US5983260A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Serial control and data interconnects for coupling an I/O module with a switch fabric in a switch
Assignee: Ascom Intermediate AG
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Filing: 1996-07-18
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Granted: 1999-11-09
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Expires: 2016-07-18
Abstract
Abstract A communication device (10) includes a number of input/output modules (12) coupled to a switch control module (14) using an interconnect (40) and to a redundant switch control module (16) using a redundant interconnect (42). Each interconnect (40) and redundant interconnect (42) includes a control interconnect (44) and a data interconnect (46). The control interconnect (44) establishes control information for transferring a cell in the communication device (10) and the data interconnect (46) performs the cell transfer.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen A. Hauser
- 👤 Stephen A. Caldara
- 👤 Thomas A. Manning
- 👤 Robert B. McClure
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:34
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L47/00; H04L47/10; H04L47/18; G; G06; G06F; G06F15/00; G06F15/16; G06F15/163; G06F15/173; G06F15/17356; G06F15/17368; G06F15/17375; H04L12/00; H04L12/28; H04L12/46; H04L12/4604; H04L12/4608; H04L12/54; H04L12/56; H04L12/5601; H04L12/5602; H04L12/64; H04L12/6402; H04L41/00; H04L41/08; H04L41/0896; H04L47/11; H04L47/15; H04L47/16; H04L47/26; H04L47/266; H04L47/29; H04L47/30; H04L47/50; H04L47/52; H04L47/521; H04L47/522; H04L47/525; H04L47/56; H04L47/62; H04L47/621; H04L47/6215; H04L47/622; H04L47/6225; H04L47/625; H04L47/627; H04L47/70; H04L47/72; H04L47/722; H04L47/74; H04L47/743; H04L47/745; H04L47/76; H04L47/762; H04L47/78; H04L47/782; H04L47/80; H04L47/805; H04L47/82; H04L47/822; H04L49/00; H04L49/10; H04L49/101; H04L49/103; H04L49/104; H04L49/105; H04L49/106; H04L49/107; H04L49/108; H04L49/15; H04L49/1515; H04L49/153; H04L49/1553; H04L49/1576; H04L49/20; H04L49/201; H04L49/203; H04L49/205; H04L49/25; H04L49/253; H04L49/254; H04L49/255; H04L49/256; H04L49/30; H04L49/3009; H04L49/3081; H04L49/309; H04L49/45; H04L49/455; H04L49/50; H04L49/501; H04L49/503; H04L49/505; H04L49/506; H04L49/55; H04L49/552; H04L49/90; H04L49/901; H04L49/9047; H04L49/9063; H04L49/9078; H04L69/00; H04L69/30; H04L69/32; H04L69/322; H04L69/324; H04Q; H04Q11/00; H04Q11/04; H04Q11/0428; H04Q11/0478; H04W; H04W28/00; H04W28/02; H04W28/10; H04W28/14; H04J; H04J3/00; H04J3/02; H04J3/06; H04J3/0635; H04J3/0682; H04J3/0685; H04L2012/5614; H04L2012/5616; H04L2012/5625; H04L2012/5627; H04L2012/5628; H04L2012/5629; H04L2012/5631; H04L2012/5632; H04L2012/5634; H04L2012/5635; H04L2012/5638; H04L2012/564; H04L2012/5642; H04L2012/5643; H04L2012/5646; H04L2012/5647; H04L2012/5648; H04L2012/5649; H04L2012/565; H04L2012/5651; H04L2012/5652; H04L2012/5672; H04L2012/5678; H04L2012/5679; H04L2012/5681; H04L2012/5682; H04L2012/5683; H04L2012/5684; H04L2012/5685; H04L41/0897; H04L41/40; H04L49/508; H04L49/555; H04L7/00; H04L7/04; H04L7/041; H04L7/046; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S370/00; Y10S370/901; Y10S370/902; Y10S370/903; Y10S370/905
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 91
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
A communication device comprising: a switch control module having a switch fabric; a plurality of input/output modules operable to receive and transfer information under control of the switch control module, each input/output module having a cell flow processor; a plurality of dedicated control interconnects, each control interconnect operable to couple a cell flow processor of an input/output module to the switch fabric of the switch control module; and a plurality of dedicated data interconnects, each data interconnect operable to couple a cell flow processor of an input/output module to the switch fabric of the switch control module, wherein the switch control module includes a plurality of multipoint topology controllers coupled to a bandwidth arbiter, each multipoint topology controller operable to couple to at least one cell flow processor of an input/output module in order to support point and multipoint to point communications, the bandwidth arbiter operable to control mapping of the switch fabric to support communications among the input/output modules and the multipoint topology controllers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
A communication device comprising: a switch control module having a switch fabric; a plurality of input/output modules operable to receive and transfer information under control of the switch control module, each input/output module having a cell flow processor; a plurality of dedicated control interconnects, each control interconnect operable to couple a cell flow processor of an input/output module to the switch fabric of the switch control module; and a plurality of dedicated data interconnects, each data interconnect operable to couple a cell flow processor of an input/output module to the switch fabric of the switch control module, wherein the switch control module includes a plurality of multipoint topology controllers coupled to a bandwidth arbiter, each multipoint topology controller operable to couple to at least one cell flow processor of an input/output module in order to support point and multipoint to point communications, the bandwidth arbiter operable to control mapping of the switch fabric to support communications among the input/output modules and the multipoint topology controllers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the switch control module further comprises a cell flow processor, wherein the cell flow processor of the switch control module is coupled to a bandwidth arbiter of the switch control module, the bandwidth arbiter operable to control mapping of the switch fabric to support communications among the cell flow processor of the switch control module and the cell flow processors of the input/output modules.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
79 words
