Line module protection method and device utilizing said method

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention generally relates to line module protection methods and devices utilizing those methods, and, more particularly, to a method of protecting a line module in a line accommodating unit of each of the devices that constitute a network system, and an device utilizing that method.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] A network system shown in FIG. 1 comprises a switching device 10, a transmitting device 11, and terminal devices 12 and 13. Each of these devices is provided with line accommodating units 10a, 11a, 12a, and 13a.

[0006] FIG. 2 shows the structure of each line accommodating unit. Normally, a pair of lines are used for communication between devices, and a line accommodating unit 14 comprises N of line accommodating modules 16₁to 16_Nfor accommodating L pairs of lines. The line accommodating modules 16₁to 16_Nserve as an interface between a device 18 (or a “common unit” in relation to the line accommodating modules) and the lines. The line accommodating modules 16₁to 16_Nis detachable from the line accommodating unit 14, so that the number of lines can be changed.

[0007] Where one of the line accommodating modules 16₁to 16_Nbreaks down, line module protection is performed to prevent the connection between the common unit and the accommodated lines from being cut off. As shown in FIG. 3A, the line accommodating unit 14 includes an auxiliary module 16_N+1as well as the line accommodating modules 16₁to 16_N(hereinafter referred to as “operating modules”). The auxiliary module 16_N+1does not normally operate. However, when a failure occurs in one of the operating modules, the auxiliary module 16_N+1starts operating. For instance, if the operating module 16₂breaks down, the auxiliary module 16_N+1replaces the operating module 16₂to perform the line module protection, as shown in FIG. 3B. In FIGS. 3A and 3B, the number L of pairs of lines in each module is 1.

[0008] FIG. 4 shows the structure of the conventional line module protection. To perform the line module protection, a protection unit 20 is disposed between the line accommodating unit 14 and the lines. Furthermore, a switching unit 22 and a CPU 24 are disposed in the common unit 18.

[0009] The protection unit 20 is a functional block that is added to perform the line module protection. To switch lines, switches 30 disposed on the lines are controlled. Where one line is constituted by a Tip signal and a Ring signal, two switches 30 are necessary for one line, and four switches 30 for one input line and one output line are used to switch the connection between the lines and a line accommodating module.

[0010] FIG. 5 illustrates the line module protection where the operating module 16₂breaks down. The CPU 24 is notified of the breakdown of the operating module 16₂through a module breakdown information line F2. Based on this notification, the CPU 24 instructs the switching unit 22 to switch lines #2 from the operation module 16₂to the auxiliary module 16_N+1. The CPU 24 also switches a switch control signal C2 for a corresponding one of the switches 30 from the low level to the high level so as to switch the lines. As shown in FIG. 4B, when a switch control signal is low, a switch 30 connects a terminal C to a terminal A, and when the switch control signal is high, the switch 30 connects the terminal C to a terminal B.

[0011] A user is notified of the breakdown through a display 26, and is urged to exchange the operating module 16₂for a new one. If the auxiliary module 16_N+1breaks down, the user is notified of the breakdown through the display 26, and is urged to exchange the auxiliary module 16_N+1for a new one, without switching the lines.

[0012] Generally, the failure rate of the switches 30 is much lower than the failure rate of the line accommodating modules. Therefore, the line module protection is performed so as to lower the failure rate of the entire line accommodating unit 14. By doing so, the failure time is also shortened.

[0013] However, in the above conventional method, the auxiliary module is located at an end in the series arrangement of the operating modules, because the auxiliary module is typically provided as a secondary addition to the primary operating modules. If an operation module breaks down more than a predetermined distance away from the auxiliary module, lines disposed between the auxiliary module and the broken operating module (this line will be hereinafter referred to as “protection signal line”) may be too long to ensure proper transmission characteristics, thereby hindering proper line module protection. As a result, with the above method, a single auxiliary module cannot provide sufficient protection for as many operating modules as may be desired. Furthermore, even through some of the operating modules do not require line module protection, the protection unit is mounted as one block, resulting in an increase of the hardware costs.

[0014] A general object of the present invention is to provide line module protection methods and devices in which the above disadvantages are eliminated.

