Methods and apparatus for improved communications networks
AssigneeTellabs Operations, Inc.
InventorsMark E. Boduch, Chris R. Zettinger, Charles R. Parilla
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Erroneous data due to faults are prevented from propagating through a distributed network node having diversely routed communications links by using a fault masking technique that eliminates the 60 ms of error propagation time associated with SONET networks. The fault masking technique can also prevent random bit errors from propagating through the distributed network node. A frame alignment technique used in the network node is scalable for very wide words (e.g., 128 bits) for use with high speed optical communications protocols, such as OC-192.
Claims52
A network node, comprising:
- network elements adapted to be interconnected in a network configuration having first and second network boundaries and a network node interior, the interconnected network elements transporting substantially error-free information between the first and second network boundaries at a given transport rate with substantially continuous data flow with respect to the given transport rate throughout a transition from a state of no faults to a state of soft or hard faults within the network node interior.
A method for transporting information in a network node, comprising:
- providing first and second boundaries of the network node;
- and
- transporting substantially error-free information between the first and second boundaries of the network node at a given transport rate with substantially continuous data flow with respect to the given transport rate throughout a transition from a state of no fault to a state of soft or hard faults within the network node.
A network node, comprising:
- means adapted to be interconnected in a network configuration having first and second network boundaries and a network node interior;
- and
- means for transporting substantially error-free information between the first and second network boundaries at a given transport rate with substantially continuous data flow with respect to the given transport rate throughout a transition from a state of no faults to a state of soft or hard faults within the network node interior.
A method for aligning a frame of data to a predetermined phase, comprising:
- adjusting at a first granularity the phase of an out-of-phase frame of data to an intermediate phase;
- and
- adjusting at a second granularity the phase of the intermediate frame of data to align the frame of data to the predetermined phase.
An apparatus for aligning a frame of data to a predetermined phase, comprising:
- a first aligner that adjusts with a first granularity the phase of an out-of-phase frame of data to an intermediate phase;
- and
- a second aligner that adjusts with a second granularity the phase of the intermediate frame of data to align the frame of data to the predetermined phase.
An apparatus for aligning a frame of data to a predetermined phase, comprising:
- means for adjusting at a first granularity the phase of an out-of-phase frame of data to an intermediate phase;
- and
- means for adjusting at a second granularity the phase of the intermediate frame of data to align the frame of data to the predetermined phase.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.