Method and apparatus for switching signals using an embedded group signal status

A method comprising the steps of:

• deriving signal status information for each of a plurality of individual signals in a transmission path;
• computing a group signal status as a function of the signal status information for each of the plurality of individual signals;
• embedding the group signal status in each of the plurality of individual signals so that each of the plurality of individual signals carries the same group signal status along the transmission path;
• extracting the group signal status at any point within the transmission path;
• and
• actuating a control decision based on the group signal status.

An apparatus for switching groups of individual signals in an elementary switch fabric having a plurality of signal selector elements, each of the groups including a plurality of individual signals, the apparatus comprising:

• means for monitoring the plurality of individual signals to derive signal status information for each of the plurality of individual signals;
• means for computing a group signal status for each of the groups as a function of the signal status information for each of the plurality of individual signals corresponding to each of the groups;
• means for embedding the group signal status in each of the plurality of individual signals so that each of the plurality of individual signals in a respective group carries the same group signal status;
• and
• means, responsive to the group signal status carried by each of the plurality of individual signals, for generating a control signal, the plurality of signal selector elements being responsive to the control signal,
• wherein each of the plurality of individual signals in a respective group is independently selected by one of the plurality of signal selector elements, and wherein the plurality of individual signals in a respective group are switched together as a composite group on the basis of at least the group signal status.