US5953314A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Control processor switchover for a telecommunications switch
Assignee: Ascend Communications Inc
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Filing: 1997-08-28
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Granted: 1999-09-14
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Expires: 2017-08-28
Abstract
Abstract First and second control processor cards are employed in conjunction with first and second switch fabric cards to interconnect Input/Output cards in a telecommunications switch. The control processor cards provide a portion of the functionality previously associated with switch fabric cards, such as exertion of control over allocation of bandwidth within the switch. The control processor cards also provide new functionality. In particular, each control processor card can configure both switch fabric cards. Redundant control processor cards and redundant switch fabric cards are employed to provide a switch that is less susceptible to failure than switches with only redundant switch fabric cards. Hence, failure of a control processor card and a switch fabric card can be sustained without resulting in switch failure. Timing control functions may also be provided by a separate timing module card.
Inventors
- 👤 Mahesh N. Ganmukhi
- 👤 Ronald Louis Baracka, Jr.
- 👤 Michael P. DeMilia
- 👤 John Peter Prokopik
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:11
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/07; G06F11/16; G06F11/20; G06F11/202; G06F11/2038; H; H04; H04Q; H04Q3/00; H04Q3/42; H04Q3/54; H04Q3/545; H04Q3/54541; H04Q3/5455; G06F11/2017; G06F11/2023; G06F11/2025; H04J; H04J3/00; H04J3/02; H04J3/06; H04J3/0635; H04J3/0685; H04J3/0697; H04Q2213/00; H04Q2213/1305; H04Q2213/13104; H04Q2213/13107; H04Q2213/13162; H04Q2213/13166; H04Q2213/13167
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
A telecommunications switch, comprising: a plurality of interface modules; a plurality of interconnection modules connected to said interface modules, said interconnection modules providing physical connections between individual interface modules; and a plurality of control modules, each of said plurality of control modules interconnected with each one of said interconnection modules, wherein each of said plurality of control modules is operative to allocate bandwidth within each of said interconnection modules.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
69 words
A telecommunications switch, comprising: a plurality of interface modules; a plurality of interconnection modules connected to said interface modules, said interconnection modules providing physical connections between individual interface modules; and a plurality of control modules, each of said plurality of control modules interconnected with each one of said interconnection modules, wherein each of said plurality of control modules is operative to allocate bandwidth within each of said interconnection modules.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The switch of claim 1 including an active control module and a standby control module.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The switch of claim 2 including an active interconnection module and a standby interconnection module.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The switch of claim 3 wherein each said control module is disposed on a separate respective printed circuit board.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The switch of claim 4 wherein each said interconnection module is disposed on a separate respective printed circuit board.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The switch of claim 5 wherein the standby control module is automatically activated upon failure of the active control module.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The switch of claim 6 wherein the standby interconnection module is automatically activated upon failure of the active interconnection module.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
174 words
A telecommunications switch, comprising: a plurality of interface modules; a plurality of interconnection modules connected to said interface modules, said interconnection modules providing physical connections between individual interface modules, said interconnection modules including an active interconnection module and a standby interconnection module, wherein said standby interconnection module is automatically activated upon failure of the active interconnection module, and wherein each of said plurality of interconnection modules is disposed on a separate respective printed circuit board, a plurality of control modules operative to configure the interconnection modules, wherein said plurality of control modules include an active control module and a standby control module, wherein said standby control module is automatically activated upon failure of said active control module, wherein each of said plurality of control modules is disposed on a separate respective printed circuit board, wherein each control module includes a latch portion that controls switch state, the active control module latch portion combining with the standby control module latch portion to provide a bistable latch that prevents the control modules from being simultaneously active.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
174 words
A telecommunications switch, comprising: a plurality of interface modules; a plurality of interconnection modules connected to said interface modules, said interconnection modules providing physical connections between individual interface modules, said interconnection modules including an active interconnection module and a standby interconnection module, wherein said standby interconnection module is automatically activated upon failure of the active interconnection module, and wherein each of said plurality of interconnection modules is disposed on a separate respective printed circuit board, a plurality of control modules operative to configure the interconnection modules, wherein said plurality of control modules include an active control module and a standby control module, wherein said standby control module is automatically activated upon failure of said active control module, wherein each of said plurality of control modules is disposed on a separate respective printed circuit board, wherein each control module includes a latch portion that controls switch state, the active control module latch portion combining with the standby control module latch portion to provide a bistable latch that prevents the control modules from being simultaneously active.