Telecommunications distribution system with line sharing

Abstract

A telecommunications system includes a switching matrix having a plurality of conductive switching matrix input locations, a plurality of conductive switching matrix output locations, and a plurality of conductive paths and switches interposed between the switching matrix input and output locations so that any given switching matrix output location may be electrically coupled to any given switching matrix input location. The telecommunications apparatus also includes a cut-over matrix electrically coupled to a first subset of the switching matrix output locations. A cross-connect distribution unit (CDU) is electrically coupled to a second subset of the switching matrix output locations.

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 system comprising: a first switching matrix having a plurality of conductive switching matrix input locations, a plurality of conductive switching matrix output locations, and a plurality of conductive paths and switches interposed between the switching matrix input and output locations so that any given switching matrix output location may be electrically coupled to any given switching matrix input location;a cut-over matrix electrically coupled to a first subset of the switching matrix output locations of the first switching matrix; anda second switching matrix having a plurality of conductive switching matrix input locations, a plurality of conductive switching matrix output locations, and a plurality of conductive paths and switches interposed between the switching matrix input and output locations so that any given switching matrix output location may be electrically coupled to any given switching matrix input location,wherein a subset of the conductive switching matrix input locations of the second switching matrix are coupled to a second subset of the switching matrix output locations of the first switching matrix, the second subset and the first subset being disjoint.

2. The telecommunications system of claim 1, wherein the cut-over matrix includes a plurality of conductive cut-over matrix output locations, a plurality of conductive cut-over matrix input locations, and a plurality of conductive lines and switches interposed between the cut-over matrix input and output locations so that any given cut-over matrix output location may be selectively electrically coupled to a corresponding member of the first subset of the switching matrix output locations or to a corresponding cut-over matrix input location, as determined by at least one of the plurality of switches of the cut-over matrix.

3. The telecommunications system of claim 1, wherein the first subset of the switching matrix output locations has a quantity of N members, and wherein the first switching matrix has a quantity of M conductive switching matrix input locations coupled to a device providing a telecommunications service.

4. The telecommunications system of claim 3, wherein the quantity N does not equal the quantity M.

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

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

7. The telecommunications system of claim 1, wherein the first switching matrix is disposed upon a first circuit board, and the second switching matrix is disposed upon a second circuit board.

8. The telecommunications system of claim 7, wherein the cut-over matrix is disposed upon the first circuit board.

9. The telecommunications system of claim 7, wherein the first and second circuit boards are enclosed within a housing.

10. The telecommunications system of claim 7, wherein the first circuit board is enclosed with a first housing, the second circuit board is enclosed within a second housing, and wherein electrically conductive jumper lines extend between connectors disposed on an exterior surface of the first and second housings.

11. A telecommunications system comprising: a switching matrix having a plurality of conductive switching matrix input locations, a plurality of conductive switching matrix output locations, and a plurality of conductive paths and switches interposed between the switching matrix input and output locations so that any given switching matrix output location may be electrically coupled to any given switching matrix input location;a cut-over matrix electrically coupled to a first subset of the switching matrix output locations; anda cross-connect distribution unit (CDU) electrically coupled to a second subset of the switching matrix output locations.

12. The telecommunications system of claim 11, wherein the first subset and the second subset are disjoint.

13. The telecommunications system of claim 11, wherein the first subset of the switching matrix output locations has a quantity of N members, wherein the switching matrix has a quantity of M conductive switching matrix input locations coupled to a device providing a telecommunications service, and wherein the switching matrix has a quantity of L conductive switching matrix input locations coupled to another switching matrix.

14. The telecommunications system of claim 13, wherein the quantity N does not equal the quantity M.

15. The telecommunications system of claim 14, wherein the quantity M is less than quantity N.

16. The telecommunications system of claim 15, wherein the quantity M is one-half the quantity N.

17. The telecommunications system of claim 11, wherein the first switching matrix is disposed upon a first circuit board, and the CDU is disposed upon a second circuit board.

18. The telecommunications system of claim 17, wherein the cut-over matrix is disposed upon the first circuit board.

19. The telecommunications system of claim 17, wherein the first and second circuit boards are enclosed within a housing.

20. The telecommunications system of claim 17, wherein the first circuit board is enclosed with a first housing, the second circuit board is enclosed within a second housing, and wherein electrically conductive jumper lines extend between connectors disposed on an exterior surface of the first and second housings.

21. A telecommunications apparatus comprising: a switching matrix having a plurality of conductive switching matrix input locations, a plurality of conductive switching matrix output locations, and a plurality of conductive paths and switches interposed between the switching matrix input and output locations so that any given switching matrix output location may be electrically coupled to any given switching matrix input location; anda cut-over distribution matrix having a plurality of conductive cut-over matrix output locations, a plurality of conductive cut-over matrix input locations, and a plurality of conductive lines and switches interposed between the cut-over matrix input and output locations so that any given cut-over matrix output location may be selectively electrically coupled to a corresponding member of a subset of the switching matrix output locations or to a corresponding cut-over matrix input location, as determined by at least one of the plurality of switches of the cut-over matrix.

22. The telecommunications apparatus of claim 21, wherein the subset of the switching matrix output locations has a quantity of N members, and wherein the switching matrix has a quantity of M conductive matrix input locations amenable to coupling to a device for providing a telecommunications service.

23. The telecommunications apparatus of claim 22, wherein the quantity N does not equal the quantity M.

24. The telecommunications apparatus of claim 23, wherein the quantity M is less than quantity N.

25. The telecommunications apparatus of claim 24, wherein the quantity M is one-half the quantity N.

26. The telecommunications apparatus of claim 21, wherein the plurality of switches of the switching matrix comprise relays.

27. The telecommunications apparatus of claim 21, wherein the plurality of switches of the switching matrix comprise transistors.

28. The telecommunications apparatus of claim 21, wherein the plurality of switches of the cut-over matrix comprise relays.

29. The telecommunications apparatus of claim 21, wherein the plurality of switches of the cut-over matrix comprise transistors.

30. The telecommunications apparatus of claim 21, wherein the cut-over matrix and switching matrix are disposed upon a circuit board.

31. 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 and a plurality of sixth 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 switching arrangement also being configured to allow any of the fifth connection locations to be connected to any of the sixth connection locations, the fourth connection locations being connected to the third connection locations of the cut-over matrix and the sixth connection locations not being connected to the third connection locations of the cut-over matrix.

32. A method for operating a telecommunications distribution system, the method comprising: providing a first distribution unit for distributing a first service and/or a second service to first subscribers;providing a second distribution unit for distributing a first service and/or a second service to second subscribers; andlending a second service from the first distribution unit to the second distribution unit to provide the second service to one of the second subscribers.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the first and second distribution units are provided on separate circuit boards.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the separate circuit boards are provided within one housing.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the separate circuit boards are interconnected by a backplane circuit board provided within the housing.

36. The method of claim 33, wherein the separate circuit boards are provided within separate housings.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the separate circuit boards are interconnected by a jumper that extends between the separate housings.