Data communications structures relating to data shelf configurations
AssigneeNortel Networks Limited
InventorsMark D. Stratton, Roderick E. Wallace
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Interconnection module for connection to other interconnection modules to provide a back plane of any desired size and configuration in electronic data shelf arrangements. The module has optical terminals extending from a front face for signal transmission and reception relationship terminals, preferably optical terminals, for signal interconnection with at lest one other interconnection module. Signal conductors extend from the terminals of the front face to the terminals of the other face. Flat cables are conveniently used to interconnect modules which may be relatively positioned horizontally or vertically spaced or both.
Claims16
An interconnection module for interconnecting edge cards in a data shelf, the module having a front face and other faces, a first group of optical terminals facing forwardly from the front face for transmitting or receiving optical signals from optical terminals of an edge card to be located forwardly from the front face, a second group of terminals directed outwardly from another of the faces of the module for signal interconnection with another interconnection module, and a plurality of signal conductors interconnecting terminals of the first group with terminals of the second group.
In combination, a data shelf, a plurality of edge card interconnection modules, and a plurality of edge cards;
- the shelf having receiving stations and having two opposite sides, a first of the opposite sides provided for mounting the interconnection modules in desired positions and a second of the opposite sides being open for receiving the edge cards into individual receiving stations in the shelf;
- each edge card comprising one edge region having optical terminals facing outwards from the edge region;
- and each of the modules having a front face with a first group of optical terminals directed outwards and forwards from the front face and second group of optical terminals directed outwardly from another face, the module being mountable in its desired position to the shelf with the terminals of the first group facing into the shelf for optical signal interconnection with optical terminals of an associated edge card when the edge card is received in its individual receiving station, and the second group of terminals facing in another direction for optical signal interconnection with terminals of a second group of one of the other modules when the other module is mounted in its desired position to the shelf thereby providing an interconnection structure between edge cards.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.