The device of claim 1, further comprising: a redundant switch control module having a switch fabric; a plurality of redundant control interconnects, each redundant control interconnect operable to couple a cell flow processor of an input/output module to the switch fabric of the redundant switch control module; and a plurality of redundant data interconnects, each redundant data interconnect operable to couple a cell flow processor of an input/output module to the switch fabric of the redundant switch control module.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 1, wherein each cell flow processor further comprises: a to-switch port processor; and a from-switch port processor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
The device of claim 4, wherein each data interconnect comprises: two lines operable to couple the to-switch port processor of the input/output module to the switch fabric of the switch control module; and two lines operable to couple the from-switch port processor of the input/output module to the switch fabric of the switch control module.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
The device of claim 4, wherein each data interconnect comprises: two differential emitter coupled logic lines operable to couple the to-switch port processor of the input/output module to the switch fabric of the switch control module; and two differential emitter coupled logic lines operable to couple the from-switch port processor of the input/output module to the switch fabric of the switch control module.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
151 words
The device of claim 4, wherein the switch control module further comprises a plurality of multipoint topology controllers coupled to a bandwidth arbiter, each multipoint topology controller operable to couple to at least one cell flow processor of an input/output module in order to support point and multipoint to point and multipoint communications, the bandwidth arbiter operable to control mapping of the switch fabric to support communications among the input/output modules and the multipoint topology controllers, each control interconnect comprising: four lines operable to couple the to-switch port processor of the input/output module to an associated multipoint topology controller of the switch control module; two lines operable to couple the from-switch port processor of the input/output module to the associated multipoint topology controller of the switch control module; and one line operable to couple the to-switch port processor of the input/output module to the bandwidth arbiter of the switch control module.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
171 words
A communication device comprising: a switch control module having a switch fabric and a plurality of first connector regions; a plurality of input/output modules, each input/output module having a second connector region coupled to a cell flow processor, each second connector region coupled to and having one-to-one correspondence with a first connector region of the switch control module, said switch control module connected to each respective input/output module by separate control and data interconnects; and a redundant switch control module having a switch fabric and a plurality of third connector regions, each input/output module having a fourth connector region coupled to the cell flow processor, each fourth connector region coupled to and having a one-to-one correspondence with a third connector region of the redundant switch control module, wherein the switch control module further comprises a fifth connector region coupled to a cell flow processor of the switch control module, the fifth connector region coupled to and having a one-to-one correspondence with a third connector region of the redundant switch control module.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
171 words
A communication device comprising: a switch control module having a switch fabric and a plurality of first connector regions; a plurality of input/output modules, each input/output module having a second connector region coupled to a cell flow processor, each second connector region coupled to and having one-to-one correspondence with a first connector region of the switch control module, said switch control module connected to each respective input/output module by separate control and data interconnects; and a redundant switch control module having a switch fabric and a plurality of third connector regions, each input/output module having a fourth connector region coupled to the cell flow processor, each fourth connector region coupled to and having a one-to-one correspondence with a third connector region of the redundant switch control module, wherein the switch control module further comprises a fifth connector region coupled to a cell flow processor of the switch control module, the fifth connector region coupled to and having a one-to-one correspondence with a third connector region of the redundant switch control module.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device of claim 8, further comprising a backplane having a plurality of interconnects, each interconnect operable to couple a first connector region to a corresponding second connector region, each interconnect comprising a data interconnect and a control interconnect.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
70 words
The device of claim 9, wherein each cell flow processor further comprises a to-switch port processor and a from-switch port processor, each data interconnect comprises: two lines operable to couple the to-switch port processor of the input/output module to the switch fabric of the switch control module; and two lines operable to couple the from-switch port processor of the input/output module to the switch fabric of the switch control module.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
78 words
The device of claim 9, wherein each cell flow processor further comprises a to-switch port processor and a from-switch port processor, each data interconnect comprises: two differential emitter coupled logic lines operable to couple the to-switch port processor of the input/output module to the switch fabric of the switch control module; and two differential emitter coupled logic lines operable to couple the from-switch port processor of the input/output module to the switch fabric of the switch control module.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