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The switch of claim 8 wherein the control modules are mounted in a card cage in the switch, and wherein removal of the active control module from the card cage automatically activates the standby control module.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for transmitting data associated with data channels in a telecommunications switch having a plurality of interface modules, comprising the steps of: providing physical connections between individual interface modules with a plurality of interconnection modules; configuring the interconnection modules with at least one of a plurality of control modules; and allocating the physical connections provided by the interconnection module to data channels formed through the switch with the at least one control module, wherein each of said plurality of control modules are interconnected to each of said interconnection modules, and wherein each of said plurality of control modules is operative to allocate bandwidth within each of said interconnection modules.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for transmitting data associated with data channels in a telecommunications switch having a plurality of interface modules, comprising the steps of: providing physical connections between individual interface modules with a plurality of interconnection modules; configuring the interconnection modules with at least one of a plurality of control modules; and allocating the physical connections provided by the interconnection module to data channels formed through the switch with the at least one control module, wherein each of said plurality of control modules are interconnected to each of said interconnection modules, and wherein each of said plurality of control modules is operative to allocate bandwidth within each of said interconnection modules.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 10 wherein first and second control modules are employed and including the further step of designating the first control module as an active control module and designating the second control module as a standby control module.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 11 wherein first and second interconnection modules are employed and including the further step of designating the first interconnection module as an active interconnection module and designating the second interconnection module as a standby interconnection module.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 12 wherein each said control module is located on a separate respective printed circuit board.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 13 wherein each said interconnection module is located on a separate respective printed circuit board.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 14 including the further step of automatically activating the standby control module upon failure of the active control module.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 15 including the further step of automatically activating the standby interconnection module upon failure of the active interconnection module.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
178 words
A method for transmitting data in a telecommunications switch, comprising the steps of: providing physical connections between individual interface modules with a plurality of interconnection modules; configuring the interconnection modules with at least one of a plurality of control modules; allocating the physical connections provided by the interconnection module to data channels formed through the switch with the at least one control module; designating a first control module as an active control module and designating a second control module as a standby control module; designating a first interconnection module as an active interconnection module and designating a second interconnection module as a standby interconnection module; automatically activating the standby control module upon failure of the active control module; automatically activating the standby interconnection module upon failure of the active interconnection module; and wherein each control module includes a latch portion that controls switch state, and including the further step of combining the active control module latch portion with the standby control module latch portion to provide a bistable latch that prevents the control modules from being simultaneously active.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
178 words
A method for transmitting data in a telecommunications switch, comprising the steps of: providing physical connections between individual interface modules with a plurality of interconnection modules; configuring the interconnection modules with at least one of a plurality of control modules; allocating the physical connections provided by the interconnection module to data channels formed through the switch with the at least one control module; designating a first control module as an active control module and designating a second control module as a standby control module; designating a first interconnection module as an active interconnection module and designating a second interconnection module as a standby interconnection module; automatically activating the standby control module upon failure of the active control module; automatically activating the standby interconnection module upon failure of the active interconnection module; and wherein each control module includes a latch portion that controls switch state, and including the further step of combining the active control module latch portion with the standby control module latch portion to provide a bistable latch that prevents the control modules from being simultaneously active.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the control modules are mounted in a card cage in the switch, and including the further step of automatically activating the standby control module upon removal of the active control module from the card cage.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
169 words
A telecommunications switch for transmitting data associated with data channels, comprising: at least two switch fabric modules each having a plurality of inputs and outputs, one of said two switch fabric modules being in an active state and the remaining ones of said switch fabric being in a standby state; at least two control processor modules, one of said control processor modules being in an active state and the remaining ones of said control processor modules being in a standby state, each of said at least two control modules being electronically coupled to each of said at least two switch fabric modules, wherein each of said at least two control processor modules is operative to allocate bandwidth in each of said at least two switch fabric modules; and said active control processor module being operative to configure said first and second switch fabric modules, and wherein the active one of said switch fabric modules is operative to forward data units from said switch fabric module inputs to said outputs.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
