Patent ID: 6246667
Filing Date: 2001-06-12
Classification: H04J

Abstract:
A bidirectional multiplex section-switched ring transmission system including:a plurality of nodes;a first transmission path including a service path and a protection path interconnecting said plurality of nodes and transporting communications signals around said system from node to node in a first direction of transmission;a second transmission path including a service path and a protection path interconnecting said plurality of nodes and transporting communications signals around said system from node to node in a second direction of transmission opposite the first direction of transmission;each of said plurality of nodes comprising:memory for storing entries identifying all the nodes and their relative positions in said system, and for storing entries for each of the communication tributaries active at a node which includes entries identifying (1) its provisioned service connection path and (2) a jumper flag indicating if a jumpered connection path exists; andprogrammable controller for accessing and updating entries in said memory and for controlling communication tributaries by performing the steps of(a) in response to a loopback setup complete message received at a node from both the first and second directions, determining if a jumpered connection is needed at that node,(b) if a jumpered connection is not needed, performing conventional BLSR processing,(c) if a jumpered connection is needed,(1) taking down the provisioned connection,(2) putting up the jumpered connection,(3) setting a jumper flag, and(4) performing conventional BLSR processing.