165 words
The device of claim 9, wherein each cell flow processor further comprises a to-switch port processor and a from-switch port processor, wherein the switch control module further comprises a plurality of multipoint topology controllers coupled to a bandwidth arbiter, each multipoint topology controller coupled to at least one cell flow processor of an input/output module in order to support point and multipoint to point and multipoint communications, the bandwidth arbiter operable to control mapping of the switch fabric to support communications among the input/output modules and the multipoint topology controllers, each control interconnect comprising: four lines operable to couple the to-switch port processor of the input/output module to an associated multipoint topology controller of the switch control module; two lines operable to couple the from-switch port processor of the input/output module to the associated multipoint topology controller of the switch control module; and one line operable to couple the to-switch port processor of the input/output module to the bandwidth arbiter of the switch control module.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
163 words
An input/output module operable to couple to a switch control module having a switch fabric, the input/output module comprising: a line interface operable to receive and transfer information; a to-switch port processor operable to process information received at the line interface; a from-switch port processor operable to process information to be transferred by the line interface; a data interconnect coupled to the to-switch processor and the from-switch processor, the data interconnect operable to couple to the switch fabric of the switch control module; a control interconnect coupled to the to-switch port processor and the from-switch port processor, the control interconnect operable to couple to the switch fabric of the switch control module; and wherein the data interconnect includes two lines operable to couple the to-switch port processor of the input/output module to the switch fabric of the switch control module, and two lines operable to couple the from-switch port processor of the input/output module to the switch fabric of the switch control module.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
163 words
An input/output module operable to couple to a switch control module having a switch fabric, the input/output module comprising: a line interface operable to receive and transfer information; a to-switch port processor operable to process information received at the line interface; a from-switch port processor operable to process information to be transferred by the line interface; a data interconnect coupled to the to-switch processor and the from-switch processor, the data interconnect operable to couple to the switch fabric of the switch control module; a control interconnect coupled to the to-switch port processor and the from-switch port processor, the control interconnect operable to couple to the switch fabric of the switch control module; and wherein the data interconnect includes two lines operable to couple the to-switch port processor of the input/output module to the switch fabric of the switch control module, and two lines operable to couple the from-switch port processor of the input/output module to the switch fabric of the switch control module.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The input/output module of claim 13, wherein the line interface comprises a physical interface, a network interworking interface, and a connectivity engine.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The input/output module of claim 13, wherein the line interface is operable to convert information received from an access technology into a core cell transfer format.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The input/output module of claim 15, wherein the access technology comprises frame relay.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The input/output module of claim 15, wherein the access technology comprises asynchronous transfer mode.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The input/output module of claim 15, wherein the core cell transfer format comprises asynchronous transfer mode.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
68 words
The input/output module of claim 13, wherein: the two lines operable to couple the to-switch port processor of the input/output module to the switch fabric of the switch control module comprise two differential emitter coupled logic lines; and the two lines operable to couple the from-switch port processor of the input/output module to the switch fabric of the switch control module comprise two differential emitter coupled logic lines.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
156 words
The input/output module of claim 13, wherein the switch control module further comprises a plurality of multipoint topology controllers coupled to a bandwidth arbiter, each multipoint topology controller operable to couple to the to-switch port processor and the from-switch port processor in order to support point and multipoint to point and multipoint communications, the bandwidth arbiter operable to control mapping of the switch fabric to support communications among the multipoint topology controllers, the to-switch port processor, and the from-switch port processor, the control interconnect comprising: four lines operable to couple the to-switch port processor of the input/output module to an associated multipoint topology controller of the switch control module; two lines operable to couple the from-switch port processor of the input/output module to an associated multipoint topology controller of the switch control module; and one line operable to couple the to-switch port processor of the input/output module to the bandwidth arbiter of the switch control module.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
73 words
