protocols.