Muldem with monitor comparing means which accepts different data rates

A high reliability multiplexer combining a plurality of parallel digital data paths carrying different data rates LS and IS, where IS is greater than LS, for serial transmission of data at a yet higher rate HS, comprising in combination:

• a plurality of parallel input groups for receiving LS and IS data rates;
• a plurality of normally on-line group transmit means for receiving IS rate data and transmitting IS rate data, and for multiplexing LS rate data for transmission of IS rate data;
• normally off-line standby group transmit means in parallel with said plurality of normally on-line group transmit means;
• normally on-line HS transmit means for multiplexing IS rate data from said normally on-line and said standby group transmit means for serial transmission of HS rate data;
• normally off-line standby HS transmit means in parallel with said normally on-line HS transmit means;
• monitor means having a first input side connected to said plurality of normally on-line transmit means and to said standby group transmit means, and having a second input side connected to the output of said normally on-line HS transmit means and to the output of said standby HS transmit means, for monitoring data path failures through said multiplexer by comparing its input and output, said monitor means comprising comparing means which automatically accepts said different data rates LS and IS on said first input side including
• means for selecting the data received on one of said data paths at said input groups,
• means depending on the rate of the selected data for adjusting the selected data to conform to said transmission means regarding bit formats included in said multiplexing, and
• means for providing a clock B, with a rate dependent on the rate of the selected data, along with the adjusted selected data at said first input side.

A multiplexer combining a plurality of parallel digital data paths carrying different data rates LS and IS, where IS is greater than LS, for serial transmission of data at a yet higher rate HS, comprising in combination:

• N data input lines;
• a plurality of parallel data input groups for each said input line;
• a plurality of parallel data input channels for each said group;
• each said group receiving either LS rate data in parallel form through said channels or IS rate data in serial form;
• normally on-line LS data transmit means for each group which receives LS rate data, said LS transmit means multiplexing LS rate data on said channels and serially transmitting IS rate data over its respective group;
• normally on-line IS data transmit means for each group which receives IS rate data, said IS transmit means serially receiving and transmitting IS rate data over its respective group;
• N normally on-line HS data transmit means, each multiplexing parallel IS rate data from a respective plurality of said groups and serially transmitting HS rate data;
• N data output lines, each serially carrying HS rate data from a respective HS transmit means;
• normally off-line standby LS transmit means in parallel with the parallel combination of said normally on-line LS transmit means of each of said N data input lines;
• normally off-line standby IS transmit means in parallel with the parallel combination of said normally on-line IS transmit means of each of said N data input lines;
• normally off-line standby HS transmit means in parallel with said N normally on-line HS transmit means;
• data protective switching means providing standby alternate data paths through said multiplexer by switching normally on-line traffic through one or more of said standby LS, IS and HS transmit means;
• and
• monitor means having a first input side connected to said normally on-line LS and IS transmit means in said input groups for each of said N input lines and to said standby LS and IS transmit means, and having a second input side connected to the outputs of said normally on-line HS transmit means and said standby HS transmit means, for monitoring data path failures through said multiplexer by comparing its input and output, said monitor means comprising comparing means which automatically accepts said different data rates LS and IS on said first input side including
• means for selecting the data received on one of said data paths at said input groups,
• means depending on the rate of the selected data for adjusting the selected data to conform to said transmission means regarding bit formats included in said multiplexing, and
• means for providing a clock B, with a rate dependent on the rate of the selected data, along with the adjusted selected data at said first input side.

A demultiplexer delivering a plurality of parallel digital data output paths carrying different data rates LS and IS, where IS is greater than LS, from a serial data input of yet higher rate HS, comprising in combination:

• an input line serially carrying HS rate data;
• receiver means for demultiplexing HS rate data from said input line to IS and to LS rate data;
• a plurality of parallel data output groups for carrying IS and LS rate data from said receiver means;
• and
• monitor means having a first input side connected to the output of said groups and a second input side connected to said input line for monitoring data path failures through said demultiplexer by comparing its input and output, said monitor means comprising comparing means which automatically accepts said different data rates LS and IS on said first input side including
• means for selecting the data delivered to one of said data paths by said output groups,
• means depending on the rate of the selected data for adjusting the selected data to conform to said receiver means regarding bit formats included in said demultiplexing, and
• means for providing a clock B with a rate dependent on the rate of the selected data, along with the adjusted selected data at said first input side.