The input/output module of claim 13, further comprising: a redundant data interconnect coupled to the to-switch port processor and the from-switch port processor, the redundant data interconnect operable to couple to a switch fabric of a redundant switch control module; and a redundant control interconnect coupled to the to-switch port processor and the from-switch port processor, the redundant control interconnect operable to couple to a bandwidth arbiter of a redundant switch control module.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
59 words
The input/output module of claim 21, wherein the redundant data interconnect comprises: two lines operable to couple the to-switch port processor of the input/output module to the switch fabric of the redundant switch control module; and two lines operable to couple the from-switch port processor of the input/output module to the switch fabric of the redundant switch control module.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
67 words
The input/output module of claim 21, wherein the redundant data interconnect comprises: two differential emitter coupled logic lines operable to couple the to-switch port processor of the input/output module to the switch fabric of the redundant switch control module; and two differential emitter coupled logic lines operable to couple the from-switch port processor of the input/output module to the switch fabric of the redundant switch control module.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
123 words
The input/output module of claim 21, wherein the redundant switch control module further comprises a plurality of multipoint topology controllers coupled to the bandwidth arbiter of the redundant switch control module, each multipoint topology controller operable to couple to at least one input/output module, the redundant control interconnect comprising: four lines operable to couple the to-switch port processor of the input/output module to an associated multipoint topology controller of the redundant switch control module; two lines operable to couple the from-switch port processor of the input/output module to this associated multipoint topology controller of the redundant switch control module; and one line operable to couple the to-switch port processor of the input/output module to the bandwidth arbiter of the redundant switch control module.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
123 words
An input/output module operable to couple to a switch control module having a switch fabric, the input/output module comprising: a cell flow processor operable to receive and transfer information; a data interconnect coupled to the cell flow processor, the data interconnect operable to couple to the switch fabric of the switch control module; a control interconnect coupled to the cell flow processor, the control interconnect operable to couple to the switch fabric; and wherein the data interconnect includes two lines operable to couple a to-switch port processor of the input/output module to the switch fabric of the switch control module, and two lines operable to couple a from-switch port processor of the input/output module to the switch fabric of the switch control module.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
123 words
An input/output module operable to couple to a switch control module having a switch fabric, the input/output module comprising: a cell flow processor operable to receive and transfer information; a data interconnect coupled to the cell flow processor, the data interconnect operable to couple to the switch fabric of the switch control module; a control interconnect coupled to the cell flow processor, the control interconnect operable to couple to the switch fabric; and wherein the data interconnect includes two lines operable to couple a to-switch port processor of the input/output module to the switch fabric of the switch control module, and two lines operable to couple a from-switch port processor of the input/output module to the switch fabric of the switch control module.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
63 words
The input/output module of claim 25, further comprising: a redundant data interconnect coupled to the cell flow processor, the redundant data interconnect operable to couple to a switch fabric of a redundant switch control module; and a redundant control interconnect coupled to the cell flow processor, the redundant data interconnect operable to couple to a switch fabric of a redundant switch control module.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
11 words
The input/output module of claim 25, further comprising a line interface.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
26 words
The input/output module of claim 27, wherein the line interface is operable to convert information received from an access technology into a core cell transfer format.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
13 words
The input/output module of claim 27, wherein the access technology comprises frame relay.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
14 words
The input/output module of claim 27, wherein the access technology comprises asynchronous transfer mode.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
16 words
The input/output module of claim 27, wherein the core cell transfer format comprises asynchronous transfer mode.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
23 words
The input/output module of claim 25, further comprising a line interface having a physical interface, a network interworking interface, and a connectivity engine.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
168 words
A switch control module operable to couple to a plurality of input/output modules, the switch control module comprising: a data crossbar operable to transfer information from a first crossbar input to any of a plurality of crossbar outputs; a bandwidth arbiter operable to control mapping of the data crossbar; a plurality of data interconnects coupled to the data crossbar, each data interconnect operable to couple to a corresponding input/output module; a plurality of control interconnects coupled to the bandwidth arbiter, each control interconnect operable to couple to a corresponding input/output module, wherein each input/output module includes a to-switch port processor and a from-switch port processor; and wherein each data interconnect comprises: two lines coupled to the data crossbar of the switch control module, the two lines operable to couple to the to-switch port processor of the corresponding input/output module; and two lines coupled to the data crossbar of the switch control module, the two lines operable to couple to the from-switch port processor of the corresponding input/output module.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
