Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US7173914?ie=ISO-8859-1&dq=4052565
Timestamp: 2014-09-16 20:13:40
Document Index: 6857232

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 404', 'art 404', 'art 404', 'art 404', 'art 404', 'art 404', 'art 404']

Patent US7173914 - Communication node receipt of node-output information from processorless ... - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign in<nobr>Advanced Patent Search</nobr>PatentsA first communication node of a plurality of communication nodes connected with processorless central equipment in a system sends one or more first portions of node-output information to the processorless central equipment. One or more additional communication nodes of the plurality of communication...http://www.google.com/patents/US7173914?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US7173914 - Communication node receipt of node-output information from processorless central equipmentAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS7173914 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 09/945,558Publication dateFeb 6, 2007Filing dateAug 30, 2001Priority dateAug 30, 2001Fee statusPaidAlso published asUS20030043819Publication number09945558, 945558, US 7173914 B2, US 7173914B2, US-B2-7173914, US7173914 B2, US7173914B2InventorsStephen Jones, Jerry L. ShumwayOriginal AssigneeNorthrop Grumman CorporationExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (15), Non-Patent Citations (17), Classifications (11), Legal Events (3) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetCommunication node receipt of node-output information from processorless central equipmentUS 7173914 B2Abstract A first communication node of a plurality of communication nodes connected with processorless central equipment in a system sends one or more first portions of node-output information to the processorless central equipment. One or more additional communication nodes of the plurality of communication nodes send one or more additional portions of node-output information to the processorless central equipment. The first communication node receives from the processorless central equipment a portion of central-output information. The portion of central-output information comprises the one or more first portions of node-output information and the one or more additional portions of node-output information.
TECHNICAL FIELD The invention in one embodiment relates generally to communications and more particularly to handling of information among central equipment and a plurality of communication nodes.
BACKGROUND One implementation of a communication system employs time division multiplexing (�TDM�). The communication system comprises central equipment connected with a plurality of communication nodes. The central equipment comprises switching capabilities.
SUMMARY Pursuant to one embodiment of the invention, shortcomings of the existing art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the provision of communication node receipt of node-output information from processorless central equipment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of one example of a system that includes one or more instances of a communication node, one or more instances of central equipment, one or more instances of a passage, and one or more instances of information.
FIGS. 3�4 represents illustrative details of one example of synchronization and self-configuration through employment of one or more portions of the system of FIG. 1.
FIGS. 5�6 represents illustrative details of exemplary redundancy of a plurality of portions of the system of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION In one embodiment of the invention, a communication node receives node-output information from processorless central equipment. A detailed discussion of one exemplary embodiment of the invention is presented herein, for illustrative purposes.
Turning to FIG. 1, system 100, in one example, includes a plurality of components such as computer software and/or hardware components. A number of such components can be combined or divided in one example of system 100. System 100 in one example employs at least one computer-readable signal-bearing medium. One example of a computer-readable signal-bearing medium for system 100 comprises an instance of recordable data storage medium 102 (FIG. 5) such as one or more of a magnetic, electrical, optical, biological, and atomic data storage medium. In another example, a computer-readable signal-bearing medium for system 100 comprises a modulated carrier signal transmitted over a network comprising or coupled with system 100, for instance, one or more of a telephone network, a local area network (�LAN�), the Internet, and a wireless network. An exemplary component of system 100 employs and/or comprises a series of computer instructions written in or implemented with any of a number of programming languages, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.
Further referring to FIG. 1, central equipment 106 in one example comprises processorless central equipment 107. Processorless central equipment 107 in one example omits processor 502 (FIG. 5), as described herein. In one example, central equipment 106 comprises one or more instances of one or more of a central core and a conference switch, for example, an air traffic control (�ATC�) switch. In a further example, central equipment 106 comprises input interface 144 and output interface 146. Exemplary instances of central equipment 106 comprise central equipment 118 and 518 (FIG. 5).