[0015] A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a line module protection method and a device utilizing that method, by which the number N of line accommodating modules for line module protection can be made greater with respect to one auxiliary module, and the hardware can be flexibly reduced in accordance with the number N of line accommodating modules.

[0016] The above objects of the present invention 5 are achieved by a line module protection method for protecting a plurality of line accommodating modules included in a line accommodating unit connected to lines that constitute a network.

[0017] This method comprises the steps of:

[0018] dividing the plurality of line accommodating modules into a plurality of groups;

[0019] switching a connection from a broken one of the plurality of line accommodating modules to an auxiliary module; and

[0020] locating the auxiliary module substantially at the same distance from all the plurality of groups.

[0021] In the above device of the present invention, the plurality of line accommodating modules are divided into the plurality of groups, and the auxiliary module is located substantially at the same distance from all the groups. Thus, the number N of line accommodating modules for line module protection can be made greater with one auxiliary module.

[0022] The above and other objects and features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0023] FIG. 1 shows the structure of a network system of the prior art;

[0024] FIG. 2 shows the structure of a conventional line accommodating unit in a network;

[0025] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate conventional line module protection in a network;

[0026] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a conventional protection unit in a network;

[0027] FIG. 5 illustrates conventional line module protection in a network;

[0028] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of a device to which a line module protection method of the present invention is applied;

[0029] FIG. 7 illustrates the structure of the first embodiment of the device to which the line module protection method of the present invention is applied;

[0030] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the device to which the line module protection method of the present invention is applied;

[0031] FIG. 9 illustrates the structure of the second embodiment of the device to which the line module protection method of the present invention is applied;

[0032] FIG. 10 illustrates the structure of the second embodiment of the device to which the line module protection method of the present invention is applied;

[0033] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a control operation performed by the CPU in the second embodiment;

[0034] FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a third embodiment of the device to which the line module protection method of the present invention is applied;

[0035] FIG. 13 illustrates the structure of the third embodiment of the device to which the line module protection method of the present invention is applied;

[0036] FIG. 14 illustrates the structure of the third embodiment of the device to which the line module protection method of the present invention is applied;

[0037] FIG. 15 illustrates the structure of the third embodiment of the device to which the line module protection method of the present invention is applied;

[0038] FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a fourth embodiment of the device to which the line module protection method of the present invention is applied;

[0039] FIG. 17 illustrates the structure of the fourth embodiment of the device to which the line module protection method of the present invention is applied;

[0040] FIG. 18 illustrates the structure of the fourth embodiment of the device to which the line module protection method of the present invention is applied; and

[0041] FIG. 19 is a flowchart of a control operation performed by the CPU in the fourth embodiment.

[0042] The following is a description of embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0043] In FIG. 6, a plurality of operating modules 26₁to 26₆are divided into a plurality of groups 28₁to 28₃, and an auxiliary module 30 is placed substantially in the middle of the groups 28₁to 28₃. A protection unit 32 is provided with switches 34A and 34B for each of the operation modules 26₁to 26₆. In this embodiment, the number N of operating modules is 6, the number G of groups of operating modules is 3, and the number L of lines accommodated by each operating module is 2.

[0044] FIG. 7 shows the structure of the first embodiment of the device to which the line module protection method of the present invention is applied. In FIG. 7, 2N operating modules 26₁to 26_2Nare divided into two groups 28₁and 28₂each having N operating modules. The auxiliary module 30 is placed substantially at a midpoint between the two groups 28₁and 28₂, and the auxiliary module 30 and the operating modules 26₁to 26_2Nare aligned.

[0045] The protection unit 32 is provided with switches 34_A, 34_B, 34_C, and 34_Dfor each of the operating modules 26₁to 26_2N. Where one line is constituted by a Tip signal and a Ring signal, two switches are necessary for one line. Therefore, four switches 34_A, 34_B, 34_C, and 34_Dare required for one input line and one output line to switch the connection between the line accommodating module and the lines. The terminal C of each switch is connected to a line, the terminal A is connected to each corresponding operating module, and the terminal B is connected to the auxiliary module 30 via a protection signal line. When switch control signals Cl to C2N are low, each of the switches 34_A, 34_B, 34_C, and 34_Dconnects the terminal C to the terminal A. When the switch control signals C1 to C2N are high, each of the switches 34_A, 34_B, 34_C, and 34_Dconnects the terminal C to the terminal B.

