System for cross-connecting high speed digital SONET signals

A modular, expandable, cross-connect system for high speed SONET digital signals, comprising:

• (a) receiving means for receiving at least one signal formatted in a substantially SONET format;
• (b) transmitting means for transmitting at least one cross-connected substantially SONET formatted signal;
• and
• (c) cross-connection means coupled to said receiving means and said transmitting means for cross-connecting said substantially SONET formatted signal from said receiving means to said transmitting means, wherein
• said cross-connecting means comprises a non-blocking wide band cross-connecting means including plurality of data ports and a plurality of associated clock ports, and means for cross-connecting at least said substantially SONET formatted signals received at a first data port along with an associated clock signal received at an associated clock port to respective any of said plurality of data ports and associated clock ports, wherein at least a first group of said plurality of data ports and associated clock ports are coupled to said receiving means, and at least a second group of said plurality of data ports and associated clock ports are coupled to said transmitting means.

A modular, expandable cross-connect system for high speed SONET digital signals, comprising:

• (a) a plurality of receiving/transmitting means each for receiving at least one signal formatted in a substantially SONET format and for transmitting at least one cross-connected substantially SONET formatted signal;
• and
• (b) cross-connection means coupled to at least two of said receiving/transmitting means for cross-connecting said substantially SONET formatted signal from a first of said receiving/transmitting means to a second of said receiving/transmitting means,
• said cross-connection means comprises at least a virtual tributary cross-connection means, said virtual tributary cross-connection means comprising,
• SONET signal receiving means for receiving a plurality of substantially SONET formatted signals, including means for disassembling said substantially SONET formatted signals into virtual tributary payloads of tracked phase, and
• means for cross-connecting said virtual tributary payloads in space, time, and SONET phase to generate new substantially SONET formatted signals.

A modular, expandable cross-connects system for high speed SONET digital signals, comprising:

• (a) a plurality of receiving/transmitting means each for receiving at lest one signal formatted in a substantially SONET format and for transmitting at least one cross-connected substantially SONET formatted signal;
• and
• (b) cross-connection means coupled to at least two of said receiving/transmitting means for cross-connecting said substantially SONET formatted signal from a first of said receiving/transmitting means to a second of said receiving/transmitting means,
• said cross-connecting means comprises non-blocking wide band cross-connecting means including a plurality of data ports and a plurality of associated clock ports, and means for cross-connecting at least said substantially SONET formatted signals received at a first data port along with an associated clock signal received at an associated clock port to respective any of said plurality of data ports and associated clock ports, wherein at least a first group of said plurality of data ports and associated clock ports are coupled to said receiving means, and at least a second group of said plurality of data ports and associated clock ports are coupled to said transmitting means.