METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CIRCUIT EMULATION WITH INTEGRATED NETWORK DIAGNOSTICS AND REDUCED FORM FACTOR IN LARGE PUBLIC COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
An multiservice access device (MAD) for Ethernet and DS1/DS3 services is provided for public communications carriers (telcos), for example, and has a reduced form factor (e.g., Type 400 NCTE mechanics or small enclosure), at least two 2.5 Gb/1 Gb facility side ports, at least four full rate GigE drops, complementary RJ48C demarcation and stub-ended DS1 cable options, integral T1 NIUs for in-band loopback, NPRM, SPRM, AIS/AIS-CI and RAI/RAI-CI diagnostics, lightning protection, and protection switching. The MAD has built-in SynchE and IEEE 1588 synchronization, and Stratum 3 and incoming DS1/DS3 synchronization capabilities.
This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/283,069, filed Oct. 27, 2011, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/539,730, filed Sep. 27, 2011, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a multiservice access device for large public communication networks, and to a method and apparatus for providing circuit emulation with integrated network diagnostics and reduced form factor (e.g., an Ethernet access device with TDM service, alarms and diagnostics) for large public communication network equipment.
2. Description of Related Art
Large public communication carriers (hereinafter “telcos”) desiring to sell a service, such as a DS1 or DS3, generally must do so with certain performance assurances to their customers. For example, if a circuit fails or if there are too many errors within the delivered DS1 or DS3, telco customers may be eligible for a partial refund of fees paid based upon the length or severity of failure. By contrast, such performance assurances are generally not required of large and small private networks providing DS1 and/or DS3 over an Ethernet network. In addition to service assurances, telcos must be able to provide services in a cost-effective manner. A need therefore exists for improved large public communication network equipment that provides services such as DS1 and/or DS3.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIllustrative embodiments of the present invention provide a multiservice access device (MAD) and method to integrate network diagnostics (e.g., similar to diagnostics used by public communications carriers or telcos for TDM circuits) into a simple self-contained printed circuit board designed to match the same telco shelf standards used for subscriber-located DS1 installations to significantly reduce the complexity and cost of providing DS1 and/or DS3 services over Ethernet. The integrated diagnostics can apply to other mounting configurations as well.
Further, illustrative embodiments of the present invention, the multiservice access device (MAD) incorporates in-band loopbacks, Network Performance Report Messages (NPRM), Supplemental Network Performance Report Messages (SNPRM), Alarm Indication Signal (AIS) and Remote Alarm Indication (RAI), Alarm Indication Signal-Customer Interface (AIS-CI) and Remote Alarm indication-Customer Interface (RAI-CI) for one or more DS1 and/or DS3 circuits within an FPGA, for example, for use with a circuit emulation chip and an Ethernet switch to provide a multiservice access device. The MAD also comprises integrated Network interface Units (NIUs) and lightning protection. Thus, the MAD is miniaturized so that it can fit on the referenced standard mechanics of telcos, while other similar versions of the multiservice access device are optimized for use in relatively small outdoor boxes for deployment on exterior telco-customer building walls, in accordance with different illustrative embodiments of the present invention.
In accordance with illustrative embodiments of the present invention, the MAD has configurable synchronization options to minimize delay, jitter and synchronization differences that can occur when transporting DS1 and/or DS3 signals over an Ethernet network. The configurable synchronization options can be, for example, SynchE, IEEE 1588 synchronization, synchronization to incoming DS1 or DS3 signals, Stratum 3 synchronization, and Adaptive Clock Recovery.
