US5917827A
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US
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Multiple rate network interface and method
Assignee: Alcatel USA Sourcing Inc
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Filing: 1996-12-03
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Granted: 1999-06-29
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Expires: 2016-12-03
Abstract
Abstract A multiple rate network interface (42) is provided to interface a telecommunication network and a digital telecommunication switch (48). The multiple rate network interface (42) may operate in at least a first mode and a second mode. The first mode allows telecommunication signals in a first format to be exchanged between a telecommunication network and the digital telecommunication switch (48). The second mode allows telecommunication signals in a second format to be exchanged between a telecommunication network and the digital telecommunication switch (48). The first format may be synchronous transport protocol level one (STS-1) and the second format may be digital signal level three (DS3). The multiple rate network interface (42) includes a first processing circuit, a second processing circuit, and a control circuit. The first processing circuit may include a bipolar interface (60), an STS-1 terminator (64), a signal switching circuitry (70), a VT 1.5 terminator (66), and a payload processor (68). The second processing circuit may include the bipolar interface (60), the signal switching circuitry (70), and an M13 multiplexer (62). The control circuit may be implemented using a microprocessor and programmable logic devices.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert W. Cantwell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 06:23
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04J; H04J3/00; H04J3/16; H04J3/1605; H04J3/1623; H04J3/1635
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A multiple rate network interface comprising: a processing circuit operable to receive an inbound telecommunication signal having either a first or second telecommunications format; the processing circuit operable to perform a first conversion of the telecommunication signal received in the first telecommunications format to an internal telecommunications format when in a first mode, the processing circuit operable to perform a second conversion of the inbound telecommunication signal received in the second telecommunications format to the internal telecommunications format when in a second mode; and a control circuit operable to configure the processing circuit to operate in either the first mode or the second mode in order to perform either the first or the second conversion, respectively.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
A multiple rate network interface comprising: a processing circuit operable to receive an inbound telecommunication signal having either a first or second telecommunications format; the processing circuit operable to perform a first conversion of the telecommunication signal received in the first telecommunications format to an internal telecommunications format when in a first mode, the processing circuit operable to perform a second conversion of the inbound telecommunication signal received in the second telecommunications format to the internal telecommunications format when in a second mode; and a control circuit operable to configure the processing circuit to operate in either the first mode or the second mode in order to perform either the first or the second conversion, respectively.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The multiple rate network interface of claim 1, wherein the processing circuit receives the inbound telecommunication signal from a network.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
The multiple rate network interface of claim 1, wherein the processing circuit is operable to provide the inbound telecommunication signal in the internal telecommunications format to a telecommunication switch when in the first mode, and the processing circuit is operable to provide the inbound telecommunication signal in the internal telecommunications format to a telecommunication switch when in the second mode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
The multiple rate network interface of claim 1, wherein the processing circuit is operable to receive and convert an outbound telecommunication signal in the internal telecommunications format to the first telecommunications format when in the first mode, and the processing circuit is operable to receive and convert the outbound telecommunication signal in the internal telecommunications format to the second telecommunications format when in the second mode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
89 words
The multiple rate network interface of claim 4, wherein the processing circuit receives the inbound telecommunication signal from a telecommunication network when converting the inbound telecommunication signal to the internal telecommunications format, the processing circuit receives the outbound telecommunication signal from a telecommunication switch when converting the outbound telecommunications signal from the internal telecommunications format to the first telecommunications format, and the processing circuit receives the outbound telecommunication signal from a telecommunication switch when converting the outbound telecommunications signal from the internal telecommunications format to the second telecommunications format.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The multiple rate network interface of claim 1, wherein the telecommunication signal is a digital signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
105 words
The multiple rate network interface of claim 1, further comprising: a redundant processing circuit operable to perform a first conversion of the inbound telecommunication signal received in the first telecommunications format to the internal telecommunications format when in the first mode, the redundant processing circuit operable to operate as a backup to the processing circuit during the first mode the redundant processing circuit operable to receive and convert the inbound telecommunication signal in the second telecommunications format to the internal telecommunications format when in the second mode, the redundant processing circuit operable to operate as a backup to the processing circuit during the second mode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
The multiple rate network interface of claim 7, wherein the redundant processing circuit operates simultaneously with the processing circuit during the first mode, and the redundant processing circuit operates simultaneously with the processing circuit during the second mode, and wherein the redundant processing circuit provides a redundant multiple rate network interface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The multiple rate network interface of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is operable to configure the processing circuit through software control.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
