Flexible cross-connect with data plane
US7573893B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 3, 2006 |
| Grant date | Aug 11, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 12, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S370/907
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A flexible cross-connect with a data plane is presented which allows the establishment of connections between network interfaces at any network interface card to another network interface on any other network interface card. The system can cross-connect connections at an STS-1 and VT 1.5 granularity, and allows the switching and routing of information in a data plane without the use of the cross connect fabric. This permits routing, bridging, and concentration of data services to be performed without burdening of the cross connect. For reliability, a range of protection configurations can be employed including 1:1, 1:5 and mixed 1:N protection. A backplane is used which provides point-to-point traces between each card and the cross connect unit, between each card and a timing, communications and control unit, and between the network interface cards themselves.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.