Multiplex communications – Pathfinding or routing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-31
2001-01-30
Vu, Huy D. (Department: 2735)
Multiplex communications
Pathfinding or routing
C370S396000, C370S422000, C370S466000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06181688
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates in general to telecommunications networks and more particularly to a grooming device and method for consolidating information onto a minimum number of output links.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Frame relay service providers, as well as asynchronous transfer mode service providers, require a sufficient number of ports in order to provide frame relay, and asynchronous transfer mode, services. However, these ports are extremely expensive to obtain compared to ports for a conventional cross-connect systems. Further, time division multiplexed links that provide access to frame relay services are extremely under-utilized due to the bursty nature of the information being transferred. The frame relay traffic is carried on fully allocated digital circuits such as DS-
0
, n×DS-
0
, Ti, E
1
, T
3
, E
3
, et al. As a result, the variable bit rate characteristic of the frame relay traffic is not effectively exploited. Therefore, it is desirable to improve the efficiency of frame relay traffic transfer that would reduce the number of frame relay or asynchronous transfer mode ports required by the service provider.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
From the foregoing, it may be appreciated that a need has arisen for an effective technique for transferring frame relay and asynchronous transfer mode traffic in order to reduce the number of ports required in handling this traffic. In accordance with the present invention, a system, device, and method for consolidating information onto a minimum number of output links are provided that substantially reduce or eliminate disadvantages and problems associated with conventional frame relay and asynchronous transfer mode traffic transfer and processing.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a digital cross-connect system that includes an input port operable to receive digital signal level zero telecommunications signals from a plurality of input ports. The digital signal level zero telecommunications signals are consolidated into a minimum number of digital signal level one telecommunications signals by a cross-connect matrix. A frame groomer identifies frame relay traffic in the digital signal level zero telecommunications signals and consolidates the frame relay traffic into a minimum number of digital signal level zero telecommunications signals. An output port transfers the digital signal level one telecommunications signals carrying the consolidated frame relay traffic onto an output link. (Complete according to claim
1
to be done).
The present invention provides various technical advantages over conventional frame relay and asynchronous transfer mode traffic transfer and processing techniques. For example, one technical advantage is to consolidate frame relay or asynchronous transfer mode traffic onto preferably a single output link. Another technical advantage is to reduce the number of ports required to receive and transfer frame relay or asynchronous transfer mode traffic. Yet another technical advantage is to select frames from a plurality of input links for placement onto a consolidated output link. Other technical advantages are readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, description, and claims.
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S.P. Ferguson, “Implications of Sonet and SDH”, Electronics & Communication Engineering Journal, vol. 6, No. 3, Jun. 1994, pp. 133-142.
Frazier Paul R.
Jette Michael H.
Salisbury Neil D.
Thomas Shaji
Tucker William C.
Alcatel USA Sourcing L.P.
Baker & Botts L.L.P.
Phan M.
Vu Huy D.
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