Abstract: An IP Video distribution and protection system provides lower cost by using a reduced number of expensive IP multi-cast router high-speed ports. A multi-cast data source comprises at least one multi-cast router and a multi-cast server. The data source is coupled to a plurality of multi-cast data destinations via a data distribution network comprising a first and a second ring. The data destinations are communicatively linked together in the first ring for data flow in one direction. The second ring network communicatively connects the data source to the last data destination in the first ring for data flow in a different direction though the destinations. Each destination includes switching elements enabling the destinations to provide data in either direction to end users linked to the respective data destinations.

Abstract: An electrical system includes a backplane, a first electrical component, and a second electrical component. The backplane includes a first column of connectors, a second column of connectors, a third column of connectors, and a fourth column of connectors. The backplane also includes a first plurality of conductive paths that couple the connectors in the first column to an alternating sequence of connectors in the third column and the fourth column. Additionally, the backplane includes a second plurality of conductive paths that couple the connectors in the second column to an alternating sequence of connectors in the fourth column and the third column. The first electrical component couples to the backplane through the first column and the second column. The second electrical component couples to the backplane through the third column and the fourth column.

Abstract: The present invention provides TDM service, such as DS1, E1, or DS3, in a GPON system that is cost-effective, flexible, and that is easily configured and reconfigured. A system for telecommunications comprises circuitry operable to receive time division multiplexed data traffic, circuitry operable to form Virtual Tributary encapsulated data traffic including the time division multiplexed data traffic, circuitry operable to transmit the Virtual Tributary encapsulated data traffic, circuitry operable to receive the Virtual Tributary encapsulated data traffic, and circuitry operable to extract the time division multiplexed data traffic from the Virtual Tributary encapsulated data traffic.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus comprises one or more hub interfaces and one or more processors. A hub interface is coupled to an access network element of a ring network comprising a number of access network elements. The ring network comprises a pair of rings: a first ring traveling in a first direction and a second ring traveling in a second direction. The processors perform the following for each access network element: facilitate establishing a pair of point-to-point logical connections to couple a access network element to a hub interface at a corresponding dedicated bandwidth, a first connection traveling along the first ring, a second connection traveling along the second ring; facilitate establishing a pair of tunnels on the pair of point-to-point connections; and utilize the tunnels to protect the ring network.

Abstract: A method for traffic shaping includes receiving traffic from one or more clients at one or more ingress ports of forwarding engine of a network node. The method also includes transmitting at least a portion of the traffic through the forwarding engine to one or more first egress ports of the forwarding engine and shaping the traffic transmitted to the egress ports. Furthermore, the method includes looping the shaped traffic internally within the network node back to one or more ingress ports of the forwarding engine. The method further includes transmitting the looped traffic through the forwarding engine to one or more second egress ports (the second egress ports different than the first egress ports) and outputting the shaped traffic from the network node.

Abstract: A system comprises a backplane configured to receive a first signal and a second signal from a first plug-in unit, and a third signal and a fourth signal from a second plug-in unit, wherein the backplane is further configured to communicate each of the signals to one or more mid-plane connectors. The system further comprises the one or more mid-plane connectors configured to output the first and third signals at a first output as separate signals, and configured to output the second and fourth signals at a second output as separate signals. The system further comprises one or more I/O panels each configured to receive the first and third signals at a first input and to receive the second and fourth signals at a second input.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an input-output (I-O) panel is transformed. The I-O panel is configured to couple to an array of first midplane connectors of a first shelf configured according to a first format, where the first shelf has rear access. The I-O panel comprises an array of I-O panel connectors and defines an xy-plane. An array of second midplane connectors of a second shelf is transformed to substantially align the second midplane connectors with the I-O panel connectors. The second shelf is configured according to a second format, where the second shelf has front access. The array of second midplane connectors is arranged in columns defining a midplane column axis and rows defining a midplane row axis.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, routing a packet flow includes routing the packet flow from a sender along a first VLAN to a receiver by applying a first service tag to the packet flow. The first service tag comprises a first VLAN identifier with a first masked portion indicating the first VLAN, where the first masked portion is masked to the receiver. The packet flow is sent to the receiver along the first VLAN. The packet flow is switched to a second VLAN associated with the first VLAN by applying a second service tag to the packet flow. The second service tag comprises a second VLAN identifier with a second masked portion indicating the second VLAN, where the second masked portion is masked to the receiver. The packet flow is sent to the receiver along the second VLAN.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a system and method for distributing traffic in an optical network is provided. In a particular embodiment, an optical network includes an upstream terminal, a distribution node, and a plurality of downstream terminals. The distribution node in the optical network includes a wavelength router configured to receive wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) traffic in a plurality of wavelengths from the upstream terminal, route the traffic in at least one wavelength to a primary power splitter, and route the traffic in a plurality of other wavelengths for distribution to particular downstream terminals. The distribution node also includes a primary power splitter configured to receive the traffic in the at least one wavelength from the wavelength router, split the received traffic in the at least one wavelength into a plurality of copies, and forward the copies for distribution to all of the downstream terminals.

