CN1266590A - Telecommunication switchboard - Google Patents

Abstract

A telecommunications exchange comprises a switching device (1201) of a first type through which telecommunications connections are routed. An access unit (1202) connects the switching device to a telecommunications network. The telecommunications exchange includes an exchange main processor (1200) which generates switch control messages for a switching device of a second type but which translates the switch control messages for use by the switching device of the first type. Preferably, the switching device of the second type is a group switch, and the exchange main processor is an open platform processor. The exchange main processor emulates portions of a telecommunications exchange which control the switching device of the first type, the emulated portions including a central processor (1234), regional processors, and a switching subsystem (1230). In emulating the central processor, the exchange main processor advantageously enables utilization of previously developed logic for telecommunications exchanges using the second switching device by translating coded instructions executable by the central processor into instructions executable by exchange main processor.

Description

Telecom switch

background

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08/887,653, entitled "SIMULATION OF COMPUTER-BASED TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM," filed July 3, 1997, and It is also a continuation-in-part of Serial No. 08/874,660, filed June 13, 1997, and entitled "SIMULATION OF COMPUTER PROCESSOR," both of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

1. Field of invention

This invention relates to telecommunications, and more particularly to telecommunications switches.

2. Relevant technical and other considerations

Users of telecommunication services are connected to each other via one or more networks, so that a connection, such as a telephone call or data transmission, can take place between users. A network consists of various nodes, or switches, through which connections are routed. In this respect, each subscriber is connected via a land line to a local exchange, which is connected together (via land lines) by further transit exchanges when necessary. Each local exchange and transit exchange typically has large and complex switches through which connections are routed between incoming and outgoing lines.

An example of a conventional switch used in a telephone exchange is considered a group switch, such as the AX Group Switch of Telefonaktiebolaget L.M. Ericsson. The group switch generally includes a space switching module and a time switching module in the switching kernel, as well as group switching software. The entire switch, including the group switch, is under the control of a central processor and multiple local processors. The central and local processors execute the group switch software and other switching software. The group switch also has special hardware that forms the connection to the line switching module and handles traffic and signaling. The circuit switching modules are ultimately connected outside the switch, for example to subscribers. Even the smallest gang switch can usually handle several thousand connections.

Telephone exchanges including group switches are complex and expensive. The complexity and expense are due at least in part to the dedicated hardware units used in the switch, as well as the size of the group switch itself. In addition, CPUs are custom processors that are much more expensive than industry standard processors.

Due to the complexity of telephone exchanges, efforts have been devoted to the development and testing of a suitable operating system for the central processor of the telephone exchange. For example, for AX group switches, a special operating system called APZ has been developed that actually coordinates all aspects of the telephone switch. The operating system of the AX group switch executes the instruction set customized by APZ. The operating system is highly developed and complex, reflecting the complex nature of the group switch itself.

In some environments the use of large group switches is not justified by the capacity and cost of the telephone switch. For example, in a rural or less populated area, there are not a large number of users for whom telephone switching operations need to be performed. Furthermore, in some developing countries of the world, limited resources require telephone switching to be implemented on a smaller scale. However, these environments will one day have an underlying need for greater switching capacity.

What is needed, therefore, is a telecommunications switch that enables inexpensive implementation of simplified but scalable switching equipment.

Brief content of the invention

A telecommunications switch comprises switching equipment of a first type through which telecommunications connections are routed. The access unit connects the switching equipment to the telecommunications network. The telecommunications switch includes a switch main processor, also known as a switch emulation processor, that generates switch control messages for switching devices of the second type, but converts the switching control messages for use by switching devices of the first type. Preferably, the switching device of the second type is a group switch and the switching main processor is an open platform processor.

The exchange main processor emulates and controls part of the telecommunications exchange of the first type of exchange equipment, and the emulation part includes a central processor, a local area processor and an exchange subsystem. In emulating the central processor, the exchange main processor advantageously utilizes previously developed telecommunications switch logic using the second switching device by converting coded instructions executed by the central processor into instructions executed by the exchange main processor.

Brief description of the drawings

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following more particular description of the preferred embodiment, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the several views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.

Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of a telephone switching system including a remote subscriber level.

Figure 1B is a schematic diagram of a telephone switching system in which the subscriber level is included in the parent switching office.

Figure 1C is a schematic diagram of a telephone switching system including a remote subscriber level and having a standard interface.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a central processor of a telephone switching system according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram depicting the relationship between basic units including a Group Switch Subsystem (GSS) core.

3A is a diagram of a Time Switch Module (TSM) included in the Group Switch Subsystem (GSS) core of FIG. 3 .

FIG. 3B is a diagram of a Space Switch Module (TSM) included in the Group Switch Subsystem (GSS) core of FIG. 3 .

Figure 4 is an illustration of a Group Switch Subsystem (GSS) with several interconnected space switchers.

Fig. 5A is a schematic diagram of a telecommunications switch according to a first embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 5B is a schematic diagram of a telecommunications switch according to the first embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 5C is a schematic diagram of a telecommunications switch according to the first embodiment of the invention.

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of switching logic hardware included in an alternative switching device to the telecommunications switch of the present invention.

Figure 6A is a packet diagram of a packet header used in an alternative switching device including the telecommunications switch of the present invention.

Figure 6B is a diagram of functional objects included in an alternative switching device to the telecommunications switch of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a computer system schematic diagram of a switch main processor that may be used in the telecommunications switch of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of an interface system according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of a CPU simulator according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 10 is a diagram showing software distribution corresponding to various simulation modules according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of a group switch analog module according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 12 is a diagram showing the pipelined or incremental coordination of the emulation monitor routine converting object code into emulation instructions and executing the emulation instructions.

Figure 13 is a diagram showing the processing of switch control messages from an analog central processor and through an analog group switch subsystem (SGS) to switching equipment in accordance with one mode of the invention.

Detailed description of the drawings

In the following description, for purposes of explanation rather than limitation, specific details are set forth, such as particular structures, interfaces, techniques, etc., in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced in other embodiments that depart from these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known devices, circuits, and methods are omitted so as not to obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail.

The present invention provides a telecommunications switch in which a traditional group switch is replaced by another switching device. The replacement switching equipment itself is actually directly connected to the access units (eg, access modules and trunks) and includes switching logic. In addition to replacing switching equipment and access units, the telecommunications switch of the present invention includes a switch main processor, which essentially implements the rest of the telecommunications switch. The switch host processor may be an industry standard processor, emulating the processor and various subsystems of a conventional telecommunications switch implementing group switching. The switch host processor additionally provides adaptation functions (including interfacing and switching) that enable the switch computer to communicate with alternate switch devices. When simulating the central processing unit and local area processor of a traditional telecommunication exchange, the exchange main processor advantageously converts the code modules written with the instruction set of the operating system of the traditional telecommunication exchange into the exchange main processor capable of executing the emulation as a switching computer code.

Before describing the present invention, an overview of two embodiments of conventional telecommunications switches using group switches is provided.

