Apparatus and method for providing switching at a telephone cross-connect
A cost-effective technique for inserting a switching module into a line pair of a local telecommunications network is disclosed. In particular, the illustrative embodiment does not replace a punch-down block at a cross-connect, but rather inserts the switching module between the modular connectors that are usually co-located with the punch-down block and that connect the cable pairs to the punch-down block. In other words, the illustrative embodiment provides for a technician to disconnect a pair of modular connectors and to insert a switching module between them, wherein the switching modules inputs and outputs are provided via modular connectors.
1. A telecommunications facility comprising:
(1) a first cross-connect comprising a plurality of exchange-side line pairs;
(2) a second cross-connect comprising a plurality of line-side line pairs;
(3) a cable comprising a first plurality of cable line pairs;
(4) a first switching module between said first cross-connect and said cable, said first switching module comprising:
(a) a first N-pair modular connector for joining said plurality of exchange-side line pairs to a first plurality of first switching module line pairs;
(b) a second N-pair modular connector for joining a second plurality of first switching module line pairs to said plurality of cable line pairs;
(c) a controller responsive to a first control signal received through said first plurality of exchange-side line pairs for establishing switching configurations; and
(d) a switch for establishing a correspondence between said first plurality of said first switching module pairs and said second plurality of first switching module pairs based on stimuli from said controller;
(5) a second switching module between said cable and said second cross-connect, said second switching module comprising:
(a) a first N-pair modular connector for joining said plurality of cable line pairs to a first plurality of second switching module line pairs;
(b) a second N-pair modular connector for joining a second plurality of second switching module line pairs to said plurality of cable line pairs;
(c) a controller responsive to a second first control signal received through said first plurality of cable line pairs for establishing switching configurations; and
(d) a switch for establishing a correspondence between said first plurality of said second switching module pairs and said second plurality of second switching module pairs based on stimuli from said controller; wherein N is a positive integer.
2. The telecommunications facility of claim 1 wherein said controller transmits said second control signal through said cable line pairs ; and
wherein said second control signal comprises information derived from said first control signal.
3. The telecommunications facility of claim 1 wherein said first switching module is powered through said first N-pair modular connector.
4. The telecommunications facility of claim 1 wherein said first switch comprises micro-electromechanical system components.
5. The telecommunications facility of claim 1 wherein said second switching module is powered through said first N-pair modular connector.
6. The telecommunications facility of claim 1 wherein said switch in said first switching module is configured symmetrically to said switch in said second switching module.