169 words
A telecommunications switch for transmitting data associated with data channels, comprising: at least two switch fabric modules each having a plurality of inputs and outputs, one of said two switch fabric modules being in an active state and the remaining ones of said switch fabric being in a standby state; at least two control processor modules, one of said control processor modules being in an active state and the remaining ones of said control processor modules being in a standby state, each of said at least two control modules being electronically coupled to each of said at least two switch fabric modules, wherein each of said at least two control processor modules is operative to allocate bandwidth in each of said at least two switch fabric modules; and said active control processor module being operative to configure said first and second switch fabric modules, and wherein the active one of said switch fabric modules is operative to forward data units from said switch fabric module inputs to said outputs.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The switch of claim 19 wherein the switch includes an Ethernet port that is controlled by the active control processor module.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The switch of claim 19 wherein the switch includes an RS232 port that is controlled by the active control processor module.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
168 words
A telecommunications switch for transmitting data associated with data channels, comprising: at least two switch fabric modules each having a plurality of inputs and outputs, one of said two switch fabric modules being in an active state and the remaining ones of said switch fabric being in a standby state; at least two control processor modules, one of said control processor modules being in an active state and the remaining ones of said control processor modules being in a standby state, each of said at least two control modules being electronically coupled to each of said at least two switch fabric modules; said active control processor module being operative to configure said first and second switch fabric modules, and wherein the active one of said switch fabric modules is operative to forward data units from said switch fabric module inputs to said output, wherein the switch fabric modules each include a revision identifier stored in memory, and wherein the active control processor module has access to such memory.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
168 words
A telecommunications switch for transmitting data associated with data channels, comprising: at least two switch fabric modules each having a plurality of inputs and outputs, one of said two switch fabric modules being in an active state and the remaining ones of said switch fabric being in a standby state; at least two control processor modules, one of said control processor modules being in an active state and the remaining ones of said control processor modules being in a standby state, each of said at least two control modules being electronically coupled to each of said at least two switch fabric modules; said active control processor module being operative to configure said first and second switch fabric modules, and wherein the active one of said switch fabric modules is operative to forward data units from said switch fabric module inputs to said output, wherein the switch fabric modules each include a revision identifier stored in memory, and wherein the active control processor module has access to such memory.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
The switch of claim 19 wherein the standby control processor module is automatically activated upon failure of the active control module.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
The switch of claim 23 wherein the standby switch fabric module is automatically activated upon failure of the active switch fabric module.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
49 words
The switch of claim 24 wherein each control processor module includes a latch portion that controls switch state, the active control processor module latch portion combining with the standby control processor module latch portion to provide a bistable latch that prevents the control processor modules from being simultaneously active.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
39 words
The switch of claim 25 wherein the control processor modules are mounted in a card cage in the switch, and wherein removal of the active control processor module from the card cage automatically activates the standby control processor module.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
157 words
A method for transmitting data associated with data channels in a telecommunications switch, comprising the steps of: setting one of two switch fabric modules in an active state and the other of said two switch fabric modules in a standby state, each switch fabric module having a plurality of inputs and outputs; setting one of at least two control processor modules in an active state and the remaining ones of said at least two control processor modules in a standby state, each of said at least two control processor modules being electronically coupled to each of said at least two switch fabric modules, wherein each of said at least two control processor modules is operative to allocate bandwidth within each of said switch modules; configuring said first and second switch fabric modules with said active control module; and forwarding data units received at inputs of the active switch fabric module to outputs of said switch fabric module.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
157 words
A method for transmitting data associated with data channels in a telecommunications switch, comprising the steps of: setting one of two switch fabric modules in an active state and the other of said two switch fabric modules in a standby state, each switch fabric module having a plurality of inputs and outputs; setting one of at least two control processor modules in an active state and the remaining ones of said at least two control processor modules in a standby state, each of said at least two control processor modules being electronically coupled to each of said at least two switch fabric modules, wherein each of said at least two control processor modules is operative to allocate bandwidth within each of said switch modules; configuring said first and second switch fabric modules with said active control module; and forwarding data units received at inputs of the active switch fabric module to outputs of said switch fabric module.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 27 wherein the switch includes an Ethernet port and including the further step of controlling the Ethernet port with the active control processor module.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 27 wherein the switch includes an RS232 port and including the further step of controlling the RS232 port with the active control processor module.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
