CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority on United States Provisional Patent Application No. 62/043,255, filed on August 28, 2014, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The invention relates to telecommunication equipment. More precisely, the invention pertains to an automated distribution frame and a method for operating same. BACKGROUND

Telecommunication cabinets are often used for housing terminating telecommunications cables, wiring, etc., used for communications arriving from a central office, and to allow their distribution to the subscribers located at the vicinity of the cabinet.

Operators may face issues when the cabinet capacity is not large enough to cope with the subscribers' increasing demands for services.

Another issue that often arises is the need that may occur to reconfigure a cabinet.

In fact, it will be appreciated that in one embodiment, the street cabinet can be seen as a matrix with subscriber pairs on one side and office equipment ports on another side.

The matrix is set up such that any subscriber pair is physically connected to a given one of the plurality of office equipment ports.

The reconfiguration of the matrix may occur, for instance, if the needs for a client change over time, e.g., if a client wants an upgrade or is looking for additional services. In one embodiment, the reconfiguration of the matrix will require an intervention of the operator to physically change the configuration.

A drawback of this is that costs will be incurred for physically changing the configuration.

Another solution is to provide a street cabinet that is totally reconfigurable remotely. While this solution may be ideal for reducing the costs associated with a change by removing the physical intervention of an operator on the premises, the skilled addressee will appreciate that this solution has the drawback of being expensive to implement.

There is therefore a need for an automated distribution frame and a method for operating same that will overcome the above-identified drawback.

Features of the invention will be apparent from review of the disclosure, drawings and description of the invention below.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to a broad aspect, there is disclosed an automated distribution frame for connecting a plurality of subscriber loops to a plurality of office equipment lines, the automated distribution frame comprising an overflow device and a plurality of switch arrays, each switch array comprising a corresponding plurality of inputs and a corresponding plurality of outputs, wherein a first part of the corresponding plurality of inputs is connected to the overflow device and a second part of the corresponding plurality of inputs of the switch array is connected to at least one corresponding subscriber loop of the plurality of subscriber loops and wherein a first part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the switch array is connected to the overflow device while a second part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the switch array is connected to at least one selected office equipment line of the plurality of office equipment lines; wherein the overflow device is used for rerouting traffic from a given switch array to at least one other switch array if a number of services required by customers of the plurality of subscriber loops exceeds a number of services of the plurality of office equipment lines available at the given switch array.

In accordance with one embodiment, the overflow device comprises at least one overflow switch.

In accordance with an embodiment, the overflow device comprises a plurality of overflow switches, each overflow switch for accommodating a given number of switch arrays.

In accordance with an embodiment, each overflow switch is capable of accommodating four (4) switch arrays.

In accordance with an embodiment, the overflow device is made of a plurality of wire link connections for connecting each switch array to adjacent switch arrays.

In accordance with an embodiment, the overflow device comprises a plurality of wire link connections for connecting together each switch array of a group of four (4) switch arrays.

In accordance with an embodiment, the plurality of wire link connections comprise two wire link connections between two outputs of the first part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of a first switch array and two inputs of the first part of the corresponding plurality of inputs of a second switch array; a wire link connection between an output of the first part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the first switch array and an input of the first part of the corresponding plurality of inputs of a third switch array; a wire link connection between an output of the first part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the first switch array and an input of the first part of the corresponding plurality of inputs of a fourth switch array; two wire link connections between two inputs of the first part of the corresponding plurality of inputs of the first switch array and two outputs of the first part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the fourth switch array; a wire link connection between an input of the first part of the corresponding plurality of inputs of the second switch array and an output of the first part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the fourth switch array; a wire link connection between an input of the first part of the corresponding plurality of inputs of the third switch array and an output of the first part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the fourth switch array; two wire link connections between two outputs of the first part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the second switch array and two inputs of the first part of the corresponding plurality of inputs of the third switch array; a wire link connection between an output of the first part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the second switch array and an input of the first part of the corresponding plurality of inputs of the fourth switch array; two wire link connections between two outputs of the first part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the third switch array and two inputs of the first part of the corresponding plurality of inputs of the fourth switch array; a wire link connection between an input of the first part of the corresponding plurality of inputs of the first switch array and an output of the first part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the second switch array; a wire link connection between an input of the first part of the corresponding plurality of inputs of the first switch array and an output of the first part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the third switch array; and a wire link connection between an input of the first part of the corresponding plurality of inputs of the second switch array and an output of the first part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the third switch array.

In accordance with an embodiment, the overflow device is made of a plurality of relays comprising input relays and output relays, wherein each input relay is connected to an input of a given switch array and to at least one output of the other switch arrays and wherein each output relay is connected to an output of a given switch array and to at least one input of the other switch arrays.

In accordance with an embodiment, the overflow switch is capable of accommodating four (4) switch arrays and further wherein the overflow switch comprises ninety six (96) relays.

In accordance with an embodiment, the second part of the corresponding plurality of inputs of the switch array is connected to fifty (50) subscriber loops. In accordance with an embodiment, the second part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the switch array is connected to sixteen (16) office equipment lines.

In accordance with an embodiment, each switch array is made of a multi- stage Clos network.

In accordance with an embodiment, the multi-stage Clos network comprises a center stage having at least one port for testing a connection between a given one of the plurality of subscriber loops and a given one of the plurality of office equipment lines.

In accordance with an embodiment, the overflow switch is made of a multistage Clos network.

In accordance with a broad aspect, there is disclosed a method for operating an automated distribution frame, the method comprising providing an automated distribution frame for connecting a plurality of subscriber loops to a plurality of office equipment lines, the automated distribution frame comprising an overflow device having a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs; a plurality of switch arrays, each switch array comprising a corresponding plurality of inputs and a corresponding plurality of outputs, wherein a first part of the corresponding plurality of inputs is connected to the overflow device and a second part of the corresponding plurality of inputs of the switch array is connected to at least one corresponding subscriber loop of the plurality of subscriber loops and wherein a first part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the switch array is connected to the overflow device while a second part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the switch array is connected to at least one selected office equipment line of the plurality of office equipment lines; wherein the overflow device is used for rerouting traffic from a given switch array to at least one other switch array if a number of services required by customers of the plurality of subscriber loops exceeds a number of services of the plurality of office equipment lines available at the given switch array; reconfiguring a mapping of the automated distribution frame before performing an untangling; performing the untangling of the automated distribution frame and reconfiguring the mapping of the automated distribution frame following said untangling of the automated distribution frame.

An advantage of the automated distribution frame disclosed herein is that the automated distribution frame disclosed herein requires less physical intervention than a prior-art non-remotely configurable matrix.

Another advantage of the automated distribution frame disclosed herein is that it is substantially less expensive to implement than a fully remotely configurable one. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be readily understood, embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a diagram which shows an embodiment illustrating a configuration in which an automated distribution frame is used.

Figure 2 is a diagram which shows a first embodiment of an automated distribution frame. The automated distribution frame comprises a plurality of switch arrays and an overflow device. In this embodiment, the overflow device comprises an overflow switch.

Figure 3 is a diagram which shows an embodiment of a switch array of the plurality of switch arrays shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a diagram that shows test access grouping in a middle stage of the switch array shown at Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a diagram which shows a test access in a group of a plurality of switch arrays.

Figure 6 is a diagram which shows a complete path of test access ports through the funnel and common equipment shelves.

Figure 7 is a diagram which shows an embodiment of an overflow device.

Figure 8A is a diagram which shows an embodiment of a funnel card loading before untangling. Figure 8B is a diagram which shows the funnel card shown in Fig. 8A after untangling.

Figure 9A is a diagram which shows an embodiment of a funnel card.

Figure 9B is a diagram which shows an embodiment of a relay card.

Figure 10A is a diagram which shows an embodiment of a communication and control card.

Figure 10B is a diagram which shows an embodiment of a control card.

Figure 1 1 A is a diagram which shows an embodiment of an overflow switch and test access card.

Figure 1 1 B is a diagram which shows an embodiment of a power supply unit card.

Figures 12A to 12C are diagrams illustrating another embodiment of an automated distribution frame. In this embodiment, the automated distribution frame comprises a plurality of overflow switches.

Figures 13A to 13D are diagrams illustrating another embodiment of an automated distribution frame. In this embodiment, the automated distribution frame comprises a plurality of wire link connections.

Figures 14A to 14D are diagrams illustrating another embodiment of an automated distribution frame. In this embodiment, the automated distribution frame comprises a plurality of wire link connections and a plurality of relays.

Figure 15 is a flowchart which shows an embodiment of a method for operating an automated distribution frame.

Further details of the invention and its advantages will be apparent from the detailed description included below. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description of the embodiments, references to the accompanying drawings are by way of illustration of an example by which the invention may be practiced. Terms

The term "invention" and the like mean "the one or more inventions disclosed in this application," unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms "an aspect," "an embodiment," "embodiment," "embodiments," "the embodiment," "the embodiments," "one or more embodiments," "some embodiments," "certain embodiments," "one embodiment," "another embodiment" and the like mean "one or more (but not all) embodiments of the disclosed invention(s)," unless expressly specified otherwise.

A reference to "another embodiment" or "another aspect" in describing an embodiment does not imply that the referenced embodiment is mutually exclusive with another embodiment (e.g., an embodiment described before the referenced embodiment), unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms "including," "comprising" and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to," unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms "a," "an" and "the" mean "one or more," unless expressly specified otherwise.

The term "plurality" means "two or more," unless expressly specified otherwise.

The term "herein" means "in the present application, including anything which may be incorporated by reference," unless expressly specified otherwise.

The term "whereby" is used herein only to precede a clause or other set of words that express only the intended result, objective or consequence of something that is previously and explicitly recited. Thus, when the term "whereby" is used in a claim, the clause or other words that the term "whereby" modifies do not establish specific further limitations of the claim or otherwise restricts the meaning or scope of the claim.

The term "i.e." and like terms mean "that is," and thus limit the terms or phrases they explain. For example, in the sentence "the computer sends data (i.e., instructions) over the Internet," the term "i.e." explains that "instructions" are the "data" that the computer sends over the Internet.

Neither the Title nor the Abstract is to be taken as limiting in any way as the scope of the disclosed invention(s). The title of the present application and headings of sections provided in the present application are for convenience only, and are not to be taken as limiting the disclosure in any way.

Numerous embodiments are described in the present application, and are presented for illustrative purposes only. The described embodiments are not, and are not intended to be, limiting in any sense. The presently disclosed invention(s) are widely applicable to numerous embodiments, as is readily apparent from the disclosure. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the disclosed invention(s) may be practiced with various modifications and alterations, such as structural and logical modifications. Although particular features of the disclosed invention(s) may be described with reference to one or more particular embodiments and/or drawings, it should be understood that such features are not limited to usage in the one or more particular embodiments or drawings with reference to which they are described, unless expressly specified otherwise.

With all this in mind, the present invention is directed to an automated distribution frame and a method for operating same.

An embodiment of a system 10 in which an automated distribution frame

(ADF) 12 is used is shown in Fig. 1 . It will be appreciated that the automated distribution frame may be used in a street cabinet.

As explained further below, it will be appreciated that an automated distribution frame comprises an overflow device and a plurality of switch arrays. Each switch array comprises a corresponding plurality of inputs and a corresponding plurality of outputs. A first part of the corresponding plurality of inputs is connected to the overflow device and a second part of the corresponding plurality of inputs of the switch array is connected to at least one corresponding subscriber loop of the plurality of subscriber loops. A first part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the switch array is connected to the overflow device while a second part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the switch array is connected to at least one selected office equipment line of the plurality of office equipment lines. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the overflow device is used for rerouting traffic from a given switch array to at least one other switch array if a number of services required by customers of the plurality of subscriber loops exceeds a number of services of the plurality of office equipment lines available at the given switch array.

Now referring to Fig. 1 there is shown a configuration in which an automated distribution frame is used. It will be appreciated that, in this configuration, a plurality of subscriber loops, also referred to as pairs, are connected to automated distribution frame 12. More precisely, six hundred (600) subscriber pairs are connected to the automated distribution frame 12. The skilled addressee will appreciate that various alternative embodiments may be provided for the number of subscriber pairs.

It will be appreciated that splitter equipment is also connected to the automated distribution frame 12 in this embodiment.

It will be further appreciated that, in this embodiment, the subscriber pairs may be used to connect a maximum of one hundred and ninety-two (192) active users. It will be appreciated that the typical number of users in such implementation is, on average, only one hundred and forty-four (144) users, i.e., a 24% take rate.

