Abstract:
Systems and methods for remotely switching telecommunication access sources. Exemplary systems include a communication device that is operable to receive a selection, and a micro electro-mechanical cross-connect that is, based on the selection, operable to route a source to an output, such as a subscriber line. The exemplary systems further include a control device that is operable to receive the selection from the communication device, and to provide a selector derived from the selection to the micro electro-mechanical cross-connect. Various methods are also included for operating a telecommunications network that includes such systems.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/434,428, entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING POOLED ACCESS IN A TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORK”, and assigned to an entity common herewith. The aforementioned Patent Application is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes, and is filed on a date even herewith. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is related to telecommunications networks, and in particular to cross-boxes implemented in relation to telecommunications networks. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 1   a , a telecommunications network  100  can include a two service providers  110 ,  120  with access to a consumer premises  140  via a cross-box  130 . The service providers can include supporting service provider  110  that maintains cross-box  130  and provides services via connection  111 , and accessing service provider  120  that merely provides services via connection  121  connected to cross-box  130 . Cross-box  130  is connected to consumer premises  140  via connection  131 . 
   As an example, service provider  110  can be an ILEC (Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier), while service provider  120  is a CLEC (Competitive Local Exchange Carrier). When the ILEC servicing consumer premises  140  is to be changed, a service technician must be dispatched to physically change the service selection at cross-box  130 . This can include, as depicted in  FIGS. 1   b  and  1   c , changing a jumper  150  to connect points  112  and  132 , or points  122  and  132  and thus couple connection  131  to a selected one of connection  111  or connection  121 . This process is expensive and time consuming. 
   Hence, there exists a need in the art for advanced systems and methods for implementing cross-boxes. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Among other things, the present invention provides systems and methods for implementing automated cross-boxes. Such automated cross-boxes can be controlled from a central office, or other location remote from the cross-box, thus reducing the need to dispatch service technicians. Further, in some cases, the function of the automated cross-box can be implemented directly in other telecommunications equipment, thus reducing the need for a separate cross-box enclosure. In one particular case, the cross-box functionality can be implemented in telecommunications equipment located at a consumer premises where multiple access sources are available, or at various points in the network to be able to select one of a multitude of physical connections. 
   In particular cases, the cross-connect function of the cross-box is implemented electronically in a non-transistor based switching approach. Such a cross-box can be implemented as one or more MEMs (Micro-ElectroMechanical Systems) switches that do not rely on transistors to switch one access source to another. In various cases, these switches can provide increased frequency response sufficient to allow a twisted pair plain old telephone system (“POTS”) service to be electronically switched to an xDSL line card. Further, this capability can be implemented in a small, relatively inexpensive package when compared to larger relay switches, and at the same time provide increased reliability and greater system integration. 
   Some embodiments of the present invention provide automated telecommunications switch systems. The systems include a communication device that is operable to receive a selection, and a micro electro-mechanical cross-connect that is operable to route an access source to an output based at least in part on the selection. In addition, the systems include a control device that is operable to receive the selection from the communication device, and to provide a selector derived from the selection to the micro electro-mechanical cross-connect. Thus, in some cases, the automated telecommunications switch system can be controlled from a home office, or another location remote from the cross-connect. 
   In some instances, both the communication device and the control device are implemented on a common semiconductor die, and/or within a common semiconductor package. In some cases, the semiconductor wafer is processed into a CMOS device. In some cases, the selector is provided at CMOS signal levels. 
   Various cases further include a microprocessor, which can be integrated with the communication device. In some cases, the control device is integrated in a common package with the micro electro-mechanical cross-connect that can be, for example, a silicon based MEMs device. Such a MEMs device can be manufactured to have redundancy that increases the reliability of the micro electro-mechanical cross-connect. This redundancy can include multiple parallel paths switched via multiple switches, or contacts, under common controls, or by multiple switches under distinct controls. 
   Other embodiments of the present invention provide telecommunications systems that include two or more source accesses and a control input. In some cases, the control input is provided from a central office, or other location remote from the signal switching functionality. This same central office may provide one or more of the source accesses. In addition, the systems further include a communication device that receives the control input signal and transfers it, or a derivative thereof, to a control device. The control device provides a selector derived from the control input to a micro electro-mechanical cross-connect. Based on the selector, the micro electro-mechanical cross-connect can route a selected one of the two or more source accesses to an output. In some cases, the system also includes a microprocessor integrated with the communication device and the control device in either the same semiconductor package, or on the same semiconductor die. 
   In some cases, the micro electro-mechanical cross-connect is a silicon based MEMS device. Further, in various cases, at least one of the source accesses is a high frequency source access that can be, for example, an xDSL access. As used herein, a high frequency source can be any source operating at a frequency range greater than that of a POTs service, or an ISDN service. Further, as used herein, an xDSL technologies are any technology within the family of DSL technologies including, but not limited to, ADSL, ADSL2, ADSL2+, HDSL, HDSL2, HDSL4, and SHDSL. 
   Yet further embodiments of the present invention provide methods for provisioning a telecommunications network. The methods include receiving a configuration request in relation to the telecommunications network and formatting the configuration request as a selector. The selector is communicated to a network device coupled to the telecommunications network. The network device includes a communication element that is operable to receive the selector and an electro-mechanical cross-connect. The micro electro-mechanical cross-connect is operable to route a selected source access to an access point. The network device further includes a control device that is operable to receive the selector from the communication device, and to provide a control signal to the micro electro-mechanical cross-connect. 
   The summary provides only a general outline of the embodiments according to the present invention. Many other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention may be realized by reference to the figures which are described in remaining portions of the specification. In the figures, like reference numerals are used throughout several figures to refer to similar components. In some instances, a sub-label consisting of a lower case letter is associated with a reference numeral to denote one of multiple similar components. When reference is made to a reference numeral without specification to an existing sub-label, it is intended to refer to all such multiple similar components. 
       FIG. 1  illustrate representative diagrams of a prior art telecommunications networks including a cross-box enclosure, and locally modified cross-connects; 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a automated cross-connect in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  shows an exemplary embodiment of a MEMs based electro-mechanical switch useful in relation to various embodiments of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  illustrates another embodiment of a MEMs based electro-mechanical switch useful in relation to other embodiments of the present invention 
       FIG. 5  illustrates various redundant switch configurations in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a network resource pooling and/or cross-connect in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a section of the system depicted in  FIG. 6 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Among other things, the present invention provides systems and methods for directing network access. In particular cases, the network access is provided via automated cross-boxes. As used herein, an automated cross-box is any system capable of switching a selected access source to an access point. Such automated cross-boxes can be controlled from a central office, or other location remote from the cross-box, thus reducing the need to dispatch service technicians. An access source is any service provider associated with a given network. Thus, for example, an access source can be an xDSL provider, a local voice service provider, a long distance voice service provider, and the like. An access point is any avenue through which services of a network can be accessed. Thus, for example, an access point can be an xDSL connection at a consumer premises. 
   In some cases, the function of the automated cross-box can be implemented directly in other telecommunications equipment, thus reducing the need for a separate cross-box enclosure. In one particular case, the cross-box functionality can be implemented in telecommunications equipment located at a consumer premises. This can include, for example, providing cross-box functionality on a circuit card, or within a piece of consumer equipment. As just one example, automated cross-box functionality can be implemented in a network interface device as more fully described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/356,364, entitled “PACKET NETWORK INTERFACE DEVICE AND SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ITS USE,” filed Jan. 31, 2003 by Bruce A. Phillips et al.; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/356,688, entitled “SYSTEMS, METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A PLURALITY OF TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES,” filed Jan. 31, 2003 by Bruce A. Phillips et al.; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/356,388, entitled “CONFIGURABLE NETWORK INTERFACE DEVICE AND SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ITS USE,” filed Jan. 31, 2003 by Bruce A. Phillips et al.; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/367,596, entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DELIVERING A DATA STREAM TO A VIDEO APPLIANCE,” filed Feb. 14, 2003 by Steven M. Casey et al.; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/367,597, entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING APPLICATION SERVICES,” filed Feb. 14, 2003 by Steven M. Casey et al. Each of the preceding applications is assigned to an entity common herewith, and the entire disclosure of each of the aforementioned applications is herein incorporated by reference for all purposes. 
   In particular cases, the cross-connect function of the cross-box is implemented electronically in a non-transistor based switching approach. Such a cross-box can be implemented as one or more microelectro-mechanical system (MEMs) electro-mechanical switches that do not rely on transistors or relays to switch one access source to another. In various cases, these switches can provide increased frequency response sufficient to allow a twisted pair plain old telephone system (“POTS”) service to be electronically switched to an xDSL line card. Alternatively, a copper twisted pair that terminates at the subscriber premises can be coupled to a line card, which could be a POTS line card, an xDSL line card, and xDSL line card with POTS functionality, and/or an F2 copper pair that terminates at the central office. 
   Further, this capability can be implemented in a small, relatively inexpensive package when compared to larger electro-mechanical switches, and at the same time provide increased reliability and greater system integration. Thus, for at least this reason, the present invention offers substantial advantages over a switching network implemented in relays that are both expensive and difficult to manufacture. Further, the present invention offers substantial advantages over a switching network implemented using transistor based devices that are unable to pass spectral signals from DC up to tens of MegaHertz and above. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , an automated cross-connect device  200  is illustrated in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. Automated cross-connect  200  includes a microprocessor  210 , a communication element  220 , a control element  230 , and a micro electro-mechanical cross-connect  240 . Communication element  220  is coupled to a control source, such as a central office by a control medium  250 . Electro-mechanical cross-connect  240  is coupled to two or more access sources via access source media  260 ,  270  and to an access point via an access point medium  280 . 
   Microprocessor  210  can be any device capable of accessing and executing computer executable instructions. In some cases, microprocessor  210  can be implemented on the same die, or within the same semiconductor package as other elements of automated cross-connect device  200 . In other cases, microprocessor  210  is a stand alone, imbedded processor as are known in the art. In such cases, microprocessor  210  can be placed on a circuit card with other elements of automated cross-connect device  200 . In some cases, an external memory element, such as a read only memory (ROM) is provided with the microprocessor. Based on this disclosure, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the microprocessor can be coupled to a number of different memory types including, for example, random access memory (RAM) non-volatile ROM, and/or a database comprised of a hard disk drive, a floppy disk drive, a CD ROM, and/or the like. 
   Communication element  220  can be any device capable of receiving selection information in relation to automated cross-connect device  200 . Further, in some cases, communication element  220  can be capable of transmitting information to the control source, or to other elements on the network. Based on this disclosure, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the variety of communication devices that can be used to implement communication element  220 . 
   The control information received by communication element  220  is received via control medium  250 , that can be any medium for comnunicating control information from a control source to communication element  220 . Thus, for example, control medium can be a fiber optic connection, a satellite connection, a copper twisted pair connection, a radio frequency (RF) connection, or the like. Further, control medium  250  can be any combination of the aforementioned media. 
   Control element  230  can be any device capable of communicating selection information to electro-mechanical cross-connect  240 . Thus, for example, control element  230  can be an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) with outputs that are compatible with electro-mechanical cross-connect  240 . Alternatively, control element  230  can be implemented in software as part of microprocessor  210 , and utilize outputs from microprocessor  210  to communicate with electro-mechanical cross-connect  240 . Based on this disclosure, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate a number of different ways to implement control element  230 . 
   In one particular embodiment, electro-mechanical cross-connect  240  is a MEMs device with a number of electro-mechanical switches implemented thereon. In some cases, electro-mechanical cross-connect  240  is implemented on a silicon substrate using various other materials to build the various switches and control circuitry thereon. Other types of substrates include, but not limited to, gallium arsenide. Various embodiments of MEMs based electro-mechanical cross-connects are described below in relation to  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
   In one particular embodiment of the present invention, communication element  220 , microprocessor  210 , and control element  230  are implemented on a single die. Automated cross-connect  200  can include one of these combination elements to control a number of electro-mechanical cross-connects  240  all implemented on another MEMs die. Thus, embodiments of the present invention can include a two chip solution capable of switching tens, or even hundreds of access sources to access points. Based on the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the myriad of combinations of some or all of the elements of automated cross-connect device  200  on semiconductor die, within semiconductor packages, and/or on circuit cards. For example, in yet another embodiment, a microprocessor is not included, and communication element  220 , control element  230 , and electro-mechanical cross-connect  240  are implemented on a common silicon substrate, and/or within a common semiconductor package. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 3   a , a MEMs based electro-mechanical switch  300  useful in relation to the present invention is depicted. Switch  300  includes a conductive cantilever  310  supported by a conductive pivot  320 . Conductive pivot  320  is disposed on a semiconductor substrate  330 . Contacts  340 ,  350  and actuators  360 ,  370  are also disposed on semiconductor substrate  330 . Contact  340  is electrically coupled to one access source  341 , and contact  350  is electrically coupled to another access source  351 . Conductive pivot  320  is electrically coupled to an access point  321 . 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 3   b , to select access source  351  for coupling to access point  322 , a voltage  372  (e.g., a control signal) is applied to actuator  370 . This generates an electrical field  373  depicted as dashed lines. This electric field causes cantilever  310  to deflect until cantilever  310  comes into contact with contact  350 . An electrical connection is formed from contact  350  to conductive pivot  320 . Thus, access point  321  is electrically coupled to access source  351 . Similarly, as illustrated in  FIG. 3   c , a selection coupling access point  321  to access source  341  is effected by applying a voltage  362  to actuator  360 . 
