Abstract: An all-optical cross-connect switching system provides optical switching that may reduce processing requirements by three orders of magnitude over conventional techniques by associating at least one optical detector with an optical beam steering element. In one embodiment, a first beam steering element, having a reflective surface in optical association with a first optical fiber array, and a second beam steering element, having a reflective surface in optical association with a second optical fiber array, are optically arranged to direct an optical beam from a first optical fiber in the first optical fiber array to a second optical fiber in the second optical fiber array. The optical detector provides information about a first position of the optical beam on the second beam steering element. Based on this information, the angle of the first beam steering element may be adjusted to cause the optical beam to change to a second position on the second beam steering element.

Abstract: An all-optical cross-connect switching system provides optical switching that may reduce processing requirements by three orders of magnitude over conventional techniques by associating at least one optical detector with an optical beam steering element. In one embodiment, a first beam steering element, having a reflective surface in optical association with a first optical fiber array, and a second beam steering element, having a reflective surface in optical association with a second optical fiber array, are optically arranged to direct an optical beam from a first optical fiber in the first optical fiber array to a second optical fiber in the second optical fiber array. The optical detector provides information about a first position of the optical beam on the second beam steering element. Based on this information, the angle of the first beam steering element may be adjusted to cause the optical beam to change to a second position on the second beam steering element.

Abstract: An all-optical cross-connect switching system provides optical switching that may reduce processing requirements by three orders of magnitude over conventional techniques by associating at least one optical detector with an optical beam steering element. In one embodiment, a first beam steering element, having a reflective surface in optical association with a first optical fiber array, and a second beam steering element, having a reflective surface in optical association with a second optical fiber array, are optically arranged to direct an optical beam from a first optical fiber in the first optical fiber array to a second optical fiber in the second optical fiber array. The optical detector provides information about a first position of the optical beam on the second beam steering element. Based on this information, the angle of the first beam steering element may be adjusted to cause the optical beam to change to a second position on the second beam steering element.

Abstract: A method and system for interconnecting multiple distributed components in a communication network is provided. The design includes a multiple order cross connection fabric employed to interconnect multiple orders of data with at least one distributed component in the communication network. The design may further include at least one order of path termination and adaptation connection, where the at least one order of path termination and adaptation connection providing an interface between the multiple order cross connection fabric and a data management system. The design may be implemented in a SONET/SDH environment.

Abstract: Techniques for transmitting SONET/SDH traffic over an Advanced Switching compatible switch fabric. In one implementation, SONET/SDH traffic may be aggregated and encapsulated into Advanced Switching compatible packets. In one implementation, the contents of the Advanced Switching compatible packets may be configurable and directions on how to unpack the Advanced Switching compatible packets may be transmitted to end point nodes. In one implementation, SONET/SDH pointer justification generation may be divided between a source node which transmits SONET/SDH traffic to the switch fabric and an end point node which receives SONET/SDH traffic from the switch fabric.

Abstract: An all-optical cross-connect switching system provides optical switching that may reduce processing requirements by three orders of magnitude over conventional techniques by associating at least one optical detector with an optical beam steering element. In one embodiment, a first beam steering element, having a reflective surface in optical association with a first optical fiber array, and a second beam steering element, having a reflective surface in optical association with a second optical fiber array, are optically arranged to direct an optical beam from a first optical fiber in the first optical fiber array to a second optical fiber in the second optical fiber array. The optical detector provides information about a first position of the optical beam on the second beam steering element. Based on this information, the angle of the first beam steering element may be adjusted to cause the optical beam to change to a second position on the second beam steering element.

Abstract: An all-optical cross-connect switching system provides optical switching that may reduce processing requirements by three orders of magnitude over conventional techniques by associating at least one optical detector with an optical beam steering element. In one embodiment, a first beam steering element, having a reflective surface in optical association with a first optical fiber array, and a second beam steering element, having a reflective surface in optical association with a second optical fiber array, are optically arranged to direct an optical beam from a first optical fiber in the first optical fiber array to a second optical fiber in the second optical fiber array. The optical detector provides information about a first position of the optical beam on the second beam steering element. Based on this information, the angle of the first beam steering element may be adjusted to cause the optical beam to change to a second position on the second beam steering element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling restoration of connections upon failure within a high-speed data transfer architecture, such as SONET/SDH channel, is provided. The design detects health codes generated by detecting elements, the health codes representing the health of each channel. The design processes these health codes to determine re-provisioning of the failing connection where appropriate. This restoration decision-making apparatus communicates the resultant re-provisioning scheme to repairing elements. The design may detect and communicate health codes relating the health of each channel to determine which code reports a healthier channel among a plurality of transport channels available for carrying re-provisioned traffic due to a failed connection.

