Abstract: An egress traffic management system for a data communication system is disclosed. The egress traffic management system makes use of a hierarchical queue ID header paradigm that enables data packets to be directed for egress traffic management to either one of a plurality of assignable queues in a main egress queue module or to one of a plurality of distributed queue modules via a common queue of the main egress queue module. This behavior enables egress traffic management functionality and scale to be varied independently and in a cost-effective manner to meet evolving requirements of a data communications system.

Abstract: A master-slave communication system for a communication switch is provided. The system comprises a master controller generating commands and receiving status signals and slave devices associated with the master controller. Each slave receives commands, executes local commands responsive to the commands and generates status signals for the master controller. Each slave has a communication arrangement for signals transmitted between it and the master controller. The arrangement comprises a communication controller associated with the master controller. The communication controller receives commands, transmits commands to each slave, receives status signals and provides information relating to the status signals to the master controller; also the controller has a communication link which transmits commands to each slave and the status signals to the controller. The system allows local commands executed by the slaves to replace other commands directed by the master controller to the slave.

Abstract: A circuit comprises two or more chains of components, each chain comprising a plurality of components serially connected by designated pins on each component and at least one chain including one or more components of another chain, the designated pins being designated for data for one or more specific purposes. A selector is included for selecting one chain from the two or more chains over which to data is to be sent. Another circuit comprises a chain of components serially connected by designated pins on each component, and two or more controllers, each controller capable of controlling the chain for one or more of the specific purposes. A wiring board for implementing the circuit is also provided.

Abstract: Distributed communication traffic control systems and methods are disclosed. An amount of communication traffic received from a traffic management device and stored in a communication traffic queue at a communication device is monitored. Based on the amount of communication traffic stored in the communication traffic queue, a determination is made, at the communication device, as to whether a traffic management action is to be performed. If a traffic management action is to be performed, the traffic management device is controlled to perform the determined traffic management action. The traffic management device may receive an indication of the determined traffic management action from a distributed traffic controller in the communication device, for example, and perform the traffic management action responsive to the indication.

Abstract: Dynamic data path component configuration apparatus and methods are disclosed. A configuration of a data path link that is operatively coupled to a communication equipment data path is determined. A determination as to whether a configurable data path component, which is configurable to exchange data with the data path link and with another data path link, is configured compatibly with the determined configuration, is also made. If the configurable data path component is not configured compatibly with the determined configuration, then an operation to configure the configurable data path component is performed. The configuring operation could dynamically configure the data path component to increase or reduce data path speed, to bond multiple links, and/or to unbond multiple links, as electronic cards are installed or removed, for example. During the configuring operation, the configurable data path component is able to exchange data with other data path links and accordingly is non-service affecting.

Abstract: Timing signal recovery and distribution apparatus and methods are disclosed. A timing synchronization source signal is selected from timing signals recovered by multiple communication devices. The timing signals may have any of multiple different frequencies. A timing distribution signal is generated by applying to the selected synchronization source signal one of multiple timing distribution signal generation schemes. The multiple generation schemes allow a timing distribution signal to be generated on the basis of synchronization source signals having respective different frequencies.

Abstract: A system for coupling a variety of circuit cards to a circuit board, each circuit card having a respective function, the system comprising: a sequence of connectors mounted on the circuit board, each connector in the sequence of connectors having a respective function; and, one or more connectors mounted on a circuit card for mating with respective ones of the sequence of connectors mounted on the circuit board to thereby couple the circuit card to the circuit board, the respective function of the circuit card determining which ones of the sequence of connectors mounted on the circuit board that the one or more connectors mounted on the circuit card mates with; whereby space on the circuit card opposite ones of the sequence of connectors mounted on the circuit board that the one or more connectors mounted on the circuit card do not mate with is available for mounting components.

Abstract: A system for coupling a variety of circuit cards to a circuit board, each circuit card having a respective function, the system comprising: a sequence of connectors mounted on the circuit board, each connector in the sequence of connectors having a respective function; and, one or more connectors mounted on a circuit card for mating with respective ones of the sequence of connectors mounted on the circuit board to thereby couple the circuit card to the circuit board, the respective function of the circuit card determining which ones of the sequence of connectors mounted on the circuit board that the one or more connectors mounted on the circuit card mates with; whereby space on the circuit card opposite ones of the sequence of connectors mounted on the circuit board that the one or more connectors mounted on the circuit card do not mate with is available for mounting components.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an electrical system architecture capable of providing fixed or modular components, for example, interface connectors, is provided. Fixed components allow product cost to be minimized. Modular components provide flexible configurability of products. In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention, an electrical system architecture capable of providing fixed or modular components minimizes costs such as design, production, and customer support costs while being able to provide a range of product variants.

Abstract: A multi-shelf communication system for a communication switch having shelves is provided. There is a master generating commands and receiving status signals, slaves associated with the master, a communication controller per slave, a downstream communication link providing a multiplexed signal of communications from each controller and providing a demultiplexed signal split from the multiplexed signal to each slave, an upstream communication link from each slave to its controller, and a timing arrangement controlling transmission times for the downstream communication link. Each slave can be located on one the shelves and receives commands, executes local commands responsive to the commands and generates status signals for the master. Each controller receives commands, transmits commands to its slave and receives status signals and provides information relating to the status signals to the master controller. Local commands replace other commands directed by the master to the slave.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conveying to a control shelf of a multi-shelf network node any master clock signal received via a plurality of interface cards associated with a plurality of peripheral shelves of the multi-shelf network node is presented. The apparatus operating in accordance with the method includes a peripheral shelf controller having: a selector selecting an External SYNChronization (ESYNC) signal from a multitude of ESYNC signals received at an associated peripheral shelf; a comparator deriving phase difference information in comparing the selected ESYNC signal and a SSYNC signal distributed by the control shelf; and encoder for digitally encoding the phase difference information at the peripheral shelf; means for conveying a digital phase difference information digitally between a peripheral shelf and the control shelf.

