Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
SE:P.13 J8~ 22:18 I~ CORP ~
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~ lltggr~t~d C~mm~nicati~n ~yst~
The pres~nt ;~lv~nti~n r~lat~a to an intagrated com~uni~
cJ~1~n ~ys~e~ ~on~inin~ ~ n~rr~band ~ommuni~atlon n~-
?dork, ~ ~ro~dhElnd s~tchin~ net~J~rk~ ~n~ di~ r~
h~n~ di~ri~ut~on slditchin~ network~ the bro~d~and
s~tt~ch~n~ and ~;st~ibution e~uipm~nt b~ing ~on~r~L le~ ~r~
t~ n~rroY~and ~i'cching e~uipmen~.
Sn ~ kno~n inte~ral:ed cor~ n;~ion sys~em" the ~rD~dband
~rit~in~ n~t~o~k, compris7n~ a v;~e4 ~;t~h~n~ net~fork
for ~ o eo~n;e~tion tha~ is inst~llffd in ~ telephor~e
r~ntr~L ~ic~, sn~ t~e bro~dband d;~tr;b~tion s~i~ching
n~t~or~J comprisin~ ~ t~Le~is~on-$i~n~ ;t~hing n~t~rk~
~ on~roll~d ~y t~a contr3l unit o~ th~ ~elaphone ~x-
eh~n~ rm~n ~t~ 3~ ., Th~ - lat~r mu~t 'o~
n~d 70r ~hi.s purpo~e" wh7~1~ in~lPLv~ n~ r~hl~ ~3K-
p~ n ~ t~on,~ ~p~c~l r1~n~ n~ e~u~pment~ pl~otZ~l O
~n~ proc~d~l~o$ ~e noee~sary~ Fur th~ exchange olF ~arrow~
~alnd 3nd bro~d~and ~lo~ce-~re~uerl~y and Ç~ tD sign~ls" ~sh
~u~r;~r tormin~ conn~cted to the teleph~ne exchan~e
cn~ ~he vid~o ~nd tel~ ion~si~nal switchin~ net~ork~ by
t~o ~pt;c~l ~ibors, one fsr th~ tran~;t ~ireet;~n and ~ne
for th~ r~eet~e d~r~e~ton,c ov~r ~hich the dîfferent c~-
~n;e~.ion ~i~nal~ ~re ~rangmitted ~n One ~ir~t~on ~e ~ ~ttme u~tn~ tfm~ ;ston multipL~xin~. The hi~h tr~ns~ ton
cap~c1~y ~f optic~L fl~ers ls no~ su~icirn~ly uti liz~d
~n th~t ~y~t~m"
The obJoet of the inv~ntion 15 ~o pro-llde ~n in~egr~tPd
:om~iun~c~ n net~Jork ~hi~h ~ke~ u~ o~ the existin~ com-
~,~
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5tU~t~ t, April ~0~ 1~8~
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mun.ica-tion infrastructure and thus reduces the cost and complexity
of the broadband communication system.
According to the invention, this object is attained by an
integrated communication system containing a narrowband communica-
tion network, a broadband switching network, and digital broad-
band distr.ibution switching networks, the broadband switching
and distribution switching networks being controlled by narrow-
band switchiny equipment, characterized in that the narrowbroad
switching equipment comprises narrowband digital switching networks
with spatially distributed control elements including a terminal
module; said terminal module comprising controllers of the broad-
band switching network; and wherein the terminal module is connec-
ted to the narrowband switching network, and includes means for
transferring signalling and control information from the narrowband
communication network to the broad band switching network for
switching calls in the broadband swi-tching network, the narrowband
switching equipment being provided with a second terminal module
which contains a controller for the broadcast distribution switch-
ing network; and wherein the second terminal module is connected
to the narrowband digital switching network, and transfers sign-
alling and control information from the narrowband digital switching
network to the broadcast distribution switching network for acti-
vating switching operations in the broadband distribution switching
network, and :Eurther characterized in that narrowband lines carry
a telephone call belonging to a video call set up via the broad-
band switching ne-twork, said call being coupled via said narrow-
band lines to the narrowband communication networkO
-2a-
The principal advantages of the invention are that the
equipment in existing digital communication networks or in digital
communication networks to be set up in the foreseeable future
is also used for new broadband switching and distribution networks.