The invention will be more readily understood with reference to the illustrative embodiments thereof illustrated in the attached drawing figures, in which:
Throughout the drawing figures, like reference numbers will be understood to refer to like elements, features and structures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTSIn accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a multiservice access device (MAD) 700 is implemented as an all-in-one Ethernet and DS1 access card 10, as shown in
As described below (e.g., in connection with
Use of Ethernet rather than traditional time division multiplexing (TDM) is one way telcos can minimize the cost of carrying data from one location to another. There are two other important ways to reduce the cost of providing service. One way is to minimize the cost of the equipment installation at a subscriber site. Another way is to minimize the number of “truck rolls” necessary to maintain a circuit and diagnose service problems. As described herein, illustrative embodiments of the invention advantageously reduce installation and truck-roll costs via (1) the convenient plug-in operation or installation of the card 10 or other reduced form factor MAD 700, and (2) integral NIU provide diagnostics within the self-contained card or other reduced form factor MAD which includes, but are not limited to, in-band loop backs, Network Performance Report Messages (NPRM), Supplemental Performance Report Messages (SPRM). Alarm Indication Signal (AIS). Remote Alarm Indication (RAI), Alarm Indication Signal-Customer Interface (AIS-CI) and Remote Alarm Indication-Customer Interface (RAI-CI). For example, the provision of AIS-CI and RAI-CI significantly reduces, if not prevents, “truck rolls” (i.e., deployment of fleet vehicles or trucks for repairs). In addition, the diagnostics further refine information received when an alarm signal is received by indicating, for example, an alarm signal occurred because a subscriber unplugged the cable, in which case no repair truck deployment is needed, or an error has occurred in a system component, in which case a repair (e.g., “truck roll”) may be needed.
While telcos increasingly rely more on Ethernet than T1s for data service, telcos continue to support T1s for 911 services and legacy systems. The MAD 700 constructed in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the present invention provides Ethernet and T1/DS1 access, but unlike other access devices, the MAD 700 employs the referenced standard mechanics of telcos for compact and convenient installation, as well as diagnostics on the T1 services that other Ethernet and DS1/T1 access devices fail to provide without reliance upon external devices.
Providing fiber to cell towers for Ethernet service has become more practical than copper lines and often necessary to support higher Ethernet speeds. Cell tower equipment, however, needs lightning protection since significant voltages occur between site equipment when lightning strikes. Ethernet access devices generally do not have integral means to prevent service failure due to lightning strikes. As described below, the MAD 700 constructed in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the present invention also provides built-in lightning protection (e.g., GR-1089-CORE Issue 6 DS1 Class 3a/b and 5a/b lightning protection).
The MAD 700 constructed in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the present invention employs SynchE, IEEE 1588 and Stratum 3 synchronization. The MAD 700 avoids 1588/SynchE coupling issues found in some other products that can generate wander and prevent use in 4G networks. Timing for proper synchronization is critical to providing “Carrier Grade” DS1 and DS3 service. The MAD 700 provides DS1 and DS3 diagnostics and timing to support such Carrier Grade services.
With continued reference to
With continued reference to
As shown in
The SFP Ethernet ports 22 and 24 (e.g., NET1 and NET2) each accommodate a multi-rate Ethernet SFP to operate at either a 1 Gb or 2.5 Gb Ethernet rate. NET1, for example, can provide an interface to the network-side facility. NET2 can provide an interface to the network-side facility in switch-to-protect configurations or an extension to another card 10 micro-ring or daisy-chain applications described below with reference to
Similarly, the DROP1 and DROP2 can be SFP Ethernet ports 28 and 30, respectively, and each accommodate a 1 Gb Ethernet SFP so that DROP1 and DROP2 can each operate at a rate of up to 1 Gb, for example. DROP1 and DROP2 can each provide an interface to an optical subscriber demarcation jack or, in bookend configurations (e.g.,
The DROP3 and DROP4 ports 30 and 32 can each be an RJ45 10/100/1000BaseT Ethernet port. DROP3 and DROP4 can each operate at a rate of up to 1 Gb and provide an interface to an electrical subscriber demarcation jack or, in bookend configurations (
As shown in
With continued reference to
As shown in
With reference to
As shown in
A MAD 700 constructed in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention (e.g., card 10) can be configured to implement micro-ring and daisy-chain topologies such that a single fiber 60, for example, can deliver dozens of DS1 ports and dozens of GigE ports (e.g., Ethernet drops such as two RJ45 and two SFP, as indicated generally at 62 in
For example, if one of the paths in a MAD 700 failed (e.g., card 10b in
Thus, as illustrated in
The NIU 710 is also coupled to the processor 706 and performs telecom diagnostics on the network. In the example of
In the example of
In the example of
The transceivers 806 are also coupled to a FPGA device 814 that implements telecommunications diagnostics and loopback functions. For example, the FPGA device 814 implements in-band loopback functions that allow network diagnosis and other tools such as AIS-CI, RAI-CI, SPRM, NPRM, and so on. The FPGA device 814 therefore performs the functions of a plurality of NIUs which, as described in detail below, allow an operator of the MAD 700 to configure and troubleshoot the associated network connections in a more time efficient manner.
