Patent ID: 8155520
Filing Date: 2012-04-10
Classification: G02B,H04B,H04J,H04L,H04Q

Abstract:
1. A network element for use in a communication network, the network element comprising: a shelf comprising a first volume, a second volume and a wall between the first volume and the second volume; a plurality of fabrics located within the first volume of said shelf, at least one fabric in the plurality of fabrics comprising a crossbar, the plurality of fabrics comprising a first fabric, a second fabric and a third fabric; a plurality of external interfaces located within the second volume of said shelf, the plurality of external interfaces comprising at least a first interface coupled to the first fabric, and a third interface coupled to the third fabric; a plurality of inter-fabric circuitry located within the second volume of said shelf, the plurality of inter-fabric circuitry comprising a first-second inter-fabric circuitry and a second-third inter-fabric circuitry; wherein the first-second inter-fabric circuitry is coupled to each of the first fabric and the second fabric; wherein the second-third inter-fabric circuitry is coupled each of the second fabric and the third fabric; wherein the first interface is coupled to the third interface via the first-second inter-fabric circuitry, the second fabric and the second-third inter-fabric circuitry; wherein said third fabric and said second fabric are comprised in an electrical fabric module mounted in the first volume; wherein said first fabric is comprised in an optical fabric module mounted parallel the electrical fabric module in the first volume; wherein the first-second inter-fabric circuitry is comprised in a first inter-fabric card within the second volume, the first inter-fabric card being mounted perpendicular to said modules; wherein the second-third inter-fabric circuitry is comprised in a second inter-fabric card within the second volume, the second inter-fabric card being mounted parallel to the first inter-fabric card and perpendicular to said modules; and wherein the network element further comprises a plurality of orthogonal connectors mounted on the wall, the plurality of orthogonal connectors electrically connecting the electrical fabric module to each of said first inter-fabric card and said second inter-fabric card.