Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
230 words
A method for performing time interleaved multiplexing of a plurality of active sub-rate channels, in accordance with a predefined time interleaved multiplexing protocol, on a data path in a digital communication switching system that has a switching granularity of "x" bits per second, wherein said data path has a bandwidth divided into "m" slots, the slots each being further subdivided into "n" fragments, comprising the steps of: (a) inputting said plurality of active sub-rate channels into means capable of performing single step rate adaptation, wherein said means for performing rate adaptation is operative to insert data bits from each of said channels into successive, equal width "t" bit frames utilizing only a single level of framing, in accordance with said time interleaved multiplexing protocol, effectively multiplexing said channels in a given fragment up to the fragment's bandwidth; (b) creating each of said t bit frames utilizing frame generator means, such that each bit in a t bit frame corresponds to a channel carrying capacity that can be expressed as an integral number of bits per second; (c) interleaving the sub-rate data into the proper position in each of said t bit frames as defined by said time interleaved multiplexing protocol; (d) inserting filler bits into the remaining bit positions of each of said t bit frames; and (e) outputting the successive t bit frames for transmission through the switching system.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
230 words
A method for performing time interleaved multiplexing of a plurality of active sub-rate channels, in accordance with a predefined time interleaved multiplexing protocol, on a data path in a digital communication switching system that has a switching granularity of "x" bits per second, wherein said data path has a bandwidth divided into "m" slots, the slots each being further subdivided into "n" fragments, comprising the steps of: (a) inputting said plurality of active sub-rate channels into means capable of performing single step rate adaptation, wherein said means for performing rate adaptation is operative to insert data bits from each of said channels into successive, equal width "t" bit frames utilizing only a single level of framing, in accordance with said time interleaved multiplexing protocol, effectively multiplexing said channels in a given fragment up to the fragment's bandwidth; (b) creating each of said t bit frames utilizing frame generator means, such that each bit in a t bit frame corresponds to a channel carrying capacity that can be expressed as an integral number of bits per second; (c) interleaving the sub-rate data into the proper position in each of said t bit frames as defined by said time interleaved multiplexing protocol; (d) inserting filler bits into the remaining bit positions of each of said t bit frames; and (e) outputting the successive t bit frames for transmission through the switching system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising the step of initializing a program sequencer, coupled to said frame generator means, by loading into said sequencer a map indicating the proper place to insert multiple sub-rate channel data bits in each frame, in accordance with said time interleaved multiplexing protocol.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the value of t is directly related to the bandwidth of a fragment which in turn is directly related to the granularity, x bits per second, of the switching system to thereby permit sub-rate channel data to be switched to take advantage of switching granularity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising the steps of: (f) receiving sub-rate channel data from a system user; and (g) synchronizing any asynchronous data received prior to performing said step of inputting.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising the step of optionally performing at least one further level of rate adaptation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said filler bits include framing bits.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
92 words
Apparatus for multiplexing a plurality of sub-rate channels, in accordance with a predefined time interleaved multiplexing protocol, in a digital switching system having a plurality of system users operating at sub-rate frequencies and having a switching granularity of "x" bits per second, comprising: (a) means for receiving channel data from said system user; and (b) means, coupled to said means for receiving, for performing a single level of rate adaptation on received data to insert synchronized sub-rate channel data into t bit frames that are integral sub-multiples of x bits per second.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
92 words
Apparatus for multiplexing a plurality of sub-rate channels, in accordance with a predefined time interleaved multiplexing protocol, in a digital switching system having a plurality of system users operating at sub-rate frequencies and having a switching granularity of "x" bits per second, comprising: (a) means for receiving channel data from said system user; and (b) means, coupled to said means for receiving, for performing a single level of rate adaptation on received data to insert synchronized sub-rate channel data into t bit frames that are integral sub-multiples of x bits per second.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
121 words
Apparatus for performing time interleaved multiplexing of sub-rate channels in accordance with a predefined time interleaved multiplexing protocol, in a digital switching system having a plurality of system users operating at sub-rate frequencies and having a switching granularity of "x" bits per second, comprising: (a) means for generating a clock signal; (b) means for receiving sub-rate channel data from said system users; (c) means for synchronizing any received asynchronous sub-rate channel data in relation to said clock signal; and (d) means for performing a single level of rate adaptation, utilizing only a single level of framing, to insert synchronized sub-rate channel data from a plurality of sub-rate channels into t bit frames that are integral sub-multiples of x bits per second.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
121 words
Apparatus for performing time interleaved multiplexing of sub-rate channels in accordance with a predefined time interleaved multiplexing protocol, in a digital switching system having a plurality of system users operating at sub-rate frequencies and having a switching granularity of "x" bits per second, comprising: (a) means for generating a clock signal; (b) means for receiving sub-rate channel data from said system users; (c) means for synchronizing any received asynchronous sub-rate channel data in relation to said clock signal; and (d) means for performing a single level of rate adaptation, utilizing only a single level of framing, to insert synchronized sub-rate channel data from a plurality of sub-rate channels into t bit frames that are integral sub-multiples of x bits per second.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
75 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said means for performing rate adaptation further comprises: (c) frame generator means, operative in response to said clock signal, for generating t bit frames in accordance with a predefined time interleaved multiplexing protocol; and (d) means, coupled to said frame generator means, for time interleaving multiple sub-rate channel data into predetermined bit positions in each t bit time frame in accordance with said time interleaved multiplexing protocol.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said means for interleaving is a program sequencer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said means for interleaving further comprises means for optionally performing at least one additional level of rate adaptation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
71 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said means for performing rate adaptation further comprises: (e) frame detector means, operative in response to said clock signal, for identifying the boundry of each of said t bit frames in, accordance with a predefined time interleaved demultiplexing protocol; and (f) means, coupled to said frame detector means, for deinterleaving multiple sub-rate channel data from predetermined bit positions in said t bit frames.