A demultiplexer delivering a plurality of parallel digital data output paths carrying differing data rates LS and IS, where IS is greater than LS, from a serial data input of yet higher rate HS, comprising in combination:

• an input line serially carrying HS rate data;
• normally on-line HS receiver means for demultiplexing HS rate data from said input line for parallel transmission of IS rate data;
• normally off-line standby HS receiver means in parallel with said normally on-line HS receiver means;
• a plurality of normally on-line group receiver means for receiving IS rate data and transmitting IS rate data, and for demultiplexing IS rate data for parallel transmission of LS rate data;
• normally off-line standby group receiver means in parallel with said plurality of normally on-line group receiver means;
• and
• monitor means having a first input side connected to the output of said plurality of normally on-line group receiver means and to said standby group receiver means, and having a second input side connected to said input line, for monitoring data path failures through said demultiplexer by comparing its input and output, said monitor means comprising comparing means which automatically accepts said different data rates LS and IS on said first input side including
• means for selecting the data delivered to one of said data paths by said output groups,
• means depending on the rate of the selected data for adjusting the selected data to conform to said receiver means regarding bit formats included in said demultiplexing, and
• means for providing a clock B with a rate dependent on the rate of the selected data, along with the adjusted selected data at said first input side.

A demultiplexer delivering a plurality of parallel digital data paths carrying different data rates LS and IS, where IS is greater than LS, from serial input data of higher rate HS comprising in combination:

• N data output lines;
• a plurality of parallel data output groups for each said output line;
• a plurality of parallel data output channels for each said group;
• each said group transmitting either LS rate data in parallel form through said channels or IS rate data in serial form;
• normally on-line LS data receiver means for each group which transmits LS rate data, said LS receiver means demultiplexing serial IS rate data on a respective group for parallel transmission of LS rate data on said channels in the respective group;
• normally on-line IS data receiver means for each group which transmits IS rate data, said IS receiver means serially receiving and transmitting IS rate data over its respective group;
• N normally on-line HS data receiver means, each demultiplexing serial HS rate data for parallel transmission of IS rate data to a respective plurality of said group;
• N data input lines, each serially carrying HS rate data to a respective HS receiver means;
• normally off-line standby LS receiver means in parallel with the parallel combination of said normally on-line LS receiver means of each of said N data output lines;
• normally off-line standby IS receiver means in parallel with the parallel combination of said normally on-line IS receiver means of each of said N data output lines;
• normally off-line standby HS receiver means in parallel with said N normally on-line HS receiver means;
• data protective switching means providing standby alternate data paths through said demultiplexer by switching normally on-line traffic through one or more of said standby LS, IS and HS receiver means;
• and
• monitor means having a first input side connected to said normally on-line LS and IS receiver means in said output groups for each of said N output lines and to standby LS and IS receiver means, and having a second input side connected to said N data input lines, for monitoring data path failures through said demultiplexer by comparing its input and output, said monitor means comprising comparing means which automatically accepts said different data rates LS and IS on said first input side including
• means for selecting the data delivered to one of said data paths by said output groups,
• means depending on the rate of the selected data for adjusting the selected data to conform to said receiver means regarding bit formats included in said demultiplexing, and
• means for providing a clock B with a rate dependent on the rate of the selected data, along with the adjusted selected data at said first input side.

A muldem combining a plurality of parallel digital data input paths carrying different data rates LS and IS, where IS is greater than LS, for serial transmission of output data at a yet higher data rate HS, and also delivering a plurality of parallel digital data output paths carrying said different data rates LS and IS from serial input data at said HS data rate, comprising in combination:

• a plurality of parallel data input transmission groups for receiving LS and IS data rates;
• transmission means for multiplexing LS and IS rate data from said input transmission groups for serial transmission of HS rate data on an output transmission line;
• a plurality of parallel data output reception groups for carrying IS and LS rate data;
• receiver means for demultiplexing serial HS rate data from an input reception line for parallel transmission of LS and IS rate data to said output reception groups;
• and
• monitor means having a first input side connected to the inputs to said plurality of input transmission groups and to the outputs of said plurality of output reception groups, and having a second input side connected to said output transmission line and to said input reception line for monitoring data path failures through said muldem by comparing its input and output, said monitor means comprising comparing means which automatically accepts said different data rates LS and IS on said first input side including
• means for selecting the data on one of said data paths received by one of said input groups or delivered by one of said output groups,
• means depending on the rate of the selected data for adjusting the selected data to conform to said transmission and receiver means regarding bit formats included in said multiplexing and demultiplexing, and
• means for providing a clock B with a rate dependent on the rate of the selected data, along with the adjusted selected data at said first input side.

A muldem combining a plurality of parallel digital data paths carrying different data rates LS and IS, where IS is greater than LS, for serial transmission of data at a higher rate HS, and delivering a plurality of parallel digital data paths carrying data rates LS and IS from serial input data of rate HS, comprising in combination:

