Multiplex communications – Communication techniques for information carried in plural... – Combining or distributing information via time channels
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-16
2004-07-13
Marcelo, Melvin (Department: 2663)
Multiplex communications
Communication techniques for information carried in plural...
Combining or distributing information via time channels
C370S465000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06763041
ABSTRACT:
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to telecommunications systems. The present invention is more particularly related to dividing bandwidth of a high speed data line into separate lines provided to individual bandwidth subscribers. The invention is also more particularly related to providing an interface to a J2 line that divides the J2 bandwidth into multiple lower bandwidth data lines provided to subscribers, and dividing a J2 line into multiple T1 lines. The invention is also more specifically related to providing an interface that allows existing U.S. based telecommunications equipment to provide the lower bandwidth services to customers, based on an interface to the high speed J2 line.
2. Discussion of Background
In the United States telecommunications system, information is routed over lines of various speeds. For example, a POTs line is typically a 64k line and carries voice and/or other forms of data (all collectively referred to as data, or subscriber communications) between individual subscriber telephones and DTE's (Data Terminal Equipment, fax, for example). The data sent over the 64k circuit is then routed via a network to a destination (destination subscriber), where the data is received and/or transmitted.
These 64k lines transport the subscriber's data and signaling needed to direct the data sent (call set-up, etc.). However, when routed over the network, the data is typically multiplexed onto higher bandwidth trunk lines which are shared between multiple other subscriber's communications. For example, referring to
FIG. 1
, 64k lines
100
are typically Time Division Multiplexed (TDM) onto T1 lines, which carry 24 64k lines for a total bandwidth of 24×64k (1.544 Mb) per T1 line.
As data is sent further into the network, additional multiplexing onto yet higher bandwidth lines is typically performed. For example, multiple T1 lines can be multiplexed onto a T3 line
150
which has a capacity of up to 28 T1 lines for a total bandwidth of 28×24×64k. In other systems, various capacity lines may be multiplexed together and share large bandwidth circuits and be transported through the network.
Thus, trunk lines of even higher capacity may multiplex any number or combination of less than 64k, 64k, T1, T3, etc, for data transport between the various nodes in the network. As the data travels closer to it's destination, it is also de-multiplexed, either in steps (T3→T1→64k, for example), or de-multiplexed in larger steps, depending on the implementation or exact network configuration.
These same principles may be applied to private and corporate networks that stand alone or operate in conjunction with the U.S. telecommunications system. A variety of equipment is available for performing the multiplexing, de-multiplexing, and needed signaling for transporting the data through the network.
One equipment example, see
FIG. 2
, is the Promina line of multi-service, multi-transport solutions available through Net.com. The Promina line of solutions includes the Promina 800 series that provides carrier class WAN equipment and services ideal for private and carriers of telecommunication services. Such services include:
consolidation of diverse traffic and applications on a single platform;
delivering cost-efficient, reliable access to multiple services;
supply access to WAN services and applications ranging from carrier network applications to private network applications;
sites ranging from central offices, corporate facilities, and/or small branch offices;
creating VPN's that interwork applications used by widely disperate clients;
mission critical availability;
technology independence by supplying appropriate technology when needed;
provides single platform delivery of ATM, advanced bandwidth management, ISDN, multi-protocol routing and bridging, voice processing, frame relay, and digital data networking; and
provides safeguards for end-to-end connections with distributed intelligence that prevents single points of failure.
Equipment such as the Promina 800 series is ideal for use in carrier networks for multiplexing, routing, and transporting multiservice traffic over the available, and different access lines (T1, T3, etc.) used in the world's telecommunications infrastructure.
U.S. Telcos offer a variety of services to subscriber's, including less than 64k, 64k, T1, T3, and other bandwidth lines that may be installed at a subscriber's site, or leased as needed by the subscribers. Using a device like the Promina 800 series, a Telco can offer services at any of the standard and/or customized throughput rates by partitioning any part of a higher bandwidth line and providing it to a subscriber. Typically, a subscriber will order an amount of bandwidth to cover it's throughput requirements for daily operations. T1 is a popular amount of bandwidth sufficient for the needs of most medium and large sized businesses.
In Japan, the telecommunications infrastructure is based on a set of trunk lines that are different from those in the U.S. For example, high capacity lines available to businesses are the J2 lines. A J2 line consists of a 6.3 Mb line that includes channels for payload, signaling, and timing signals. The J2 line carries considerably more data than a typical T1 which is common for supporting medium and large sized business communications needs, and, as a dedicated line, is also very expensive.
In Japan, currently, J2 is the only practically available line for business or other high speed data connections. One reason few other options are available for business bandwidth requirements is that the telecommunications system in Japan is a regulated monopoly and not open to competition. However, the deregulation process has started in Japan and it is expected that the introduction of competition for new and more flexible services to customers will create high demand for alternate services such as lower speed bandwidth lines to medium and large sized businesses.
Another reason that the J2 is currently the only practical bandwidth solution is that their exists an absence of multi-service, multi-transport equipment that is compatible with the J2 standard and will allow the J2 to be divided into high bandwidth lines of moderate capacity compared to the entire capacity of the J2. Therefore large amounts of development are needed to produce equipment capable of providing the new levels of service. Furthermore, other telecommunications infrastructures (countries, private companies, etc.) may also wish to purchase J2 capacity and re-sell the lower bandwidth lines to other customers.
Ideally, the J2 line would utilize already developed equipment such as the Promina 800 series to mux and de-mux the J2 lines and provide the lower bandwidth services to various customers. However, currently available equipment for multi-service applications are not available with trunks interfacing to the J2 standard, therefore the existing base of available equipment is not readily deployed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To address the problems faced in the current state of telecommunications infrastructure, the present invention provides an interface between a J2 line to multi-service, lower speed access types transported through T1 or other lines. The lower speed access types allow businesses and other customers to take better advantage of, and more efficiently feed, the J2 line.
Although the invention is mainly directed to a T1/J2 interface, in it's broadest sense, the invention, as described herein, may be practiced to any of different systems, providing an interface between any high speed and plural other lowe
Skerritt Michael
Vassallo Michael
Dinh Joseph H.
Marcelo Melvin
Network Equipment Technologies Inc.
Townsend and Townsend / and Crew LLP
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