Referring again to FIG. 1, communication node 104 and central equipment 106 in one example communicate through employment of time division multiplexing (�TDM�). In one example, a plurality of instances of communication node 104 and one or more instances of central equipment 106 comprise a time division multiplexing architecture. For example, communication node 104 and central equipment 106 employ a standard time division multiplexing format such as Optical Carrier 1 (�OC-1,� 51.8-MHz) or Optical Carrier 3 (�OC-3,� 155.4-MHz). In one example, communication node 104 and central equipment 106 employ a plurality of instances of communication frame 402. Communication frame 402 in one example comprises a time duration of 125 microseconds (μsec) and a repetition frequency of 8000 times per second, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.
Turning to FIG. 2, synchronization component 156 in one example comprises one or more instances of delay component 202, one or more instances of flip-flop component 204, one or more instances of passage 108, one or more instances of detector component 206, one or more instances of translate and decode component 208, and one or more instances of multiplexer component 210. Multiplexer component 210 in one example comprises a 1-of-8 line switch. One or more instances of synchronization component 156 in one example comprise a field programmable gate array (�FPGA�), as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.
Referring to FIGS. 1�2, respective instances of node-output information 150 on passages 124, 128, 132, and 136 from output interface 140 of communication nodes 110, 112, 114, and 116, respectively, in one example are frequency-locked to clock 162. In a further example, phase relationships of the respective instances of node-output information 150 from communication nodes 110, 112, 114, and 116 relative to clock 162 are unknown. So, synchronization component 156 in one example asserts delay that serves to cause an instance of node-output information 150 to be at a stable point in its cycle simultaneously with edges of clock 162. For example, synchronization component 156 serves to synchronize a stable part of node-output information 150 with an edge in a cycle of clock 162. Each instance of node-output information 150 from communication nodes 110, 112, 114, and 116 in one example is coupled with a respective instance of synchronization component 156, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.
Referring again to FIGS. 1�2, synchronization component 156 in one example distributes respective instances of node-output information 150 from communication nodes 110, 112, 114, and 116 into eight phases, for example, nominally over a single bit period. In one example, detector component 206 searches the outputs of the instances of flip-flop component 204 for an anomaly which, although infrequent, indicates that a phase of the corresponding instance of node-output information 150, from an instance of communication node 104, and clock 162 have had nearly simultaneous transitions. Detector component 206 in one example selects the most stable phase of the corresponding instance of node-output information 150, which corresponds to an output of the instance of flip-flop component 204 that is the greatest relative distance from the instance of flip-flop component 204 showing the anomaly.
Still referring to FIGS. 1�2, detector component 206 in one example during initialization of system 100 selects an output of an instance of flip-flop component 204 that is a greatest relative distance from an instance of flip-flop component 204 showing an anomaly, and does not change this selection since in one example lengths of instances of passage 108 between an instance of central equipment 106 and respective instances of communication node 104 are fixed during installation. In one example, system 100 employs signal scrambling techniques for instances of node-output information 150 during initialization of system 100, for example, to ensure frequent bit activity and aid in bit synchronization, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.
For example, referring to FIGS. 1�2, central equipment 106 determines a zero or more amount of delay to assert for relative synchronization between a stable part of node-output information 150 and a clock edge that is employed to produce central-output information 152.
In one example, referring to FIGS. 1�2, synchronization of the stable parts of respective instances of node-output information 150 from respective instances of communication node 104, with the edges of clock 162 allows an instance of central equipment 106 to employ advantageously simple and high-speed logic for combination of the instances of node-output information 150 into an instance of central-output information 152.
Referring again to FIGS. 1�2, an illustrative description of exemplary operation of one or more portions of system 100 is now presented, for explanatory purposes. For Optical Carrier 1 (�OC-1,� 51.8-MHz) speeds, each instance of communication frame 402 at start 404 (FIG. 4) in one example comprises two framing bytes with a given pattern. In another example, each instance of communication frame 402 at start 404 comprises six framing bytes, interlaced in a nine byte pattern at the beginning for Optical Carrier 3 (�OC-3,� 155.4-MHz).
Referring still to FIGS. 1�2, advantageous simplicity of this synchronization and multiplexing process in one example promotes low delays in system 100. In one example, an instance of communication frame 402 in one or more instances of node-output information 150 sent from any instance of communication node 104 is received by all instances of communication node 104 in a same instance of communication frame 402 of one or more instances of central-output information 152 from an instance of central equipment 106.
So, turning to FIGS. 3�4, communication node 104 in one example sends node-output information 150 to central equipment 106 no later than interval 406 before start 404 of communication frame 402 in which that communication node 104 receives central-output information 152 from central equipment 106. A time duration of interval 406 in one example is minor relative to a time duration of communication frame 402.
In another example, referring to FIGS. 3�4, communication node 104 sends node-output information 150 to central equipment 106 within interval 406 before a particular instance of time slot 148 of communication frame 402 of central-output information 152. In a further example, communication node 104 receives node-output information 150 from central equipment 106 in the particular instance of time slot 148 of communication frame 402 of central-output information 152.
In a further example, referring to FIGS. 3�4, a plurality of instances of communication node 104 send node-output information 150 to central equipment 106 no later than an interval 406 before start 404 of communication frame 402 in which the plurality of instances of communication node 104 receive central-output information 152 from central equipment 106. In one example, each instance of communication node 104 receives central-output information 152 in a respective instance of communication frame 402, for example, over a respective instance of passage 108. The instances of communication frame 402 in one example comprise an approximately same time duration.
This in one example, referring to FIGS. 3�4, presents a need for only advantageously small one or more instances of buffer component 922 to compensate for differences in signal-propagation delay from different instances of communication node 104 to central equipment 106. In a further example, this serves to advantageously avoid delay by desirably allowing inclusion of one or more instances of node-output information 150 from one or more instances of communication node 104 in a same instance of communication frame 402 of one or more instances of central-output information 152.
In a further example, referring to FIGS. 3�4, central equipment 106 receives node-output information 150 no earlier than interval 406 before start 404 of communication frame 402 in which central equipment 106 sends central-output information 152 to a plurality of instances of communication node 104. In a still further example, central equipment 106 receives node-output information 150 within interval 406 before time slot 148 of communication frame 402 of central-output information 152. For example, central equipment 106 sends node-output information 150 to communication node 104 in time slot 148 of communication frame 402 of central-output information 152. In one example, central equipment 106 within communication frame 402 employs a plurality of instances of node-output information 150 from a plurality of instances of communication node 104 to produce central-output information 152, and within the same instance of communication frame 402 send central-output information 152 to the plurality of instances of communication node 104.
Again referring to FIGS. 3�4, interval 406 in one example is a function of transmission speed of instances of passage 108 (e.g., passages 124, 128, 132, and 136) that carry instances of node-output information 150, length of the instances of passage 108, and size of instances of buffer component 922. In one example, interval 406 is (e.g., approximately) equal to a maximal signal-propagation delay over passages 124, 128, 132, and 136, for example, that comprise respective instances of fiberoptic passage 122 or respective copper passages. For example, a time duration of interval 406 is approximately equal to a maximal expected signal-propagation delay between central equipment 106 and a plurality of instances of communication node 104 over a respective plurality of operable instances of passage 108. Interval 406 in one example is 1.23 microseconds (μsec). In one example, a time duration of interval 406 is minor relative to a time duration (e.g., 125 microseconds) of communication frame 402. In a further example, interval 406 is less than five percent of a time duration of communication frame 402. In another example, interval 406 is less than one percent of a time duration of communication frame 402.
Still referring to FIGS. 3�4, communication node 104 in one example receives central-output information 152 from central equipment 106 in time slot 148 of communication frame 402 within another instance of interval 406, for example, with a time duration that is minor relative to a time duration of communication frame 402.
Further referring to FIGS. 3�4, an illustrative description of exemplary parameters for one or more portions of system 100 is now presented, for explanatory purposes. One example of (e.g., practical) parameters for a small system using Optical Carrier 1 (�OC-1,� 51.8-MHz) for communication between communication node 104 and central equipment 106 and N=810 instances of time slot 148 in communication frame 402 are: size of buffer component 922=64 bits; maximum allowed distance between communication node 104 and central equipment 106 over passage 108=122 meters (400 feet); size of buffer component 922 to number of bits per instance of communication frame 402 at 51.8 MHz.=0.988%, for example, less than one percent of communication frame 402.