168 words
A switch control module operable to couple to a plurality of input/output modules, the switch control module comprising: a data crossbar operable to transfer information from a first crossbar input to any of a plurality of crossbar outputs; a bandwidth arbiter operable to control mapping of the data crossbar; a plurality of data interconnects coupled to the data crossbar, each data interconnect operable to couple to a corresponding input/output module; a plurality of control interconnects coupled to the bandwidth arbiter, each control interconnect operable to couple to a corresponding input/output module, wherein each input/output module includes a to-switch port processor and a from-switch port processor; and wherein each data interconnect comprises: two lines coupled to the data crossbar of the switch control module, the two lines operable to couple to the to-switch port processor of the corresponding input/output module; and two lines coupled to the data crossbar of the switch control module, the two lines operable to couple to the from-switch port processor of the corresponding input/output module.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
90 words
The switch control module of claim 33, wherein each input/output module comprises a to-switch port processor and a from-switch port processor, each data interconnect comprises: two differential emitter coupled logic lines coupled to the data crossbar of the switch control module, the two lines operable to couple to the to-switch port processor of the corresponding input/output module; and two differential emitter coupled logic lines coupled to the data crossbar of the switch control module, the two lines operable to couple to the from-switch port processor of the corresponding input/output module.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
142 words
The switch control module of claim 33, further comprising a plurality of multipoint topology controllers coupled to a bandwidth arbiter each multipoint topology controller operable to support point and multipoint to point and multipoint communications among the plurality of input/output modules, the bandwidth arbiter operable to control mapping of the data crossbar to support communications among the multipoint topology controllers and the input/output modules, each control interconnect comprises: four lines operable to couple the to-switch port processor of the corresponding input/output module to an associated multipoint topology controller of the switch control module; two lines operable to couple the from-switch port processor of the corresponding input/output module to the associated multipoint topology controller of the switch control module; and one line operable to couple the to-switch port processor of the corresponding input/output module to the bandwidth arbiter of the switch control module.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
106 words
The switch control module of claim 33, further comprising: a to-switch port processor operable to receive information from any of the plurality of input/output modules; a from-switch port processor operable to provide information to any of the plurality of input/output modules; a redundant data interconnect coupled to the to-switch port processor and the from-switch port processor, the redundant data interconnect operable to couple to a data crossbar of a redundant switch control module; and a redundant control interconnect coupled to the to-switch port processor and the from-switch port processor, the redundant control interconnect operable to couple to a bandwidth arbiter of the redundant switch control module.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
62 words
The switch control module of claim 36, wherein the redundant data interconnect comprises: two lines operable to couple the to-switch port processor of the switch control module to the data crossbar of the redundant switch control module; and two lines operable to couple the from-switch port processor of the switch control module to the data crossbar of the redundant switch control module.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
70 words
The switch control module of claim 36, wherein the redundant data interconnect comprises: two differential emitter coupled logic lines operable to couple the to-switch port processor of the switch control module to the data crossbar of the redundant switch control module; and two differential emitter coupled logic lines operable to couple the from-switch port processor of the switch control module to the data crossbar of the redundant switch control module.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
110 words
The switch control module of claim 36, wherein the redundant switch control module further comprises a plurality of multipoint topology controllers coupled to a bandwidth arbiter of the redundant control module, the redundant control interconnect comprising: four lines operable to couple the to-switch port processor of the input/output module to an associated multipoint topology controller of the redundant switch control module; two lines operable to couple the from-switch port processor of the input/output module to the associated multipoint topology controller of the redundant switch control module; and one line operable to couple the to-switch port processor of the input/output module to the bandwidth arbiter of the redundant switch control module.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
271 words