No special signalling and control equipment is necessary. The
communications protocols and procedures are uniform. This
improves the economy of the entire telecommunications network.
An embodiment of the invention will now be explained with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 shows the connection of broadband switching networks
to a digital exhange in a communication system according to the
invention, and
~22C~Z~
Fig. 2 shows a terminal module forming part of a digital
exhange and containing the controllers for a v-ideophone switching
network in an integrated communication system as shown in Fig. 1.
Connected to a narrowband switching network 1 of a modern
digital exchange, e.g., a System 12 exehange, are several so-
called terminal modules (see, for example, "Elektrisehes Naehrieh-
tenwesen", Vol. 56, No. 2/3, 1981, page 136), of whieh a digital
subseriber module 2, a common ehannel module 3, and a digital
trunk module 4 are shown in the drawing. Eaeh of these modules
provides for the routing of narrow band eommunieation signals,
and eonsists of a texminal 2a, 3a, 4a and a terminal eontrol ele-
ment 2b, 3b, 4b, respectively. The module 2 is connected via
narrowband lines 6 to a subscriber multiplexer 7 which is connected
to the subseriber facilities ~not shown) by broadband subscriber
lines 8. The multiplexer 7 combines both broadband and narrow-
band signals from the central office for transmission via the
broadband lines 8 to the subseriber; and for transmissions in the
reverse direetion, separates the wideband and the narrowband signals
reeeived via the lines 8 from the subsexiber. The module 3 is the
eommon ehannel module for, e.g., CCITT No. 7 signalling.
Via the module ~, digital trunks 10 runnin~ to other ex-
ehanges ard forming speeeh paths are eonneeted to the narrowband
switehing network~ These trunks also inelude the common signalling
ehannel
In aecordance with the invention, switching facilities 12,
indicated in the drawingby a block bordered by a broken line,
~Z~ 6
are provided to in~egrate broadband services into the narrowband
communication network. The switching facilities 12 include a
module 13 ~or controlling a broa~band distribution switching
network 14, the network 14 coupling one of a plurality of tele-
vision programs to a single subscriber circuit. The module 13
consists of a terminal 13a and a module control element 13b
for generating switch-control signals for operating the network
14. The switching facilities 12 further comprise a module 16
for controlling a broadband switching network 17, which module
consists of a terminal 16a and a module control element 16b.
The module 16 generates switch-control signals for operating
the network 17, the latter comprising well-known broadband switch-
ing circuits suitable for interconnection of broadband telephone
trunks. The two modules 13 and 16 may also be united into one
control module.
Through the broadband distribution switching network 14a, a
few of a major number of centrally available television programs,
~ g., three, are switched to the subscriber, namely those selected
by the subscriber from the programs being offered. The broadband
~istribution switching network 14, hereinafter also referred to as
"TV switching network", is connected to the module 13 by a control
line 19 and to the subscriber multiplexer 7 by program distribution
lines 20. The television programs are supplied to it over lines
21.
The broadband switchIng network 17 handles the broadband
video signals necessary for video calls. It is connected to the
module 16 by a control line 22, to the subscriber multiplexer 7
by broadband lines 23, and to other broadband switching networks
by broadband trunks 240 In the following, it will also be
referred to as the "videophone switching network" and may comprise
separate elements such as the components 17a-b-c as will be
shown in Fig. 2.
Those parts of the integrated communicatlon system
according to the inven-tion which are spatially assigned to the
narrowband digital exchange are indicated by a bracke-t 26.
Details of the module 16 for controlling videophone
switching networks are shown in Fig. 2 lines 28 and 28' connect
the module 16 to the narrowband digital network 1, while the
other modules 2,3, 4 and 13 are connected to the switching network
1 by corresponding lines 29 to 32 (see also Fig.l).
