Modular networking hardware platform
US11372180B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 31, 2020 |
| Grant date | Jun 28, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 24, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/44528
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A modular networking hardware platform utilizes a combination of different types of units that are pluggable into cassette endpoints. The present disclosure enables the construction of an extremely large system, e.g., 500 Tb/s+, as well as small, standalone systems using the same hardware units. This provides flexibility to build different systems with different slot pitches. The hardware platform includes various numbers of stackable units that mate with a cost-effective, hybrid Printed Circuit Board (PCB)/Twinax backplane, that is orthogonally oriented relative to the stackable units. In an embodiment, the hardware platform supports a range of 14.4 Tb/s-800 Tb/s+ in one or more 19″ racks, providing full features Layer 3 to Layer 0 support, i.e., protocol support for both a transit core router and full feature edge router including Layer 2/Layer 3 Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), Dense Wave Division Multiplexed (DWDM) optics, and the like.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.