An input/output module operable to couple to a switch control module having a switch fabric, the input/output module comprising: a to-switch port processor; a from-switch port processor; a line interface coupled to the to-switch port processor and the from-switch port processor, the line interface operable to convert information received from an access technology into a core cell transfer format for delivery to the to-switch port processor, the line interface further operable to convert information in a core cell transfer format received from the from-switch port processor into a format for the access technology; a data interconnect coupled to the to-switch processor and the from-switch processor, the data interconnect comprising two differential emitter coupled logic lines operable to couple the to-switch port processor of the input/output module to the switch fabric of the switch control module, the data interconnect further comprising two differential emitter coupled logic lines operable to couple the from-switch port processor of the input/output module to the switch fabric of the switch control module; and a control interconnect coupled to the to-switch port processor and the from-switch port processor, the control interconnect comprising four lines operable to couple the to-switch port processor of the input/output module to a multipoint topology controller in the switch fabric of the switch control module, the control interconnect further comprising two lines operable to couple the from-switch port processor of the input/output module to the multipoint topology controller of the switch control module, the control interconnect further comprising one line operable to couple the to-switch port process of the input/output module to a bandwidth arbiter in the switch fabric of the switch control module.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
271 words
An input/output module operable to couple to a switch control module having a switch fabric, the input/output module comprising: a to-switch port processor; a from-switch port processor; a line interface coupled to the to-switch port processor and the from-switch port processor, the line interface operable to convert information received from an access technology into a core cell transfer format for delivery to the to-switch port processor, the line interface further operable to convert information in a core cell transfer format received from the from-switch port processor into a format for the access technology; a data interconnect coupled to the to-switch processor and the from-switch processor, the data interconnect comprising two differential emitter coupled logic lines operable to couple the to-switch port processor of the input/output module to the switch fabric of the switch control module, the data interconnect further comprising two differential emitter coupled logic lines operable to couple the from-switch port processor of the input/output module to the switch fabric of the switch control module; and a control interconnect coupled to the to-switch port processor and the from-switch port processor, the control interconnect comprising four lines operable to couple the to-switch port processor of the input/output module to a multipoint topology controller in the switch fabric of the switch control module, the control interconnect further comprising two lines operable to couple the from-switch port processor of the input/output module to the multipoint topology controller of the switch control module, the control interconnect further comprising one line operable to couple the to-switch port process of the input/output module to a bandwidth arbiter in the switch fabric of the switch control module.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
22 words
The input/output module of claim 40, wherein the line interface comprises a physical interface, a network interworking interface, and a connectivity engine.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
13 words
The input/output module of claim 40, wherein the access technology comprises frame relay.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
14 words
The input/output module of claim 40, wherein the access technology comprises asynchronous transfer mode.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
16 words
The input/output module of claim 40, wherein the core cell transfer format comprises asynchronous transfer mode.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
72 words
The input/output module of claim 40, further comprising: a serializer coupled to the to-switch port processor, the serializer operable to convert an n-bit word received from the to-switch port processor into serial data for transmission using the data interconnect; and a deserializer coupled to the from-switch port processor, the deserializer operable to convert the serial data received from the data interconnect into an n-bit word for delivery to the from-switch port processor.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
198 words
The input/output module of claim 40, further comprising: a redundant data interconnect coupled to the to-switch port processor and the from-switch port processor, the redundant data interconnect comprising two differential emitter coupled logic lines operable to couple the to-switch port processor of the input/output module to a switch fabric of a redundant switch control module, the redundant data interconnect further comprising two differential emitter coupled logic lines operable to couple the from-switch port processor of the input/output module to the switch fabric of the redundant switch control module; and a redundant control interconnect coupled to the to-switch port processor and the from-switch port processor, the redundant control interconnect comprising four lines operable to couple the to-switch port processor of the input/output module to a multipoint topology controller in the switch fabric of the redundant switch control module, the control interconnect further comprising two lines operable to couple the from-switch port processor of the input/output module to the multipoint topology controller of the redundant switch control module, the control interconnect further comprising one line operable to couple the to-switch port processor of the input/output module to a bandwidth arbiter in the switch fabric of the redundant switch control module.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