The module 16 is duplicated for reliability; the two
united are designated 16(I) and 16(II)o
Each of the two modules 16(I) and 16(II) has a terminal
interface 36, a terminal control iunit 38, one or more control
assemblies 39 and, if necessary, a remote~control assembly 40.
The interface 36 provides the well-known function of signal coup
ling as well as any necessary power amplification and waveform
restoration for driving the control unit 38 with signals from
the network 1. The control unit 38 converts command signals from
the inter~ace 36 to parallel format digital signals for use by
components of -the control assemblies 39. The control assembly
39 contains three like circuit arrangements 42, 43, and 44, each
of which comp.rises a reyister 46, a parallel-serial converter 47,
and a line driver 48. The circuit arrangement 42 transfers the
control signals of the module 16 to a videophone transmit switch-
ing network 17a, which is usually of multistage design. The
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:
circuit arrangement 43 transfers the control signals to a video-
phone subscriber switching network 17b, and the circuit arrangement
44 controls a videophone concentrator 17c. The remote-control
assembly 40 contains one or more circuit arrangements 45 comprising
a register 46, a parallel-serial converter 47, and a line driver
48. The latter transfers the control signals to the subscriber
multiplexer 7. Remote control of distant broadband switching equip-
ment by the assembly 40 is of importance mainly at the first con-
figuration level of the integrated communication network.
For the implementa-tion of broadband dialog services,
particularly the videophone service, and the distribution of
television programs in telecommunications networks, the following
principles apply:
-Preference is given to digital signal transmission;
-necessity of high bit rates in the ranye from 34 to 140
~b/s (depending on the kind of A/D conversion used) as compared
with other communication services;
-no switching of these diyital signals of high bit rate
through the switching networks of digital exchanges of the tele-
phone network or of a future ISDN network;
.
l e ~ t a ~ ~ _ Z ~
- n~ssit~ of ~ro~db~nd switching ~u;p~nentO inter~cn-
~e~ted by bro~d~nd ommuni~tion sys~em~, for videa-
,~hons s~r~;ce;
- nes~ssi ey of br~dband di~tribu~iorl s~itchin~ ne~works
fDr ~ pr~rjm distri~tion;
cons~ructi~n of ~ ~roadband vi~eophon~ ca~n~un;o~;on
netu~k compLetely L~Yer;n~ ven ~r~a, ~nd
handling o~ ph4ne c~lls associa-ted wtth th~ ~,rid~o-
phone $~rvice ~hroLrgh ~he teLephone nee~Jorh.
This r~s~lLts in the folLowin~ obies~ives, whi~h ~re at-
t~lne~ by th~ com~nunication system ~c~or~in~ tc the in~en-
t~on in ~ technic~LLy and ~r,Gno~i~ally advantag~ous manner~
r tying ~he l~r~a~arld comm~nicat-on faci l;ti~s to the CODl-
n~c~tion infra~r~çture ~ithin ~he frame~or~ o~ ~h~
~t ir~ c~mmtln; r.~t ~ on network;
- trans~er ~nd pttoc~ssin~ o~ ~h~ s;~n~llin~ and ~ontroL
tnf~rll)2tion ~or h~l~dlin~ video calL~O ~nd
- t r~nsf ~r and proce~5i n~ o~ ~ tle s i ~r~a l ~ i ng ~nd oont ro l ; n-
for~tion for sel~otin~ televisi~n progr~ms ant, if
n~r,e~sary, ~tr-r~o 3011n~ broadc~st pr~r~ns.
