Patent ID: 7161965

Claim:
A switching unit comprising: (1) an add-drop multiplexor comprising: (a) a first input for receiving a first line signal from a first line transceiver bank, (b) a first output for transmitting a second line signal to a second line transceiver bank, (c) a second input for receiving a third line signal from said second line transceiver bank, and (d) a second output for transmitting a fourth line signal to said first line transceiver bank; (2) said first line transceiver bank comprising: (a) at least one serializer for serializing said fourth line signal, (b) at least one deserializer for deserializing said first line signal, and (c) at least one multiplexor for selectively sending said fourth line signal to said add-drop multiplexor as said first line signal; and (3) said second line transceiver bank comprising: (a) at least one serializer for serializing said second line signal, (b) at least one deserializer for deserializing said third line signal, and (c) at least one multiplexor for selectively sending said second line signal to said add drop-multiplexor as said third line signal.