The FPGA device 814 is coupled to a Structure Agnostic Time Division Multiplexing over Packet (SAToP) processor 816, which receives and converts the network data (i.e., synchronous TDM data from transceivers 806) into packetized Ethernet packets for an asynchronous network. The packet processor 816 is agnostic with regard to the structure of the input and can, for example, receive a framed or unframed data input. The packet processor 816 outputs the TDM over packet (TDMoP) traffic (i.e., data) via a bus interface. The Ethernet processor 804 in conjunction with the processor 802 assigns high priorities, as well as other parameters, to the packetized TDM signals to help ensure that they are transported in accordance with Carrier Grade criteria so that telco standards can be met. The MAD 700 includes a high capacity Ethernet processor (e.g., 14 Gb throughput in terms of the MAD 700 shown in
However, the Ethernet processor 804 can use different bus interfaces than the packet processor 816. For example, as noted above, the packet processor 816 transmits and receives TDMoP traffic over a FE/MII bus, and the Ethernet processor 804 transmits and receives the network traffic over a Serial Gigabit MII (SGMII) bus. Accordingly, in the example of
That is, synchronous DS1 traffic is received by a FPGA device 814 for diagnostic purposes, converted from the TDM synchronous format into asynchronous packets on a first bus interface, converted from the first bus interface into a second bus interface, and provided to the Ethernet processor 804 for suitable routing. Similarly, for data being transmitted from the Ethernet processor 804 via DS1, a corresponding process occurs to output the data via one of the transceivers 806. The FPGA device 814 also generates telecom diagnostic information to allow efficient troubleshooting of the network. The telecom diagnostic information is packetized and transmitted via Ethernet, thereby allowing a network operator to more efficiently troubleshoot any network errors associated with the synchronous network.
The Ethernet processor 804 is configured to perform the core switching, but, as described above, the processor 802 manages the operation of the devices in the MAD 700. Accordingly, the Ethernet processor 804 transmits and receives control information to allow the processor 802 to manage its operation. In the example of
The Ethernet processor 804 is configured to communicate via a plurality of network interfaces. In the example of
The processor 802 is further coupled to a programmable logic device (PLD) 830, which is further coupled to output indicators 832 (e.g., LEDs, matrix displays, etc.). The PLD 832 is coupled to multiplexer (MUX) 833, which is further coupled to the plurality of SFP ports 822 via a bidirectional interface (e.g., I2C, etc.). The PLD 830 receives information regarding the status of the ports and provides fixed logic functionality regarding the status of the SFP ports 822. For instance, the PLD 830 determines if a cable (e.g., available from Pulse Communications Inc.) is used in the SFP ports 822 and, if so, can determine if the cable plugged into the SFP 822 is properly terminated at the receiving device. Accordingly, the PLD 830 cause the output indicators 832 to provide a visual display to indicate that the network connection is properly terminated at the receiving device.
