Abstract: A communication network is arranged in a ring configuration of network elements (12) coupled by working spans (16) associated protection spans (18), with multiple rings sharing network elements (12a and 12b). A shared protection span (18ab) is coupled between pairs of shared network elements (12a and 12b). A matrix 28 in a shared network element (12a or 12b) can couple any channel from one of the incoming working spans or protection spans to any channel of the shared protection span (18ab).

Abstract: A telecommunications system (10) includes a first cross-connect switch (12) and a second cross-connect switch (14). The first cross-connect switch (12) includes a switching matrix that provides information from a matrix connection to a selector (28) of an output interface (18). The selector (28) places the information from the switching matrix onto one or both of a working channel (24) and a protection channel (26). The second cross-connect switch (14) receives the working channel (24) and the protection channel (26) at an input interface (20). The input interface (20) includes a selector (30) that checks a signal quality of the working channel (24) and the protection channel (26). When necessary, the selector (30) sends a request to the selector (28) to bridge the working channel (24) onto the protection channel (26).

Abstract: A communication network is arranged in a ring configuration of network elements (12) coupled by working spans (16) associated protection spans (18), with multiple rings sharing network elements (12a and 12b). A shared protection span (18ab) is coupled between pairs of shared network elements (12a and 12b). A matrix 28 in a shared network element (12a or 12b) can couple any channel from one of the incoming working spans or protection spans to any channel of the shared protection span (18ab).

Abstract: A communication network using a ring structure incorporates shared protection channels (22ab, 22bc, 22bd) to reduce costs in implementing protection spans. The shared protection network elements (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) use a protocol of conventional messaging to integrate with traditional fully redundant network elements.

Abstract: A communication network is arranged in a ring configuration of network elements (12) coupled by working spans (16) associated protection spans (18), with multiple rings sharing network elements (12a and 12b). A shared protection span (18ab) is coupled between pairs of shared network elements (12a and 12b). A matrix 28 in a shared network element (12a or 12b) can couple any channel from one of the incoming working spans or protection spans to any channel of the shared protection span (18ab).

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for cross connect matrices includes originating, center and terminating stages in both a main portion and a back-up portion that allows center stages to be switched without causing a framing error. The signal from the main portion is transmitted through both the back-up and main portions of the cross connect matrices such that a terminating line card receives a frame aligned signal from the main and back portions. The terminating line card then switches its output to be the signal produced by the back-up portion with no framing error. In the main portion, the center stage may be switched. After the center stage is switched, the terminating line card can switch again to output the signal from the main portion.

Abstract: A telecommunications network (10) includes a plurality of nodes (12) interconnected in a bidirectional line switched ring configuration (18). The bidirectional line switched ring configuration (18) includes a working communication link (14) and a protection communication link (16) between each of the plurality of nodes (12). A particular node (12) within the telecommunications network (10) includes a first ring port interface (20) and a second ring port interface (22) each coupled to the working communication link (14) and the protection communication link (16). The first ring port interface (20) and the second ring port interface (22) are coupled by a cross connect matrix (24). The particular node (12) may have a protection channel access unit (30) to terminate control information carried over a protection communication link (16) of the bidirectional line switched ring configuration (18).

Abstract: A method of trafficking telecommunication signals having various formats, includes providing, at a first network element, a synchronous payload envelope having a first format, the synchronous payload envelope comprising a synchronous path and associated overhead portion and a payload portion, mapping the synchronous payload envelope into a transport signal having a second format without terminating the synchronous path or associated overhead portion of the synchronous payload envelope, and transmitting the transport signal to a second network element over a network supporting the second format.

Abstract: A method of performance monitoring telecommunication signals having various formats, includes receiving a plurality of telecommunication signals comprising at least one signal having a first format and at least one signal having a second format, identifying the format of each signal received, and for each signal, proceeding with a performance monitoring activity in accordance with a set of rules associated with the identified format of each signal.

Abstract: A quality monitoring technique and detector is provided for checking the accuracy of modulation performed by a digital transmitter. The monitoring is performed without using a full receiver nor otherwise fully demodulating the signal to recover the baseband data. The modulated signal output by the transmitter is partially demodulated to a partial signal set on a single dimension of a two dimensional modulated signal matrix. The baseband signal is translated in accordance with a predetermined mapping format into the partial signal set on the single dimension for correlation against the partially demodulated signal. Failure to correlate indicates an error.