Abstract: A system and method are provided for transporting a serial stream via a lower speed network using multiple parallel paths. At a transmitter, an optical or electromagnetic waveform is accepted representing a serial stream of digital information, and unbundled into n virtual information streams. Each virtual information stream is divided into a sequence of segments. Each segment is encapsulated, creating a sequence of packets by adding a start indicator to the beginning of each segment, and a terminate indicator to the end of each segment. Each packet is disinterleaved across m lanes and reinterleaved into n branches of framed data. Optical or electromagnetic waveforms representing the framed data are transmitted via n network branches. A receiver is also provided, which essentially reverses the above-described transmission method.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for transporting a serial stream via a lower speed network using multiple parallel paths. At a transmitter, an optical or electromagnetic waveform is accepted representing a serial stream of digital information, and unbundled into n virtual information streams. Each virtual information stream is divided into a sequence of segments. Each segment is encapsulated, creating a sequence of packets by adding a start indicator to the beginning of each segment, and a terminate indicator to the end of each segment. Each packet is disinterleaved across m lanes and reinterleaved into n branches of framed data. Optical or electromagnetic waveforms representing the framed data are transmitted via n network branches. A receiver is also provided, which essentially reverses the above-described transmission method.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for transporting digital information via a modified Attachment Unit Interface (MAUI) or XAUI-like interface. At a transmitter, a synchronous serial stream of digital information is accepted. The serial stream is divided into a sequence of segments. The segments are encapsulated, creating a sequence of packets by adding a start character to the beginning of each segment, and adding a terminate character to the end of each segment. Typically, each segment is disinterleaved across m equal-rate lanes, whose combination is effectively equal to the incoming serial stream data rate, with compensation for added encapsulation characters. The added encapsulation characters may include post-start characters added subsequent to the start character, inter-packet characters added subsequent to the termination character, or a combination of post-start and inter-packet characters.

Abstract: A programmably sliceable switch-fabric unit (PSSU) and methods of use are disclosed. An N×N? switch matrix is programmably made to operate as if it were a plurality of S×S? virtual switch slices, where S<N and S?<N?. Ingressing requests each specify an egress path (unicast mode) or plural egress paths (multicast mode) in terms of one or more relative egress port numbers. A request translator converts relative egress port numbers into absolute egress port numbers by determining what virtual slice each request belongs to. The translated egress requests are handed off to an arbitration and/or scheduling mechanism for further processing. If the translated request is granted, the corresponding payload egresses through the actual egress port(s) which the translated request asked for.

Abstract: In a system having independently-clocked job-performing circuits (e.g., payload processors) and independently-clocked job-ordering circuits (e.g., request and payload suppliers), coordinating mechanisms are provided for coordinating exchanges between the independently-clocked circuits. The coordinating mechanisms include those that use transmitted time-stamps for scheduling contention-free performances within the job-performing circuits of requested jobs. The coordinating mechanisms additionally or alternatively include static and dynamic rate constraining means that are configured to prevent a faster-clocked one of the independently-clocked circuits from overwhelming a more slowly-clocked other of the independently-clocked circuits. In one implementation, independently-clocked telecommunication-shelves house a distributed set of line cards and switch cards.