The processor 802 is also coupled to a Clock Sync device 834, which is also coupled to the Ethernet processor 804. The Clock Sync device receives clock instructions from the processor 802, and exchanges clock information with Ethernet processor 804. In particular, the Ethernet processor 804 is configured to provide a precision time protocol such as IEEE 1588 or Synchronized Ethernet (SynchE), and processor 802 provides instructions as well as exchanges information from other devices in the switch 700 (e.g., FPGA 814, packet processor 816, etc.) regarding the status of the synchronization of the devices in the switch 700. Synchronization from the Ethernet processor 804 is also shared with these devices. The synchronization operating mode is by initial default or provisioned by the telco or user, for example, and that mode is provided to the Clock Sync 834 as well as the Ethernet Processor 804 to determine the source of clocking, which in turn is provided to FPGA device 814, packet processor 816, and FPGA device 818. The Clock Sync device 834 can also receive a clock source from a Stratum 3 clock 836 or from the incoming DS1 or DS3 signals as an alternative to IEEE 1588 or Synchronized Ethernet (SynchE) synchronization. In the event the devices in the MAD 700 are unsynchronized, the operation of the DS1 or DS3 network would not function correctly, if at all. Thus, the Clock Sync device 834 may use several different, alternative clocking sources for synchronization.
Thus, the MAD 700 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention is particularly advantageous for telcos that provide SONET and Ethernet services. Synchronized networks such as SONET have precise timing, whereas Ethernet networks may have no such timing requirements. Standards and techniques for transporting standard DS1 and/or DS3 signals over an Ethernet network instead of a traditional Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) network are known. In general, a synchronous DS1 signal is “packetized” for Ethernet compatibility and various means are utilized to “reassemble” the packets into a conventional and properly timed DS1 or DS3. Improvements to minimize delay, jitter and synchronization differences, however, are needed. The MAD 700 constructed in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention has configurable synchronization options to address these issues.
Accordingly, to support telcos that provide both SONET and Ethernet services, the MAD 700 employs SynchE, IEEE 1588, synchronization to incoming DS1/DS3 signals and Stratum 3 synchronization capabilities, as well as Adaptive Clock Recovery (ACR). For example, a user or telco can select one of SynchE or IEEE 1588 via provisioning. If the telco or user equipment does not support either SynchE or IEEE 1588, the user or telco can select one of synchronization to incoming DS1/DS3 signals or Stratum 3 synchronization (e.g., via provisioning or default configuration); otherwise, ACR can be used. The MAD 700 employs ITU G.824 (e.g., the control of jitter and wander within digital networks which are based on the 1544 kbit/s hierarchy), ITU G.8261 (e.g., timing and synchronization aspects in packet networks), Network Timing Protocol Version 4 (NTPv4) to convey timekeeping information from primary servers, as well as IEEE 1588v2 (e.g., IEEE Standard for a Precision Clock Synchronization Protocol for Networked Measurement and Control Systems; Precision Timing Protocol (PTP) with one or two step clock), SynchE ITU G.8262 (e.g., timing characteristics of synchronous Ethernet Equipment slave Clock (EEC)), and SynchE ITU G.8264 (e.g., distribution of timing information through packet networks).
It is noted that 4G cellular applications require very precise timing, and certain implementations of IEEE 1588 and SynchE may result in interaction that may preclude use in 4G networks because of small synchronization instabilities. The configurable synchronization of the MAD 700 described above in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention avoids such detrimental interaction so that use with 4G networks is possible.
The MAD 700 also includes a first debug interface 838 for configuring the synchronous network and a second debug interface 840 for configuring the asynchronous network. The first debug interface 838 may be a standard D-subminiature 9 (i.e., DB9) connector to control and configure the FPGA device 814 integral NIU functionality that corresponds to that of conventional NIUs and other parameters related to the synchronous network. Conventional NIUs are individual cards (e.g., implemented in Type 400 mechanics) that require an operator to plug into each individual NIU and configure it manually, even if the configuration between NIUs is identical. By contrast, an advantage is realized by an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, wherein there are multiple, integral NIUs implemented in the FPGA device 814, and the debug interface 838 allows an administrator to configure one or many of the NIUs at the same time. Thus, the administrator can quickly and efficiently configure the NIUs in the MAD 700. Further, because NIUs can be configured at the same time, this prevents minor clerical errors by the administrator. Further, as stated above, the form factor of the MAD 700 is reduced by having integral NIUs versus having to use plural, external cards or other devices.
