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: An integrated multi-rate cross-connect system (10) includes a broadband subsystem (14) for processing optical and electrical telecommunication network signals. A wideband subsystem (16) processes wideband level electrical telecommunication signals from the network, from the broadband subsystem (14), and from a narrowband subsystem (18). The narrowband subsystem (18) processes narrowband level electrical telecommunication signals from the network and the wideband subsystem (16). An administration subsystem (12) provides centralized control and synchronization to the broadband subsystem (14), the wideband subsystem (16), and the narrowband subsystem (18). The wideband subsystem (16) is coupled to the broadband subsystem (14) and the narrowband subsystem (18) by internal transmission links (30) to allow for remote distribution of each subsystem. Each subsystem operates within its own timing island synchronized to a reference timing signal to facilitate component distribution.

Abstract: A method of providing a back up communications link for control messages within a delivery unit. The primary means of transport for both network data and control data within the delivery unit is by means of ingress and egress buses between application modules of the delivery unit. However, control messages from a unit controller can also be delivered by means of a separate link, typically to a bus control module.

Abstract: A system and method for managing faults in a data transmission system that includes a data path for transmitting signals containing data, and a plurality of application cards located along the data path for processing the signals. The method includes the steps of detecting the occurrence of a fault of a particular type at one of a plurality of points along the data transmission path; in response, the application card generating a fault report for the purpose of identifying the cause of the detected fault; and, preventing the generation by the application card of subsequent fault reports relating to that particular type of fault until receiving a signal indicating that fault report generation may be reenabled. In the fault management system, the data transmission system also includes at least one unit controller for controlling the application cards, and at least one system manager for controlling the at least one unit controller.

Abstract: A method of verifying transport within a delivery unit that interfaces telecommunications media to a switching matrix. Each channel of network data has an associated path verification code. The channels are transported within the delivery unit in subframes. For each channel, the path verification codes as well as a framing pattern are transported by accumulating path verification bits over a superframe. Path verification monitoring is performed regardless of channel position in the subframe and regardless of whether channels are in phase with each other.

Abstract: A telecommunications switch management system which contains a system manager building block in communication with a remote computer. The system manager building block is also in communication with a system management interface building block, which contains a command interpreter building block and a system command interface building block. The command interpreter building block is in communication with the system manager building block and the system command interface building block. The system command interface building block contains at least one client building block. The client building blocks located in the system command interface building block are each in communication with a corresponding server building block, each of which in turn is in communication with the telecommunications switching system. The system manager building block provides communication between the remote computer and the system management interface building block.

Abstract: An automatic switching system and method is provided for switching between paths in a telecommunications switching system. A first circuit in each path receives substantially identical telecommunications signals containing telecommunications data and transmits substantially identical digital signals containing the telecommunications data. The first circuit is capable of detecting whether errors have occurred during transmission of the telecommunications signals, and of inserting into the digital signals an error indicator if a transmission error has been detected. At least one second circuit in each path accepts the digital signals from the first circuit in a selected path, and is capable of detecting whether the error indicator is present, and automatically switching to accept the digital signals from the first circuit in the non-selected path in response to detection of the error indicator.

Abstract: An integrated multi-rate cross-connect system (10) includes a broadband subsystem (14) for processing optical and electrical telecommunication network signals. A wideband subsystem (16) processes wideband level electrical telecommunication signals from the network, from the broadband subsystem (14), and from a narrowband subsystem (18). The narrowband subsystem (18) processes narrowband level electrical telecommunication signals from the network and the wideband subsystem (16). An administration subsystem (12) provides centralized control and synchronization to the broadband subsystem (14), the wideband subsystem (16), and the narrowband subsystem (18). The wideband subsystem (16) is coupled to the broadband subsystem (14) and the narrowband subsystem (18) by internal transmission links (30) to allow for remote distribution of each subsystem. Each subsystem operates within its own timing island synchronized to a reference timing signal to facilitate component distribution.

Abstract: An integrated multi-rate cross-connect system (10) includes a broadband subsystem (14) for processing optical and electrical telecommunication network signals. A wideband subsystem (16) processes wideband level electrical telecommunication signals from the network, from the broadband subsystem (14), and from a narrowband subsystem (18). The narrowband subsystem (18) processes narrowband level electrical telecommunication signals from the network and the wideband subsystem (16). An administration subsystem (12) provides centralized control and synchronization to the broadband subsystem (14), the wideband subsystem (16), and the narrowband subsystem (18). The wideband subsystem (16) is coupled to the broadband subsystem (14) and the narrowband subsystem (18) by internal transmission links (30) to allow for remote distribution of each subsystem. Each subsystem operates within its own timing island synchronized to a reference timing signal to facilitate component distribution.