Transporting synchronization channel information across a packet network
AssigneeCisco Technology, Inc.
InventorsAnantha R. Mekala, George O. Ogagan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A technique for preserving information contained in a synchronization channel of a Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) frame across a packet network. Information contained in the synchronization channel of TDM frames is transferred over the packet network by a first gateway device that received the TDM frames. A second gateway device receives the synchronization channel information and places the information in one or more TDM frames. The TDM frames are transferred onto the TDM network.
Claims22
A method for preserving information contained in time division multiplexing (TDM) frames received from a TDM network, the information preserved in packets transmitted across a packet network, the method comprising:
- receiving a plurality of TDM frames, each TDM frame having a synchronization channel, the synchronization channels alternating, over at least three TDM frames, between carrying a frame alignment signal portion having a synchronization pattern used to locally synchronize transfer of the TDM frames and a non-frame alignment signal portion containing other information that is not TDM frame synchronization information;
- extracting the other information contained in the non-frame alignment portion of the synchronization channels, the extracted other information representing information other than synchronization information;
- placing the extracted other information into a non-synchronization information portion of an outgoing packet;
- and
- transmitting the outgoing packet onto the packet network.
An apparatus for preserving information contained in time division multiplexing (TDM) frames received from a TDM network, the information preserved in packets transmitted across a packet network, the apparatus comprising:
- a TDM interface configured to receive a of TDM frames, each TDM frame having a synchronization channel, the synchronization channels alternating, over at least three TDM frames, between carrying a frame alignment signal portion having a synchronization pattern used to locally synchronize transfer of TDM frames and a non-frame alignment signal portion containing other information that is not TDM frame synchronization information;
- an extractor configured to extract the other information contained in the non-frame alignment portion of the synchronization channels, the extracted other information representing other than synchronization information;
- and
- an encapsulator configured to:
- (a) place the extracted other information into a packet, and
- (b) forward the packet onto the packet network.
An apparatus for transferring information contained in time division multiplexing (TDM) frames onto a packet network, the apparatus comprising:
- means for receiving a plurality of TDM frames, each TDM frame having a synchronization channel, the synchronization channels alternating, over at least three TDM frames, between carrying a frame alignment signal portion having a synchronization pattern used to locally synchronize transfer of TDM frames and a non-frame alignment signal portion containing other information that is not TDM frame synchronization information;
- means for extracting the other information contained in the non-frame alignment portion of the synchronization channels, the extracted other information representing information other than synchronization information;
- means for placing the extracted other information into a packet;
- and
- means for forwarding the packet onto the packet network.
A system for preserving data information contained in time division multiplexing (TDM) frames received from a TDM network in packets transmitted across a packet network, the system comprising:
- a first node configured to:
- (a) receive a plurality of TDM frames, each TDM frame having a synchronization channel, the synchronization channels alternating, over at least three TDM frames, between carrying a frame alignment signal portion having a synchronization pattern used to locally synchronize transfer of TDM frames and a non-frame alignment signal portion containing other information that is not TDM frame synchronization information;
- (b) extract other information contained in the non-frame alignment portion of the synchronization channels, the extracted other information representing information other than synchronization information;
- (c) place the extracted other information into a packet, and
- (d) forward the packet onto the packet network;
- and
- a second node configured to:
- (a) receive the packet,
- (b) extract the other information from the packet, and
- (c) place the extracted data other information into a synchronization
- channel of a second TDM frame.
A computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions executed by a computer for:
- receiving a plurality of time division multiplexing (TDM) frames, each TDM frame having a synchronization channel, the synchronization channels alternating, over at least three TDM frames, between carrying a frame alignment signal portion having a synchronization pattern used to locally synchronize transfer of TDM frames and a non-frame alignment signal portion containing other information that is not TDM frame synchronization information;
- extracting the other information contained in the non-frame alignment portion of the synchronization channels, the extracted other information representing information other than synchronization information;
- placing the extracted other information into a packet;
- and
- forwarding the packet onto a packet network.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.