Abstract: Method and apparatus for encoding overhead is described. More particularly, on a receive side channels are multiplexed, and a channel is selected for overhead to process. Transport Overhead and Path Overhead are parsed out and provided to an overhead extractor for encoding. Overhead is encoded according to channel number, frame number, row location and column location (“encoded information”), where either row location or column location is dependent on frame number. On the transmit side, encoded overhead is received at an overhead inserter and parsed back for line output by decoding the encoded information.

Abstract: Method and apparatus is described for decoupling data from a clock signal and recoupling the data to a different clock signal for subsequent synchronous processing by a pointer processor. More particularly, on a receive or drop side, one buffer is configured to store payload pointers and a synchronous payload envelope arriving clocked by a line clock signal, while another buffer is configure to store TOH or SOH arriving clocked by the line clock signal. Each buffer clocks out such stored information off of a same system clock signal, such as a drop clock signal. On a transmit or add side, a buffer is configured to store payload pointers and a synchronous payload envelope. This buffer clocks in such stored information off of a system clock signal, such as an add clock signal, and clocks out such stored information off of a transmit reference clock signal.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for encoding overhead is described. More particularly, on a receive side channels are multiplexed, and a channel is selected for overhead to process. Transport Overhead and Path Overhead are parsed out and provided to an overhead extractor for encoding. Overhead is encoded according to channel number, frame number, row location and column location (“encoded information”), where either row location or column location is dependent on frame number. On the transmit side, encoded overhead is received at an overhead inserter and parsed back for line output by decoding the encoded information.

Abstract: Method and apparatus is described for decoupling data from a clock signal and recoupling the data to a different clock signal for subsequent synchronous processing by a pointer processor. More particularly, on a receive or drop side, one buffer is configured to store payload pointers and a synchronous payload envelope arriving clocked by a line clock signal, while another buffer is configure to store TOH or SOH arriving clocked by the line clock signal. Each buffer clocks out such stored information off of a same system clock signal, such as a drop clock signal. On a transmit or add side, a buffer is configured to store payload pointers and a synchronous payload envelope. This buffer clocks in such stored information off of a system clock signal, such as an add clock signal, and clocks out such stored information off of a transmit reference clock signal.