System and method for electronically identifying connections of a cross-connect system
A system and method for electronically identifying connections established through a cross-connect system provides for identification of all hard-wired and temporary patch connections, and any modifications made to same. Connection identification and status information is acquired in near real-time and stored in a database which is accessible by a user through a graphical user interface (GUI). The TRACE or lamp wires which connect respective pairs of cross-connect circuits are utilized in an unconventional manner so as to form a scanning bus. The information signal paths established through the cross-connect circuits remain undisturbed. A scanning signal is communicated between each pair of cross-connected circuits over the TRACE conductor. In the event a patch cord is used to temporarily redirect a signal connection, the scanning signal is transmitted over the shield or sleeve conductor of the patch cord. The scanning signal provides identification and other information concerning the transmitting circuit.
1. A cross-connect system, comprising:
a plurality of termination elements through which cross-connections can be made;
a first communication medium communicatively coupling cross-connected termination elements of the plurality of termination elements, the first communication medium communicating user information signals between cross-connected termination elements of the plurality of termination elements;
a second communication medium communicatively coupling cross-connected termination elements of the plurality of termination elements that is separate from the first communication medium such that the user information signals are communicated only over the first communication medium, the second communication medium communicating connection information signals; and
a processor coupled to the first and second communication mediums, the processor coordinating the communication of the connection information signals via the second communication medium and acquisition of connection information with regard to the cross-connected termination elements.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first communication medium comprises an optical communication medium.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second communication medium comprises an electrical communication medium.
4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising at least one patch cord, the at least one patch cord comprising a first communication pathway and a second communication pathway, the first communication pathway providing communication of user information signals between a first termination element and a second termination element, and the second communication pathway providing communication of connection information signals to and from the first and second termination elements.
5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the first communication pathway comprises an optical communication pathway.
6. The system of claim 4 , wherein the second communication pathway comprises an electrical communication pathway.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is coupled to memory, the memory storing the connection information.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is coupled to memory and a user interface, the user interface cooperating with one or both of the processor and memory to display connection information.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is coupled to memory and a user interface, the user interface cooperating with one or both of the processor and memory to control at least one annunciator of selected ones of the plurality of termination elements.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is communicatively coupled to a user interface, the user interface situated geographically remote from the processor.
11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is communicatively coupled to a user interface, the user interface situated geographically remote from the plurality of termination elements.
12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is communicatively coupled to a hand-held user interface.
13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is coupled to memory, the connection information stored in the memory as a database of connection information.
14. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is coupled to a user interface comprising a display, the user interface cooperating with the processor to display a graphical depiction of selected portions of the cross-connect system.
15. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is coupled to a user interface comprising a display, the user interface cooperating with the processor to display a graphical depiction of selected ones of the plurality of termination elements.
16. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is coupled to a user interface, the user interface cooperating with the processor to control one or more annunciators of selected ones of the plurality of termination elements.
17. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is coupled to a user interface and each of the termination elements comprises one or more light emitting annunciators, the user interface cooperating with the processor to control the light emitting annunciators of selected ones of the plurality of termination elements.
18. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is coupled to a user interface, the user interface cooperating with the processor to control one or more annunciators of selected ones of the plurality of termination elements for guiding a technician when configuring the cross-connect system.
19. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is coupled to a user interface, the user interface cooperating with the processor to control one or more annunciators of selected ones of the plurality of termination elements in response to execution of a pre-programmed sequence of patch operations to be performed by a technician.
20. A method of acquiring connection information for termination elements of a cross-connect system, comprising:
communicating, via a first communication medium, user information signals between cross-connected termination elements of the cross-connect system;
communicating, via a second communication medium separate from the first communication medium, connection information signals between the cross-connected termination elements of the cross-connect system, such that the user information signals are communicated only over the first communication medium; and
acquiring connection information with regard to the cross-connected termination elements of the cross-connect system using the connection information signals.
21. The method of claim 20 , wherein communicating the user information signals comprises optically communicating the user information signals via the first communication medium.
22. The method of claim 20 , wherein communicating the connection information signals comprises electrically communicating the connection information signals via the second communication medium.
23. The method of claim 20 , further comprising communicating user information signals between a first termination element and a second termination element via a first patch pathway, and communicating connection information signals to the first and second termination elements via a second patch pathway.
24. The method of claim 23 , wherein communicating the user information signals via the first patch pathway comprises optically communicating the user information signals via the first patch pathway.
25. The method of claim 23 , wherein communicating the connection information signals via the second patch pathway comprises electrically communicating the connection information signals via the second patch pathway.
26. The method of claim 20 , further comprising storing the connection information as a database of connection information.
27. The method of claim 26 , further comprising remotely accessing the database of connection information.
28. The method of claim 20 , further comprising displaying connection information.
29. The method of claim 20 , further comprising graphically displaying connection information for a selected portion of the cross-connect system.
30. The method of claim 20 , further comprising controlling at least one annunciator of selected ones of the termination elements.
31. The method of claim 20 , further comprising controlling one or more light emitting annunciators of selected ones of the termination elements for guiding a technician when configuring the cross-connect system.
32. The method of claim 20 , further comprising controlling one or more annunciators of selected ones of the termination elements in response to execution of a pre-programmed sequence of patch operations to be performed by a technician.