Telecommunication distribution device with multi-circuit board arrangement

Abstract

A telecommunications apparatus includes a switching matrix. The telecommunications apparatus also includes a plurality of conductive user output locations and a plurality of conductive network input locations. For any given user output location there exists a conductive path coupling the given user output location to a corresponding network input location. The telecommunications apparatus also includes a plurality of switches. For any given conductive path, a switch is interposed therein, and each switch has a first state in which the given conductive path is unaltered, and a second state in which the given conductive path is altered, so that the given conductive path couples the corresponding user output location to the switching matrix. The aforementioned telecommunications apparatus may be networked with other such telecommunications apparatuses.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a cross-connect distribution unit (CDU).

FIG. 2 depicts a logical representation of the CDU of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a command-and-control environment of the CDU of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a switching matrix within the CDU of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary mechanical embodiment of the CDU of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 6-10 depict other views of the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 5.

FIG. 11 depicts an exemplary embodiment of the switching circuitry on the main board of the CDU of FIG. 5.

FIG. 12 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a back-to-back arrangement of a CDU.

FIG. 13 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a spare services arrangement of two CDUs.

FIG. 14 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a cross-over arrangement of a CDU.

FIG. 15 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a spare user arrangement of two CDUs.

FIG. 16 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a method by which a controller may interact with a telecommunications application.

FIG. 17 depicts an exemplary search scheme to identify a proposed path to provide a particular service to a particular user port.

FIG. 18 depicts an exemplary search method to identify a proposed path to provide a particular service to a particular user port.

FIGS. 19A and 19B depicts the search scheme of FIGS. 16-18 being executed in a nested setting.

FIG. 20 is a schematic view of another CDU having features that are examples of inventive aspects in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 21 is a schematic view showing the CDU of FIG. 20 incorporated into a CDU network/system.

FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram of an example distribution matrix suitable for use in the CDU of FIG. 20.

FIG. 23 is a front, top perspective view of a telecommunications distribution block having features that are examples of inventive aspects in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 24 is a top, rear perspective view of the telecommunications distribution block of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a schematic, plan view of a matrix card adapted to be mounted in the telecommunications distribution block of FIGS. 23 and 24.

FIG. 26 is a schematic view of a back-plane circuit board adapted to be used within the telecommunications distribution block of FIGS. 23 and 24.

FIG. 27 is a schematic view of a distribution cabinet housing a plurality of the telecommunications distribution blocks of FIGS. 23 and 24.

FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram showing a first interconnection option for interconnecting the telecommunications distribution blocks within the distribution cabinet of FIG. 27.

FIG. 3510 is another schematic diagram showing the first interconnection option for interconnecting the blocks of the distribution cabinet of FIG. 27.

FIG. 30 is a schematic diagram showing a second interconnection option for the distribution cabinet of FIG. 27.

FIG. 31 shows a block level interconnection scheme for the interconnection option of FIG. 30.

FIG. 32 is a schematic diagram of the distribution cabinet having telecommunications distribution blocks interconnected in a matrix-style network.

FIG. 33 is another schematic depiction of the interconnection scheme of FIG. 32.

FIG. 34A is a schematic circuit diagram showing a plurality of matrix cards linked together by a test bus.

FIG. 34B is an enlarged view of one of the matrix cards of FIG. 34A.

FIG. 34C shows a wiring schematic for a telecommunications distribution block having a test bus that interconnects all the matrix cards of the block.

FIG. 35 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a modified CDU having features that allow the CDU to readily interface with adjacent CDUs so that special service signals may be distributed unevenly within a CDU network to meet demand.

FIG. 36 schematically shows an example telecommunications distribution block having features that are examples of inventive aspects in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 37 depicts a back plane circuit board that includes tracings or other circuitry that electrically interconnects the matrix cards of the block.

FIG. 38 depicts a more detailed schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of one of the matrix cards.

FIG. 39 depicts three matrix cards that are borrowing and sharing services within a given block and from block to block.

FIG. 40 depicts an alternative embodiment of a matrix card.

Claims

1. A telecommunications apparatus comprising: a switching matrix;a plurality of conductive user output locations;a plurality of conductive network input locations, wherein for any given user output location there exists a conductive path coupling the given user output location to a corresponding network input location; da plurality of switches, wherein for any given conductive path, a switch is interposed therein, each switch having a first state in which the given conductive path is unaltered, and a second state in which the given conductive path is altered, so that the given conductive path couples the corresponding user output location to the switching matrix;the plurality of user output locations, the plurality of network input locations, plurality of switches, and plurality of conductive paths being disposed upon a first circuit board; andthe switching matrix being disposed upon a second circuit board that is configured to electrically couple to the first circuit board.

2. The telecommunications apparatus of claim 1, wherein the switching matrix has a quantity of N conductive matrix output locations, for coupling to the plurality of altered conductive paths, and a quantity of M conductive matrix input locations amenable to coupling to an external device.