80 words
A communication device, comprising: a switch control module having a switch fabric; a plurality of input/output modules operable to receive and transfer information; a plurality of serial control interconnects, each said serial control interconnect operable to couple a respective one of said plurality of input/output modules to said switch control module; and a plurality of serial data interconnects, each said serial data interconnect operable to couple a respective one of said plurality of input/output modules to said switch control module.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
80 words
A communication device, comprising: a switch control module having a switch fabric; a plurality of input/output modules operable to receive and transfer information; a plurality of serial control interconnects, each said serial control interconnect operable to couple a respective one of said plurality of input/output modules to said switch control module; and a plurality of serial data interconnects, each said serial data interconnect operable to couple a respective one of said plurality of input/output modules to said switch control module.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
25 words
The communication device of claim 47, wherein each of said plurality of serial data interconnects includes a receive line pair and a transmit line pair.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
18 words
The communication device of claim 47, wherein said serial data interconnect communicates at least one serial bit stream.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
18 words
The communication device of claim 47, wherein said serial control interface communicates at least one serial bit stream.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
38 words
The communication device of claim 47, each of said input/output modules further comprising: a serializer for converting an n-bit data word received from a port processor into a serial bit stream for transmission over said serial data interconnect.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
37 words
The communications device of claim 47, each of said input/output modules further comprising: a deserializer for converting a bit stream received from said serial data interconnect into an n-bit data word for presentation to a port processor.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
15 words
The communications device of claim 47, wherein said serial control interconnect conveys flow control information.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
16 words
The communications device of claim 47, wherein said serial control interconnect conveys bandwidth requests and grants.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
14 words
The communications device of claim 47, wherein said serial control interconnect conveys queue numbers.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
67 words
An input/output module operable to couple to a switch control module having a switch fabric, the input/output module comprising: a line interface operable to receive and transmit information; a serial control interconnect, said serial control interconnect operable to couple said input/output module to said switch control module; and a serial data interconnect, said serial data interconnect operable to couple said input/output module to said switch control module.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
67 words
An input/output module operable to couple to a switch control module having a switch fabric, the input/output module comprising: a line interface operable to receive and transmit information; a serial control interconnect, said serial control interconnect operable to couple said input/output module to said switch control module; and a serial data interconnect, said serial data interconnect operable to couple said input/output module to said switch control module.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
21 words
The input/output module of claim 56, wherein said serial data interconnect includes a receive line pair and a transmit line pair.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
18 words
The input/output module of claim 56, wherein said serial data interconnect communicates at least one serial bit stream.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
18 words
The input/output module of claim 56, wherein said serial control interface communicates at least one serial bit stream.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
33 words
The input/output module of claim 56, further comprising: a serializer for converting an n-bit data word received from a port processor into a serial bit stream for transmission over said serial data interconnect.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
32 words
The input/output module of claim 56, further comprising: a deserializer for converting a bit stream received from said serial data interconnect into an n-bit data word for presentation to a port processor.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
15 words
The input/output module of claim 56, wherein said serial control interconnect conveys flow control information.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
16 words
The input/output module of claim 56, wherein said serial control interconnect conveys bandwidth requests and grants.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
14 words
The input/output module of claim 56, wherein said serial control interconnect conveys queue numbers.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
94 words
A switch control module having a switch fabric, said switch control module operable to couple to a plurality of input/output modules, said plurality of input/output modules operable to receive and transfer information, said switch control module comprising; a plurality of serial control interconnects, each said serial control interconnect operable to couple a respective one of said plurality of input/output modules to said switch control module; and a plurality of serial data interconnects, each said serial data interconnect operable to couple a respective one of said plurality of input/output modules to said switch control module.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