130 words
A multiple rate network interface comprising: a processing circuit operable to receive an inbound telecommunication signal having either a synchronous transport protocol level one format or a digital signal level three format; the processing circuit operable to perform a first conversion of the inbound telecommunication signal in the synchronous transport protocol level one format to an internal telecommunication signal in a digital signal level one format when in a first mode the processing circuit operable to perform a second conversion of the inbound telecommunication signal in the digital signal level three format to the internal telecommunication signal in the digital signal level one format when in a second mode; and a control circuit operable to configure the processing circuit to operate in either the first mode or the second mode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
130 words
A multiple rate network interface comprising: a processing circuit operable to receive an inbound telecommunication signal having either a synchronous transport protocol level one format or a digital signal level three format; the processing circuit operable to perform a first conversion of the inbound telecommunication signal in the synchronous transport protocol level one format to an internal telecommunication signal in a digital signal level one format when in a first mode the processing circuit operable to perform a second conversion of the inbound telecommunication signal in the digital signal level three format to the internal telecommunication signal in the digital signal level one format when in a second mode; and a control circuit operable to configure the processing circuit to operate in either the first mode or the second mode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
75 words
The multiple rate network interface of claim 10, wherein the processing circuit is operable to receive and convert an outbound telecommunication signal in the digital signal level one format to the synchronous transport protocol level one format when in the first mode, and the processing circuit is operable to receive and convert the outbound telecommunication signal in the digital signal level one format to the digital signal level three format when in the second mode.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
100 words
The multiple rate network interface of claim 11, wherein the processing circuit receives the inbound telecommunication signal from a telecommunication network when converting the inbound telecommunication signal to the digital signal level one format, the processing circuit receives the outbound telecommunication signal from a telecommunication switch when converting the outbound telecommunication signal from the digital signal level one format to the synchronous transport protocol level one format, and the processing circuit receives the outbound telecommunication signal from the telecommunication switch when converting the outbound telecommunication signal from the digital signal level one format to the digital signal level three format.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
103 words
The multiple rate network interface of claim 12, wherein the processing circuit is operable to receive and convert the inbound telecommunication signal received in the synchronous transport protocol level one format having a payload envelope of a digital signal level three formatted signal to a telecommunication signal in the digital signal level one format when in the first mode, the processing circuit further operable to receive and convert the outbound telecommunication signal in the digital signal level one format to synchronous transport protocol level one format having a payload envelope of a digital signal level three formatted signal when in the first mode.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for operating a multiple rate network interface, comprising: receiving an inbound communication signal having either a first or second telecommunications format from a network; converting the inbound communication signal from the first telecommunications format to an internal telecommunications format when in a first mode of operation; and converting the inbound communication signal from the second telecommunications format to the internal telecommunications format when in a second mode of operation; providing the inbound communication signal in the internal telecommunications format to a telecommunication switch.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for operating a multiple rate network interface, comprising: receiving an inbound communication signal having either a first or second telecommunications format from a network; converting the inbound communication signal from the first telecommunications format to an internal telecommunications format when in a first mode of operation; and converting the inbound communication signal from the second telecommunications format to the internal telecommunications format when in a second mode of operation; providing the inbound communication signal in the internal telecommunications format to a telecommunication switch.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 14, wherein the inbound communication signal is the electrical equivalent to an optical communication signal provided from a fiber-optic based network.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the multiple rate network interface is configured for the first and second modes of operation through software control.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the first telecommunications format may be a DS3 format and the second telecommunications format may be an STS-1 format.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the internal telecommunications format is a DS1 format.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the first telecommunications format may be a SONET defined format and the second telecommunications format may be a synchronous data hierarchy defined format.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the first telecommunications format is a digital signal format.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
88 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: receiving an outbound communication signal in the internal telecommunications format from the telecommunication switch; converting the outbound communication signal from the internal telecommunications format to one of the first and second telecommunications formats, the outbound communication signal being converted to the first telecommunications format while in the first mode of operation, the outbound communication signal being converted to the second telecommunications format while in the second mode of operation and providing the outbound communication signal to the network.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-06-28 | 2002-12-28 | 2003-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-06-28 | 2006-12-28 | 2007-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-06-28 | 2010-12-28 | 2011-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |