Patent ID: 6744760
Filing Date: 2004-06-01
Classification: H04J

Abstract:
An apparatus arranged to be implemented within a communication node, the apparatus comprising:at least one communication device operable to transmit data information to or receive data information from a device external from the node; and at least one local switch coupled to the communication device and arranged to be coupled to at least one other local switch within another apparatus of the communication node, the local switch operable to selectively couple the communication device and the other local switch; wherein the at least one communication device comprises a plurality of communication devices, each of the communication devices being operable to at least one of transmit data information to and receive data information from devices external from the node; wherein at least one of the communication devices is a transmitter that is operable to transmit data information to one of the devices external from the node; wherein at least one of the communication devices is a receiver that is operable to receive data information from one of the devices external from the node; and wherein the receiver comprises a multiplexer that is operable to receive a first plurality of signals in parallel and output a first combined signal comprising the received signals; and the transmitter comprises a demultiplexer that is operable to receive a second combined signal comprising a second plurality of signals and output the second plurality of signals in parallel.