The second debug interface 840 is implemented using conventional port (e.g., RJ45, USB, etc.) and is used to configure the network configuration with respect to the asynchronous network. As illustrated above, the administrator can configure the arrangement of the network connections. For example, as illustrated in
Thus, the one or two MAD 700 can be configured to support the following speeds and capacity: 14 Gb Wirespeed Switching Core Speed, 8 Full Rate GigEs+24 DS1s (e.g., for Subscriber Locking Wall Mount Enclosure capacity and rack mounted shelf capacity), latency of 2.8μsec+frame, Jumbo Frame support, a payload of 32 Full Rate GigE circuits plus 96 DS1s per fiber pair with CWDM optics, and CO capacity (in bookend configuration) of 160 Full Rate GigEs plus 480 DS Is in a standard 7 Ft. rack assembly.
The MAD 700 constructed in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention has a surge-protected 24 VDC to 48 VDC input voltage range. External adapters are available for local 120 VAC powering and remote powering. Thus, the MAD 700 can be powered via a wide array of redundant or non-redundant powering options such as 48 Vdc, cell-site 24 Vdc, 120 Vac via an optional (e.g., the 2100-0300 power converter available from Pulse Communications Inc.) or remote powering over up to 4 miles of 22 Ga copper pairs via optional Span Power units (e.g., also available from Pulse Communications Inc.).
The MAD 700 supports Layer 2 Carrier Ethernet such as 802.1 Q-in-Q (formerly known as 802.1ad), 802.1D MAC Bridging and Auto Learning, 802.1Q VLAN (e.g., 8K MAC; 4K VLAN; STP, RSTP and MSTP), Hierarchical MEF compliant policing and scheduling, MEF 6, 9, 10, 14 and 18, and VLAN Translation, MAC-based VLAN and Protocol-based VLAN.
The MAD 700 supports Class of Service (CoS)/Quality of Service (QoS) such as Committed and Excess Information Rate (CIR/EIR) granularity of 64 k, CoS per port (e.g., VLAN ID (C-tag), VLAN P-bits, MAC, DSCP), eight CoS queues per port and eight 802.1p priorities, Multicast, Broadcast and Unicast Storm Control, RFC2698 Two Rate 3 Color Marker (tr3CM) for ingress policing, Policing by port, service, bandwidth and queue, and Strict or deficit weighted round robin scheduling.
Protocols used by the MAD include, but are not limited to, SAToP (Structure-Agnostic TDM over Packet), ITU-T Y.1453: TDM-IP interworking-User plane interworking, RFC 4553: Structure-Agnostic Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) over Packet (SAToP), MEF18: Test Suite for Circuit Emulation Services over Ethernet based on MEF 8: Implementation Agreement for the Emulation of PDH Circuits over Metro Ethernet Networks, RFC 4385: Pseudowire Emulation Edge-to-Edge (PWE3) Control Word for Use over an MPLS PSN, ANSI T1.403: Network and Customer Installation Interfaces—DS1 Electrical Interface, ANIS T1.231.02-2003(R2007): DS1—Layer 1 In-Service Digital Transmission Performance Monitoring, and REACT test system.
With regard to protection switching, the MAD 700 is configured to support IEEE 802.1ad Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP), IEEE 802.1AX (prior 802.3ad) Standard for Local and metropolitan area networks—Link Aggregation, Static Link Aggregation support for legacy network applications, ITU-T G.8031/Y.1342: Ethernet linear protection switching, G.8032/Y.1344: Ethernet ring protection switching, Protection switching under 50 ms, and 1+1, 1:1, 1:N and Provider Backbone Ethernet Virtual Connection (PB-EVC) E-line protection.
With regard to management, the MAD 700 supports IEEE 802.1AB: Station and Media Access Control Connectivity Discovery (Link Layer Discovery), IEEE 802.1ag: Connectivity Fault Management/Flow OAM, IEEE 802.3ah: Ethernet in the First Mile/Link OAM: monitoring, signaling, loopback, ITU-T Y.1731 OAM functions and mechanisms for Ethernet based networks ETH-APS (Ethernet Automatic Protection Switching), ITU-T Y.1731 OAM functions and mechanisms for Ethernet based networks ETH-RAPS (Ethernet Ring Automatic Protection Switching), ITU-T Y.1731 OAM functions and mechanisms for Ethernet based networks ETH-DM (Ethernet frame delay and frame delay variation measurement), SNMP v1/2/3, Command Line Interface (CLI), Telnet, and TIA 1057 Link Layer Discovery Protocol for Media Endpoint Devices (LLDP-MED).
