Patent ID: 6614760
Filing Date: 2003-09-02
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
Transmission equipment installed in an ATM network in a communication network configured by inserting the ATM network between an exchange having an STM line and digital service units, comprising:line interface means for connecting the STM line; cell assembly/disassembly means for converting a data string on the STM line to ATM cells and disassembling ATM cells received from the ATM network; alarm signal detection means for either detecting communication anomalies or extracting maintenance operation information from the data string on the STM line; transmission means for replacing information resulting from the detected communication anomalies or extracted maintenance operation information with alarm signals, and for transmitting the alarm signals together with information channels in the data string through the cell assembly/disassembly means; and data rearranging means for rearranging the information channels and the alarm signals into a data string for the STM line, and for outputting the data string either to the exchange or to a digital service unit.