Multiplex communications – Pathfinding or routing – Switching a message which includes an address header
Reexamination Certificate
1997-12-19
2001-06-12
Patel, Ajit (Department: 2661)
Multiplex communications
Pathfinding or routing
Switching a message which includes an address header
C370S354000, C370S355000, C370S356000, C370S386000, C370S412000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06246681
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates in general to telecommunications data switching and more particularly to a system and method for selecting one of two or more redundant planes of data.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Modern telecommunications system typically utilize digitally encoded data instead of analog data. If analog data is used, it may be converted to digital data for the purposes of switching the data between conducting media. Switching of data occurs at large telecommunications switches, which may receive and process hundreds or thousands of data channels.
To improve switching reliability, two or more redundant planes of data may used. In the event that one of the planes is interrupted or corrupted, one of the remaining planes of data may be used. In this manner, the transmission of data may continue without interruption.
Despite the known practice of using two or more redundant planes of data to improve switching reliability, data may still be lost when a transfer is made between redundant planes. In particular, known redundant data plane schemes for switches may be designed to maintain overall system reliability while tolerating some loss of data. Although such switching schemes may be an improvement over switches that lack redundant data planes, those switching schemes still result in the unavoidable loss of data.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, a need has arisen for a system and method for data plane selection that allows switching between redundant data planes without the loss of any data.
In accordance with the present invention, a system and method for data plane selection is provided that substantially eliminates or reduces disadvantages and problems associated with previously developed systems and methods for data plane selection.
One aspect of the present invention is a system for selecting one of two or more parallel planes of data. The system includes a first data buffer that is connected to a first data bus that carries a stream of datagrams. The first data buffer receives and stores datagrams from the first data bus. The system also includes a second data buffer that is connected to a second data bus that carries a stream of datagrams. The second data buffer receives and store datagrams from the second data bus. A selection controller connected to the first data buffer and the second data buffer analyzes the datagrams stored in the first and second data buffers, and selects one of the datagrams to be the primary datagram.
The present invention provides many important technical advantages. One important technical advantage of the present invention is a system for selecting one of two or more redundant planes that allows planes to be switched on a packet-by-packet basis. If a switch from one plane to another plane is required during the transmission of data, the selected data output will not be lost or corrupted.
Another important technical advantage of the present invention is a method for selecting one of two or more data planes that allows planes to be switched on a packet-by-packet basis. The method of the present invention may be implemented in many suitable systems that use two or more redundant planes of data.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4899337 (1990-02-01), Hirai
patent: 5274633 (1993-12-01), Kato et al.
patent: 5311510 (1994-05-01), Moriue et al.
patent: 5311517 (1994-05-01), Senoo
patent: 5438567 (1995-08-01), Ikeda
patent: 5485453 (1996-01-01), Wahlman et al.
patent: 5555244 (1996-09-01), Gupta et al.
patent: 5555265 (1996-09-01), Kakuma et al.
patent: 5745488 (1998-04-01), Thompson et al.
patent: 5745491 (1998-04-01), Ando et al.
patent: 5838677 (1998-11-01), Kozaki et al.
patent: 5878044 (1999-03-01), Frischknecht et al.
patent: 5920412 (1999-07-01), Chang
patent: 5953344 (1999-09-01), Dail et al.
Garcia Jose A.
Humphrey Russell L.
Vo Long V.
Alcatel USA Sourcing L.P.
Baker & Botts L.L.P.
Patel Ajit
Phunkulh Bob A.
LandOfFree
System and method for plane selection does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with System and method for plane selection, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and System and method for plane selection will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2451284