167 words
A method for transmitting data associated with data channels in a telecommunications switch, comprising the steps of: setting one of two switch fabric modules in an active state and the other of said two switch fabric modules in a standby state, each switch fabric module having a plurality of inputs and outputs; setting one of at least two control processor modules in an active state and the remaining ones of said at least two control processor modules in a standby state, each of said at least two control processor modules being electronically coupled to each of said at least two switch fabric modules; configuring said first and second switch fabric modules with said active control module; and forwarding data units received at inputs of the active switch fabric module to outputs of said switch fabric module wherein the switch fabric modules each include a revision identifier stored in memory, and including the further step of accessing at least one such identifier with the active control processor module.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
167 words
A method for transmitting data associated with data channels in a telecommunications switch, comprising the steps of: setting one of two switch fabric modules in an active state and the other of said two switch fabric modules in a standby state, each switch fabric module having a plurality of inputs and outputs; setting one of at least two control processor modules in an active state and the remaining ones of said at least two control processor modules in a standby state, each of said at least two control processor modules being electronically coupled to each of said at least two switch fabric modules; configuring said first and second switch fabric modules with said active control module; and forwarding data units received at inputs of the active switch fabric module to outputs of said switch fabric module wherein the switch fabric modules each include a revision identifier stored in memory, and including the further step of accessing at least one such identifier with the active control processor module.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 27 including the further step of automatically activating the standby control processor module upon detection of failure of the active control module.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 31 including the further step of automatically activating the standby switch fabric module upon detection of failure of the active switch fabric module.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
220 words
A method for transmitting data associated with data channels in a telecommunications switch, comprising the steps of: setting one of two switch fabric modules in an active state and the other of said two switch fabric modules in a standby state, each switch fabric module having a plurality of inputs and outputs; setting one of at least two control processor modules in an active state and the remaining ones of said at least two control processor modules in a standby state, each of said at least two control processor modules being electronically coupled to each of said at least two switch fabric module; configuring said first and second switch fabric modules with said active control module; forwarding data units received at inputs of the active switch fabric module to outputs of said switch fabric module; automatically activating the standby switch fabric module upon detection of failure of the active switch fabric module; automatically activating the standby switch fabric module upon detection of failure of the active switch fabric module; and wherein each control processor module includes a latch portion that controls switch state, and including the further step of combining the active control processor module latch portion with the standby control processor module latch portion to provide a bistable latch that prevents the control processor modules from being simultaneously active.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
220 words
A method for transmitting data associated with data channels in a telecommunications switch, comprising the steps of: setting one of two switch fabric modules in an active state and the other of said two switch fabric modules in a standby state, each switch fabric module having a plurality of inputs and outputs; setting one of at least two control processor modules in an active state and the remaining ones of said at least two control processor modules in a standby state, each of said at least two control processor modules being electronically coupled to each of said at least two switch fabric module; configuring said first and second switch fabric modules with said active control module; forwarding data units received at inputs of the active switch fabric module to outputs of said switch fabric module; automatically activating the standby switch fabric module upon detection of failure of the active switch fabric module; automatically activating the standby switch fabric module upon detection of failure of the active switch fabric module; and wherein each control processor module includes a latch portion that controls switch state, and including the further step of combining the active control processor module latch portion with the standby control processor module latch portion to provide a bistable latch that prevents the control processor modules from being simultaneously active.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 33 wherein the control processor modules are mounted in a card cage in the switch, and including the further step of automatically activating the standby control processor module upon removal of the active control processor module from the card cage.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5422880A
Cited
US5729685A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-09-13 | 2003-03-15 | 2003-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-09-13 | 2007-03-15 | 2007-09-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-09-13 | 2011-03-15 | 2011-09-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |