Abstract: In particular embodiments, the present invention provides a system for managing signaling messages in a telecommunication system. The system includes a first control module that is operable to receive signaling messages from a plurality of signaling links, process the signaling messages, and send the processed signaling messages through a communication network interface. The system also includes a second control module that is operable to receive the signaling messages from the plurality of signaling links, process the signaling messages, and send the processed signaling messages through a communication network interface. The system further includes a Matelink coupled to the first control module and the second control module. The Matelink is operable to communicate the status of the first control module to the second control module and the status of the second control module to the first control module.

Abstract: A telecommunications network (30) includes a plurality of devices that communicate using a certain protocol, such as SIP. Packet phones (32) communicate with the network devices using GPSs (34). The GPSs (34) provide a GUI (graphical user interface) for the packet phones (32). As the user operates the GUI to perform functions, event data is sent to the GPS (34) associated with the phone. The GPS (34) interprets the event data and generates SIP (or other protocol) commands to create, modify and terminate communication sessions as desired by the user.

Abstract: An optical connector cleaning device for cleaning a ferrule end surface of an optical or fiberoptic connector is described. The device includes a cleaning rod, a drive mechanism, and a cleaning media, such as a swab, a brush, a pad, or a foam, connected to an end of the cleaning rod and having a thickness past the end of the cleaning rod of at least about 0.125 inches. A mating connector housing the cleaning rod may be provided for connecting with the optical connector. The drive mechanism may be housed in a handheld body or may be mounted on a dummy card connector physically compatible with a slot in a card-cage. The dummy card connector may include an adjustable frame which can be adjusted to modify card size in order for the same dummy card connector to be physically compatible with more than one physical slot configuration.

Abstract: In order to avoid mechanical assembly problems and transmission of undesired electrical currents among circuit cards or boards in a telecommunications switch or similar digital device, a conventional hard-wired midplane bus is replaced by a wireless bus. The wireless bus includes a radio frequency or light wave transceiver on each card. Antennas on respective cards can either be oriented within direct line-of-sight of each other, or can project into a waveguide which directs the transmitted signals past all the other antennas. For example, the waveguide may be a metal enclosure which surrounds all the cards. Alternatively, respective aligned apertures in the cards can define a continuous transmission path. A data rate exceeding 1 megabit per second and a transmission power on the order of 1 milliWatt are preferred, since the bus is intended for use within a single switch housing.

Abstract: In particular embodiments, the present invention provides an apparatus for controlling a signaling link. The apparatus includes a plurality of receivers and a plurality of drivers. Each receiver receives signaling messages from one of a plurality of first signaling links, and each driver sends signaling messages over one of a plurality of second signaling links. The apparatus also includes an interface that receives signaling messages and control data from a control module and sends signaling messages and control data to the control module. The apparatus further includes a processor coupled to the receivers, the drivers, and the interface. The processor receives signaling messages from the receivers and multiplexes portions of the signaling messages together for communication through the interface. The processor also receives portions of signaling messages from the interface and demultiplexes the portions for communication to the drivers.

Abstract: A network manager begins to integrate optical crossconnect functionality in an optical packet switching apparatus by transmitting a request to a resource management mechanism for allocation for an output port with respect to an input port in an optical switching matrix. The resource management mechanism then queries a port availability database to determine the availability of the requested output port. If an output port is available, the resource management mechanism then reserves the requested output port. The resource management mechanism then transmits mapping information for an optical path between the input port and the reserved output port to an optical switch control mechanism. The optical switch control mechanism then creates the optical path between the said input port the reserved output port. Finally, the optical switch control mechanism informs the resource management mechanism that the optical path is established.

Abstract: A system for distributing a synchronization signal in a telecommunications network is provided that includes a timing generator, a lower level distribution module, a bus control module and a plurality of cards. The timing generator is operable to provide a synchronization signal comprising timing and control signals. The lower level distribution module is coupled to the timing generator. The lower level distribution module is operable to receive and distribute the synchronization signal. The bus control module is coupled to the lower level distribution module. The bus control module is operable to receive and distribute the synchronization signal. The plurality of cards are coupled to the bus control module. Each card is operable to receive the synchronization signal and to synchronize based on the timing signals.

Abstract: A distributed telecommunications switching subsystem (100) receives and distributes data packets passed between a plurality of switching subsystems or channel banks (102, 104, 106) and a data packet switch (110). Each channel bank (102) has a stored list of addresses. When a channel bank (102) receives a data packet, it compares the address of the data packet to its stored list of addresses, and transmits the data packet to another channel bank (104) if the address of the data packet does not correspond to any of the addresses in its stored list of addresses. The data packet is passed on until it reaches a channel bank (106) with a matching address or else it is appropriately handled by a last channel bank (106) in the chain. If the address of data packet matches an address in its stored list of addresses, the channel bank (102) passes the data packet through a subscriber interface card (120) to a customer premises equipment unit (108) corresponding to the address of the data packet.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for transferring data between servers and subscribers. A central office employs DSL circuit cards. Each DSL circuit card encodes a digital signal using a discrete multitone technology (DMT) scheme, and sends an encoded signal on a subscriber line. A disclosed architecture allows the functions of a faulty DSL circuit card to be assumed by another card, without substantial disruption of subscriber service. Further, the architecture allows the faulty DSL to be physically replaced, with minimal disruption of subscriber service. Another aspect of the architecture allows for the testing of subscriber lines.