Abstract: An all-optical cross-connect switching system provides optical switching that may reduce processing requirements by three orders of magnitude over conventional techniques by associating at least one optical detector with an optical beam steering element. In one embodiment, a first beam steering element, having a reflective surface in optical association with a first optical fiber array, and a second beam steering element, having a reflective surface in optical association with a second optical fiber array, are optically arranged to direct an optical beam from a first optical fiber in the first optical fiber array to a second optical fiber in the second optical fiber array. The optical detector provides information about a first position of the optical beam on the second beam steering element. Based on this information, the angle of the first beam steering element may be adjusted to cause the optical beam to change to a second position on the second beam steering element.

Abstract: A backplane includes at least one central slot, a first plurality of slots on a first side of the central slot(s) and a second plurality of slots on an opposite side of the central slot(s). The backplane also includes a plurality of inter-slot connections, including a first subplurality between each of the slots of the first plurality and the central slot(s), a second subplurality between each of the slots of the second plurality and the central slot(s), and a third subplurality between each slot of the first plurality and each slot of the second plurality.

Abstract: An all-optical cross-connect switching system provides optical switching that may reduce processing requirements by three orders of magnitude over conventional techniques by associating at least one optical detector with an optical beam steering element. In one embodiment, a first beam steering element, having a reflective surface in optical association with a first optical fiber array, and a second beam steering element, having a reflective surface in optical association with a second optical fiber array, are optically arranged to direct an optical beam from a first optical fiber in the first optical fiber array to a second optical fiber in the second optical fiber array. The optical detector provides information about a first position of the optical beam on the second beam steering element. Based on this information, the angle of the first beam steering element may be adjusted to cause the optical beam to change to a second position on the second beam steering element.

Abstract: Techniques for transmitting SONET/SDH traffic over an Advanced Switching compatible switch fabric. In one implementation, SONET/SDH traffic may be aggregated and encapsulated into Advanced Switching compatible packets. In one implementation, the contents of the Advanced Switching compatible packets may be configurable and directions on how to unpack the Advanced Switching compatible packets may be transmitted to end point nodes. In one implementation, SONET/SDH pointer justification generation may be divided between a source node which transmits SONET/SDH traffic to the switch fabric and an end point node which receives SONET/SDH traffic from the switch fabric.

Abstract: Techniques for processing traffic for transmission over an Advanced Switching compatible switch fabric.

Abstract: A method and system for providing component status of a local or receiving component to a distributed component in a communication network is provided. The design determines defect status for the local or receiving component and cross connects the defect status for the local component to at least one distributed component separate from the local or receiving component, typically using a unified cross connect design. The design also alters a connection matrix maintained within each distributed component to indicate defect status for a transmit channel between the local component and the remote component. Remote defect indications may be determined within the design and provided to the remote components.

Abstract: A method and system for interconnecting multiple distributed components in a communication network is provided. The design includes a multiple order cross connection fabric employed to interconnect multiple orders of data with at least one distributed component in the communication network. The design may further include at least one order of path termination and adaptation connection, where the at least one order of path termination and adaptation connection providing an interface between the multiple order cross connection fabric and a data management system. The design may be implemented in a SONET/SDH environment.

Abstract: Techniques to allocate overhead processing and overhead generation among at least data and overhead processors. The data processor and overhead processor may be provided in separate integrated circuits. The data processor and overhead processor may be provided in separate line cards. Multiple data processors may share use of one or more overhead processors. Payload portions of standardized frames may be used to transfer overhead between the data and overhead processors.

Abstract: A method and system for interconnecting multiple distributed components in a communication network is provided. The design includes a multiple order cross connection fabric employed to interconnect multiple orders of data with at least one distributed component in the communication network. The design may further include at least one order of path termination and adaptation connection, where the at least one order of path termination and adaptation connection providing an interface between the multiple order cross connection fabric and a data management system. The design may be implemented in a SONET/SDH environment.

Abstract: A method and system for interconnecting multiple distributed components in a communication network is provided. The design includes a multiple order cross connection fabric employed to interconnect multiple orders of data with at least one distributed component in the communication network. The design may further include at least one order of path termination and adaptation connection, where the at least one order of path termination and adaptation connection providing an interface between the multiple order cross connection fabric and a data management system. The design may be implemented in a SONET/SDH environment.