Abstract: Shared optical carrier sources for the OLT's are provided. An apparatus comprises a plurality of optical carrier generators, each optical carrier generator outputting an optical carrier at a different wavelength, an optical multiplexer operable to combine the plurality of optical carriers to form a wave division multiplexed optical carrier, and an optical power splitter having a plurality of outputs, each output connectable to an optical line termination unit, the optical power splitter operable to split the wave division multiplexed optical carrier to form a plurality of wave division multiplexed optical carriers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adapting a backplane from one type of connector to another type of connector is disclosed. The method includes providing a backplane with a plurality of connectors, each connector being of a first type of connector, providing at least one extension module having a plurality of connectors, each connector being of a second type of connector, and plugging the at least one extension module into at least one of the first plurality of first type of connectors, thereby converting the first type of connectors into the second type of connectors. In a preferred embodiment, the backplane is used in a SONET communications system, and the conversion is from DS1 to DS3 connectors. The conversion allows an individual user to begin with one type of connector, and later expand as the need arises to an additional type or types of connectors.

Abstract: Architecture for a SONET network element. The architecture includes an interconnection system for a network element, including a line unit slot, a switch fabric slot, and service unit slots. The line unit slot is connected as a hub to the switch fabric slot and the service unit slots in a first star interconnection configuration. The switch fabric slot is connected as a hub to the line unit slot and the service unit slots in a second star interconnection configuration. The star interconnection configurations provide fault isolation between different units, and allow for replacement of failed units without interfering with the links of other units to the hub. A service unit is provided including a first backplane interface for connecting with an ATM star interconnect configuration within the network element, and a second backplane interface for connecting to an STM star interconnect configuration within the network element.

Abstract: A network element including an active/standby pair of line units, an active/standby pair of switch fabric units, at least one service unit, and a management and control unit. Each line unit maintains data communications using a first communications protocol. Each switch fabric unit maintains data communications using a second communications protocol. Each service unit includes a first backplane interface supporting the first communications protocol, and a second backplane interface supporting the second communications protocol. The management and control unit provides a control infrastructure for selectively communicating data units between the active/standby pair of line units, the active/standby pair of switch fabric units, and the service unit, responsive to provisioning information or information contained within the respective data unit.

Abstract: A system for intercommunicating data traffic provides the capability to connect external interfaces that use one third or less of the OC3 bandwidth capacity in a reduced bandwidth mode that reduces system cost, while automatically switching to the full bandwidth mode to allow connection to external interfaces that utilize the full OC3 bandwidth capacity.

Abstract: An extendable enclosure for circuit cards provides the capability for a customer to purchase a low cost system up-front, but still allow for growth.

Abstract: Architecture for a SONET network element. The architecture includes an interconnection system for a network element, including a line unit slot, a switch fabric slot, and service unit slots. The line unit slot is connected as a hub to the switch fabric slot and the service unit slots in a first star interconnection configuration. The switch fabric slot is connected as a hub to the line unit slot and the service unit slots in a second star interconnection configuration. The star interconnection configurations provide fault isolation between different units, and allow for replacement of failed units without interfering with the links of other units to the hub. A service unit is provided including a first backplane interface for connecting with an ATM star interconnect configuration within the network element, and a second backplane interface for connecting to an STM star interconnect configuration within the network element.

Abstract: An architecture for a SONET network element, such as a hybrid STM/ATM add-drop multiplexer. The disclosed system includes an interconnection system for a network element, including a line unit slot, a switch fabric slot, and two or more service unit slots. The line unit slot is connected as a hub to the switch fabric slot and the service unit slots in a first star interconnection configuration. The switch fabric slot is connected as a hub to the line unit slot and the service unit slots in a second star interconnection configuration. The star interconnection configurations provide fault isolation between different units, and allow for replacement of failed units without interfering with the links of other units to the hub. In a preferred embodiment, the switch fabric slot and one of the service unit slots comprise the same slot, thus permitting flexible configuration of the device within a minimal space.

Abstract: An architecture for a SONET network element, such as a hybrid STM/ATM add-drop multiplexer. The disclosed system includes an interconnection system for a network element, including a line unit slot, a switch fabric slot, and two or more service unit slots. The line unit slot is connected as a hub to the switch fabric slot and the service unit slots in a first star interconnection configuration. The switch fabric slot is connected as a hub to the line unit slot and the service unit slots in a second star interconnection configuration. The star interconnection configurations provide fault isolation between different units, and allow for replacement of failed units without interfering with the links of other units to the hub. In a preferred embodiment, the switch fabric slot and one of the service unit slots comprise the same slot, thus permitting flexible configuration of the device within a minimal space.

Abstract: The integrity of a signal path through a transmission system (12), which processes successive blocks (14) of data during a given time frame, verified by establishing the parity of a selected one of the blocks as it enters and as it leaves the system. A lack of equality between the parities is indicative of a lack of path integrity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a circuit which allows an n-bit time slot interchanger (TSI) to process m-bit wide information, where m is some fraction of n. A packing circuit receives the information from the TSI in the form of a series of n-bit segments. The circuit will choose m bits from each segment and produce an n-bit output which includes the m-bit segments in a desired order. The n-bit output can then be looped back to the TSI for insertion into an appropriate time slot.