[0046] If the longest distance between the auxiliary module and the operating modules 26₁to 26_2Nthat warrants proper protection is the same as in the prior art, the number of operating modules that can be protected by one auxiliary module 30 is increased in the configuration described above.

[0047] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the device to which the line module protection method of the present invention is applied. In FIG. 8, a plurality of operating modules 26₁to 26₆are divided into three groups 28₁to 28₃, and the auxiliary module 30 is placed substantially in the middle of the operating modules 26₁to 26₆. The protection unit 32 is provided with switches 34_A, and 34_Bfor each of the operation modules 26₁to 26₆. Furthermore, switches 35_Aand 35_Bare disposed in the middle of the protection signal lines, thereby dividing the protection signal lines so that a signal line to be connected to the auxiliary module 30 can be selected. In this example, the number N of operating modules is 6, the number G of groups of operating modules is 3, and the number L of lines accommodated by each operating module is 2.

[0048] FIG. 9 illustrates the structure of the second embodiment of the device to which the line module protection method of the present invention is applied. In FIG. 9, 2N of operation modules 26₁to 26_2Nare divided into two groups 28₁and 28₂each having N of operating modules. The auxiliary module 30 is placed substantially in the middle of the operating modules 26₁to 26_2N, so that the auxiliary module 30 and the operating modules 26₁to 26_2Nare aligned.

[0049] The protection unit 32 is provided with switches 34_A, 34_B, 34_C, and 34_Dfor each of the operating modules 26₁to 26_2N. Where one line is constituted by a Tip signal and a Ring signal, two switches are necessary for one line. Therefore, four switches 34_A, 34_B, 34_C, and 34_Dare required for one input line and one output line, so as to switch the connection between the line accommodating module and the lines. The terminal C of each switch is connected to a line, the terminal A is connected to each corresponding operating module, and the terminal B is connected to each corresponding one of switches 35_A, 35_B, 35_C, and 35_Dvia the protection signal lines. When the switch control signals C1 to C2N are low, each of the switches 34_A, 34_B, 34_C, and 34_Dconnects the terminal C to the terminal A. When the switch control signals C1 to C2N are high, each of the switches 34_A, 34_B, 34_C, and 34_Dconnects the terminal C to the terminal B.

[0050] The terminal D of each of the switches 35_A, 35_B, 35_C, and 35_Dis connected to the auxiliary module 30, the terminal E is connected to the terminal B of each corresponding one of the switches 34_A, 34_B, 34_C, and 34_Dof the group 28₁, and the terminal F is connected to the terminal B of each corresponding one of the switches 34_A, 34_B, 34_C, and 34_Dof the group 28₂. When a switch control signal CR is low, each terminal F is connected to each corresponding terminal D. When the switch control signal CR is high, each terminal E is connected to each corresponding terminal D. With the switches 35_A, 35_B, 35_C, and 35_Dbeing placed in the middle of the protection signal lines, the length of the protection signal lines can be halved, and branching is eliminated from the protection signal lines. Thus, signal reflection due to branching can be reduced.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 9, where the operating module 26₁breaks down, the CPU 24 in the common unit 18 (not shown) is notified of the breakdown of the operating module 26₁via a signal line F1. The display 26 (not shown) then displays the condition of the breakdown, and the CPU 24 instructs the switching unit 22 to switch the connection from the operating module 26₁to the auxiliary module 30. The CPU 24 further instructs the protection unit 32 to switch the lines. Accordingly, the switch control signal C1 is changed to the high level, and the switch control signal CR is also changed to the high level, because the broken module number “1” is smaller than N. Thus, the auxiliary module 30 is connected to the switches 34_A, 34_B, 34_C, and 34_Dfor the operating module 26₁through protection signal lines A.