Abstract: A configurable chassis guidance system and method are described. The system may be practiced as a chassis and/or a module or an element thereof (e.g., a mating guide). The system and method allow reconfiguration of multiple modules of various module widths without the need for removal or reinstallation of module guides mounted on the chassis. As an example, a single-width module may be removed and replaced by a double-width module or quadruple-width module without removing module guides used to engage the single-width module. As another example, a double-width module or quadruple-width module may be removed and replaced by a single-width module without removing module guides used to engage the double-width module or quadruple-width module. The system and method may be practiced so as not to impair compatibility of modules with card edge module guides that engage an edge of a circuit board of a module.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a configurable data path interface is provided. In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention, one or more line processing cards may be configured to support interfaces having various attributes, such as data rate, numbers of data bits, redundancy or lack thereof, clocking, electrical signal characteristics, etc. For example, a line processing card capable of processing at least 10 gigabits per second (Gbps) over a 16-bit-wide data path using dual edge (e.g., double data rate (DDR)) clocking can be configured to operate according to those attributes or other attributes, such as other data rates (e.g., 5 Gbps or 2.5 Gbps), other data path widths (e.g., 8 bits), and/or other clocking techniques (e.g., single data rate (SDR)), in either redundant or non-redundant configurations.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for implementing CESOP inexpensively yet effectively implemented across an MPLS or an IP network. A Zarlink chip provides CESOP functionality, providing a TDM pseudowire by converting TDM streams into Ethernet packets. These Ethernet packets can be processed by a Marvell chip, which has the ability to perform QoS functions on the packets. The Marvell chip converts the Ethernet packets into MPLS or IP packets for transmission over a packet network. Use of a single virtual circuit label, invisible to the packet network for routing purposes, within the Ethernet packet allows Marvell chips at each end of the emulated circuit to tie traffic to a particular customer and to thereby apply appropriate QoS constraints.

Abstract: Communication traffic management systems and methods are disclosed. One or more traffic managers may be provided for managing communication traffic to be sent toward respective groups of one or more destinations. A determination is made as to whether one traffic manager or more than one traffic manager is provided. If one traffic manager is provided, then communication traffic is transferred to the traffic manager. In the case where more than one traffic manager is provided, received communication traffic is transferred to a traffic manager for a destination toward which the communication traffic is to be sent. Traffic managers may be added to or removed from communication equipment to provide varying levels of traffic management.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring frequencies of periodic electrical signals are disclosed. According to one technique, a first and second counters are respectively clocked by a first periodic electrical signal to be monitored and a second periodic electrical, and a threshold detector resets one of the counters when a count of the other counter crosses a reset threshold and determines whether a frequency error has occurred based on whether a count of the one of the counters crosses an alarm threshold. Another technique according to an embodiment of the invention also involves clocking counters with respective periodic electrical signals, although error detection is based on whether the counts of the counters cross respective associated thresholds in other than a particular sequence with respect to each other.

Abstract: A connection system for a communication switch is provided. The switch comprises a controller and shelves providing communication capabilities for the switch. The controller is able to communicate with each shelf shelves utilizing categories of communication signals. The connection system comprises connections providing signalling links for the categories of communication signals between the controller and the each shelf. The connections are bundled together in a single, collective span of cable and each connection provides its individual category communication signals independently of the other connections.

Abstract: A connection system for a communication switch is provided. The switch comprises a controller and shelves providing communication capabilities for the switch. The controller is able to communicate with each shelf shelves utilizing categories of communication signals. The connection system comprises connections providing signalling links for the categories of communication signals between the controller and the each shelf. The connections are bundled together in a single, collective span of cable and each connection provides its individual category communication signals independently of the other connections.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring frequencies of periodic electrical signals are disclosed. According to one technique, a first and second counters are respectively clocked by a first periodic electrical signal to be monitored and a second periodic electrical, and a threshold detector resets one of the counters when a count of the other counter crosses a reset threshold and determines whether a frequency error has occurred based on whether a count of the one of the counters crosses an alarm threshold. Another technique according to an embodiment of the invention also involves clocking counters with respective periodic electrical signals, although error detection is based on whether the counts of the counters cross respective associated thresholds in other than a particular sequence with respect to each other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conveying to a control shelf of a multi-shelf network node any master clock signal received via a plurality of interface cards associated with a plurality of peripheral shelves of the multi-shelf network node is presented. The apparatus operating in accordance with the method includes a peripheral shelf controller having: a selector selecting an External SYNChronization (ESYNC) signal from a multitude of ESYNC signals received at an associated peripheral shelf; a comparator deriving phase difference information in comparing the selected ESYNC signal and a SSYNC signal distributed by the control shelf; and encoder for digitally encoding the phase difference information at the peripheral shelf; means for conveying a digital phase difference information digitally between a peripheral shelf and the control shelf.