Abstract: Systems and methods for conveying multiple low-bit-rate data streams over a data transport medium which is configured to transport data in a single, high-bit-rate data stream. In one embodiment, a plurality of low-bit-rate signals are received and a corresponding data rate is determined. Each of the signals is formatted in frames comprising a payload and overhead data. The high-bit-rate signal is also formatted in frames comprising a payload and overhead data, but the frames (including payload and overhead) contain more bits than those of the low-bit-rate frames. The payloads of the low-bit-rate frames are mapped into the payloads of the high-bit-rate frames. The overhead and timing data of the low-bit-rate frames are mapped into the unused portion of the overhead of the high-bit-rate frames. After the high-bit-rate signal is transported, the payload, overhead and timing data of each of the low-bit-rate signals is extracted, and the corresponding signals are reproduced.

Abstract: Systems and methods for conveying multiple low-bit-rate data streams over a data transport medium which is configured to transport data in a single, high-bit-rate data stream. In one embodiment, a plurality of low-bit-rate signals are received and a corresponding data rate is determined. Each of the signals is formatted in frames comprising a payload and overhead data. The high-bit-rate signal is also formatted in frames comprising a payload and overhead data, but the frames (including payload and overhead) contain more bits than those of the low-bit-rate frames. The payloads of the low-bit-rate frames are mapped into the payloads of the high-bit-rate frames. The overhead and timing data of the low-bit-rate frames are mapped into the unused portion of the overhead of the high-bit-rate frames. After the high-bit-rate signal is transported, the payload, overhead and timing data of each of the low-bit-rate signals is extracted, and the corresponding signals are reproduced.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optical cross connects which switch data at a container (packet) level. In one embodiment, a plurality of optical switch edges are coupled to an optical switch core via a minimal number of optical fibers. The switch core is configured to optically switch data from an ingress edge to one of a plurality of egress edges in a nonblocking fashion. The ingress edge receives data streams and distributes the data among a plurality of container processors. Each of these container processors produces an optical signal of a different wavelength, which can then be multiplexed with others to form a multiple-wavelength optical signal that is transmitted to the switch core. The switch core then switches successive portions (containers) of the multiple-wavelength signal to the egress edges to which they are respectively destined. The respective egress edges perform the reverse of this process to form output data signals.

Abstract: Systems and methods for conveying multiple low-bit-rate data streams over a data transport medium which is configured to transport data in a single, high-bit-rate data stream. In one embodiment, a plurality of low-bit-rate signals are received and a corresponding data rate is determined. Each of the signals is formatted in frames comprising a payload and overhead data. The high-bit-rate signal is also formatted in frames comprising a payload and overhead data, but the frames (including payload and overhead) contain more bits than those of the low-bit-rate frames. The payloads of the low-bit-rate frames are mapped into the payloads of the high-bit-rate frames. The overhead and timing data of the low-bit-rate frames are mapped into the unused portion of the overhead of the high-bit-rate frames. After the high-bit-rate signal is transported, the payload, overhead and timing data of each of the low-bit-rate signals is extracted, and the corresponding signals are reproduced.