As described in connection with
Multiservice Access Device (MAD) Provisioning
Provisioning can be accomplished using a DS1 Interface Configuration menu as indicated in the following table, for example.
DS1 Interface Configuration (per DS1)
DS1 performance parameters can be accumulated and stored over 15-minute and 1-day periods on a memory of the MAD 700 or other local or remote memory. Parameter history is available at 15-minute periods for the last 96 intervals and at 1-day periods for the last 7 days via the Performance Manager Menu. Current performance monitoring (PM) data can be reset, and PM history can be erased.
The Management Port (e.g., MGMT port 36 on the faceplate 12) provides access to a Graphical User Interface (GUI) and permits provisioning of Ethernet parameters, among other parameters such as: System configuration parameters, Port configuration parameters upon viewing link status, Security parameters, Network parameters, Aggregation parameters (e.g., static parameters such as Hash code contributors and group assignments, and LACP settings per port), Link OAM parameters (e.g., Port settings such as OAM Enable/disable, OAM Mode Passive/Active, Loopback Support Enable/disable, Link Monitor Support Enable/disable, MIB Retrieval Support Enable/disable, Loopback Operation Enable/disable, and Event settings such as (per port) window and period threshold for Error Frame Event, Event Seconds Summary, Symbol Period Error Event, and Frame Period Error Event), LLDP parameters, Synch E parameters, Alarm parameters (e.g., Ethernet Ring Protection Switching (ERPS) settings, MAC settings, VLAN settings, QoS settings), and Monitoring parameters).
To respond to DS1 loopbacks, the MAD 700 (e.g., card 10) is provisioned as a Remote (CPE-side) unit (default), has its loopbacks enabled (default), and is provisioned for either ESF (default) or SF operation. When provisioned for ESF operation, the MAD 700 will respond to either in-band or ESF data link (out-of-band) loopback codes; when provisioned for SF operation, the multiservice access device will only respond to in-band loopback codes.
During a loopback, an alarm indication signal is sent to the DS1 Tip1/Ring1 (receive) pair. If the multiservice access device is provisioned for “Loopdown on AIS=YES” and the multiservice access device receives (from the network link) an AIS signal in the DS1 circuit being looped back, the MAD loopback will be deactivated.
If provisioned as a CO-side unit, the MAD automatically disables all remote loopback detection. Loopbacks can be enabled on any or all DS1s in a unit provisioned as Remote via a CRAFT port loopback enable screen. Manual loopbacks are available on both the CO and Remote units via the DS1 configuration screens.
Three types of T1 manual loopback are available for use via the CRAFT port 20. These loopbacks can be accessed via the Maintenance Manager Menu: (1) Network (toward network interface); (2) Customer (toward DS1 drop interface); and (3) Bilateral (toward network and DS1 drop interfaces).
The following table provides illustrative loopback requests.
As described above, the MAD 700 has a reduced form factor (e.g., convenient plug-in card or module for use in many existing T1 NIU shelves or other cell site and business telecommunications equipment mountings) that can provide the desired integrated diagnostics. Although the multiservice access device or MAD 700 is miniaturized (e.g., as a card 10) so that it can fit on the referenced standard mechanics of telcos, other similar versions of the multiservice access device can be optimized for use in relatively small outdoor boxes for deployment on exterior telco-customer building walls in accordance with different illustrative embodiments of the present invention. For example, the MAD 700 can be deployed in a Network Interface Device (NID) comprising a small enclosure having a separate, lockable interior space for electronics, and an accessible extension with DS1 RJ48C jacks, to provide a demarcation point between a carrier's local loop and customer premises wiring. Regardless of the form factor, the multiservice access device 700 can be purpose-built for Harsh Environments (e.g., GR-3108-CORE Class 3 including 40° C. to +70° C. operation) in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.
