Time division multiplexing expansion subsystem

A modular time division multiplexing expansion subsystem for transmitting a plurality of incoming information-bearing signals between a first station and a second station over a single wavelength channel of a wavelength division optical fiber transmission medium, said subsystem comprising

• a first station including at least one multiplexer module, said multiplexer module comprising:
• a plurality of data buffers, each data buffer receiving a respective one of said incoming information-bearing signals, each incoming signal having an associated input data speed;
• a channel identification unit for providing a unique channel identification code for each of said incoming information-bearing signals, independent of any channel identification encoded in the respective incoming information-bearing signal;
• a plurality of encoders utilizing a plurality of different respective channel identification codes and sequentially adding different bits from each said code to a respective information-bearing signal at predetermined intervals, independent of any preexisting frame or synchronization portion of said information-bearing signal, to thereby form a respective encoded data signal having a faster data rate than said respective input data speed;
• a plurality of data scramblers for formatting the data signals as respective scrambled output signals according to a predetermined scrambling algorithm such that the output signals can be directly modulated, transmitted and demodulated over the optical fiber transmission medium without signal boosters or amplification and each output signal has a signal horizon from which said faster data rate can be readily determined;
• a time division multiplexing unit for sequentially combining each encoded and scrambled output signal in a different respective time slot of a time division multiplexed signal for transmission from said first station to said second station;
• and
• a multiplexing clock for outputting at least one synchronizing pulse at said faster data rate for use within said first station;
• a second station including at least one demultiplexer module, each demultiplexer module comprising:
• a time division demultiplexing unit, for dividing the time division multiplexed signal received from said first station, into a plurality of demultiplexed output signals, and transmitting the demultiplexed signals over a plurality of data channels at said faster data speed;
• a demultiplexing clock for deriving at least one synchronizing pulse signal from said demultiplexed output signals;
• a plurality of data unscramblers, responsive to said at least one receiver synchronizing pulse signal, each receiving a different respective demultiplexed signal from the time division demultiplexing unit and reformatting the demultiplexed signal in accordance with said predetermined scrambling algorithm into a respective encoded data signal;
• a plurality of decoders responsive to said at least one receiver synchronizing pulse signal, each for removing a respective said identification code from a respective said encoded data signal, and returning the received encoded data signal substantially to its original form;
• and
• an identification verifying unit, for comparing said unique identification code from a given signal with the predetermined unique identification code for that signal's data channel, and for sending a synchronizing correction signal to said time division demultiplexing unit if said identification code from said given signal does not correspond to said predetermined identification code for that signal's data channel;
• whereby different said information-bearing signals may be transmitted over said single channel independent of transmission format.