[0052] FIG. 10 shows a case where a failure occurs in the operating module 26_2N. In this case, the CPU 24 in the common unit 18 (not shown) is notified of the breakdown of the operation module 26_2Nvia a signal line F2. The CPU 24 displays the condition of the breakdown on the display 26 (not shown), and instructs the switching unit 22 to switch the connection from the operating module 26_2Nto the auxiliary module 30. The CPU 24 further instructs the protection unit 32 to switch the lines. Accordingly, the switch control signal C2N is changed to the high level, while the switch control signal CR is changed to the low level, because the broken module number “2N” is greater than N. Thus, the auxiliary module 30 is connected to the switches 34_A, 34_B, 34_C, and 34_Dfor the operating module 26_2Nby protection signal lines B.

[0053] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the control operation performed by the CPU 24. In step S10, the CPU 24 detects a breakdown of an operating module through the signal lines F1 to F2N. In step S12, it is determined whether or not the broken module number “n” is R. If the broken module number “n” is R, the user is notified of the breakdown of the auxiliary module in step S14.

[0054] If the broken module's number “n” is not R, on the other hand, it is determined whether or not the broken module's number “n” is greater than N, which is half the total number “2N” of operating modules. If the broken module's number “n” is greater than N, the switch control signal CR is changed to the low level in step S18. If the broken module's number “n” is not greater than N, the switch control signal CR is changed to the high level in step S20.

[0055] In step S22, the CPU 24 instructs the switching unit 22 to switch the connection from the lines of the broken operating module to the lines of the auxiliary module. In step S24, the switch control signal Cn (n=the broken operating module's number) is changed to the high level. In step S26, the CPU 24 notifies the user of the breakdown of the operating module n, and the operation comes to an end.

[0056] FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a third embodiment of the device to which the line module protection method of the present invention is applied. In FIG. 12, a plurality of operating modules 26₁to 26₆are divided into a plurality of groups 28₁to 28₃, and the auxiliary module 30 is placed substantially in the middle of the operating modules 26₁to 26₆. The protection unit 32 is also divided into divisional protection units 32₁to 32₆. Each of the divisional protection units 32₁to 32₆is provided with switches 34_A, and 34_B. The operation modules 26₁to 26₆and the divisional protection units 32₁to 32₆constitute line accommodating modules 29₁to 29₃. A protection unit 32₀is placed in the middle of the protection signal lines, thereby dividing the protection signal lines so that a protection signal line to be connected to the auxiliary module 30 can be selected. In this example, the number N of operation modules 6, the number G of groups of operating modules is 3, and the number L of lines accommodated in each operating module is 2.

[0057] Where the protection unit 32 constitutes one block, the line module protection is performed by all the lines, or the line module protection is not performed at all. However, there is a demand for line module protection partially using the line accommodating units. In response to this demand, if there are operating modules which do not require line module protection, the divisional protection units of those operating modules can be omitted in this embodiment. Thus, more freedom is allowed in designing. If the operating module 26₆does not require line module protection, for instance, it is not necessary to employ the divisional protection unit 32₆.

[0058] FIG.13 illustrates the structure of the third embodiment of the device to which the line module protection method of the present invention is applied. In FIG. 13, 2N of operating modules 26₁to 26_2Nare divided into two groups 28₁and 28₂each having N of operating modules, and the auxiliary module 30 is placed substantially in the middle of the operating modules 26₁to 26_2N. The auxiliary module 30 and the operating modules 26₁to 26_2Nare aligned.

[0059] The protection unit 32 includes divisional protection units 32₁to 32_2Nfor the operating modules 26₁to 26_2N, respectively, the divisional protection unit 32₀for the auxiliary module 30, and a connecting unit 32_Lthat connects the modules and the protection unit 32. Each of the divisional protection units 32₁to 32_2Nis provided with switches 34_A, 34_B, 34_C, and 34_D. Where one line is constituted by a Tip signal and a Ring signal, two switches are necessary for one line. Therefore, four switches 34_A, 34_B, 34_C, and 34_Dare required for one input line and one output line so as to switch the connection between the lines and the line accommodating module. The terminal C of each switch is connected to each corresponding line, the terminal A is connected to each corresponding one of the operating modules 26₁to 26_2N, and the terminal B is connected to each corresponding one of switches 35_A, 35_B, 35_C, and 35_Dof the divisional protection unit 32₀via the protection signal lines. When the switch control signals C1 to C2N are low, each of the switches 34_A, 34_B, 34_C, and 34_Dconnects the terminal C to the terminal A. When the switch control signals C1 to C2N are high, each of the switches 34_A, 34_B, 34_C, and 34_Dconnects the terminal C to the terminal B.