For the implementation of the integrated communic~tion
sys~e~, th~ followin~ ~eatures of the communi~a~on ne~-
L~ork are a~v~nt~geous:
- dt~iti2ation o~ thr~ ~nt~re telephone network, !;oth in the
s~i~ch;n~ equip~ent ~nd in the transmissi~n equipmen~;
e ~ broadb~nd ~er~rice-integrated di~isal subscriber
~ernin~ionst the su~scriber lines prefer~bLy usin~3 op-
~ i r ~ l f i be r ~ ;
aY~ilAbil~ty ~f ~n out~of-b~nd si~nallin~ ch~nneL,. a ~o~
Ga~d ~ ehannel, ~t the d;~ital su~scriber ter~in~3~ioni
....... ................ ........ ........ ..... .............. ..... .. .. . .
SEP. 13 '83 22: :~8 Irr CORP 9 P. 11
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~ gle ~t ~ 21~1
- ~ignalling in the ~igi~ ommunic~tion n~t~ork 4ver
~mmon s;~nallin~ nn~Ls, prefer~ly using ~C~TT ~o.
sign~lling, incl~din~ a "use~ p~t" for bro~db~nd ser-
vices, ~nd
- use o~ m4du~ar comput~r-c~ntrolLed exchan~eq in the
digi~al communication net~Drk which permit the ~d;tion
af now ~un~ion~L modules per f c r r i n~ ~ rld i t i onal t~ks r
as t~ re~d;Ly poss1ble in a ~ys~m 1~ exchange.
~r~ulpm~nt for bro~dband servtce~ may b~ ad~ed to the tele-
~ommunicati4ns network:
bro~ nd switching ~e~w~rks for ~w;t~hiny th~ vid~o~n~ls for video~hone ser~;c~;
broa~band ~rallsrn;ssion patil~ preferably usin~ er-
Gp~iC cabl~, for illterconn~cting these s~itchin~ n~t~
~1crk~
- bro~ nd swi~ching networ~s for ~i~trib~ti~ l pro~ram~
and, i~ necessary,stere~ sound brGa~ca~ pro~r~tns;
- hroadband transmiss;on p~ths~, prefer3bly llsin~ fiber- -
opti-- ~ahl~s, for supplyin~ the ~V pro~rams ~nd, if
ne~ess~ry, the stereo ~oun~ broadl~st pro~ratns, and
~- the si~nalLin~ ~h~n~eLs ~f ~he digital communic~tion net,-
l~rk ~re al50 used ~or the b~oadband sui~ch7n~ serl/;c~sand distribution servic~s in order to tr~ns~er ~ontr~l
~nd signalLlng ~n~or~n~tion ~or cal( setup, s~itch;n~
n~t~ork rnarking~ pro~l~tm s~le~tionJ operation, mainten~nce"
~tc~: ~) the ~ign~llin~ ~h~nneL ~ in the local ~rea, and
b) the common signalLirlg channels bet~een the ~igi~al
telephone e~chan~e~.
Some of ~he modules of the di~itaL ~xchal~ge are also use~
~or ~h~ broadb~nd sw~t~hing and distributi~n ser~ es~ ~nd
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SEP. 13 'R3 i~ rr CORP ~ P. 12
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2~
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t t ~ e e ~ 21 1
other ~odul~ h~\r to b~ ~dd~d ~se~
- u5e of the d1~itaL subs~r;ber mo~ule~ ~ fOf S~
Rcrib~rs ~ith bros~bsnd ~erYi~e9;
u~e ~f ~he d~ital trunk mo~ules 4 ~narrowband with
64 ~bJs in di~t~aL mul~;plex sy~te~s, such ~s ~5MXZ~
fcr han;lLina the teleph~n~ call belongin~ to the
videophon~ ~aLl;
- use ~ the c3mmon channel modules 3 ~or th~ transf~r ~f
signal lin~ and ~on~rol ~nf~rmation bet~e~n ~he ~ aL
exchan~es~ ~n~
a~di~ion of modules 1~ an~ ~6 ~or ~ontrolling the
bro~e~b~nd diseribLl~ion n~t~srk~ nd ~he br~band
~wi~ching netl~crks 17~ r~speetiv~ly, with the Functions
o~ p~h and direction seLç~ n, s~it h~ng-ne~work
m~n~ge~ent and ~upervision, ~ hin~ se~en~ Lo~trol~
~t~
~h~ eontr4l o~ th~ br~d~and 8witchin~ ~n~ dt-
~tributi~n ~et~rk~ ~n ~e i~pl~ente~ in o~ ~r more ~o-
dulo~ depend1n~ on ~yste~ s;ze ~nd n~mber 4f fun~tions~
For r~ Y, ~ 1s adv~nta~ous to ~upl-ica~e the co~-
trol m~ es.
