Abstract: A method of providing restoration routes for protecting traffic in a mesh network is described. The method comprises the steps of generating a set of eligible restoration routes for each span in the network, establishing a bi-criteria objective function in terms of route length and capacity cost for selecting a set of restoration routes, and selecting a set of restoration routes for each span from the eligible restoration routes in dependence upon the bi-criteria objective function. Embodiments of the invention may be useful for shortening the lengths, in terms of hops, of existing restoration routes in a mesh-restorable network and in some cases with negligible spare capacity penalty.

Abstract: A simple and effective pre-processing step to reduce the complexity of solving p-cycle network design problems involving pre-selecting candidate cycles based on their topological score (TS) and a priori efficiency (AE) is disclosed. The disclosure contains a case study that examines joint optimization of working routes with placement of p-cycles.

Abstract: The invention includes, among other things, a system for passing TDM traffic through a packet switch. In one embodiment, the system includes a packet switch that has a plurality of data ports and is capable of routing FSDU packets between the plurality of data ports. A TDM encapsulation circuit process a TDM data flow that is incoming to the switch. A circuit demultiplexer processes the incoming data flow to buffer data associated with different TDM circuits into different buffer locations. A timer monitors the amount of time available to fill the FSDU, and when the time period reaches the frame boundary, an FSDU generator generates an FSDU that is filled with data associated with the TDM circuits. Header information is added for allowing the packet switch to route the generated FSDU to a port associated with the respective TDM circuit.

Abstract: Presently described is a system and method for switching multimedia data communications, including but not limited to Voice over IP (VoIP) telephony, cable TV, digital audio and video. The system utilizes a single, integrated device to provide all PacketCable-compliant functionality, including enhanced user privacy, compliance with CALEA, E911 and other mandated services not available in conventional distributed PacketCable systems. High speed and efficient, low cost operation are provided by means of an optimized data unit encapsulation scheme for internal switching and routing. A proprietary fiber optic backplane and removable optical connectors are used to enable lightspeed internal communications hot-swapping of components. Furthermore, the present system is extensible to all forms of digital data switching and is secure, resistant to Denial of Service attacks, and fault-resilient.

Abstract: A method of designing a telecommunications network, the method comprising the steps of A) for all working demand flows required to be routed in the telecommunications network, finding an initial topology of spans between nodes in the telecommunications network that is sufficient for routing all working demand flows, while attempting to minimize the cost of providing the spans; B) given the initial topology of spans identified in step A, finding a set of additional spans that ensures restorability of working demand flows that are required to be restored in case of failure of any span in the initial topology of spans, while attempting to minimize the cost of providing additional spans; and C) starting with the initial topology of spans and the additional spans identified in step B, finding a final topology of spans between nodes in the telecommunications network that attempts to minimize the total cost of the final topology of spans, while routing all working demand flows and ensuring restorability of working d

Abstract: A method of providing restoration routes for protecting traffic in a mesh network is described. The method comprises the steps of generating a set of eligible restoration routes for each span in the network, establishing a bi-criteria objective function in terms of route length and capacity cost for selecting a set of restoration routes, and selecting a set of restoration routes for each span from the eligible restoration routes in dependence upon the bi-criteria objective function. Embodiments of the invention may be useful for shortening the lengths, in terms of hops, of existing restoration routes in a mesh-restorable network and in some cases with negligible spare capacity penalty.

Abstract: A telephone system which has the ability to detect when a handset is connected to a local loop telephone line. The system does not allocate any significant amount of resources to handle calls on a particular local loop until it detects that a handset is connected to the local loop line. When the system is installed in a wiring closet the lines to each of the local loops in the building or office suite can be connected to the system. When handsets are connected to particular local loops, the system allocates resources to the particular local loop.

Abstract: A method to increase the capacity efficiency of span-restorable mesh networking on sparse facility graphs. The new approach views the network as a “meta-mesh of chain sub-networks”. This makes the prospect of WDM mesh networking more economically viable than with previous mesh-based design where the average nodal degree is low. The meta-mesh graph is a homeomorphism of the complete network in which edges are either direct spans or chains of degree-2 nodes. The main advantage is that loop-back type spare capacity is provided only for the working demands that originate or terminate in a chain, not for the entire flow that crosses chains. The latter “express” flows are entirely mesh-protected within the meta-mesh graph which is of higher average degree and hence efficiency for mesh restoration, than the network as a whole. Nodal equipment savings also arise from the grooming of express lightpaths onto the logical chain-bypass span.

Abstract: A communication system including a collection of modules coupled in a ring architecture which integrates synchronous and asynchronous message transmission. Asynchronous data packets and synchronous voice packets are exchange on a single communication link. Packetized information exchange references a fixed length window with all synchronous data being exchanged at the beginning of each window and with asynchronous data exchanged during the remaining portion of each window. Virtual circuits utilizing the synchronous packets can deliver telephone conversations without degradation in voice quality and yet the system can also transmit asynchronous data packets.

Abstract: A communication system including a collection of modules coupled in a ring architecture which integrates synchronous and asynchronous message transmission. Asynchronous data packets and synchronous voice packets are exchange on a single communication link. Packetized information exchange references a fixed length window with all synchronous data being exchanged at the beginning of each window and with asynchronous data exchanged during the remaining portion of each window. Virtual circuits utilizing the synchronous packets can deliver telephone conversations without degradation in voice quality and yet the system can also transmit asynchronous data packets.