Abstract: On-line insertion of line replaceable units (such as circuit board cards) into a backplane of a processor shelf, a modem shelf, or a similar type of equipment utilizes at least one interface control processor card that is capable of functioning as a primary master controller to control the insertion of circuit board cards into the backplane. Circuit board cards that are newly inserted into the backplane do not automatically have access to full power, or to the buses, or to other cards in the backplane. A newly inserted circuit board card remains isolated until the primary master controller checks, configures, and authorizes the newly inserted circuit board card to operate. A secondary master controller is provided to function as the primary master controller if the primary master controller fails. An automated boot procedure is provided to enable a circuit board card to determine whether it is a master controller, and if so, whether it is a primary master controller or a secondary master controller.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system and method for providing an improved common control bus for use in the on-line insertion of line replaceable units (such as circuit board cards) into a backplane of a processor shelf, a modem shelf, or a similar type of equipment. The present invention increases the number of device locations that a common control bus can access. The present invention comprises a complex programmable logic device on a circuit board card that is coupled to a common control bus. The complex programmable logic device is capable of selectively coupling to the common control bus each one of a plurality of device locations on the circuit board card. The complex programmable logic device controls data access to and from each device that is coupled to the common control bus.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved backplane architecture for devices such as processors and modems used in wireless, cable, and wired voice frequency (VF) access systems. The present invention comprises a backplane comprising (1) a low tier that is capable of aggregate traffic rates of up to approximately two gigabits per second, and (2) a high tier that is capable of aggregate traffic rates of up to approximately twenty gigabits per second. The backplane of the present invention also comprises a plurality of bus structures and clock and framing resources. The backplane of the present invention is capable of being used in more than one type of electronic equipment.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system and method for the on-line insertion of line replaceable units (such as circuit board cards) into a backplane of a processor shelf, a modem shelf, or a similar type of equipment. The present invention comprises at least one interface control processor card that is capable of functioning as a primary master controller to control the insertion of circuit board cards into the backplane. Circuit board cards that are newly inserted into the backplane do not automatically have access to full power, or to the buses, or to other cards in the backplane. A newly inserted circuit board card remains isolated until the primary master controller checks, configures, and authorizes the newly inserted circuit board card to operate. A secondary master controller is provided to function as the primary master controller if the primary master controller fails.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system and method for providing an improved common control bus for use in the on-line insertion of line replaceable units (such as circuit board cards) into a backplane of a processor shelf, a modem shelf, or a similar type of equipment. The present invention increases the number of device locations that a common control bus can access. The present invention comprises a complex programmable logic device on a circuit board card that is coupled to a common control bus. The complex programmable logic device is capable of selectively coupling to the common control bus each one of a plurality of device locations on the circuit board card. The complex programmable logic device controls data access to and from each device that is coupled to the common control bus.