- Th~ narro~and sw;tch'in~ network t ~ th~ dt~tsl ~x-
change ~s also ~sed for the intern~l ~r~s~er o~ the
nallin~ and çontrol tnfor~ation bet~eer, the m~dules~
The ;nte~rate~ c~m~unic~ti~n system in accord~nce ~th the
invent10n ~5 p~rt1eularly ~d~antageo~s in th~t it perm;ts
the eq41pment for handling brGadband servi~e~ ~par~ic~ar~y
broadb~nd dtolo~) t~ be inser~e~ into the n~rro~b~n~ di-
~it3l eo~unication in~r~struc~ure in an ~ppropriate
m~nner. Since ~he ~;~naLLin~ ~nd c~ntr~l equip~ent i~
.... ... ,.. ,,,,,,,,,,,, - 1 ~ - I
~ 4 l i l Wl~:~ Y r, lJ
D.~tt le ot al ~
us~d fof both n~rra~band and ~ra~band ~ierv;c~s;, ~n
~onomical o~/erall stru~ture is ob~ain~d. The ~yin~ ot ~he
bra~d~nd s~7t~h;ng networ~ks ~7 and th~ distri~ution
~itching net~arks 14 to ~he narrowb~nd dtgi~aL ex~hang~s
1, par~1cul~rLy ~ystera 12 ex~han~es,~ is adv~nt~eous ~e~
~n ~n~ineerin~ pnint of view~ I~ eli~l)inates th neecl ~or
s~par~te ~h~nnels, protoc4ls, ~ thods~ ~nd eq~ip~ent ~r
si~n3lLin~ ~n~ ~ntroL in the bro~dbarld portion of the
ne~work. The use of th~ n~l ro~Jband sw~tchin~ network
~r ~u~dband communtcation permits a f lexible assi~n-
ment cf ~he ~-lbscribers t~ the br~ làb~nd co~rol moduLes~
This resiJlts tn an economi~al im~Lementa~ion a~ di~fen~n~
configur~ti~n ~v~s det~r~ned by the nu~ber ~ su~-
~ri~r~ altd the numb~r and kin~ o~ service~ us~d. An in-
te~r~ed con~municst;on sy~te~ ~B~Q~Y~ trlcll~d~s the n~rr~w-
b3nd t~lephone net~rks, a br~lb~nd ~wi~hin~ n~t~rk t7
~or vid~oph~ne ervic~, ~nd a ~road~and ~i ~tribu~ios~
~it~hi~s network 14 f4r c~bl~ ~eLe~s;~n ser~lice.
Th~ narro~nd ~witshing e~ipm~n~ çompris~s di~i~al
s~1tch;n~ t~ork~ ith sp~ Lly dis~r1~ed ~ontr~l~ers
29 ~, 4~ e~c., an~ a terminal mo~ul~ ~6 ~h1çh co~3ins
~he contr~l f~ciLities ~or the broad~n~ ~witching net~ork
170 i~ ~:on~ec~e~ t4 ~he n~rrow~and d;~ital s~i~ch;ng riet-
~ork 1, ~nd tr~nst~r5 the sign~LLin~ and control information
~or h~ndlin~ th~ c~lls in the br~db~nd s~;tchin~ ne~work
~hrou~h the n~rrowband communication n~twork. Adv~ntageo~s-
ly" the ~roadb~nd equipment i5 of digit~l de~t~n, too, ~nd
t he s; ~n~ l l i n~ and ~ont ro l i nf orrna~ i on i s ~ransf erred through a
net~ork of co~nmRn si~nalling channels.
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