[0060] The terminal D of each of the switches 35_A, 35_B, 35_C, and 35_Dof the divisional protection unit 32₀is connected to the auxiliary module 30, the terminal E is connected to each corresponding one of the switches 34_A, 34_B, 34_C, and 34_Dof the group 28₁, and the terminal F is connected to each corresponding one of the switches 34_A, 34_B, 34_C, and 34_Dof the group 28₂. When the switch control signal CR is low, each of the switches 35_A, 35_B, 35_C, and 35_Dconnects the terminal F to the terminal D. When the switch control signal CR is high, each of the switches 35_A, 35_B, 35_C, and 35_Dconnects the terminal E to the terminal D.

[0061] If the operating modules 26_N+1to 26_2Ndo not require line module protection, the divisional protection units 32_N+1to 32_2Ncan be eliminated, as shown in FIG. 14.

[0062] If a frame ground (FG) is used in place of the Ring signal on each line, the switches 34_Band 34_Dof the divisional protection units 32₁to 32_2N, and the switches 35_Band 35_Dof the divisional protection unit 32₀can be omitted. Thus, the number of switches can be further reduced.

[0063] FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a fourth embodiment of the device to which the line module protection method of the present invention is applied. In FIG. 16₁a plurality of operating modules 26₁to 26₆are divided into a plurality of groups 28₁to 28₃, and the auxiliary module 30 is placed substantially in the middle of the operating modules 26₁to 26₆. The protection unit 32 is also divided into divisional protection units 32_1Aand 32_1Bto 32_6Aand 32_6B. Each of the divisional protection units 32_1Aand 32_1Bto 32_6Aand 32_6Bis provided with a switch 34_Aor 34_B. Protection units 32_0Aand 32_1Bare also placed in the middle of the protection signal lines, thereby dividing the protection signal lines so that a protection signal line to be connected to the auxiliary module 30 can be selected. In this example, the number N of operation modules 6, the number G of groups of operating modules is 3, and the number L of lines accommodated in each operating module is 2.

[0064] Where the protection unit 32 constitutes one block, the line module protection is performed by all the lines, or the line module protection is not performed at all. However, there is a demand for line module protection partially using the line accommodating units. In response to this demand, if there are operating modules which do not require line module protection, the divisional protection units of those operating modules can be omitted in this embodiment. Thus, more freedom is allowed in designing.

[0065] FIG. 17 illustrates the structure of the fourth embodiment of the device to which the line module protection method of the present invention is applied. In FIG. 17, 2N of operating modules 26₁to 26_2Nare divided into two groups 28₁and 28₂each having N of operating modules, and the auxiliary module 30 is placed substantially in the middle of the operating modules 26₁to 26_2N. The auxiliary module 30 and the operating modules 26₁to 26_2Nare aligned.

[0066] The protection unit 32 includes divisional protection units 32_1Aand 32_1Bto 32_2NAto 32_2NBfor the input lines and output lines of the operating modules 26₁to 26_2N, respectively, the divisional protection unit 32_0Aand 32_0Bfor the auxiliary module 30, and a connecting unit 32_Lthat connects the modules and the protection unit 32. Each of the divisional protection units 32_1Aand 32_1Bto 32_2NAto 32_2NBis provided with two switches 34_A, and 34_Bor 34_Cand 34_D. Where one line is constituted by a Tip signal and a Ring signal, two switches are necessary for one line. Therefore, four switches 34_A, 34_B, 34_C, and 34_Dare required for one input line and one output line so as to switch the connection between the lines and the line accommodating module. The terminal C of each switch is connected to each corresponding line, the terminal A is connected to each corresponding one of the operating modules 26₁to 26_2N, and the terminal B is connected to each corresponding one of switches 35_A, 35_B, 35_C, and 35_Dof the divisional protection units 32_0Aand 32_0Bvia the protection signal lines of the connecting unit 32_L. When the switch control signals C1 to C2N are low, each of the switches 34_A, 34_B, 34_C, and 34_Dconnects the terminal C to the terminal A. When the switch control signals C1 to C2N are high, each of the switches 34_A, 34_B, 34_C, and 34_Dconnects the terminal C to the terminal B.