1.0 Traditional switch with group switch

FIG. 1A shows a telephone switching system 18A including a local telephone switch 20 connected to a remote subscriber switch (RSS) 22 . Switch 20 includes Group Switch Subsystem (GSS) 30 . Group Switch Subsystem (GSS) 30 is controlled by one or more Group Switch Local Processors (GSRP) 32 which are in turn controlled by Central Processing Unit (CP) 34 . Central processing unit (CP) 34 and group switch local processor (GSRP) 32 communicate via local processor bus (RPB) 36 . Other local processors, signaling terminals 37 of Signaling System No. 7, and other signaling terminal hubs (STCs) 38 are also connected to the local processor bus (RPB) 36 . As shown in FIG. 1A, each signaling terminal hub (STC) 38 is connected to an associated exchange termination circuit (ETC) 40. The signaling terminal 37 of Signaling System No. 7 is connected to an associated exchange termination circuit (ETC) 41. An exchange termination circuit (ETC) 41 is connected by a link 42 to other switches.

Remote subscriber switch (RSS) 22 includes a plurality of line switch modules (LSM) 44 each connected to a plurality of subscribers, such as subscriber 46 . Line Switch Module (LSM) 44 includes a number of units. At least one, and preferably a plurality (but not necessarily all) of Line Switch Modules (LSM) 44 have an Exchange Termination Board (ETB) 48 . Each Line Switch Module (LSM) 44 has an Expansion Module Local Processor (EMRP) 50 and a Time Division Switch (TSW) 51 . Each exchange termination board (ETB) 48 is connected to a port of the group switch 30 by a link through one of the exchange termination circuits (ETC) 40 . An expansion module local processor (EMRP) 50 is connected to two separate EMRP buses 56A and 56B. EMRP bus 56A is also connected to signaling terminal remote (STR) S8A; EMRP bus 56B is also connected to signaling terminal remote (STR) 58B. Signaling Termination Remote (STR) 58 is connected to Switch Termination Board (STB) 48 of Remote Subscriber Switch (RSS) 22 .

Calls between users, also called connections, are routed through the telephone switching system 18 . A call generally includes signaling and traffic (messages for the user, eg voice or data). Calls or connections use channels on link 54, eg time-division slots, of which channel 16 is usually designated as common channel signaling.

Figure 1B shows a telephone switching system 18B in which the subscriber level is included in the parent switch. Similar to the system 18B of FIG. 1A, the telephone switching system 18B includes a group switch subsystem (GSS) 30 controlled by a group switch local processor (GSRP) 32, and the processor 32 is connected via a local processor bus (RPB ) 36 communicates with a central processing unit (CP) 34. The telephone switching system 18B of FIG. 1B differs from the system of FIG. 1A in that each pair of signaling terminal hub (STC) 38 and exchange termination board (ETB) 40 combine to form a local processor bus converter (RPBC) 60 . Local processor bus converter (RPBC) 60 is connected to local processor bus (RPB) 36 and line switch module (LSM) 44 . Additionally, the exchange termination board (ETB) in each line switch module (LSM) 44 is replaced by a printed circuit board arrangement called a connector termination circuit (JTC) 62 .

Group switch subsystem (GSS) 30 includes a plurality of space switch modules, collectively referred to herein as space switch modules (SPW) 70 . Each row of space switch modules is controlled by a time switch module, and there are multiple time switch modules (one for each row), collectively referred to as time switch modules (TSM) 72 .

When connection signaling indicates that a call is to be established in the Group Switch Subsystem (GSS) 30, the Group Switch Local Processor (GSRP) 32 selects A path through the group switch subsystem (GSS) 30 is used for this connection, and for synchronization of the group switch subsystem (GSS) 30, a plurality of clock modules, collectively referred to as clock modules CLT 74, are used.

The signaling used to set up, route, and terminate user messaging (ie, traffic) across the network is referred to herein as "connection signaling." Connection signaling is generally one of two types: channel associated signaling (CAS) and common channel signaling (CCS). Such connection signaling should not be confused with program signaling (eg, software instructions), which are actually used to control various functions of the switch within or between two or more processors.

In the telephone switching system of FIGS. 1A and 1B , a central processing unit (CP) 34 must communicate with an expansion module local area processor (EMRP) 50 included in a line switching module (LSM) 44 . Central processing unit (CP) 34 communicates with expansion module local processor (EMRP) 50 using program signals. These program signals are included as part of the information transmitted in the connection switching channel. That is, in the embodiment of FIG. 1A , communications between central processing unit (CP) 34 and expansion module local processor (EMRP) 50 occur at signaling terminal hub (STC) 38 and exchange termination board (ETB) 48 An extended termination board (ETB) 48 is connected to a signaling terminal remote (STR) 58 in connection signaling between them (routing it through an exchange termination circuit (ETC) 40 ). Each Signaling Terminal Remote (STR) 58 is in turn connected to all Expansion Module Local Processors (EMRP) 50 . In the embodiment of FIG. 1B , each local processor bus converter (RPBC) 60 is connected to all expansion module local processors (EMPR) 50 .

The structure of the telephone switching system of FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B is comprehensible to those skilled in the art. Other examples of such structures are described in US Patent Application Serial No. 08/601,964, filed February 15, 1996, entitled "TELCOMMUNICATION SWITCHING EXCHANGE," which is incorporated herein by reference.

The telephone switching systems of Figures 1A and 1B use non-standard interfaces, while the telephone system of Figure 1C uses standard interfaces, such as V5 interfaces. The main difference between the telephone system of Fig. 1C and the telephone exchange system of Fig. 1A is that the signaling channel is routed to one or more local area processors RP through the group switch 30, and the signaling channel information is passed through the STC 38 and sent to the local area processor forwarded to the CPU 34 on the bus 36.

1.1 The central processing unit of traditional switches

An embodiment of central processing unit (CP) 34 is shown in FIG. 2 . In fact, the central processing unit (CP) 34 includes two central processing units, specifically a central processing unit 34A and a central processing unit 34B, which are collectively referred to as the central processing unit 34 . Each CPU includes an instruction processing unit (IPU) 80 having instruction processing units 80A and 80B connected by an IPU update and matching bus 82 . Each central processing unit also includes a signal processor unit (SPU) 84 having signal processor units 84A and 84B connected by an SPU update and matching bus 86 . The signal processing unit 84 manages work in the CP 34 and prepares work to be done by the instruction processor unit 80, thereby causing the instruction processing unit (IPU) to continuously execute programs. The instruction processing unit (IPU) executes the program, and the signal processing unit tells the IPU which address the program should execute.

Each instruction processor (IPU) 80 has access to three memory units, specifically a program store (PS) 87 , a reference store (RS) 88 , and a data store (DS) 89 . As indicated above, instruction processor (IPU) 80 executes tasks, each task corresponding to a set of instructions stored in program storage (PS) 87 . Signal processor (SPU) 84 acts as a task scheduler for instruction processor (IPU) 80 . In conjunction with this scheduling, signal processor (SPU) 84 receives program "signals" from, for example, the outside world or from instruction processor (IPU) 80 for each task. In general, a program signal is an instruction that tells where to execute from within a particular portion of a set of instructions that includes data used to execute the set of instructions. Reference memory (RS) 88 includes information describing program signals, blocks, and variables used in the system.