• N data input transmission lines;
• N data output reception lines;
• a plurality of parallel data input transmission groups for each said input transmission line;
• a plurality of parallel data output reception groups for each said output reception line;
• a plurality of parallel data input transmission channels for each said transmission group;
• a plurality of parallel data output reception channels for each said reception group;
• each said transmission group receiving either LS rate data in parallel form through said transmission channels or IS rate data in serial form;
• each said reception group transmitting either LS rate data in parallel form through said reception channels or IS rate data in serial form;
• normally on-line LS data transmit means for each transmission group which receives LS rate data, said LS transmit means multiplexing LS rate data on said transmission channels and serially transmitting IS rate data over its respective transmission group;
• normally on-line LS data receiver means for each reception group which transmits LS rate data, said LS receiver means demultiplexing serial IS rate data for parallel transmission of LS data over said reception channels of its respective reception group;
• normally on-line IS data transmit means for each transmission group which receives IS rate data, said IS transmit means serially receiving and transmitting IS rate data over its respective transmission group;
• normally on-line IS data receiver means for each reception group which transmits IS rate data, said IS receiver means serially receiving and transmitting IS rate data over its respective reception group;
• N normally on-line HS data transmit means, each multiplexing parallel IS rate data from a respective plurality of said transmission groups and serially transmitting HS rate data;
• N normally on-line HS data receiver means, each demultiplexing serial HS rate data for parallel transmission to a respective plurality of said reception groups;
• N data output transmission lines, each serially carrying HS rate data from a respective HS transmit means;
• N data input reception lines, each serially carrying HS rate data to a respective HS receiver means;
• normally off-line standby LS transmit means in parallel with the parallel combination of said normally on-line LS transmit means of each of said N data input transmission lines;
• normally off-line standby LS receiver means in parallel with the parallel combination of said normally on-line LS receiver means of each of said N data output reception lines;
• normally off-line standby IS transmit means in parallel with the parallel combination of said normally on-line IS transmit means of each of said N input transmission lines;
• normally off-line standby IS receiver means in parallel with the parallel combination of said normally on-line IS receiver means of each of said N data output reception lines;
• normally off-line standby HS transmit means in parallel with said N normally on-line HS transmit means;
• normally off-line standby HS receiver means in parallel with said N normally on-line HS receiver means;
• data protective switching means providing standby alternate data paths through said muldem by switching normally on-line traffic through one or more of said standby LS, IS and HS transmit and receiver means;
• and
• monitor means having a first input side connected to said input transmission groups for each of said N data input transmission lines and to said output reception groups for each of said N data output reception lines, and having a second input side connected to said N normally on-line HS transmit means, said standby HS transmit means, and said N data input reception lines, for monitoring data path failures through said muldem by comparing its input and output, said monitor means comprising comparing means which automatically accepts both said LS and IS rate data on said first input side including
• means for selecting the data on one of said data paths received by one of said input groups or delivered by one of said output groups,
• means depending on the rate of the selected data for adjusting the selected data to conform to said transmission and receiver means regarding bit formats included in said multiplexing and demultiplexing, and
• means for providing a clock B, with a rate dependent on the rate of the selected data, along with the adjusted selected data at said first input side.

A multiplexer for connection to digital data paths, each path being for data at an LS rate or an IS rate higher than said LS rate, and for connection to a data line at an HS rate higher than said IS rate, said multiplexer comprising:

• a plurality of input groups for receiving said data from said paths;
• transmission means responsive to said input groups for multiplexing the data received on said paths to an HS output connected to said HS line;
• and
• monitor means, including
• means for selecting the data received on one of said paths at said input groups and deriving a data signal B therefrom,
• means for deriving from the selected received data a clock B at said LS rate if the selected data is at the LS rate, and a clock B at the IS rate if the selected data is at the IS rate,
• means for demultiplexing said HS output to provide a data signal A at one of said LS and IS rates, containing bits corresponding to the selected data, and for providing an associated clock at the LS rate if said selected data is at the LS rate, and a clock at the IS rate if the selected data is at the IS rate,
• means for providing, from said associated clock, a clock A synchronized with said bits in data signal A corresponding to said selected data, and
• means for clocking thereinto said data signal A according to said clock A and clocking thereinto said data signal B according to said clock B and for comparing the bits in data signal A corresponding to said selected data with bits of data signal B.

A demultiplexer for connection to digital data paths, each path being for data at an LS rate or an IS rate, higher than said LS rate, and for connection to a data line at an HS rate higher than said IS rate, said demultiplexer comprising:

• an HS input for receiving data from said HS data line;
• receiver means for demultiplexing HS rate data received at siad HS input to IS and to LS rate data;
• a plurality of output groups for providing IS and LS rate data from said receiver means to said data paths;
• and
• monitor means, including
• means for selecting the data provided to one of said paths at said output groups and deriving a data signal B therefrom,
• means for deriving from the selected data a clock B at said LS rate if the selected data is at the LS rate, and a clock B at the IS rate if the selected data is at the IS rate,
• means for demultiplexing data received at said HS input to provide a data signal A at one of said LS and IS rates, containing bits corresponding to the selected data, and for providing an associated clock at the LS rate if said selected data is at the LS rate, and a clock at the IS rate if the selected data is at the IS rate,
• means for providing, from said associated clock, a clock A synchronized with said bits in data signal A corresponding to said selected data, and
• means for clocking thereinto said data signal A according to said clock A and clocking thereinto said data signal B according to said clock B and for comparing the bits in data signal A corresponding to said selected data with bits of data signal B.