Switching data signals of at least two types for transmission over a transport network providing both backhaul and fronthaul (Xhaul)connectivity

An apparatus for switching data signals transmitted over a transport network, the apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of first ports configured to receive a plurality of input data signals of a first signal type which are exchanged between a Radio Equipment (RE) and a Radio Equipment Controller (REC);
• a first switch configured to aggregate the plurality of input data signals into an aggregated first data signal;
• a second port configured to receive a second data signal of a second signal type different to the first signal type;
• a multiplexing switch configured to multiplex the aggregated first data signal with the second data signal to form a combined data signal;
• and
• an interface configured to forward the formatted combined data signal to the transport network;
• wherein the multiplexing switch comprises a framer configured, for a frame of the combined data signal, to multiplex the first and second data signals by:
• allocating the first data signal to a portion of the frame reserved for the first data signal;
• and
• allocating the second data signal to a remaining portion of the frame,
• wherein the apparatus further comprises a timing function configured to provide a reference signal, wherein the first switch is configured to aggregate the plurality of input data signals into an aggregated first data signal which is synchronised with the reference signal, and the multiplexing switch is configured to multiplex the aggregated first data signal with the second data signal to form a combined data signal which is synchronised with the reference signal, and/or wherein the multiplexing switch is configured to multiplex the aggregated first data signal with the second data signal via time division multiplexing.

An apparatus for switching data signals transmitted over a transport network;

• the apparatus comprising a processor and a memory, the memory containing instructions executable by the processor whereby the apparatus is operative to:
• receive a plurality of input data signals of a first signal type wherein the plurality of data signals of the first signal type comprises data signals exchanged between a Radio Equipment (RE) and a Radio Equipment Controller (REC);
• aggregate the plurality of input data signals into an aggregated first data signal;
• receive a second data signal of a second signal type different to the first signal type;
• multiplex the first data signal with the second data signal to form a combined data signal;
• and
• forward the combined data signal to the transport network;
• wherein multiplexing the first data signal with the second data signal comprises, for a frame of the combined data signal:
• allocating the first data signal to a portion of the frame reserved for the first data signal;
• and
• allocating the second data signal to a remaining portion of the frame,
• wherein the aggregated first data signal and the combined data signal are synchronised with a reference timing signal, and/or wherein multiplexing the aggregated first data signal with the second data signal to form a combined data signal comprises performing time division multiplexing of the aggregated first data signal with the second data signal.

A nontransitory computer readable storage medium comprising computer program instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out a method for switching data signals transmitted over a transport network;

• the method comprising:
• receiving a plurality of input data signals of a first signal type, wherein the plurality of data signals of the first signal type comprises data signals exchanged between a Radio Equipment (RE) and a Radio Equipment Controller (REC);
• aggregating the plurality of input data signals into an aggregated first data signal;
• receiving a second data signal of a second signal type different to the first signal type;
• multiplexing the aggregated first data signal with the second data signal to form a combined data signal;
• and
• forwarding the combined data signal to the transport network;
• wherein multiplexing the first data signal with the second data signal comprises, for a frame of the combined data signal:
• allocating the first data signal to a portion of the frame reserved for the first data signal;
• and
• allocating the second data signal to a remaining portion of the frame,
• wherein the aggregated first data signal and the combined data signal are synchronised with a reference timing signal, and/or wherein multiplexing the aggregated first data signal with the second data signal to form a combined data signal comprises performing time division multiplexing of the aggregated first data signal with the second data signal.