A maintenance unit (MAU) 90 is connected to an instruction processor (IPU) 80 . Maintenance unit (MAU) 90 has several functions, including initiating a test in the event of a failure and determining which side, such as central processing unit 34A or central processing unit 34B, is to be designated as the executor.

Each central processing unit 34 also includes a local processor handler 92 . Local processor handler 92 handles program signaling from various local processors, including local processor bus switch 60 and group switch local processor 32 . Local processor handler 94 is connected to its associated signaling processor (SPU) 84 and to local processor bus (RPB) 36 .

Other configurations of specific central processing unit 34, such as APZ, and exemplary ways of scheduling tasks are filed on December 19, 1995 under Serial No. 08/574,977, entitled "JOBSCHEDULING FOR INSTRUCTION PROCESSOR" )", which is incorporated herein by reference.

As described above, instruction processor (IPU) 80 executes tasks, each task corresponding to a set of instructions stored in program storage (PS) 87 . Instructions executed by instruction processor (IPU) 80 and obtained from program memory (PS) 87 are coded according to the instruction set of central processing unit 34 . In the illustrated embodiment, the instruction set is for APZ.

1.2 The switching core of a conventional switch

Figure 3 shows in simplified form the relationship between the basic units comprising the Group Switch Subsystem (GSS) 30 core. Specifically, FIG. 3 shows a plurality of time switch modules (TSM), such as TSM0 to TSM31, connected to a space switch module SPM. Each Time Switch Module (TSM) has multiple I/Os connected to it, for example 512 PCM lines. When a connection is established, the connection path through the Group Switch Subsystem (GSS) 30 passes through the Time Switch Module (TSM), via the Space Switch Module (SPM), to the same or another Time Switch Module (TSM). Therefore, the group switch subsystem (GSS) 30 is said to have a T-S-T (time-space-time) structure. As used herein, a group switch is any switching device having a T-S-T configuration.

As shown in Figure 3A, each Time Switching Module (TSM) has internal memory, called memory. Some memories are called speech memories and provide temporary storage of service (eg speech) samples. The other memory is a control memory, which controls the sequence of reading from the corresponding voice memory. Since the Time Switch Module (TSM) handles traffic in both directions (e.g., samples), one speech memory and control memory is required for samples entering the TSM and the other is for leaving the TSM of sampling. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 3A, the time division switching module (TSM) is provided with a speech memory SSA and a control memory CSA for sampling entering the time division switching module (TSM), a speech memory SSB and a control memory CSB for leaving the time division switching module (TSM) Sampling of modules (TSM). In addition, the time switch module (TSM) has a control store for the space switch module (SPM), denoted CSC.

Figure 3B shows a space-division switch module (SPM) that can be represented as a general cross-point matrix. Intersections represent open and closed logic gates. The space switch module (SPM) control memory CSC of the time switch module (TSM) controls a row of "crosspoints" (eg, the CSC control in TSMO leads to all "crosspoints" in TSM0).

When a connection is established in the Group Switch Subsystem (GSS) 30, software in the central processing unit 34 (see, eg, FIG. 1A) selects a path through the switch core. Path selection refers to the time instant at which samples are delivered and is referred to as internal slot selection. After the software of the central processor 34 selects a path, the local software of the group switch local processor (GSRP) 32 writes the information to implement the path into the control memory of the TSM contained in the particular path.

Figure 3 shows thirty-two time switch modules (TSM) connected to each space switch module (SPM). Figure 4 shows that larger switch cores can be constructed by interconnecting several space-division switching modules (SPMs) to form large matrices with larger switching capacities.

2.0 invented the switch structure

A first embodiment of a telecommunications switch according to the invention is shown in Figure 5A. The telecommunications switch of Figure 5A includes a switch main processor 1200A, an alternate switching device 1201, and an external access module 1202A.

Second and third embodiments of the inventive telecommunications switch are shown in Figures 5B and 5C, respectively. The second and third embodiments similarly have an alternative switching device 1201, but (as explained hereinafter) have different types of external access modules 1202B, 1202C respectively. As explained hereinafter, the exchange host processor in the present invention performs simulation. Therefore, the exchange main processor 1200 is also called an exchange emulation processor. Although the hardware may be the same, the simulation steps performed in the embodiments of Figures 5A, 5B and 5C are different, so the switch host processors in these embodiments are referred to as 1200A, 1200B and 1200C, respectively. Hereafter, reference numeral 1200 is used when referring generically to the switch host processor of either embodiment. Similarly, reference number 1202 is used when referring to either external access module type generically.

2.1 Exchange equipment

The switching device 1201, which may be common to all embodiments, may be any configuration of suitable switching hardware units for connecting telecommunications access modules (eg PCM links).

The example switching device 1201 shown in the illustrated embodiment is not a group switch (e.g., not a T-S-T type switch), but a packet processing switch that distributes packets on a slot-by-slot basis based on address information provided in the packet header (with with business payload). As represented in each of the embodiments of FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, and FIG. 5C, in terms of hardware, an exemplary switching device 1201 includes one or more signaling terminals 1201-1, switching logic 1201-2, and PCM interface 1201-3. On its port 1201-4, the switching device 1201 is connected to an external access unit 1200 via a PCM channel or link. A signaling system, preferably a time slot number 7 signaling system, is implemented between signaling terminal 1201-1 and switching logic 1201-2.

Although not shown as such, switching device 1201 has a processor system that performs various functions of, for example, signaling terminal 1201-1 and switching logic 1201-2. In the illustrated embodiment, the processor system of switching device 1201 executes Erlang language programs. The signaling terminal 1201-1 is considered to perform both the signaling terminal 37 function and the local processor function in terms of the group switch based switch architecture. In this regard, the signaling terminal 1201-1 terminates connection signaling (e.g., CCS No. 7) in terms of protocol and is programmed to convert the connection signaling into CP/RP procedure signals for delivery to the switching host via interface 1233. Processor 1200 provides an analog signaling subsystem.

The illustrations of Figures 5A, 5B and 5C show that the switching device 1201 is connected to a subscriber line. Although not shown like this, it should be understood that switching equipment 1201 can also be connected to other exchanges by trunk lines, and this trunk line is connected to signaling terminal 1201-1 in the connection mode of (for example) ETC 41 in Fig. 1A.

Switching logic 1201-2 of switching device 1201 is shown in FIG. 6 as including multiple pairs of high-speed loopback links. For example, loopback links 1201-2-10 and 1201-2-12 form a first pair; loopback links 1201-2-20 and 1201-2-22 form a second pair; 34 and 1201-2-36 form the third pair; and 1201-2-46 and 1201-2-48 form the fourth pair. Each pair of loopback links serves nodes that add or remove traffic from the loopback links. Nodes are also called switch boards because they can be fabricated on integrated circuit boards. Some switch boards, such as switch boards 1201-2-14, 1201-2-16, and 1201-2-18, are used, for example, to connect one loopback pair to another loopback pair. Some switch boards, such as switch boards 1201-2-28, 1201-2-52, are connected to, for example, PCM lines connected to subscribers. Switch logic 1201-2 is under the control of processor 1201-2-32.

Figure 6A shows the format of messages or packets 1201-114 routed through switching device 1201. Packets 1201-114 of Figure 6A have payloads 1201-122 and control fields 1201-124. Packets 1201-114 also have a header consisting of various address fields, including local address fields 1201-126, intermediate address fields 1201-127, and global address fields 1201-128. The global address domains 1201-128 point to the ring where the switching board is located; the intermediate address domains 1201-127 point to a specific switching board; the local address domains 1201-126 point to a specific PCM link. Description pointers 1201-125 are also provided in the headers of packets 1201-114.

The concept of switching device 1201 is to have the functional objects shown in FIG. 6B. These functional objects are implemented in a combination of hardware and software. A tree configuration exists between various functional objects of the switching device 1201 . The functional objects of the switching device 1201 include the switching board object 1201-10, which is the parent object of the service system object 1201-11 and the resource system object 1201-12. The business system object 1201-11 is the parent of the network interface object 1201-12, which in turn is the parent object of the (connection) signal pipe object 1201-13 and the connection pipe object 1201-14. Connection pipe object 1201-14 is the parent of message object 1201-15 and connection object 1201-16.

As shown in FIG. 6B, for the switching device 1201, the network interface can be configured with signal pipes and connection pipes. Each pipeline has a defined bandwidth, generally 64kbit/s, that is, a time slot. As used here, a signal pipe represents a signal channel (typically one signal pipe is created under each network interface). Connection pipes represent voice channels. Typically thirty connection pipes (eg, slots 1-15, 17-31) are created under each network interface. A connection represents a simplex connection between two connected pipes. For a duplex connection, two connections must be established, one in each direction. A connecting pipe can have several connections that terminate in different connecting pipes. Input samples are sent simultaneously to the terminated connection pipe. Messages represent outgoing monophonic or voice messages for connection pipes.

An example of hardware suitable for use as switching hardware unit 1201 is filed on December 18, 1997 under Serial No. 08/—— (Attorney Docket No. 027556-745), entitled "DEVICE ANDMETHOD RELATED TO TELECOMMUNICATION NETWORKS ( Apparatus and methods relating to telecommunications networks)" is described in the US patent application, incorporated herein by reference, which is based on the international patent application PCT/SE97/02085.

2.2 Swapping the main processor

Switch host processor 1200A is implemented by an industry standard processor of a conventional computer system. Figure 7 illustrates such a conventional computer system 110 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The conventional computer system 110 includes a processing unit, such as a CPU 112, corresponding to the exchange main processors 1200A, 1200B, 1200C of FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C, respectively. CPU 112 communicates with other components of conventional computer system 110 via bus 114. Other components of a conventional computer system 110 include input devices (e.g., keyboard and pointer (e.g., mouse)) 116; output devices (e.g., monitor, printer) 118; input/output storage devices 120 (e.g., disk drives); read memory (ROM) 122; and random access memory (RAM) 130. Those skilled in the art can understand that each of these constituent units is connected to the bus 114 through an appropriate interface. An example of a swap host processor 1200A is an Intel Pentium processor with 256 Mbytes of RAM. However, it should be understood that other high-capability processors may also be used, including (advantageously) industry standard processors.

In an embodiment of the present invention, switch main processor 1200 executes a set of instructions or programs for simulating or emulating conventional switch processors and subsystems using group switches. The instruction sets or programs executed by the exchange main processor 1200 in different embodiments use different languages, such as C language.

2.3 Access unit

The telecommunications switch of Figure 5A is used when the access unit 1202A connected to the switching device 1201 is an external access with a standard interface (eg, an industry standard V5 interface). On the other hand, when the access unit 1202B is an external access with a non-standard interface, the telecommunications switch of Figure 5B is used. The telecommunications switch of Figure 5C is used when access unit 1202C is a line interface board (LIB).

2.4 interface

As shown in FIG. 8, the interface system 1233 includes a language interface 1233-1 and a communication interface 1233-2. As noted above, in the illustrated embodiment, the switch host processor 1200 implements the simulation system in C voice. On the other hand, in the illustrated embodiment, the software of the switching device 1201 uses the Erlang language. Therefore, conversion between the C language and the Erlang language is necessary and is performed by the C/Erlang interface 1233-1. In some cases, the C/Erlang interface 1233-1 is included in the simulation subsystem, as explained below.

The communication interface 1233-2 is called an Erlang Application Programming Interface (API). The C/Erlang interface 1233-1 converts commands issued for the switching hardware system 1201 from the analog unit into Erlang API calls. The Erlang API 1233-2 is a program module running on the switch main processor 1200 and executed by the Erlang engine. The Erlang API communicates with switching device 1201 using TCP/IP over an Ethernet link (illustrated as link 1203).

As noted above, the hardware of the switch host processor 1200 of the various embodiments may be virtually identical, if desired. In all embodiments, switch main processor 1200 executes a program for simulating a portion of a conventional switch using group switches. The basic simulation is described below, with the main differences of the various embodiments noted where appropriate.

2.5 Analog Processor or Subsystem

All switch host processors 1200 perform simulations, including simulation central processing unit 1234; simulation group switch subsystem (SGS) 1230, simulation connection signaling subsystem, and interface system 1233.

2.5.1 Analog CPU

As shown in Figure 9, the analog central processing unit 1234 includes an analog instruction processor unit (IPU) 1280; an analog signal processor unit (SPU) 1284; an analog program memory (PSU) 1287; an analog reference storage unit (RSU) 1288; data storage unit (DSU) 1289; and analog local bus processor 1292. In the illustrated embodiment, the emulated central processing unit 1234 emulates the APZ 212 20 processor, including the complete instruction set and registers of the instruction processor unit (IPU) 80. Both the signal processor unit (SPU) 84 and the local processing processor (RPH) 92 are modeled at the interface level. The simulation central processing unit 1234 is designed to execute the target code, that is, the code of the simulation system, at high speed.

The analog central processor 1234 coordinates access to the telecommunications switch and performs basic call control functions. The simulated CPU 1234 thinks it is controlling the group switch represented by the simulated group switch subsystem (SGS) 1230 . In conjunction with switching control, the analog CPU 1234 sends TSM commands to the analog group switch subsystem (SGS) 1230 and ultimately to the TSMR simulator 1230-5 for connection through the group switch. However, as described below, the analog CPU 1234 actually controls the alternate switching device 1201 and makes connections through it.

2.5.2 Analog Connection Signaling Subsystem

The connection signaling subsystems of the various embodiments differ in some respects as briefly described below.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5A of the telecommunication switch of the present invention, the signaling subsystem simulated by the switching main processor 1200A includes an STC simulation module 1238 for external access of a standard interface (such as V5). The STC simulation module 1238 of the embodiment of FIG. 5A simulates a portion of the functionality of the STC 38 (see FIG. 1C ). It will be recalled that the signaling terminal 1201-1 provides the functionality of a local processor (similar to the local processor RP in Figure 1C).

The STC simulation module 1238 includes functional simulations of STCE (STC executive program) and local program CLCR (control signaling link hub). The STC executive program provides a connection signal conversion mechanism between RPB format and EMRPB format and EMRP(D) loading management by means of I/O transfer. It also provides task management and program execution support for functions necessary for CLCR and RP maintenance. Comparable STC simulation details are identified from U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08/887,653, filed July 3, 1997, entitled "SIMULATION OF COMPUTER-BASEDTELE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM," at Combined with reference here.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5B of the telecommunication exchange of the present invention, it is suitable for external access of non-standard interfaces, and the signaling subsystem simulated by the exchange main processor 1200B includes the STC simulation module 1238 and the ETC-S 1239. The STC simulation module 1238 of the embodiment of Figure 5A simulates a part of the functions of the STC 38 (see Figure 1A).

The simulated ETC-S 1239 in Fig. 5B can be regarded logically as the connection signaling part simulation of the switching terminal circuit, such as the ETC 40 in Fig. 1A. In the exchange main processor 1200A, the STC analog module 1238 and the analog ETC-S 1239 communicate directly with each other without implementing ETC and ETB. Analog ETC-S 1239 realizes the analog STR interface to STC. The interface to the EMRP in the STR unit is replaced by commands (via Erlang API 1233-2) to the switching hardware system 1201. These commands provide connection signaling information via signal slots on the PCM channel of the connected switching hardware system 1201 . The CCS 7 protocol is implemented on the switching hardware system 1201 for this purpose.

The connection system subsystem simulated by the exchange main processor 1200C in the embodiment of FIG. 5C includes an EMRP signaling simulator (EMRPSS) 1210 . Therefore, the EMRP signaling simulator (EMRPSS) 1210 has the functions of the expansion module local processor (EMRP) 50 and the time division switch (TSW) 51 in the private branch exchange. In other words, EMRP Signaling Simulator (EMRPSS) 1210 corresponds to the user level, except that it does not have a Line Interface Board (LIB). Connection signaling input/output is converted from AX program signals to commands of switching device 1201, and vice versa. Since there is no TSW between the line interface board (LIB) and the switching device 1201, information about the line-to-slot mapping from the analog CPU 1234 is accessible from the analog group switch subsystem (SGS) 1230 Passed to TSW mapping unit 1212.

In the FIG. 5C embodiment, the TSW mapping unit 1212 contains information about the current line-to-slot mapping of a Time Division Switch (TSW) simulated in the EMRP Signaling Simulator (EMRPSS) 1210 . The analog group switch subsystem (SGS) 1230 needs this mapping information to map the TSM commands from the analog CPU 1234 of the FIG. 5C embodiment.

2.5.2 Analog group switch subsystem

Figure 11 shows an embodiment of an analog group switch subsystem (SGS) 1230 suitable for use with the switch host processor 1200 of the various embodiments described herein. Specifically, the analog group switch subsystem (SGS) 1230 includes a command interpreter 1230-1; a hardware configuration module 1230-2; a TSMR signal interface 1230-3; a CLTR signal interface 1230-4; a TSMR simulator 1230-5 ; path simulator 1230-7; CLTR simulator 1230-8; and converter 1230-9.

As shown in FIG. 10, in addition to simulating other modules of the group switch subsystem (SGS) 1230, the simulating central processing unit 1234 also simulates the core software of the CP 34 and the TSM 72 and CLT 74 (see FIG. 1A for example) [in FIG. 10 respectively denoted as TSMU and CLTU]. Because of this, there is no need to emulate the TSMU and CLTU functions in the analog group switch subsystem (SGS) 1230 . FIG. 10 also shows that the TSMU function simulates the time-division switch function performed by the software of the central processing unit 1234; the TSMR function is the time-division switch function performed by the software that simulates the local processor. The CLTU function is to simulate the clock function performed by the software of the CPU 1234; the CLTR function is to simulate the clock function performed by the software of the local processor. Figure 10 shows that the TSMU and CLTU functions are implemented in the simulated CPU 1234, and the simulated group switch subsystem (SGS) 1230 simulates local software (for TSMR and CLTR) and hardware (for TSM and CLM).

Command interpreter 1230-1 includes routines for processing hardware configuration commands pertaining to switching device 1201 or analog group switch hardware. Command interpreter 1230-1 may be a commercially available and/or standard command processor, such as known as TCL.

The hardware configuration module 1230-2 is the function that manages the analog group switch hardware, ie memory allocation and data structure generation for the simulated TSMs and the local processors (RPs) that control them. In addition, the hardware configuration module 1230-2 uses the Erlang API 1202 call (through C/ErlangI/F 1202-1) to send configuration information to the switching hardware system 1201 (see Figure 11 and Figure 11). The TSMR signal interface 1230-3 is a function of processing CP-RP program signals sent between the TSMR simulator 1230-5 and the simulation CPU 1234.

The CLTR signal interface 1230 - 4 is the function of processing the CP-RP program signal sent between the CLTR simulator 1230 - 8 and the simulation CPU 1234 . TSMR Simulator 1230-5 is the function of simulating the necessary unit of TSMR local software.

TSMR Simulator 1230-5 is the function of simulating the necessary unit of TSMR local software.

The path simulator 1230-7 is a function of propagating in-band signals through the paths in the converter 1230-9 to analyze these paths.

The CLTR simulator 1230-8 is for simulating the functions of the CLTR local software basic unit, such as maintaining the state of the CLMS.

For the embodiment of Fig. 5C, the line interface board (LIB) 1300C is connected to the switching hardware system 1201, and the actual mapping of lines to time slots on the PCM channel is not necessarily equal to the emulation of the central processing unit 1234 as included in the module EMRP signaling simulator ( EMRPSS) 1210 simulates the TSW established mapping. To address this situation, the TSMR simulator 1230-5 gets the TSW map from the TSW mapping unit 1212 and uses it to translate the group switch commands from the analog CPU 1234.

In a real (not analog) telecommunications group switch, switching is done by writing to the TSM memory. As explained below, the analog group switch subsystem (SGS) 1230 of the semi-analog system 1200 includes a converter 1230-9 that converts commands written to the TSM memory into commands sent to the switching hardware system.

3.0 OPERATION OF THE EXCHANGE OF THE INVENTION

In operation, the exchange main processor 1200 executes a first language (eg, C language) emulation program that causes the exchange main processor 1200 to emulate a portion of a conventional telecommunications switch using group switches. In particular, the simulation program causes the switch main processor 1200 to emulate (among other processors and subsystems) the central processor 34 of a conventional switch. The analog CPU 1234 advantageously executes instructions encoded for the conventional switch CPU, thereby enabling the reuse of complex logic of conventional switch operating systems. By doing so, the simulated CPU 1234 assumes that the switch it manages has a group switch. However, rather than having a group switch (which may be much larger and more expensive than is required or affordable), the switch would have the switching device 1201 described above.

In order to be compatible with the analog central processing unit 1234 (which advantageously reuses logic coded with a conventional switch instruction set) and non-group switch type switching equipment (such as the switching equipment 1201 of the present invention), the exchange main processor provides an interface Form adaptation and transformation.

3.1 Configuration establishment

Two basic configuration operations are necessary for the telecommunications switch in Figures 5A, 5B and 5C. One type of configuration is the configuration of the switching device 1201 . The second type of configuration is that of the TSMR simulator 1230-5.

Switching device 1201 may be flexible in order to handle connections with varying parameters (eg, rate). In this case, the switching device 1201 expects the external user to configure the switching device 1201 by specifying connection parameters (eg rate) for routing via the switching device 1201 . These parameters are passed to the switching device 1201 using configuration commands entered into the command distributor (see FIG. 11 ) in a manner understood as follows.

As indicated above, switch host processor 1200 provides a simulated group switch subsystem (SGS) 1230 that emulates an actual group switch. Although no group switch is actually used (but switching device 1201), the simulated group switch subsystem (SGS) 1230 must know the various features and structures of the group switch it should emulate. For example, referring to FIG. 4, a TSMR simulator 1230-5 simulating a group switch subsystem (SGS) 1230 must know the number of local processors involved, the addresses of these local processors, the location of the simulated group switch Size (eg, its number of Space Switcher Modules (SPMs) and the relationship to its Time Switcher Modules (TSMs) [see, eg, Figures 3 and 4]). In addition, the memory configuration of the Analog Group Switch Subsystem (SGS) 1230 in the TSMR Simulator 1230-5 must be initialized when built (in order to reflect connection teardowns everywhere, ie no connections have been made yet). In effect, the TSMR Simulator 1230-5 configured to simulate the Group Switch Subsystem (SGS) 1230 is similar to building the physical plane of the Group Switch core.

Configuration commands are used to enter configuration data into analog group switch subsystem (SGS) 1230 necessary for two types of basic configuration operations. Configuration commands are entered through the command distributor (see FIG. 11 ) and passed to the command interpreter 1230 - 1 of the analog group switch subsystem (SGS) 1230 . When the command is interpreted as a configuration command by the command interpreter 1230-1, the configuration message is sent to the hardware configuration module 1230-2.

The hardware configuration module 1230-2 sends configuration messages to the TSMR simulator 12230-5 representing the structure and features of the simulated group switch. Configuration messages necessary to set up switching device 1201 are routed to switching device 1201 by hardware configuration module 1230-2.

The use of the command dispatcher, command interpreter, and hardware configuration module 1230-2 in terms of configuration has been described in the above basic terms. It should be understood that the configuration of an emulated group switch, such as the TSMR emulator 1230-5, can also be changed through similar actions but different commands and messages. Such a change may occur, for example, when a different type or model of switching device 1201 replaces a previous switching device.

3.2 Establish and tear down the connection

With the appropriate connection signal input from the access unit 1202, an attempt is made to establish a connection through the switch of the embodiment of the invention.

3.2.1 Signal processing

A connection signal (for example, an off-hook signal) requesting connection establishment is received at port 1201-4 of switching device 1201. The connection signal requesting connection establishment is routed to the signal terminal 1201-1 through the signal channel of the switching logic 1201-2 using the No. 7 common channel signaling system. In the protocol sense, in the embodiment of FIG. 5A, the connection signal is terminated at the signal terminal 1201-1 and converted into a CP/RP program signal. The CP/RP program signal generated by conversion at the signal terminal 1201-1 is in Erlang language, and therefore must be converted into C language used by the exchange main processor 1200. Therefore, the CP/RP program signal generated by the signal terminal 1201-1 passes through the interface 1233 shown in FIG. 8, for example through the Erlang API 1233-2 and the C/Erlang interface 1233-1.

For example, in the exchange main processor 1200A of Fig. 5A embodiment, the CP/RP program signal corresponding to the connection signal requesting to establish a connection is processed by the STC simulation module 1238 in the manner of their simulated STC38 (see Fig. 1C), and forwarded to the analog CPU 1234. The analog CPU 1234 then determines how the connection is established through the group switch that the analog CPU 1234 considers to form part of the telecommunications switch. When this determination is made, the analog central processing unit 1234 sends a CP/RP program signal to the analog group switch subsystem (SGS) 1230 to implement the determined connection path through the group switch. But as explained below, the CP/RP program signals to implement the determined connection path through the group switch are actually converted to establish the connection through the switching device 1201.

3.2.1 Connection through the connector

As mentioned above, the analog CPU 1234 determines how to establish a connection through the group switch, so that the analog CPU 1234 thinks it is controlling the group switch. The path established through the group switch is to connect two subscribers, eg sub-A and sub-B. After making this determination, as shown in FIG. 13, the analog central processing unit 1234 issues a series of switch control messages 13C to the analog group switch subsystem (SGS) 1230, specifically first to the TSMR signal interface 1230- 3. Finally to TSMR simulator 1230-5. Exchange control messages are in the form of CP/RP procedure signals.

The switch control messages generated by the analog CPU 1234 are actually instructions written into the control memory of the appropriate time switch module. For example, the exchange control message 13C-1 through 13C-4 is used to establish a connection from user sub-A to user sub-B; the exchange control message 13C-5 through 13C-8 is used to establish a connection from user sub-B to user sub-B; Sub-A connections.

Specifically, to establish a connection from subscriber sub-A to subscriber sub-B, a switch control message 13C-1 is written to the appropriate time slot in the control store CSA of the TSM to which subscriber sub-A belongs. The switch control message 13C-2 is written into the space switch module CSC of the TSM to which the subscriber sub-A belongs. The switch control message 13C-3 is written to the appropriate time slot in the control store CSB of the TSM to which subscriber sub-B belongs. The switch control message 13C-4 is written into the space switch module CSC of the TSM to which the subscriber sub-B belongs.

To establish a connection from subscriber sub-B to subscriber sub-A, a switch control message 13C-5 is written to the appropriate time slot in the control store CSA of the TSM to which subscriber sub-B belongs. The switch control message 13C-6 is written into the space switch module CSC of the TSM to which the subscriber sub-B belongs. The switch control message 13C-7 is written to the appropriate time slot in the control store CSB of the TSM to which subscriber sub-A belongs. The switch control message 13C-8 is written into the space switch module CSC of the TSM to which the subscriber sub-A belongs.

TSMR signal interface 1230-3 (see FIG. 11) corresponds to a portion of group switch local processor (GSRP) 32 that communicates with central processor 34 (see FIG. 1A). When TSMR signal interface 1230-3 detects some switch control message 13C, TSMR signal interface 1230-3 routes this switch control message as a corresponding one of messages 131 to TSMR simulator 1230-5 (see FIG. 11 ) choose. TSMR simulator 1230-5 corresponds to the rest of the group switch local processor (GSRP) 32 and time division switch module (TSM) 72 of a conventional group switch (see, eg, FIG. 1A).

The TSMR simulator 1230-5 knows that the simulated CPU does not actually control the group switch, but another type of switching device. Accordingly, TSMR simulator 1230-5 sends its version of the switch control message (indicated by message 13S) to converter 1230-9.

At this time, the switch control message is still understood as a write command to the control memory of the time switch module of the group switch (for example, a T-S-T type switch). Translator 1230-9 receives these switch control messages (now represented by message 13S) and prepares the appropriate switch control messages to be understood by switch device 1201 (specifically switch logic 1201-2 of switch device 1201).

The connection in the switching logic 1201-2 of the switching device 1201 is established by a series of Erlang language function calls, specifically a series of CREATE function calls including the following parameter list: CONNECTION, {PARENT_ORIGINATING, PARENT_TERMINATION}. The CONNECTION parameter refers to the fact that the connection was established. The PARENT_ORIGINATING parameter refers to the connection channel of the calling user (sub-A); the PARENT_TERMINATION parameter refers to the connection channel of the called user (sub-B).

With reference to the switching logic 1201-2 of the switching equipment 1201 shown in Figure 6, the connection pipeline of each relevant user is identified by four domains: the loop where the switching board of the global address domain 1201-128 points to the service user; Fields 1201-127 point to the specific switching board serving the user; local address fields 1201-126 point to the specific PCM link or connection pipe serving the user; description pointers 1201-125 are timeslots on the PCM link assigned to the user.

To perform the conversion from group switch switch control messages to switching device 1201 switch control messages, translator 1230-9 maps the analog group switch control memory information to the four address fields used by switch logic 1201-2 . By doing so, the converter 1230-9 determines the switch board address of the switch board serving the user by using the identifier of the CSC space division switch module addressed by the CSC write message, that is, the value of the intermediate address field 1201-127. The location of the specific Spatial Switching Module (SPM) mentioned by the CSC write message is used to determine which ring of switch logic 1201-2 the subscriber belongs to, ie the global address domain 1201-128 that the subscriber can address. For example, referring to FIG. 4 as an example, if the specific space switching module (SPM) mentioned in the CSC write message is in the first row of the SPM matrix, the converter 1230-9 can know that the user's switching board is in (for example) switching logic 1201-2's First Loop. The value written into the non-CSC control memory (such as CSB) is an indication of the specific PCM link serving the user, such as the local address field 1201 pointing to the specific PCM link (ie, connection pipe) in the switching logic 1201-2 serving the user -126. Converter 1230-9 determines the slot value for slot description pointer 1201-125 by accessing a specific location or slot in control memory for the particular PCM link affected by the exchange control message. When converting in the above-described manner, as shown in FIG. 13 , the converter 1230 - 9 makes a function call 13F to the switching device 1201 . A function call is an Erlang CREATE function call with the above CONNECTION and {PARENT_ORIGINATING, PARENT_TERMINATING} parameters. For each PARENT_ORIGINATING and PARENT_TERMINATING parameter, ie for each of user sub-A and user sub-B, the above four address fields (global address fields 1201-128; intermediate address fields 1201-127; local address fields 1201-126; and slot description pointers 1201-125).

Converter 1230 - 9 thus performs a language conversion from the C language (mainly used by switch host processor 1200 ) to the Erlang language used by switch device 1201 . In this respect, converter 1230-9 actually has the function of serving such function calls as C/Erlang interface 1233-1.

The switching logic 1201 - 2 of the switching device 1201 makes a connection through the switching device 1201 when the CREATE function call 13F is received. Connections through switching device 1201 can be reversed by appropriate switch control messages from analog CPU 1234 . In a similar manner to the switch control messages for establishing a connection, the switch control messages for tearing down a connection are routed to switch 1230-9 so that equivalent mapping can take place. When the connection is removed, the converter 1230-9 calls the Erlang language RELEASE function to the switching device 1201.

4.0 Added transitions

As indicated above, to take advantage of the robust logic of switches conventionally using group switches, the analog CPU 1234 receives instructions encoded in the instruction set of the switch operating system (e.g., the APZ operating system in the illustrated example) using the group switch . The APZ coded instructions used by the analog CPU 1234 are converted by the exchange main processor 1200 into instructions executable by the exchange main processor 1200 , specifically, machine language instructions of the exchange main processor 1200 .

The augmented conversion technique is used by the switch main processor 1200 to convert the instructions encoded in the instruction set of the switch operating system using the group switch into the machine language instructions of the switch main processor 1200 . This added conversion technique is described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08/874,660, filed June 13, 1997, entitled "SIMULATION OF COMPUTER PROCESSOR," which is incorporated herein by reference. A brief overview of increasing conversions is provided below.

As schematically depicted in FIG. 7, RAM 130 includes a number of routines and regions (eg, segments or tables). For example, object code area 132 , also referred to as object instruction memory, is used to store stored programming instructions encoded for analog CPU 1234 . The target instructions stored in the RAM 130 object code area 132 (for example, the APZ instruction in the illustrated embodiment) are generally obtained from an external storage medium (for example, through the I/O storage device 120), and transferred as necessary, such as cached to RAM 130. Accordingly, the target instructions are formatted according to the simulated CPU 1234 instruction set. Object instructions stored in object code area 132 are used to cause emulation CPU 1234 to execute its emulation of a portion of the illustrated embodiment group switch based telecommunications switch. However, the target instructions stored in the object code area 132 are converted by the exchange main processor 1200 into instructions (for example, Intel Pentium machine language instructions) that the exchange main processor 1200 can understand, so as to perform emulation.

Also included in RAM 130 are various programming routines executed by switch host processor 1200, including emulation/emulation monitoring routines (ESR) 133; decoding routines 134; conversion routines 135; and emulation execution routines 136. In addition, the RAM 130 stores a branch table 140 and an emulation instruction storage area 142.

FIG. 12 shows how the emulation monitor routine coordinates the conversion of object code (eg, APZ code executed by the emulated central processor 1234 ) into emulated instructions for the exchange main processor 1200 and the pipelining or increased performance of the execution. In short, when the emulation monitoring routine 133 determines that it is time to fetch the target instruction from the target code area 132 , the fetched target code is analyzed by the decode routine 134 . The decode routine 134, which understands the structure of the target instruction set, breaks down the fetched target instruction and determines its type, e.g. whether the fetched instruction was an "increment register" instruction that increments the contents of two registers, moves the contents of one register into another register or "move" instructions for addresses, and so on. The analysis of the fetched target instruction is based on the decoding routine 134's understanding of the predetermined opcode and domain in the target instruction set. With the aid of the analysis performed by the decode routine 134 , the conversion routine 135 creates a set of emulation instructions stored in the emulation instruction area 142 . The emulation instruction set stored in the area 142 is formatted in the instruction set of the switch host processor 1200 . The configuration of the emulation instructions generated for the fetched target instruction causes 1200 to perform the same actions as if the target processor executed the fetched target instruction. Emulation execution routine 136 obtains emulation instructions from area 142 for execution by switch host processor 1200 . When emulation execution routine 136 determines that more emulation instructions are needed to fill emulation instruction storage area 142, an interrupt is generated to conversion routine 135, as indicated by line 150 in FIG. Based on the interrupt, more target instructions are fetched, decoded and converted to be provided to the emulated instruction storage area 142 .