94 words
A switch control module having a switch fabric, said switch control module operable to couple to a plurality of input/output modules, said plurality of input/output modules operable to receive and transfer information, said switch control module comprising; a plurality of serial control interconnects, each said serial control interconnect operable to couple a respective one of said plurality of input/output modules to said switch control module; and a plurality of serial data interconnects, each said serial data interconnect operable to couple a respective one of said plurality of input/output modules to said switch control module.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
26 words
The switch control module of claim 65, wherein each of said plurality of serial data interconnects includes a receive line pair and a transmit line pair.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
22 words
The switch control module of claim 65, wherein said serial data interconnect is operable to communicate at least one serial bit stream.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
22 words
The switch control module of claim 65, wherein said serial control interface is operable to communicate at least one serial bit stream.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
19 words
The switch control module of claim 65, wherein said serial control interconnect is operable to convey flow control information.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
20 words
The switch control module of claim 65, wherein said serial control interconnect is operable to convey bandwidth requests and grants.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
18 words
The switch control module of claim 65, wherein said serial control interconnect is operable to convey queue numbers.
Claim 81
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of transferring data and control signals in a communication device, said communication device including a plurality of input/output modules and a switch control module having a switching fabric, comprising: receiving a plurality of serial bit streams of control information by said switch control module from respective ones of said plurality of input/output modules; and receiving a plurality of serial bit streams of data information by said switch control module from respective ones of said plurality of input/output modules.
Claim 82
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of transferring data and control signals in a communication device, said communication device including a plurality of input/output modules and a switch control module having a switching fabric, comprising: receiving a plurality of serial bit streams of control information by said switch control module from respective ones of said plurality of input/output modules; and receiving a plurality of serial bit streams of data information by said switch control module from respective ones of said plurality of input/output modules.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 72, further comprising converting at least one n-bit data word received from a port processor into one of said serial bit streams.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 72, wherein said serial bit streams of control information convey flow control information.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 72, wherein said serial bit streams of control information convey bandwidth requests and grants.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 72, wherein said serial bit streams of control information convey queue numbers.
Claim 87
Independent Claim
98 words
A system for interconnecting a plurality of input/output modules, a switch control module, and a redundant switch control module, comprising: a first plurality of serial interconnects operable to transfer information between respective ones of said plurality of input/output modules and said switch control module; and a second plurality of serial interconnects operable to transfer information between respective ones of said plurality of input/output modules and said redundant switch control module; and a redundant interconnect operable to transfer information between a cell flow processor on said switch control module and a switch fabric of said redundant switch control module.
Claim 88
Independent Claim
98 words
A system for interconnecting a plurality of input/output modules, a switch control module, and a redundant switch control module, comprising: a first plurality of serial interconnects operable to transfer information between respective ones of said plurality of input/output modules and said switch control module; and a second plurality of serial interconnects operable to transfer information between respective ones of said plurality of input/output modules and said redundant switch control module; and a redundant interconnect operable to transfer information between a cell flow processor on said switch control module and a switch fabric of said redundant switch control module.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 77, further comprising a second redundant interconnect operable to transfer data units between a cell processor on said redundant switch control module and a switch fabric of said switch control module.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 77, wherein said cell flow processor on said switch control module communicates over said redundant interconnect in substantially the same manner as one of said plurality of input/output modules.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 77, wherein said cell flow processor on said redundant switch control module communicates over said second redundant interconnect in substantially the same manner as one of said plurality of input/output modules.
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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) | 2002-11-08 | 2003-05-10 | 2003-11-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-11-08 | 2007-05-10 | 2007-11-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-11-08 | 2011-05-10 | 2011-11-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |