Systems and methods for voice and data communications including a scalable TDM switch/multiplexer

• US 20110200034A1
• Filed: 01/10/2011
• Published: 08/18/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Inventors: Delveaux, William J., Omodt, Michael J., Strauss, William D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,369,317 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/352
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4035 in which slots of a TDMA packet structure are assigned based on a contention resolution carried out at a master unit TDM/TDMA multiplex systems per se H04J3/1694; hybrid switching systems H04L12/64
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4625 Single bridge functionality, e.g. connection of two networks over a single bridge

Abstract

Integrated communications systems having a scalable or upgradable TDM switch fabric (i.e., e.g., TDM-controlling switch/MUX) are disclosed. At a first point in time a system is first sold, installed and utilized with a first TDM capacity, using a first TDM switch/MUX controlling a first set of TDM streams operating at a first frequency. A first set of line and other cards (e.g., DSP resources) are provided to provide or receive the first set of TDM streams. At a second point in time the system is upgraded by installation of a second TDM switch/MUX; the second TDM switch MUX controls the first set of TDM streams operating at the first frequency and also controls a second set of TDM streams operating at second frequency, which is a frequency different and preferably higher as compared to the first frequency. With at least some of the first cards coupled to the TDM bus, the second TDM switch/MUX couples TDM streams to and from the first cards using the first streams at the first frequency, while concurrently coupling TDM streams to and from the second cards using the second streams at the second frequency. The first switch/MUX preferably operates concurrently with the second switch/MUX to couple streams to and from the TDM bus (e.g., from an HDLC or multi-protocol framing engine, etc.), while the first switch/MUX does not operate to control the TDM bus, as this function is carried out by the second switch/MUX.

Claims

1. A method for operating an integrated communications system providing voice communications to a plurality of users, the integrated system having at least one TDM bus, comprising the steps of:

at a first point in time, operating the integrated system using a first TDM switch/MUX controlling a first set of TDM streams operating at a first frequency, wherein the first set of TDM streams are coupled to a first set of cards; and

at a second point in time, installing a second TDM switch/MUX in the integrated system;

wherein the second TDM switch MUX controls the first set of TDM streams operating at the first frequency and also controls a second set of TDM streams operating at a second frequency, wherein the second frequency is higher as compared to the first frequency;

wherein at least one card of the first set of cards are coupled to the TDM bus, wherein the second TDM switch/MUX couples TDM streams to and from the first cards using the first streams at the first frequency, while concurrently coupling TDM streams to and from the second cards using the second streams at the second frequency.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first switch/MUX operates concurrently with the second TDM switch/MUX to couple streams to and from the TDM bus.