5.0 end

It should be understood that the telecommunications switch of the present invention may operate as any type of telecommunications node. For example, the telecommunications switches of the present invention can be used as local switches, transit switches, and even in nodes of intelligent networks (eg, service switching points [SSP] and service control points [SCP]). Furthermore, the telecommunications exchange of the present invention may be included in nodes of a cellular telecommunications network, such as base station controller nodes and mobile switching center nodes, even in home location register and visitor location register nodes.

The access units 1202A and 1202B in the embodiments shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B can be respectively connected to lines providing different types of services, such as POTS and ISDN.

Although the illustrated embodiment has shown that the switch host processor 1200 and the switch device 1201 use different programming languages (e.g., C and Erlang, respectively), it should be understood that they could also use another programming language, or the switch host processor 1200 and switching device 1201 can use the same programming language.

Furthermore, although the simulation of a portion of a group switch based telecommunications switch has been illustrated with only one programming language being executed by the switch host processor 1200, it should be understood that such simulation functionality may also be distributed between two or more of the same or different processors. in multiple languages. For example, some simulations may be performed by the processor of the switching device 1201, for example in the Erlang language. In this case, changes in the location of any language interfaces (eg C/Erlang interface 1233-1) should be made accordingly.

In the illustrated embodiment, the switch host processor 1200 has been represented as being external to the switch device 1201 for clarity. It should be understood that in other embodiments, the switch main processor 1200 or the functions executed by it may be located in the switch device 1201 , for example, on a board of the switch device 1201 . In other words, some or all of the semi-analog functions performed by the switch host processor 1200 may be included in the switch device 1201 .

The telecommunications switch of the present invention conveniently uses open platform, industry standard, commercially available processors and is based on logic coded for custom embedded processors commonly used in group switch telecommunications switches.

In addition, the constituent units of the telecommunication switch of the present invention—the main switching processor 1200, the switching device 1201 and the access unit 1202—do not all need to be provided by the same manufacturer.

Although the switch main processor 1200 of the telecommunications switch of the present invention is preferably a single processor, the invention is not so limited. Instead, the operations of the switch master processor 1200 may be distributed among multiple processors, if desired, as described herein.

The present invention enables a telecommunications operator or service provider to build a relatively small and inexpensive telecommunications switch where the capacity and/or cost of a larger group switch based telecommunications switch may not be required and/or the cost is unreasonable. However, changes in demand and/or economics may justify the use of group switches, such as the need to serve more users or connections. In this case, the switch host processor 1200 and the switch device 1201 are replaced by equivalent physical group switch units, such as those shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B . But in this case, the access unit 1202 previously used by the switch can be kept. Retention of the access unit 1202 during such an upgrade is highly beneficial since the access unit 1202 represents substantially the cost of the entire telecommunications switch.

Although the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment, but is instead intended to cover various modifications and equivalents encompassed within the spirit and scope of the appended claims device.

Claims (36)

1. A telecommunications switch comprising: Switching equipment of the first type, through which telecommunication connections are routed; The access unit connects the switching equipment to the telecommunication network; The switch master processor generates switch control messages for the second type of switching devices, but converts the switch control messages for use by the first type of switching devices. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the switch host processor emulates a portion of a telecommunications switch that interfaces with the first type of switching device. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the portion of the telecommunications switch emulated by the switch host processor comprises a central processor. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the exchange host processor converts coded instructions executed by the central processor into instructions executed by the exchange host processor when emulating the central processor. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the exchange host processor performs incremental conversion of encoded instructions executed by the central processor to instructions executed by the exchange host processor. 6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the portion of the telecommunications switch emulated by the switch main processor includes a central processor, at least one local processor, and a subsystem of a second type of switching device. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the switch host processor executes instructions in a first programming language and the switch device of the first type executes instructions in a second programming language, and includes an interface between the switch host processor and the switch device. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second type of switching device is a group switch. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the switching device of the first type is a packet-processing switch. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the switching device of the second type has a larger connection capacity than the switching device of the first type. 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the telecommunications switch is one of a local switch, a transit switch, an intelligent network node, and a cellular telecommunications network node. 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the access unit operates in conjunction with a standard interface. 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the access unit operates in conjunction with a non-standard interface. 14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the access unit comprises a line interface board. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the switch host processor performs a local time switch mapping function. 16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the switch host processor is an open platform processor. 17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the switch host processor is external to the switch device. 18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the switch main processor includes a converter for converting switch control messages of the second type of switching device into switch control messages for the first type of switching device. 19. A program of execution steps stored in memory for operating a telecommunications exchange, executable on a processor, whereby the program generates switching control messages for switching equipment of the second type, but converts the switching control messages for use by switching equipment of the first type . 20. The program of claim 19, wherein the program emulates a portion of a telecommunications switch interfacing with switching equipment of the first type. 21. The program of claim 20, wherein the portion of the telecommunications switch emulated by the switch host processor comprises a central processor. 22. The program of claim 21, wherein the exchange main processor converts coded instructions executed by the central processor into instructions executed by the exchange main processor when emulating the central processor. 23. The program of claim 20, wherein the portion of the telecommunications switch emulated by the switch main processor includes a central processor, at least one local processor, and subsystems of a second type of switching device. 24. The program of claim 19, wherein the second type of switching device is a group switch. 25. The program of claim 19, wherein the switching device of the first type is a packet-handling switch. 26. The program of claim 19, wherein the switching device of the second type has a larger connection capacity than the switching device of the first type. 27. The program of claim 19, wherein the telecommunications switch is one of a local switch, a transit switch, an intelligent network node, and a cellular telecommunications network node. 28. The program of claim 19, wherein the program is executed on an open platform processor. 29. A method of operating a telecommunications switch, the method comprising: routing the telecommunication connection through the switching equipment of the first type according to the control messages used by the switching equipment of the first type; Use access units to connect switching equipment to the telecommunications network; Using the switch master processor, switch control messages are generated for the second type of switching device. Switching control messages are converted for use by switching devices of the first type. 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the switch host processor emulates a portion of a telecommunications switch that interfaces with the first type of switching device. 31. The method of claim 30, wherein the portion of the telecommunications switch emulated by the switch host processor comprises a central processor. 32. The method of claim 31, wherein the exchange host processor converts coded instructions executed by the central processor into instructions executed by the exchange host processor when emulating the central processor. 33. The method of claim 30, wherein the portion of the telecommunications switch emulated by the switch main processor includes a central processor, at least one local processor, and subsystems of the second type of switching device. 34. The method of claim 30, wherein the second type of switching device is a group. 35. The method of claim 30, wherein the switching device of the first type is a packet-handling switch. 36. The method of claim 30, wherein the translation of the switch control messages used by the switching device of the first type is performed by the switch host processor.

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