In one example, referring to FIGS. 3�4, a size of buffer component 922 (e.g., 64 bits) in central equipment 106 and a time duration ahead that communication node 104 sends its data before receiving its allocated bytes in communication frame 402 (e.g., also 64 bits), serves in one example to determine what distance communication node 104 can be from central equipment 106. Using 64 bits in one example, the speed of light in fiber optics, and an exemplary propagation time through central equipment 106, communications node 104 in one example can be from 0.3 to 121.9 meters (1 to 400 feet) from central equipment 106. In another example, larger instance of buffer component 922 in central equipment 106 and pre-send time for communication node 104 would allow for greater distances.
Referring still to FIGS. 3�4, STEPS 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, and 312 in one example serve to illustrate exemplary synchronization and self-configuration through employment of one or more portions of system 100, for explanatory purposes. In one example, STEPS 302, 304, and 306 serve to illustrate one or more portions of exemplary synchronization of communication frame 402 in node-output information 150 and communication frame 402 for central-output information 152. At STEP 302 in one example communication node 104 sends communication frame 402 in node-output information 150 interval 406 before start 404 of formation by central equipment 106 of a next instance of communication frame 402 for central-output information 152. At STEP 304 in one example central equipment 106 receives communication frame 402 in node-output information 150 interval 406 before start 404 of formation by central equipment 106 of a next instance of communication frame 402 for central-output information 152. At STEP 306 in one example buffer component 922 serves to align communication frame 402 of node-output information 150 with communication frame 402 of central-output information 152.
In another example, referring to FIGS. 3�4, STEPS 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, and 312 serve to illustrate one or more portions of exemplary identification of instances of time slot 148 that are assigned to an instance of communication node 104. For example, STEPS 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, and 312 serve to illustrate exemplary self-configuration of an instance of communication node 104 through employment of central equipment 106. At STEP 302 in one example communication node 104 initializes and transmits a unique bit pattern in every instance of time slot 148 of communication frame 402 in node-output information 150. STEP 304 and 306 in one example proceed as discussed above. At STEP 308 in one example central equipment 106 employs an instance of AND gate 164 to allows data to pass only in one or more instances of time slot 148 assigned to that instance of communication node 104. In a further example, this AND gating serves as a safety protection against any instance of communication node 104 (e.g., inadvertently) transmitting data in an instance of time slot 148 not assigned to the particular instance of communication node 104.
Again referring to FIGS. 3�4, at STEP 310 in one example central equipment 106 employs OR gate 166 to combine the filtered data from all the instances of communication node 104 to form the system communications backbone, for example, node-output information 150. At STEP 312 the initializing instance of communication node 104 receives the next instance of communication frame 402 of node-output information 150 from central equipment 106 and looks to see which one or more instances of time slot 148 in that instance of communication frame 402 of node-output information 150 contains the unique bit pattern transmitted by the initializing instance of communication node 104. The one or more instances of time slot 148 of node-output information 150 containing the unique bit pattern are one or more instances of time slot 148 that assigned to the particular instance of communication node 104.
Further referring to FIGS. 3�4, communication node 104 in one example sends node-output information 150 to central equipment 106 in at least a majority of instances of time slot 148 of a first set of time slots that corresponds to at least a majority of instances of time slot 148 of a second set of time slots of central-output information 152. In one example, communication node 104 identifies one or more time slots of the second set of time slots that are assigned to that instance of communication node 104 through identification of the particular instance of node-output information 150 in each of the time slots of the second set of time slots of the instance of central-output information 152. For example, communication node 104 sends the particular instance of node-output information 150 to central equipment 106 in one or more time slots of the first set of time slots contemporaneously with receipt by that instance of communication node 104 of one or more time slots of the second set of time slots of the portion of the instance of central-output information 152.
