Multiplex communications – Pathfinding or routing – Switching a message which includes an address header
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-21
2002-10-22
Ngo, Ricky (Department: 2664)
Multiplex communications
Pathfinding or routing
Switching a message which includes an address header
C370S395530, C370S401000, C370S410000, C370S907000, C359S199200, C379S229000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06470018
ABSTRACT:
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable
MICROFICHE APPENDIX
Not Applicable
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of telecommunications call switching and transport.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Broadband systems are being developed and implemented. Broadband systems provide telecommunications providers with many benefits, including greater bandwidth, more efficient use of bandwidth, and the ability to integrate voice, data, and video communications. These broadband systems provide callers with increased capabilities at lower costs.
Switches and other communication devices use broadband systems, such as a synchronous optical network (SONET) ring or a synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH) system, to connect calls to other switches and communication devices. The switches, for example, determine how a call is to be connected and control the switching over the broadband system. In addition, switches, such as tandem switches, are used to concentrate telecommunication traffic between networks, switches, and other communication devices.
However, controlling call switching and connection functions from switches and some other communication devices is expensive. Moreover, intelligent network routing and processing functions are limited. In addition, conventional switching systems do not provide highly efficient call concentration and call routing in networks such as metropolitan area networks (MANs). Therefore, there is a need for a system that more efficiently and more easily provides connections for switches and other communications devices over broadband networks, such as the SONET ring or the SDH system. An effective system is needed that can control switching and call connections between system devices on a call-by-call basis in an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) environment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises a broadband system for connecting calls that use time division multiplexing. The system comprises a SONET ring that is adapted to interconnect devices coupled to the SONET ring. The SONET ring comprises SONET multiplexers coupled by SONET paths. The SONET multiplexers are adapted to add calls to, and drop calls from, the SONET ring. The system further comprises an ATM cross connect system that is coupled to the SONET ring. The ATM cross connect system comprises ATM cross connect devices. The ATM cross connect devices are adapted to provide provisioned ATM connections over the SONET ring. The system further comprises a plurality of ATM interworking units that are coupled to the ATM cross connect system. The ATM interworking units are adapted to interwork calls with selected ATM connections in response to control messages. The selected ATM connections are provisioned between selected ATM interworking units by the ATM cross connect system over the SONET ring. The system also comprises a signaling processor system that is adapted to receive call signaling for the calls, to process the call signaling to select the ATM connections for the calls, and to send the control messages to the elected ATM interworking units. The control messages designate the selected ATM connections.
The present invention also comprises a broadband system for connecting a call having a time division multiplex format. The system comprises a SONET ring that is adapted to interconnect devices coupled to the SONET ring. The SONET ring comprises a plurality of SONET multiplexers that are coupled by a SONET path. The SONET multiplexers are adapted to add the call to, and drop the call from, the SONET ring. The system further comprises an ATM cross connect system comprising a plurality of ATM cross connect devices coupled to the SONET multiplexers. The ATM cross connect devices are adapted to provide a provisioned ATM connection through the SONET multiplexers over the SONET path. Still further, the system comprises a plurality of ATM interworking units coupled to the ATM cross connect devices. The ATM interworking units are adapted to interwork the call with the provisioned ATM connection in response to control messages. The provisioned ATM connection is provisioned by the ATM cross connects between the ATM interworking units through the SONET multiplexers over the SONET ring. The system also comprises a signaling processor system that is adapted to receive call signaling for the call, to process the call signaling to select the ATM connection for the call, and to send the control messages to the ATM interworking units. The control messages designate the selected ATM connection.
The present invention also is directed to a broadband system for connecting a call over a SONET ring that is adapted to interconnect devices coupled to the SONET ring. The call has a time division multiplex format and has user communications and call signaling. The system comprises a SONET multiplexer that is coupled to the SONET ring. The SONET multiplexer is adapted to add the call to the SONET ring. The system also comprises an ATM cross connect that is coupled to the SONET multiplexer. The ATM cross connect is adapted to provide a provisioned ATM connection through the SONET multiplexer over the SONET ring. The system also comprises an ATM interworking unit coupled to the ATM cross connect. The ATM interworking unit is adapted to interwork the user communications with the ATM connection in response to a control message. The ATM connection is provisioned by the ATM cross connect from the ATM interworking unit through the SONET multiplexer over the SONET ring. The system further comprises a signaling processor that is adapted to process the call signaling to select the ATM connection for the call from among a plurality of connections and to send the control message to the ATM interworking unit designating the ATM connection.
Still further, the present invention is directed to a broadband system for connecting a call over a SONET ring that is adapted to interconnect devices coupled to the SONET ring. The call has call signaling and user communications. The system comprises a signaling processor that is adapted to receive the call signaling for the call, to process the call signaling to select an ATM connection for the call, and to send a control message designating the selected ATM connection. The system also comprises an ATM interworking unit that is adapted to receive the control message from the signaling processor, to receive the user communications, and to interwork the use communications for the call between a non-ATM connection and the selected ATM connection in response to the control message. The system includes a SONET multiplexer that is adapted to provide access to the SONET ring for the selected ATM connection. The system also includes an ATM cross connect that is adapted to provision the selected ATM connection from the ATM interworking unit through the SONET multiplexer over the SONET ring. The call is transported over the provisioned selected ATM connection from the ATM interworking unit, though the ATM cross connect, through the SONET multiplexer, and over the SONET ring.
Further still, the present invention is directed to a broadband system for connecting a call having a time division multiplex format over a broadband ring. The call has call signaling and user communications. The system comprises a signaling processor that is adapted to receive the call signaling for the call, to process the call signaling to select a selected connection for the call from among a plurality of connections, and to send the control message designating the selected connection. The system comprises an add/drop multiplexer that is adapted to provide the call access to the broadband ring. The system also comprises a cross connect that is adapted to provision the selected connection through the add/drop multiplexer over the broadband ring. The system further comprises an interworking unit that is adapted to receive the user communications and to receive the control message from the signaling processor and, in response thereto, to interwork the user communications for the call t
DuRee Albert Daniel
Gardner Michael Joseph
Howell Royal Dean
Nelson Tracy Lee
Wiley William Lyle
Ball Harley R.
Funk Steven J.
Ngo Ricky
Robb Kevin D.
Sprint Communications Company L.P.
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