As stated above and in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the present invention, the MAD 700 comprises at least two 2.5 Gb/1 Gb Ports (e.g., single fiber, dual fiber and/or CWDM). The MAD 700 can also have at least four full rate GigE subscriber ports (e.g., two SFP GigE and two RJ45 10/100/1000BT ports, all with Jumbo Frame support and wirespeed switching core). The MAD 700 provides complementary RJ48C demarc, connectorized and stub ended DS1 cable options. The MAD 700 operates in accordance with a plug-and-play universal mode with 1-to-1 Ethernet and DS1 port mapping end-to-end. The MAD 700 implements at least twelve, integral, full featured T1 NIUs (e.g., inband loopback, GR-1089-CORE 3a/b and 5a/b lightning protection, NPRM, SPRM, AIS/AIS-CI and RAI/RAI-CI). The MAD 700 has an Ethernet processor or other circuit or module with SynchE, IEEE 1588 synchronization built in, as well as Stratum 3 and incoming DS1/DS3 synchronization capabilities. The MAD 700 provides 50 ms Protection Switching (e.g., built in ITU G.8032 ERPS and IEEE 802.1AX link aggregation), OAM (e.g., IEEE 802.1ab, 802.1ag, 802.3ah, ITU-T Y.1731), and is configured to withstand harsh environments (e.g., complies with GR-3108-CORE Class 3 including −40° C. to +70° C. operation in existing or new CP528 OSP demarc enclosures). The MAD 700 can implement micro-ring and daisy-chain topologies (e.g., with single fiber delivery of dozens of DS1 ports and dozens of GigE ports) and therefore facilitate expansion and resiliency, simple growth, and low first costs. The multiservice access device can be powered via 24/48 Vdc, as well as having remote powering and local 120 Vac powering capability.
In addition to comprehensive Layer 2 Ethernet and DS1 capabilities, the miniaturized or reduced form factor MAD 700 in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the present invention has unique installation capabilities to address the real-world challenges faced when deploying Ethernet-over-fiber such as: cabinets, relay racks, power, demarc relocation, fiber starvation, resiliency; growth, turn-up time, existing infrastructure, troubleshooting, training, DS1 transitions, site preparation, planning, engineering, harsh environments, lightning, and temperature extremes.
Thus, in terms of impact, it takes only about 30 seconds to plug an MAD 700 (e.g., the simple all-in-one Ethernet and DS1 access card 10 shown in
Illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to a card or other form factor with FPGA, circuit board or other module programmable or configured to provide at least the functions described herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention can also be arranged in other configurations construed as within the scope of the invention by those persons skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains.
While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments and applications thereof, numerous modifications and variations can be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A multiservice access device, comprising:
- a synchronous network receiver for receiving synchronous network traffic;
- a plurality of network interface debuggers integral to the multiservice access device for generating messages related to the status of the synchronous network;
- a packet processor for processing the synchronous network traffic and messages into packetized synchronous network data for asynchronous transmission over an Ethernet network in a first bus format;
- a first bus translator for translating the first bus format into a second bus format;
- an Ethernet processor for receiving the packetized synchronous network data in the second bus format and asynchronously transmitting the packetized synchronous network data over Ethernet;
- a clock synchronizing device for receiving clock information from a plurality of devices and status information from the synchronous network receiver, the network interface debuggers, and the packet processor and determining a clock, and providing the clock to the synchronous network receiver, the network interface debuggers, and the packet processor, and
- a processor for managing the operation of the transceiver, the packet processor, and the Ethernet processor, wherein the processor sends and receives control information from the Ethernet processor on a third bus interface.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 31, 2015
Publication Date: Nov 26, 2015
Inventors: Peter Bradley SCHMITZ (Fairfax Station, VA), David Owen CORP (Clifton, VA), Natalie C. RAMSAY (Herndon, VA)
Application Number: 14/815,223
