Multiplex communications – Pathfinding or routing – Through a circuit switch
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-23
2004-06-01
Pezzlo, John (Department: 2662)
Multiplex communications
Pathfinding or routing
Through a circuit switch
C370S369000, C370S535000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06744760
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to node configurations within a communication system such as an optical fiber communication system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The utilization and complexity of optical fiber communication systems is increasing dramatically. Within a single node of an optical fiber communication system, numerous components can be interconnected to allow for communication with numerous different short-range service platforms and remote locations. These node configurations typically allow for protection channels and/or extra traffic channels to be established by interconnecting duplicate components within the node which can be used during failure/extra traffic periods.
To dynamically coordinate changing interconnectivity between these numerous components, some current implementations utilize central cross-connect switches that are electrically configurable. These central cross-connect switches can establish data communications between two locations and with adjustments to their configurations, disconnect data communications or redirect data communications away from problem areas caused by failure or congestion.
A well-known implementation of a node within an optical fiber communication system that utilizes a central cross-connect switch is now described with reference to FIG.
1
. The node depicted in
FIG. 1
comprises a central cross-connect switch
102
; first, second, third, and fourth Short-Range (SR) optical fiber transceivers
104
,
106
,
108
,
110
which are independently coupled to the central cross-connect switch
102
; and first, second, third, and fourth Dense Wavelength Division Muliplexed (DWDM) transceivers
112
,
114
,
116
,
118
which are also independently coupled to the central cross-connect switch
102
. It is noted that a transceiver comprises both transmitter and receiver portions which in some implementations would be physically different components. It is further noted that a SR optical fiber transceiver, hereinafter referred to as an SR transceiver, comprises a transceiver that is coupled to a service platform, typically a computing device, that is local to the node.
In this illustrated implementation, the first and second SR transceivers
104
,
106
are further coupled to a first service platform (not shown) via a first SR working channel
120
and a first SR protection/extra traffic (Prot./E.T.) channel
122
respectively; the third and fourth SR transceivers
108
,
110
are further coupled to a second service platform (not shown) via a second SR working channel
124
and a second SR protection/extra traffic (Prot./E.T.) channel
126
respectively; the first and second DWDM transceivers
112
,
114
are further coupled to a first remote location (not shown) via a first DWDM working channel
128
and a first DWDM protection/extra traffic (Prot./E.T.) channel
130
respectively; and the third and fourth DWDM transceivers
116
,
118
are further coupled to a second remote location (not shown) via a second DWDM working channel
132
and a second DWDM protection/extra traffic (Prot./E.T.) channel
134
respectively.
The central cross-connect switch
102
operates to interconnect the transceivers depicted in
FIG. 1
so that data information input to a receiver portion of one of the transceivers can be forwarded to a transmitter portion within another of the transceivers for transmission to the desired location. In the configuration shown in
FIG. 1
, a 1:1 protection scheme is illustrated that indicates that for every working channel there is an identical protection/extra traffic channel. In normal circumstances, the data communications would be forwarded to the proper location through the appropriate working channel, but in case of failure and/or congestion in the working channel, the data communications would be forwarded through the corresponding protection/extra traffic channel.
There are a number of disadvantages to the node configuration as illustrated in FIG.
1
. For one, in order to have proper operation of the node and to coordinate the interconnectivity between individual components of the node, the central cross-connect switch
102
is required. This is an additional component that must be produced, maintained, and inserted within the shelf in which the node is installed. Further, when utilizing the central cross-connect switch
102
of
FIG. 1
, each transceiver that is added to the node must have two backplane connections to the central cross-connect switch
102
, one for the transmitter portion and one for the receiver portion. Since both shelf space and backplane connection space are critical limitations on a node, a design that could reduce the required shelf space and backplane connection space would be advantageous.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention utilizes a series of local switches that are distributed throughout a communication node rather than a central cross-connect switch. Preferably, the node consists of a number of cards within a node shelf that each have a local switch and one or more communication devices such as transceivers, multiplexers, demultiplexers, transmitters or receivers. Each of the local switches are preferably connected to all the other local switches so that the communication devices can be interconnected in a series of different configurations by controlling the local switches.
The present invention, according to a first broad aspect, is an apparatus, such as a circuit card, that is arranged to be implemented within a communication node. The apparatus includes one or more communication devices that are operable to transmit data information to and/or receive data information from a device external from the node. Further, the apparatus includes a local switch coupled to the communication device that can selectively couple the communication device and another local switch within another apparatus of the communication node.
The present invention, according to a second broad aspect, is a communication node arranged to be implemented within a communication system. The communication node includes a plurality of apparatuses. Each apparatus includes one or more communication devices that are operable to transmit data information to and/or receive data information from a device external from the node. Further, each apparatus includes a local switch coupled to the communication device. The local switches within the apparatuses are coupled together and each of the local switches is operable to selectively couple its respective communication device and one or more of the other local switches.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5303078 (1994-04-01), Brackett et al.
patent: 6256306 (2001-07-01), Bellenger
patent: 6298289 (2001-10-01), Lloyd et al.
patent: 6535313 (2003-03-01), Fatehi et al.
patent: 6539027 (2003-03-01), Cambron
Nortel Networks Limited
Pezzlo John
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