Again referring to FIGS. 3�4, communication node 104 in one example sends node-output information 150 to central equipment 106 in an instance of time slot 148, not assigned to the particular instance of communication node 104, of a first set of time slots that corresponds to a time slot, not assigned to the particular instance of communication node 104, of a second set of time slots of central-output information 152. Central equipment 106 in one example withholds the instance of node-output information 150 from the time slot, not assigned to the communication node, of the second set of time slots of the central-output information through clock gating of the instance of node-output information 150 in the time slot, not assigned to the first communication node, of the first set of time slots.
Turning to FIGS. 5�6, an illustrative description of exemplary redundancy of a plurality of portions of system 100 is now presented, for explanatory purposes. Unless one or more communication failures in system 100 interfere, one or more (e.g., all) instances of communication node 104 receive same data in instances of central-output information 152 from respective instances of central equipment 106. In a further example, absent interfering communication failure in system 100, one or more (e.g., all) instances of communication node 104 send same data in instances of node-output information 150 to respective instances of central equipment 106.
Again referring to FIGS. 5�6, central equipment 118 and 518 in one example send to communication node 104, same data in respective instances of central-output information 152. In a further example, central equipment 118 and 518 receive same data in respective instances of node-output information 150 from communication node 104.
Referring still to FIGS. 5�6, same data in instances of central-output information 152 from respective instances of central equipment 106 in one example are not aligned, bit by bit, but in one example are nearly aligned in their respective instances of communication frame 402. In one example, communications node 104 employs two identical instances of bit and frame synchronizer component 602, for example, to extract and line up the instances of central-output information 152 for processing by processor 502.
Further referring to FIGS. 5�6, processor 502 in one example performs one or more tests on the instances of central-output information 152, for example, to determine occurrence of one or more failures or problems. In one example, should an instance of communication node 104 determine that the instances of central equipment 106 and connecting instances of passage 108 are fully operational, communication node 104 employs a default selection for an active link, for example, one or more instances of passage 108 between the instance of communication node 104 and central equipment 118. In a further example, if an instance of communication node 104 detects a problem in central equipment 118 and/or one or more connecting instances of passage 108, the instance of communication node 104 in one example automatically switches the active link to central equipment 518.
Again referring to FIGS. 5�6, notwithstanding which instance of central equipment 106 an instance of communication node 104 selects for an active link, each instance of communication node 104 in one example continuously sends same data in respective instances of node-output information 150 to each instance of central equipment 106. This in one example advantageously allows each instance of communication node 104 actively using any (e.g., either) instance of central equipment 106 to have access to data from all instances of communication node 104 in system 100.
In one example, referring to FIGS. 5�6, communication node 104 processes information generated during operation of the communication node to select a subportion central-output information 152 from central equipment 118 for employment by the communication node, and a subportion of central-output information 152 from central equipment 518 for employment by the communication node. For example, communication node 104 compares one or more values of node-output information 150 with one or more values of a portion of information from central equipment 118 in time slot 148 of a first set of time slots that comprises a first communication frame in which the communication node receives from the first processorless-central equipment central-output information 152. In a further example, communication node 104 compares one or more values of node-output information 150 with one or more values of a portion of information from central equipment 518 in the time slot of a second set of time slots that comprises a second communication frame in which the communication node receives from central equipment 518 central-output information 152. In a still further example, communication node 104 employs the comparisons to select either a portion of central-output information 152 from central equipment 118 or a portion of central-output information 152 from central equipment 518, for employment by the communication node in conjunction with the time slot of the first set of time slots and in conjunction with the time slot of the second set of time slots.
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How Stuff Works. <http://computer.howstuffworks.com/quantum-computer.htm>.* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification370/265, 379/202.01International ClassificationH04L12/16, H04M3/42, H04Q3/545Cooperative ClassificationH04Q3/5455, H04Q2213/13104, H04Q2213/13107, H04Q2213/13167, H04Q2213/13292European ClassificationH04Q3/545M1Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionJan 7, 2011ASAssignmentFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:025597/0505Owner name: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION, CALIFORNIAEffective date: 20110104Jul 30, 2010FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4Jan 10, 2002ASAssignmentOwner name: NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORPORATION, CALIFORNIAFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:JONES, STEPHEN;SHUMWAY, JERRY L.;REEL/FRAME:012467/0908Effective date: 20011114RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google