Patent ID: 7058011
Filing Date: 2006-06-06
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for providing equipment protection in a system for processing streams of voice and/or data traffic, the apparatus comprising: a pair of switches through which a main traffic stream passes during normal operation, the pair of switches comprising a first switch and a second switch, the first switch comprising an input port switchable between at least a main position in receipt of the main traffic stream, and a protect position in receipt of a protect traffic stream, the first switch further comprising an output port to switchably supply one of the traffic streams received at the input port depending on position, and the second switch comprising an input port switchable between at least a main position coupled to the output port of the first switch, and a protect position disconnected from the output port of the first switch; an additional pair of switches comprising an additional first switch and an additional second switch; wherein traffic processing circuitry in a protected line unit is coupled to an output port of the second switch in the pair of switches; wherein traffic processing circuitry in a protect line unit is coupled to an output port of the additional second switch in the additional pair of switches; wherein the protect traffic stream received in the protect position of the input port of the first switch is also received in the main position of the input port of the additional first switch; wherein one of each of the first and second switches is located in a respective one of the protected and the protect line units; and wherein at least one third switch has an output port connected to the protect input port of the first switch in the protect line unit, and an input port that is switchable between a main position disconnected from the traffic stream to the protected line unit and a protect position in connection with the traffic stream to the protected line unit.