US Patent 10110302 Optical network monitoring with a photonic switch

An optical device comprises a transmitter module, a receiver module, and a switch comprising a first port coupled to the transmitter module, a second port coupled to the receiver module, a third port configured to couple to a transmitter fiber, and a fourth port configured to couple to a receiver fiber. A method implemented in a switch, the method comprising operating in a monitor mode that provides for monitoring of a transmitter fiber or a receiver fiber, receiving a command to transition from the monitor mode to a data mode, connecting a transmitter module to the transmitter fiber, and connecting a receiver module to the receiver fiber.