Extension interface units in a communication system

Abstract

An extension system, and related methods, for extending the location of interfaces and expanding the number of interface modules that interface with a communications system. The system includes a communications terminal including a first multi-transport mode bus that carries signals comprising a plurality of transport mode signals, a plurality of interface ports coupled to the first multi-transport mode bus, and a first extension interface mode coupled to one of the plurality of interface ports, wherein the first extension interface module converts the transmission format of the signals to a transmission format of an extension communications link. The system further includes the extension communications link coupled to the first extension interface module, wherein the extension communications link functions as an extension of the first multi-transport mode bus, a second extension interface module coupled to the extension communications link, an extension unit coupled to the second extension interface module containing a second multi-transport mode bus, wherein the second multi-transport mode bus carries the signals, and a plurality of expansion interface ports coupled to the second multi-transport mode bus of the extension unit.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.