3. The telecommunications apparatus of claim 2, wherein any one of the quantity of N matrix output locations may be electrically coupled to any one of the quantity of M matrix input locations.

4. The telecommunications apparatus of claim 2, wherein the quantity N does not equal the quantity M.

5. The telecommunications apparatus of claim 4, wherein the quantity M is less than quantity N.

6. The telecommunications apparatus of claim 5, wherein the quantity M is one-half the quantity N.

7. The telecommunications apparatus of claim 6, wherein the quantity M is equal to sixteen, and the quantity N is equal to thirty-two.

8. (canceled)

9. (canceled)

10. The telecommunications apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of user output locations are divided into a first group that is electrically routed through a first connector and a second group that is electrically routed through a second connector.

11. The telecommunications apparatus of claim 10, wherein the plurality of network input locations are divided into a third group that is electrically routed through a third connector and a fourth group that is electrically routed through a fourth connector.

12. The telecommunications apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first board has a first side and a second side located opposite the first side, wherein the first and second connectors are disposed on the first side of the first board, and wherein the third and fourth connectors are disposed on the second side of the first board.

13. The telecommunications apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth connectors are Telco style connectors.

14. The telecommunications apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first board is enclosed within a housing.

15. The telecommunications apparatus of claim 14, wherein the housing has a plurality of exterior surfaces, and wherein the third and fourth connectors are accessible from one of the exterior surfaces of the housing.

16. The telecommunications apparatus of claim 15, wherein the switching matrix includes a plurality of conductive matrix input locations for coupling to an external device, and wherein the plurality of matrix input locations are electrically routed through a fifth connector that is accessible from the one exterior surface.

17. The telecommunications apparatus of claim 16, wherein the fifth connector is an insulation displacement connector.

18. The telecommunications apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a pair of flanges coupled to the housing.

19. The telecommunications apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a controller configured and arranged to determine the state of each of the plurality of switches, and to determine connectivity of the switching matrix.

20. The telecommunications apparatus of claim 19, further comprising a network interface in communication with the controller.

21-37. (canceled)

38. A telecommunications apparatus comprising: a main circuit board;a first cut-over matrix provided on the main circuit board, the first cut-over matrix including a plurality of first connection locations, a plurality of second connection locations and a plurality of third connection locations, the first cut-over matrix also including a plurality of first cut-over switches movable between first and second positions, the first cut-over matrix connecting the first connection locations to the second connection locations when the first cut-over switches are in the first positions, and the first cut-over matrix connecting the third connection locations to the second connection locations when the first cut-over switches are in the second positions;a first daughter circuit board electrically connected to the main circuit board;a first distribution matrix provided on the first daughter board, the first distribution matrix including a plurality of fourth connection locations and a plurality of fifth connection locations, the first distribution matrix including a switching arrangement that allows any of the fifth connection locations to be connected to any of the fourth connection locations, the fourth connection locations being connected to the third connection locations of the first cut-over matrix;a second cut-over matrix provided on the main circuit board, the second cut-over matrix including a plurality of sixth connection locations, a plurality of seventh connection locations and a plurality of eighth connection locations, the second cut-over matrix also including a plurality of second cut-over switches movable between first and second positions, the second cut-over matrix connecting the sixth connection locations to the seventh connection locations when the second cut-over switches are in the first positions, and the second cut-over matrix connecting the eighth connection locations to the seventh connection locations when the second cut-over switches are in the second positions;a second daughter circuit board electrically connected to the main circuit board; anda second distribution matrix provided on the second daughter board, the second distribution matrix including a plurality of ninth connection locations and a plurality of tenth connection locations, the second distribution matrix including a switching arrangement that allows any of the tenth connection locations to be connected to any of the ninth connection locations, the ninth connection locations being connected to the eighth connection locations of the second cut-over matrix.

39. The telecommunications apparatus of claim 38, further comprising a housing in which the main circuit board and the first and second daughter circuit boards are positioned.

40. The telecommunications apparatus of claim 39, wherein the housing is generally rectangular and includes a first side positioned opposite from a second side, the first and sixth connection locations being accessible from the first side of the housing, and the second and seventh connection locations being accessible from the second side of the housing.

41. A telecommunications apparatus comprising: a cut-over matrix including a plurality of first connection locations, a plurality of second connection locations and a plurality of third connection locations, the cut-over matrix also including a plurality of cut-over switches movable between first and second positions, the cut-over matrix connecting the first connection locations to the second connection locations when the cut-over switches are in the first positions, and the cut-over matrix connecting the third connection locations to the second connection locations when the cut-over switches are in the second positions;a distribution matrix including a plurality of fourth connection locations and a plurality of fifth connection locations, the distribution matrix including a switching arrangement that allows any of the fifth connection locations to be connected to any of the fourth connection locations, the fourth connection locations being connected to the third connection locations of the cut-over matrix; anda test access bus incorporated into the distribution matrix.