Abstract: An input interface system for mapping data packets, each comprising a header portion and a payload portion, from at least one source to at least one destination. An interface method and system between asynchronous data packet flows and synchronized switching systems, which utilize a global common time reference. The synchronized switching systems utilize a time frame switching method based on predefined switching schedules that are responsive to a global common time reference, where the global common time reference is divided into a plurality of contiguous periodic time frames. The asynchronous data packet flows are routed according to information contained in the packets' header. The interface method and system maps the header information of the asynchronous data packet flows to respective time frames that match the predefined switching schedule over the synchronized switching system.

Abstract: An interface method and system between asynchronous data packet flows and synchronized switching systems, which utilize a global common time reference. The synchronized switching systems utilize a time frame switching method based on predefined switching schedules that are responsive to a global common time reference, where the global common time reference is divided into a plurality of contiguous periodic time frames. The asynchronous data packet flows are routed according to information contained in the packets' header. The interface method and system maps the header information of the asynchronous data packet flows to respective time frames that match the predefined switching schedule over the synchronized switching system. The interface system can aggregate multiple asynchronous data packet flows into a single pre-defined switching schedule over the synchronized switching system.

Abstract: A time frame switching method and system of data units that utilize a common time reference, which is divided into a plurality of contiguous periodic time frames. The system is designed to operate with time frames, which have a plurality of predefined time durations. The plurality of data units that are contained in each of the time frames are forwarded in a pipelined manner through the network switches. The system operates with high-speed wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) links, i.e., with multiple lambdas, having a plurality of transmission capacities. The outcome of this method is called fractional lambda switching with a plurality of time frame durations.

Abstract: Time-based grooming and degrooming methods and systems of data units that utilize a common time reference is disclosed. Time is divided into a plurality of contiguous periodic time frames with a plurality of time frame durations. The system and method enable the grooming and switching of data units from a plurality of low speed links into one or more high-speed links. The system and method further enable the grooming and switching of data units from one or more high-speed links into a plurality of low speed links. The plurality of data units that are contained in each of the time frames are forwarded in a pipelined manner through the network switches. The system operates with high-speed wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) links, i.e., with multiple lambdas. The outcome of this method is called fractional lambda grooming.

Abstract: A time-based switching method and system of SONET frames that utilize a common time reference is disclosed. Time is divided into a plurality of contiguous periodic time frames. A plurality of SONET frames is associated with a time frame; the plurality of SONET frames that are contained in each of the time frames is forwarded in a pipelined manner through the network switches. The system operates with high-speed wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) links. This switching method can be used to implement an all-optical SONET switching system.

Abstract: A time frame switching method and system of data units that utilize a global common time reference, which is divided into a plurality of contiguous periodic time frames. The system is designed to operate with high-speed wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) links, i.e., with multiple lambdas. The plurality of data units that are contained in each of the time frames are forwarded in a pipelined manner through the network switches, wherein at every stage of the pipeline is tuned to a new wavelength by using a wavelength converter. Furthermore, the incoming wavelength of a time frame and wavelength determines to which output port the data units in this time frame will be switched, while the new wavelength and time frame determine to which output the data units in this time frame will be switched in the next switch on the route. The outcome of this switching method is called wavelength conversion based fractional lambda switching.

Abstract: This invention specifies how control information is inserted in the flow of data units on a channel between two common time reference (CTR) driven switches in order to delineate time frames, sub-time frames, and time cycles. The delineation enables the receiver to unambiguously associate the received data units with time frame, sub-time frame, and time cycles. The invention further introduces a method for counting data units in order to, among other things, detect the end of a time frame, the end of a time cycle, and the position and value of other control information.

Abstract: A time frame switching method and system of data units that utilize a time frame labels and a common time reference (CTR), which is divided into a plurality of contiguous periodic time frames. The system is designed to operate with high-speed wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) links. The plurality of data units that are contained in each of the time frames are forwarded in a pipelined manner through the network switches, and can be switched from any incoming WDM channel to any subset of outgoing WDM channels responsive to the time frame labels and the common time reference. The combination of time frame labels and CTR can be further used for protection when a failure occurs.

Abstract: A system comprised of a plurality of switches and time reference signals are provided for managing data transfer of data units during a time interval, comprised of a plurality of predefined time frames. During operation a plurality of sources as a Local Time Reference (LTR) signal that collectively constitute the equivalent of a common time reference (CTR) signal. The time reference signals are coupled to each of the switches, such that there is predefined time frames for transfer into and out from each of the respective switches responsive to the time reference signals.

Abstract: A time frame switching method and system of data units that utilize a global common time reference, which is divided into a plurality of contiguous periodic time frames. The system is designed to operate with high-speed wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) links, i.e., with multiple lambdas. The plurality of data units that are contained in each of the time frames are forwarded in a pipelined manner through the network switches, wherein at every stage of the pipeline is tuned to a new wavelength by using a tunable laser. Furthermore, the incoming wavelength of a time frame determines to which output port the data units in this time frame will be switched, while the new wavelength determines to which output the data units in this time frame will be switched in the next switch on the route. The outcome of this switching method is called tunable laser based fractional lambda switching.

