Multi-functional circuity for communications networks and methods and devices utilizing same
View Patent ↗The present subject matter relates to methods, circuitry and equipment providing a multi-functional, cost effective, media independent, open platform for communication services using differential signaling interfaces. The methods, circuitry and equipment comprise a plurality of input amplifiers, output amplifiers, and multiplexer switches or resistive dividers, which provide the ability to monitor, provide service protection switching, provide redundant services, provide on-demand service, provide service upgrades, security, test, and troubleshoot any communication devices and services.
1. Communication equipment circuitry comprising:
a plurality of ports each defining an input path and an output path;
a plurality of input differential amplifiers between the plurality of ports;
a plurality output differential amplifiers between the plurality of ports; and
a plurality of multiplexer switches between the plurality of input differential amplifiers and the plurality of output differential amplifiers;
wherein the circuitry defines a plurality of differential signal paths between the plurality of ports;
wherein each of the plurality of multiplexer switches is selectively determinative of the differential signal paths between the input path of each port though an input differential amplifier and the output path of at least two other ports through two multiplexer switches and two output differential amplifiers simultaneously;
wherein a first port defines a first port input path representing an input differential signal and a first port output path representing an output differential signal;
wherein first port input path is connected to a first input differential amplifier, and wherein the first input differential amplifier is connected to a first multiplexer switch and a first output differential amplifier, and a second multiplexer switch and a second output differential amplifier; and
wherein a second port defines a second port input path representing an input differential signal and a second port output path representing an output differential signal;
wherein second port input path is connected to a second input differential amplifier, and wherein the second input differential amplifier is connected to the first multiplexer switch and the first output differential amplifier, and the second multiplexer switch and the second output differential amplifier.
2. The circuitry of claim 1 , wherein a third port defines a third port input path representing an input differential signal and a third port output path representing an output differential signal; wherein third port input path is connected to a third input differential amplifier, and wherein the third input differential amplifier is connected to a third multiplexer switch and a third output differential amplifier, and a fourth multiplexer switch and a fourth output differential amplifier.
3. The circuitry of claim 2 , wherein a fourth port defines a fourth port input path representing an input differential signal and an fourth port output path representing an output differential signal; wherein fourth port input path is connected to a fourth input differential amplifier, and wherein the fourth input differential amplifier is connected to the third multiplexer switch and the third output differential amplifier, and the fourth multiplexer switch and the fourth output differential amplifier.
4. The circuitry of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of retimers.
5. The circuitry of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of ports is adapted to connect an SFP device.
6. The circuitry of claim 1 , wherein the circuitry is media independent.
7. The circuitry of claim 1 , wherein the circuitry is adapted to provide at least one of service monitoring, service protection switching, redundancy, on-demand service, security, service upgrades, and signal loopback testing and troubleshooting.
8. A communication device, comprising:
a plurality of ports each defining an input path and an output path;
circuitry defining a plurality of differential signaling paths between the ports, and comprising a plurality of input differential amplifiers, a plurality of output differential amplifiers, and a plurality of multiplexer switches between the plurality of input differential amplifiers and the plurality of output differential amplifiers, wherein the circuitry selectively defines differential signaling paths between the input path of each port though an input differential amplifier and the output path of at least two other ports through two multiplexer switches and two output differential amplifiers simultaneously;
wherein the plurality of differential signaling paths allow for the simultaneous provision of at least two of service monitoring, service protection switching, redundancy, on-demand service, security, service upgrades, and signal loopback testing and troubleshooting;
wherein a first port defines a first port input path representing an input differential signal and a first port output path representing an output differential signal; wherein first port input path is connected to a first input differential amplifier, and wherein the first input differential amplifier is connected to a first multiplexer switch and a first output differential amplifier, and a second multiplexer switch and a second output differential amplifier; and
wherein a second port defines a second port input path representing an input differential signal and a second port output path representing an output differential signal; wherein second port input path is connected to a second input differential amplifier, and wherein the second input differential amplifier is connected to the first multiplexer switch and the first output differential amplifier, and the second multiplexer switch and the second output differential amplifier.
9. The device of claim 8 , wherein a third port defines a third port input path representing an input differential signal and a third port output path representing an output differential signal; wherein third port input path is connected to a third input differential amplifier, and wherein the third input differential amplifier is connected to a third multiplexer switch and a third output differential amplifier, and a fourth multiplexer switch and a fourth output differential amplifier.
10. The device of claim 9 , wherein a fourth port defines a fourth port input path representing an input differential signal and fourth port output path representing an output differential signal; wherein fourth port input path is connected to a fourth input differential amplifier, and wherein the fourth input differential amplifier is connected to the third multiplexer switch and the third output differential amplifier, and the fourth multiplexer switch and the fourth output differential amplifier.
11. The device of claim 8 , wherein each of the plurality of ports is an SFP port.
12. The device of claim 8 , wherein the circuitry further comprises retimers.
13. The device of claim 8 , further comprising a processor, timing LED indicators, a status and provisioning interface, and power management.
14. The device of claim 8 , wherein the device is one of monitoring equipment, a network interface device, a router and an Ethernet switch.
15. A method of providing media independent, multi-functional services in communication equipment, comprising the steps of:
providing a communication device having a plurality of SFP ports each defining an input path and an output path;
providing in the communication device circuitry defining a plurality of differential signaling paths between the ports, and comprising a plurality of input differential amplifiers, a plurality of output differential amplifiers, and a plurality of multiplexer switches between the plurality of input differential amplifiers and the plurality of output differential amplifiers, wherein the circuitry selectively defines differential signaling paths between the input path of each port though an input differential amplifier and the output path of at least two other ports through two multiplexer switches and two output differential amplifiers simultaneously, wherein a first port defines a first port input path representing an input differential signal and a first port output path representing an output differential signal; wherein first port input path is connected to a first input differential amplifier, and wherein the first input differential amplifier is connected to a first multiplexer switch and a first output differential amplifier, and a second multiplexer switch and a second output differential amplifier; and wherein a second port defines a second port input path representing an input differential signal and a second port output path representing an output differential signal; wherein second port input path is connected to a second input differential amplifier, and wherein the second input differential amplifier is connected to the first multiplexer switch and the first output differential amplifier, and the second multiplexer switch and the second output differential amplifier;
connecting an SFP device to each of at least two ports; and
transporting and simultaneously monitoring communication services via at least one of the plurality of differential signaling paths and then injecting communication services or a test signal into at least one of the plurality of differential signaling paths.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the communication services comprise at least one of service monitoring, service protection switching, redundancy, on-demand service, security, service upgrades, and signal loopback testing and troubleshooting and service upgrades.
17. The method of claim 15 , wherein in the step of providing circuitry a third port defines a third port input path representing an input differential signal and a third port output path representing an output differential signal; wherein third port input path is connected to a third input differential amplifier, and wherein the third input differential amplifier is connected to a third multiplexer switch and a third output differential amplifier, and a fourth multiplexer switch and a fourth output differential amplifier.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein in the step of providing circuitry a fourth port defines a fourth port input path representing an input differential signal and fourth port output path representing an output differential signal; wherein fourth port input path is connected to a fourth input differential amplifier, and wherein the fourth input differential amplifier is connected to the third multiplexer switch and the third output differential amplifier, and the fourth multiplexer switch and the fourth output differential amplifier.