Voice-data access concentrator for node in an expandable telecommunications system
AssigneeExcel Switching Corporation
InventorTimothy Ray Locascio
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus operable as a standalone, open programmable switch, a node an expandable telecommunications system, or a gateway includes a voice/data access concentrator (VDAC) card for providing voice over IP (Internet protocol) capability. The VDAC card includes an array of digital signal processors (DSPs) which may be programmed to perform desired protocol conversions between circuit-based protocols, such as T1, E1 or J1, and packet-based protocols, such as IP. The apparatus is scalable and may readily incorporate other cards which provide both subscriber supplementary services and network signalling as required to meet the needs of a particular application.
Claims4
Apparatus operable as a switching node in an expandable telecommunications system, which system includes a plurality of switching nodes interconnected by an associated inter-nodal network, each switching node being capable of dynamically connecting or disconnecting communications paths with respect to various ones of a plurality of ports, said switching node comprising:
- (A) one or more nodal switches each of which includes circuitry for transmitting and receiving information over the inter-nodal network to which the switching node and other nodes of said system are connected in communicating relationship, and said nodal switch including a time switch for time-switching information in time slots to or from said ports, and including circuitry for transmitting and receiving information in time slots in a packet over the internodal network to which said switching node and other switching nodes are connected in a communicating relationship;
- (B) one or more line cards, connected in communicating relationship with said one or more nodes for interfacing the node with one or more circuit-switched networks over which communications are conducted using circuit-switched protocols;
- and
- (C) a voice/data access concentrator card, connected in communicating relationship with said one or more nodal switches, and that includes an interface to one or more packet-switched networks over which communications are conducted using packet-switched protocols including Internet protocol, said interface including one or more digital signal processors for converting information between said circuit-switched protocols and said packet-switched protocols, including means for converting information received through said packet-switched network into circuit-switched data and converting circuit-switched data into information for transmission through said packet-switched network whereby the switching node provides internetworking between a circuit-switched protocol and a packet-switched protocol, including sending voice over Internet information therebetween, and
- said voice data access concentrator card having associated therewith an Ethernet switch that provides dual network interfaces with said one or more packet-switched networks, and said Ethernet switch having an associated CPU to control operation of said card, and said associated CPU being in communicating relationship with components in said switching node over dual HDLC buses incorporated into redundant internal switching buses in said switching node.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.