Abstract: This invention describes a method for transmitting and forwarding packets over a switching network using time information. The network switches maintain a common time reference, which is obtained either from an external source (such as GPS—Global Positioning System) or is generated and distributed internally. The time intervals are arranged in simple periodicity and complex periodicity (like seconds and minutes of a clock). A data packet that arrives to an input port is switched to an output port based on its order or time position in the time interval in which it arrives at the switch. The time interval duration can be longer than the time duration required for transmitting a data packet, in which case the exact position of a data packet in its forwarding time interval is predetermined. This invention provides congestion-free data packet switching for data packets for which capacity in their corresponding forwarding links and time intervals is reserved in advance.

Abstract: A switching method is designed to operate with very high-speed wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) links, i.e., with multiple lambdas. The switching and data packet forwarding method combines the advantages of both synchronous and asynchronous data packet switching modes. In the synchronous switching mode, a time frame switching method based on predefined switching schedules that are responsive to a global common time reference, where the global common time reference is divided into a plurality of contiguous periodic super cycles, time cycles and time frames. The plurality of data packets contained in each of the time frames can be switched from any incoming WDM channel to any subset of outgoing WDM channels. The outcome of this switching method is called fractional lambda switching. For the asynchronous switching mode data packets that do not need guaranteed performance are separated from flows of data packets that require a deterministic service.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for transmitting data packets over a packet switching network with widely varying link speeds. The switches of the network maintain a common time reference (CTR). Each switch along a route from a source to a destination forwards data packets in periodic time frames (TFs) of a plurality of durations that are predefined using the CTR. The time frame duration can be longer than the time duration required for transmitting a data packet, in which case the exact position of a packet in the time interval is not predetermined. In accordance with the present invention, different time frame intervals: TF1, TF2, and so on are used for forwarding over links with different capacities. Employing different time frame intervals is useful in heterogeneous networks with widely varying link speeds, since the number of bytes that can be transmitted during one time frame of one of, for example, 500/125/62.5/12.

Abstract: An input buffer switch scheduling method operates responsively to a global common time reference. The global time reference is used to enable pre-computed switching schedules from an input port to an output port, thereby, expediting switching and increasing the performance and scalability of the switching system. In the switch architecture disclosed in this invention the switching fabric operates according to predefined switching schedules. The switch decodes the data packet headers in order to determine the destination output port and the switching time responsive to the global common time reference. This decoded switching time is then used by the pre-defined switching schedules in order to switch the data packet from the input port to the output port. The usage of predefined switching schedules provides scalability to the design of high performance input buffer switch design.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for transmitting and forwarding data packets over a packet switching and shared media networks. The switches of the network maintain a common time reference (CTR), which is obtained either from an external source (such as GPS—Global Positioning System) or is generated and distributed internally. The time intervals are arranged in simple periodicity and complex periodicity (like seconds and minutes of a clock). The present invention provides for synchronous switches to be accessed by end-stations that are located on a shared media network. The shared media network can be of various types, including but not limited to: IEEE P1394 and Ethernet for desktop computers and room area networks, cable modem head-end (e.g., DOCSIS, IEEE 802.14), wireless base-station (e.g., IEEE 802.11), and Storage Area Network (SAN) (e.g., FC-AL, SSA).

Abstract: A time frame switching method and system of data units that utilize a global common time reference, which is divided into a plurality of contiguous periodic time frames. The system is designed to operate with high-speed wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) links, i.e., with multiple lambdas. The plurality of data units that are contained in each of the time frames are forwarded in a pipelined manner through the network switches, and can be switched from any incoming WDM channel to any subset of outgoing WDM channels responsive to the global common time reference. The outcome of this switching method is called fractional lambda switching.

Abstract: The input buffer switch scheduling method in this invention is tailored to operate responsively with respect to a global common time reference, such that the switching delay from input to output is deterministic. Consequently, such a switch can be employed in the construction of very high speed virtual leased lines (VLLs). Such VLLs can carry real-time traffic over packet switching networks while guaranteeing end-to-end performance. The switching and data packet forwarding method combines the advantages of both circuit and packet switching. According to the invention, timing information is not used for routing, and therefore, in the Internet, for example, the routing is done using IP addresses or an MPLS tag/label. Also, according to this invention, the switch memory access bandwidth is independent of the number of switching input/output ports.

Abstract: This invention describes a system and a method for realizing an adjustable optical delay system that is based on using an optical switch. The outputs of the optical switch are connected to its inputs with optical fiber with predefined lengths: d1, d2, . . . , dj, . . . , dN, then changing the optical switch configuration forms an optical delay line with an optical fiber length that is the concatenation of any subset of the optical fibers with predefined lengths.

Abstract: A switching method operates with very high-speed wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) links, i.e., with multiple lambdas. An efficient time frame switching method is based on pre-defined switching schedules that are responsive to a global common time reference, where the global common time reference is divided into a plurality of contiguous periodic time frames. The plurality of data packets contained in each of the time frames can be switched from any incoming WDM channel to any subset of outgoing WDM channels. The outcome of this switching method is called fractional lambda switching.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method for delay monitoring, policing and billing the data packet traffic in a packet switching network where the switches maintain a common time reference. This invention enables designated points inside the network to ascertain the level of packet traffic in predefine time intervals, and control the flow of packets and bring it back to predetermined levels in cases where the traffic volume exceeds predetermined levels. The information collected by the designated points facilitates billing for Internet services based on network usage, and identification of faulty conditions and malicious forwarding of packets that cause excessive delay beyond predetermined value.