Architecture for a hybrid STM/ATM add-drop multiplexer
First Claim
1. An interconnection system for a network element, comprising:
- at least one line unit slot;
at least one switch fabric slot;
a plurality of service unit slots, said line unit slot communicably coupled as a hub to said at least one switch fabric slot and said plurality of service unit slots in a first star interconnection configuration; and
wherein said switch fabric slot is communicably coupled as a hub to said line unit slot and said plurality of service unit slots in a second star interconnection configuration.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An architecture for a SONET network element, such as a hybrid STM/ATM add-drop multiplexer. The disclosed system includes an interconnection system for a network element, including a line unit slot, a switch fabric slot, and two or more service unit slots. The line unit slot is connected as a hub to the switch fabric slot and the service unit slots in a first star interconnection configuration. The switch fabric slot is connected as a hub to the line unit slot and the service unit slots in a second star interconnection configuration. The star interconnection configurations provide fault isolation between different units, and allow for replacement of failed units without interfering with the links of other units to the hub. In a preferred embodiment, the switch fabric slot and one of the service unit slots comprise the same slot, thus permitting flexible configuration of the device within a minimal space. In a further illustrative embodiment, a control unit slot is provided in the interconnection system, and connected as a hub to the line unit slot, the switch fabric slot, and the service unit slots to form a third star interconnection configuration. A service unit is also disclosed, including a first backplane interface for connecting with an ATM star interconnect configuration within the network element, and a second backplane interface for connecting to an STM star interconnect configuration within said network element. The service unit further includes a third backplane interface to connect with a control star interconnect configuration within the network element.
141 Citations
28 Claims
-
1. An interconnection system for a network element, comprising:
-
at least one line unit slot;
at least one switch fabric slot;
a plurality of service unit slots, said line unit slot communicably coupled as a hub to said at least one switch fabric slot and said plurality of service unit slots in a first star interconnection configuration; and
wherein said switch fabric slot is communicably coupled as a hub to said line unit slot and said plurality of service unit slots in a second star interconnection configuration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. An interconnection system for a network element, comprising:
-
a first line unit slot;
a second line unit slot;
a first switch fabric slot;
a second switch fabric slot;
a control unit slot;
a plurality of service unit slots, said first line unit slot communicably coupled as a hub to said first switch fabric slot, said second switch fabric slot, and said plurality of service unit slots in a first star interconnection configuration, said second line unit slot communicably coupled as a hub to said first switch fabric slot, said second switch fabric slot, and said plurality of service unit slots in a second star interconnection configuration;
wherein said first switch fabric slot is communicably coupled as a hub to said first line unit slot, said second line unit slot, and said plurality of service unit slots in a third star interconnection configuration, said second switch fabric slot is communicably coupled as a hub to said first line unit slot, said second line unit slot, and said plurality of service unit slots in a fourth star interconnection configuration; and
wherein said control unit slot is communicably coupled as a hub to said first line unit slot, said second line unit slot, said first switch fabric slot, said second switch fabric slot, and said plurality of service unit slots in a fifth star interconnection configuration. - View Dependent Claims (14)
-
-
15. A network element, comprising:
-
at least one line unit slot;
at least one switch fabric slot;
a plurality of service unit slots, said line unit slot communicably coupled as a hub to said at least one switch fabric slot and said plurality of service unit slots in a first star interconnection configuration;
wherein said switch fabric slot is communicably coupled as a hub to said line unit slot and said plurality of service unit slots in a second star interconnection configuration; and
a line unit module coupled to said line unit slot, said line unit module including a switch fabric. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
-
-
28. A network element, comprising:
-
a first line unit slot;
a second line unit slot;
a plurality of service unit slots interconnected by a first star interconnection configuration and a second star interconnection configuration, said first star interconnection configuration having said first line unit slot as a hub, said second star interconnection configuration having said second line unit as a hub;
a first one of said service unit slots further interconnected as a hub to other ones of said service slots to form a third star interconnection configuration;
a second one of said service unit slots further interconnected as a hub to other ones of said service slots to form a fourth star interconnection configuration; and
a control unit slot interconnected as a hub to said first line unit slot, said second line unit slot, and said service unit slots to form a fifth star interconnection configuration.
-
Specification