Multiplex communications – Wide area network – Packet switching
Patent
1987-12-24
1989-09-26
Safourek, Benedict V.
Multiplex communications
Wide area network
Packet switching
455600, 455612, H04B 900
Patent
active
048706370
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to an optical backplane for use in a switching system or computer for interconnecting a plurality of associated circuit modules. The backplane comprises a switch which is interconnected to each of the associated circuit modules by a separate multifiber ribbon, each ribbon including (1) a plurality of transmit and receive optical fibers, and (2) an optical fiber for providing concurrent synchronization signals to each of the associated circuit modules. The switch includes a switching block for coupling parallel optical signals received from the plurality of receive optical fibers in any multifiber ribbon, transmitted by a sending module, to the transmit fibers of each of the multifiber ribbons for transmission to all of the modules associated with the optical backplane. The switch also includes a timing generation block which generates an optical timing signal that is simultaneously distributed to the separate optical fibers in each of the multifiber ribboons in order to concurrently synchronize all of the associated modules. Each of the associated modules is connected to the backplane via the separate associated optical multifiber ribbon, and includes (1) an interface logic block for interfacing an associated user circuit to the optical backplane, and (2) a means for permitting the module to contend for access to the optical backplane.
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Follett David R.
Sobin David L.
American Telephone and Telegraph Company
AT&T Bell Laboratories
Beek Leslie Van
Pfeifle Erwin W.
Safourek Benedict V.
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