     FIG. 4  illustrates another example of a MEMs based electro-mechanical switch  400  useful in accordance with the present invention. Switch  400  includes a semiconductor substrate  410  with an insulating layer  420 , such as silicon dioxide disposed thereon. A pivot  450 , a bottom actuator  480 , and a switch path  470 ,  471  are formed over insulating layer  420 , and an insulating cantilever  430  and a top actuator  440  are supported by pivot  450 . A metallic contact  460  is formed on the underside of cantilever  430 . In operation, a voltage is applied between top actuator  440  and bottom actuator  480  causing cantilever  430  to deflect until metallic contact  430  contacts switch path  470 ,  471 , thus completing a conductive path from segment  470  to segment  471 . Based on the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that a variety of MEMs based electro-mechanical switches can be used in relation to the present invention. 
     FIG. 5  illustrates various redundant switch configurations in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 5   a , a switch  500  couples one of access source  341  or access source  351  to access point  321 . Switch  500  includes multiple switch paths  510  controlled by common control circuitry  512 . In operation, when one of switch paths  510  is directed to switch from access source  341  to access source  351 , or vice versa, all of switch paths  510  are switched. Thus, if one or more of switch paths  510  fail to switch, the selected coupling will still occur as others of switch paths  510  will complete the desired circuit. In some embodiments, switch  500  is designed such that a failing switch will return to an open position (e.g., neither access source  341  nor access source  351  being selected). Further, the devices can be designed such that completion of any of switch paths  510  is sufficient to provide the desired coupling. 
   In particular embodiments, a current detection, or other operation detection device as known to those of ordinary skill in the art can be implemented in relation to each of switch paths  510 . Thus, when one of switch paths  510  fails to close, no current is detected, and a partial failure of the device can be communicated via communication element  220  to a central office. Thus, a subscriber accessing a network via access point  321  never sees the impending failure as at least one of switch paths  510  properly closes, but an entity maintaining the network can be alerted to the potential failure of the network, and make efforts to avoid the failure by, for example, replacing the micro electro-mechanical cross-connect or re-routing around the failing connection. Based on the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that such switches can be combined in switch networks capable of coupling an access point to one of two, three, or more access sources. 
     FIG. 5   b  depicts another exemplary redundant switch  501  in accordance with other embodiments of the present invention. Switch  501  couples one of access source  341  or access source  351  to access point  321 . Switch  501  includes multiple switch paths  520  controlled by common control circuitry  522 . In operation, one of switch paths  520  are selected via bank control  531  that controls bank switches  530 . Thus, when bank switch  530   a  is closed, switch path  520   b  is the current carrying path. In contrast, when bank switch  530   b  is closed, switch path  520   a  is the current carrying path. Thus, if switch path  520   a  fails, bank control  531  can be changed, and a non-failing switch path  520   b  can be selected. 
     FIG. 5   c  illustrates yet another exemplary redundant switch  502  in accordance with other embodiments of the present invention. Switch  502  couples one of access source  341  or access source  351  to access point  321 . Switch  502  includes multiple switch paths  540  controlled by common control circuitry  542 . In operation, one or both of switch paths  540  are selected via common control circuitry  542  to direct access from access source  341  or to access source  351 . Thus, if one or more of switch paths  540  fail, the other of switch paths  540  can be selected to complete the desired circuit. In some embodiments, switch  502  is designed such that a failing switch returns to an open position, or center position. Further, the devices can be designed such that completion of any of switch paths  540  is sufficient to provide the desired coupling. 
   Some embodiments of the invention further provide for switching between services and/or service ports using the aforementioned switching approach. Thus, a remote terminal or other telecommunications device can be implemented to include pooling resources. The network operator then utilizes the pool of resources on an as needed basis. This eliminates the need for multi-function cards that can only be used to perform one function at a time. Thus, for example, a combo card currently used can include both ADSL and POTS technology. Both functions are dedicated to a single access point. When the POTS service or the ADSL service is not being utilized, it cannot be utilized by another subscriber. 
   Further, if the subscriber associated with the access point decides to switch from ADSL to VDSL, a technician must be dispatched to switch the line card associated with the subscriber. This is costly. By pooling in accordance with the present invention, a remote terminal can include a variety of POTS, VDSL, ADSL, and other card types. These cards can be used by various subscribers on an as needed basis, thus reducing the cost of providing and maintaining a network. Alternatively, or in addition, the overall number of ports needed to service a particular number of subscribers is reduced. 
