Importance

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Abstract

A combined signalling and PCM cross-connect and packet assembly/disassembly engine includes a cross-connect memory, wherein the memory advantageously includes both a subscriber PCM channel memory that cross-connects bus side PCM channels to optical fiber timeslots, and a separate signalling memory that cross-connects associated signalling data channels to optical fiber timeslots. In particular, the PCM and signalling data memories are substantially the same size and each signalling data channel is mapped to an address in the signalling memory that corresponds to the PCM memory address of the associated PCM channel. Cross-connect information used for the PCM channels is also used to cross-connect the associated signalling channels. Cross-connect and packet engine functions are combined, thereby eliminating the need for a separate buffer to accommodate differences in transmission rates between them. A single control store with an associated fiber timeslot counter is also connected to the packet engine circuit, which supports both PCM and signalling data channels.

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First Claim