Patent · US Active

Access node for a communications network

US8644335B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by
0References
22Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateSep 29, 2011
Grant dateFeb 4, 2014
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 22, 2032

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04Q11/0071
  • WIPO fieldTelecommunications
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An access node such as an OLT or DSLAM for use in a communications network. The access node performs a plurality of functions using in a number of function modules, each divided into one or more sub-modules. The status of the sub-modules is controlled by a controlled by a controller that reviews load statistics and other inputs and determines whether the configuration of the function module should be changed. If so, individual sub-modules are powered down, clock-gated, or returned to operational status. A traffic dispatcher positioned before each function module distributes the data traffic to available sub-modules for processing, after which it is aggregated by a traffic aggregator and passed on to the next stage. A number of circuit boards may be used, each containing only one or two function modules. The boards are connected by short, high-speed serial lines, which may have multiple links whose status may also be controlled.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.