     FIG. 6  illustrates one such switching system  600  that is capable of switching between a variety of network services arranged in service pools  631 , and provided in a remote terminal  630  (this could also be a central office where the subscribers are sufficiently close to the central office, thus obviating the need for a remote terminal). System  600  includes an automatic cross-box carrier layer  610  capable of selectively coupling access source A  341  or access source B  351  on an individual basis to a number of access points  321 . Automated cross-box carrier layer  610  can be implemented as previously discussed. 
   Either or both of access source A  341  and access source B  351  can be coupled to an automated cross-box service layer  620 . As depicted, access source B  351  is coupled to automated cross-box service layer  620  that is capable of selectively coupling one (or in some cases, multiple) of service types  631  to access source B  351 , and ultimately to access point  321 . Automated cross-box service layer  620  can comprise MEMs based switches as previously described. Such MEMs based switches can be switched upon commands generated remote from automated cross-box service layer  620 . Further, such switches can support high frequency network signals without degrading the signals as would occur in transistor based switching. 
   Service pools  631  can include groups of devices that provide services that can be accessed by subscribers associated with access points  321 . Such services can include always on xDSL services, on demand xDSL services, ISDN services, low rate modem services, caller identification services, video access services, cable modem services, and a variety of voice services. Such voice services are more fully described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,974,331. The entirety of the aforementioned patent is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. The approaches for pooling and dynamically provisioning discussed in the aforementioned patent are applicable to the present invention that additionally provides devices, systems and methods that inventively make such approaches useful in relation to high speed network switching. 
   Thus, as just one example, pool A  631   a  can be provided to service POTS access, and thus may include a group of POTS cards. By pooling, a POTS card does not need to be dedicated to each access point  321  that includes a subscription to POTS services. Rather, because all access points  321  are not constantly accessing POTS services, POTS line cards can be dynamically provisioned to provide POTS services to a utilized access point  321 , and when that access point  321  becomes inactive, the same POTS card can be dynamically provisioned to provide access services to another access point  321 . Thus, the present invention provides a mechanism that can reduce the number of network devices that must be provided to support a given number of access points. 
   In addition, increased service levels can be supported. For example, pool A  631   a  can include xDSL line cards used to provide always on xDSL service, or some premium xDSL service. Pool B  631   b  can also include xDSL line cards used to provide a lower, a delayed on demand service level. Thus, the first service level may include a greater number of xDSL line cards for a given number of access points  321  than would be provided for the lower level of service. However, when line cards assigned to pool A  631   a  are not being utilized, they can be dynamically reassigned to pool B  631   b , and thus temporarily increase the performance of the lower level service. The temporarily reassigned xDSL line card can then be assigned back to its original pool A  631   a  when it is needed to support the higher service level. Based upon the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate a number of different services and/or service levels that can be supported using such a system. Further, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that various pooling and/or access approaches can be applied in relation to the present invention. For example, an unutilized xDSL line card can be assigned to an unused group, and when additional resources are required, one of the xDSL line cards can be added on a round robin basis, thereby spreading the utilization somewhat evenly across the various line cards. Other more or less complicated approaches can be used for a variety of reasons. 
     FIG. 7  illustrates one embodiment of a section  700  of system  600 . Section  700  includes a number of MEMs based switch networks  625  that could be included as part of automated cross-box service layer  620 . Each of switch networks  625  provides service selection for a particular access point  321 . In addition, each of switch networks  625  are coupled to a number of service devices  635  (in this case xDSL line cards), that can be included within pool A  631   a  as previously described. In operation, when access point  321   a  is actively using the service associated with service devices  635 , one of the various service devices is assigned to access point  321   a . Once access point  321  becomes inactive, the previously assigned service device  635  is released to the pool of unused service devices  635 , and can then be reassigned to the next used access point  321 . In this way, a line card does not need to be dedicate to each access point  321 , but rather can be dynamically assigned in a pooled approach allowing the number of line cards required to be reduced. This pooling process and located at a central network location, or at a remote location. 
   The invention has now been described in detail for purposes of clarity and understanding. However, it will be appreciated that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims. For example, the automated cross-box functionality can be implemented as part of the remote terminal. Further, the automated cross-box functionality can be implemented either upstream, or downstream from network services (e.g., line cards) implemented in the remote terminal. 
   Accordingly, it should be recognized that many other systems, functions, methods, and combinations thereof are possible in accordance with the present invention. Thus, although the invention is described with reference to specific embodiments and figures thereof, the embodiments and figures are merely illustrative, and not limiting of the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined solely by the appended claims.