Method and apparatus for a rearrangeably non-blocking switching matrix
US6982974B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 4, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jan 3, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 4, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L49/351
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A switching apparatus is disclosed that employs a relatively simple and inexpensive switching matrix, but which avoids interruption of existing connections when connections are added or removed. The switching matrix switches errorlessly by controlling the point in time at which switching occurs. Using such a technique, switching can be performed without disturbing the connections already configured in the switching matrix, and so is referred to herein as being non-blocking. Optionally, the incoming data can be rearranged to provide a larger window of time in which the switching matrix can be switched. In the case of a switch using an optical backplane, this also allows more time for various components of the system (e.g., clock/data recovery units) to re-acquire lock. The switching apparatus includes a switching matrix and control circuitry. The switching matrix has a matrix input, a control input and a number of matrix outputs, and is configured to receive an information stream at the matrix input. The information stream includes a number of portions, while the control circuitry has a control output coupled to the control input. The control circuitry is configured to initially con…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.