Abstract: A system and method for providing high voltage resistance capability in a receptacle apparatus for accepting a high-density compliant pin connector. A plurality of high-density compliant pin through-holes are formed in a printed circuit board for receiving the pins of the high-density compliant pin connector. The through-holes are plated using an electrically conductive material, whereby conductive pads are formed around the plated through-holes on at least one side of the printed circuit board. Thereafter, the conductive pads around the plated through-holes on the printed circuit board are removed by controlled depth back-drilling so as to increase the inter-pad clearance of the through-holes for withstanding foreign voltages.

Abstract: Congestion control is provided in a first telecommunications element by receiving a congestion state for a second telecommunications element coupled to the first telecommunications element. An internal congestion state is set in the first telecommunications element for the second telecommunications element based on the congestion state. The internal congestion state for the second telecommunications element is maintained in the first telecommunications element independently of receiving a disparate congestion state for the second telecommunications element.

Abstract: A system, controller and method are described that can effectively alert a mobile subscriber about an emergency situation including, for example, a weather alert, a hostage situation or a hazardous material leak. In particular, the system includes an emergency warning system capable of generating information identifying a geographic area in which there is an emergency situation. The system also includes a controller capable of receiving the information identifying the troubled geographic area and is further capable of requesting and receiving from a wireless communications network a list of the mobile subscribers currently located within the troubled geographic area. Thereafter, the controller is capable of initiating an emergency notification message that is sent to at least one of the mobile subscribers. The emergency notification message can be in the form of a page, a voice message or a short text message.

Abstract: A call party profile presentation system and method for use in a multimedia-capable network for delivering a party's presentation profile to a subscriber at call setup or during the call in order to uniquely identify the party. A multimedia session engine is operable to launch a call treatment application for the subscriber with respect to a call between a call party and the subscriber. Logic associated with the call treatment application determines an appropriate portion of the call party's presentation profile to be provided to the subscriber based on subscriber selection, call party presentation restrictions, or both. A multimedia interface operable with the subscriber's terminal is actuated for delivering an indicium associated with the selected portion of the call party's presentation profile to the subscriber.

Abstract: A wireless communications network, a home location register and a method are provided that have an improved signal strength arbitration scheme which can ensure that a mobile terminal is registered at the most appropriate mobile switching center. In particular, the home location register includes a database coupled to a processor capable of implementing a signal strength arbitration scheme that assigns a provisional quality value to a registration signal that was received from a mobile switching center which failed to include a quality parameter within the registration signal, wherein that mobile switching center may now be considered and possibly registered as the most appropriate mobile switching center to process a wireless call of a mobile terminal that broadcasted a registration access signal to a plurality of mobile switching centers.

Abstract: A telecommunications network environment (10) includes a signaling server (20) accessible by maintenance interfaces (12) and network interfaces (14). The signaling server (20) includes a signaling link controller (83) that receives and processes signaling information received from network elements and other signaling servers. The signaling link controller (83) extracts a data portion of the signaling information for message transfer part level two processing. For additional processing, the data portion of the signaling information may be routed over an Ethernet switch (76) to another signaling link controller (83) or to a signaling services controller (99) for signaling connection control part processing. The signaling services control element (99) may perform local number portability lookup and global title translation on the received data portion. After processing, the signaling link controller (83) generates a return message in response to the signaling information.

Abstract: A communication system includes plural nodes interconnected with an optical transmission medium capable of carrying plural bands of optical channels. A device at each node is coupled to the medium for dropping one or more bands, adding one or more bands, and passively transmitting other bands such that a pair of nodes can communicate directly using a band common to the respective bands. One band of the bands associated with each of a first set of nodes overlaps with one band of the bands associated with each of a second set of nodes. Multiple overlapping bands provide a high level of wavelength termination diversity. An optical management bus system and method connects plural hybrid optical/electrical cables between transmission equipment and optical modules which connect to network fibers to provide a set of electrical connections that can be used to determine optical interconnections in an optical shelf configuration.

Abstract: A SONET framer with multiple clock-crossing capability for use in an optical cross-connect system. The input stage of the cross-connect includes a framer ASIC that performs both frame alignment of multiple data streams and retimes them with a system clock at a same frequency. The ASIC processes multiple clocks from PLL's and retimes the data with the system clock at the same frequency. The present invention nests the clock crossing function in the frame alignment function in order to align all the incoming data streams with the system clock. Advantages include reduced chip area and reduced power consumption.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for scheduling the flow of packets. Its purpose is to reduce excess loads, while at the same time, improving efficiency of the system. The scheduler is divided into two or more schedulers operating in parallel. Furthermore, each scheduler is assigned a subset of the available wavelengths. The assignment of wavelengths is done in an asymmetric manner such that one scheduler is assigned many more wavelengths. In addition, the void filling scheduler is used in conjunction with bandwidth grabbing to improve scheduling performance. In a preferred embodiment, the buffer occupancy of a first scheduler is monitored. If it is below a threshold (and a second scheduler's buffer is full), then packets intended for the second scheduler are transferred to the first scheduler.

Abstract: A system for generating a timing signal is disclosed. A processor generates a selection command. A clock receives a signal selected in response to the selection command and converts the selected signal to a timing signal. A framing module inserts a phase of the timing signal into a framed signal. A method for generating a timing signal for a telecommunication system is disclosed. A selection command is generated using a processor. A signal is selected in response to the selection command. The selected signal is converted to a timing signal using a clock. A phase of the timing signal is inserted into a framed signal using a framing module.

Abstract: A control architecture for an optical burst-switched network includes an electronic ingress edge router, a switch control unit at each hop, and an electronic egress edge router. The electronic ingress edge router assembles multiple data packets into a burst. The switch control units at each hop configure the optical switching matrix to switch the burst through the optical burst-switched network. Finally, the electronic egress edge router receives the burst from the optical burst-switched network and disassembles the burst into multiple data packets.