[0067] The terminal D of each of the switches 35_A, 35_B, 35_C, and 35_Dof the divisional protection units 32_0Aand 32_0Bis connected to the auxiliary module 30, the terminal E is connected to each corresponding one of the switches 34_A, 34_B, 34_C, and 34_Dof the group 28₁, and the terminal F is connected to each corresponding one of the switches 34_A, 34_B, 34_C, and 34_Dof the group 28₂. When the switch control signal CR is low, each of the switches 35_A, 35_B, 35_C, and 35_Dconnects the terminal F to the terminal D. When the switch control signal CR is high, each of the switches 35_A, 35_B, 35_C, and 35_Dconnects the terminal E to the terminal D.

[0068] In this example, the number of operating modules is 2N, the number of lines accommodated in each operating module is 2, and the line module protection is performed for each line. One divisional protection unit is provided for each line, and control lines are disposed for switch control signals to control the divisional protection units. The CPU 24 in the common unit 18 controls the switch control signals separately from each other.

[0069] Where the circuit that accommodates the line #1_1 breaks down in the operating module 26₁, the CPU 24 in the common unit 18 is notified of the breakdown of the module 26₁through the signal line F1_1. The CPU 24 then instructs the display 26 to display the condition of the breakdown, and also instructs the switching unit 22 to switch the connection from the line #1_1 of the operating module 26₁to the line of the auxiliary module 30. The CPU 24 further instructs the protection unit 32_1Ato switch the lines, so that the switch control signal Cl_1 is changed to the high level. Since the broken module's number “1” is smaller than N, which is half the number of operation modules, the switch control signal CR is changed to the high level. Accordingly, the line #1_1 is connected to the auxiliary module 30 via protection signal lines Al. Here, a line #1_2 remains accommodated in the operating module #1.

[0070] Where the line accommodating circuit of the operating module 26_2Nbreaks down, the CPU 24 in the common unit 18 is notified of the breakdown of the module 26_2N. The CPU 24 then instructs the display 26 to display the condition of the breakdown, and also instructs the switching unit 22 to switch the connection from the line #2N_1 of the operating module 26_2Nto the lines of the auxiliary module 30. The CPU 24 further instructs the protection unit 32_2NAto switch the lines, so that the switch control signal C2N_1 is changed to the high level. Since the broken module's number “2N” is greater than N, which is half the total number of operating modules, the switch control signal CR is changed to the low level. Accordingly, the line #2N_1 is connected to the auxiliary module 30 via protection signal lines B1. Here, a line #2N_2 remains accommodated in the operating module #2N.

[0071] FIG. 19 is a flowchart of a control operation performed by the CPU 24. In step S30, the CPU 24 detects a breakdown of a line accommodating circuit through a signal line Fn_m (n=1 to 2N, m=1or 2). In step S32, it is determined whether or not the broken circuit's number “n” is R. If the broken circuit's number “n” is R, the user is notified of the breakdown of the auxiliary module 30 in step S34, and the operation comes to an end.

[0072] If the broken circuit's number “n” is not R, on the other hand, it is determined whether the broken circuit's number “n” is greater than N, which is half the total number of operating modules. If the broken circuit's number “n” is greater than N, the switch control signal CR is changed to the low level in step S38. If the broken circuit's number “n” is not greater than N, the switch control signal CR is changed to the high level in step S40.

[0073] In step S42, the CPU 24 instructs the switching unit 22 to switch the connection from the lines of the broken circuit to the lines of the auxiliary modules 30. In step S44, the switch control signal Cn_m (“n” is the broken circuit's number) is changed to the high level. In step S46, the user is notified of the breakdown of the line accommodating circuit #n_m.

[0074] The present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments, but variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0075] The present application is based on Japanese priority application No. 11-228875, filed on Aug. 12, 1999, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.