Now referring to Fig. 2, there is shown a first embodiment of the automated distribution frame 12.

In this embodiment, the automated distribution frame 12 comprises an overflow device which is an overflow switch (OS) 20. The overflow switch 20 has a plurality of inputs 22 and a plurality of outputs 24.

The automated distribution frame 12 further comprises a plurality of switch arrays 26. The switch arrays will also be referred to as a funnel switches since the number of outputs is lower that the number of inputs. For instance, the plurality of switch arrays 26 comprises switch array 28, switch array 30 and switch array 32. In one embodiment, the plurality of switch arrays 26 comprises twelve (12) switch arrays.

It will be appreciated that each switch array of the plurality of switch arrays 26 comprises a corresponding plurality of inputs, such as, for instance, the plurality of inputs 34 of the switch array 28 and a corresponding plurality of outputs, such as, for instance, the plurality of outputs 36 of the switch array 28.

Moreover, it will be appreciated that for each switch array, a first part of the corresponding plurality of inputs, such as, for instance, first part 38 of the corresponding plurality of inputs 34 is connected to a corresponding part 40 of the plurality of inputs 22 of the overflow switch 20 and a second part 42 of the corresponding plurality of inputs 34 of the switch array 28 is connected to at least one corresponding subscriber loop of the plurality of subscriber loops.

In the embodiment disclosed in Fig. 2, fifty (50) subscriber loops are connected to each switch array. Still in this embodiment, sixteen (16) office equipment line ports are connected to each switch array. Such configuration therefore enables sixteen (16) services to be connected across fifty (50) subscribers.

A first part of the corresponding plurality of outputs, such as, for instance, first part 44 of the corresponding plurality of outputs 36 of the switch array 28 is connected to a corresponding part 46 of the plurality of outputs 24 of the overflow switch 20, while a second part of the corresponding plurality of outputs, such as second part 48 of the corresponding plurality of outputs 36 of the switch array 26 is connected to at least one selected office equipment line of the plurality of office equipment lines.

It will be appreciated that in the case where more than sixteen (16) services are required across the same group of fifty (50) subscribers, up to four (4) services can be borrowed from another switch array via the overflow switch 20, which is of great advantage.

Now referring to Fig. 3, there is shown an embodiment of a switch array, such as for instance the switch array 28 of the plurality of switch arrays 26. In this embodiment, the switch array 28 is a three-stage Clos network, made of 5 x 6 basic arrays, which is an embodiment of a multi-stage Clos network. The skilled addressee will appreciate that various alternative embodiments may be provided for the switch array 28.

It will be appreciated that, in this embodiment, one subscriber port is not used. The skilled addressee will appreciate that this is typical with the usage of a single basic array.

The first stage 50 and the last stage 54 of the switch array 28 have 20% overhead towards the middle stage 52. It will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that this is designed in order to ensure the non-blocking nature of each switch array by allowing for its reconfiguration, if necessary, without signal disruption.

It will be further appreciated that on the middle stage 52, an extra port on each side is labeled test access (TA). The extra port is a test access entry point. It will be appreciated that this is an embodiment of the case where a center stage, such as the middle stage 52, has at least one port for testing a connection between a given one of the plurality of subscriber loops and a given one of the plurality of office equipment lines. Being the middle stage 52, a connection from a service to a subscriber may be broken, and reconnected to the test access equipment.

It will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that, while the basic arrays are shown with ports on the left and right sides, the basic arrays are made in reality of rows and column with tip and ring relays at each junction. In one embodiment, all of the 5 x 6 basic arrays are identical. Still in one embodiment, a 12 x 5 switch array is created by juxtaposing two 6 x 5 basic arrays.

Due to the funnel architecture, only eleven (1 1 ) basic arrays are needed towards the subscriber side, while four (4) basic arrays are located towards the office equipment line side.

It will be appreciated that the twelfth row in each basic array of the middle stage 52 enables, in one embodiment, a test access connection towards any of the four (4) office equipment line connections that may pass through this basic array. The fifth column of a basic array of the middle stage 52 enables connection to the four (4) subscriber connections out of any of the eleven (1 1 ).

It will be appreciated that such arrangement enables the breaking of a given pair to be tested. The two sides of the given pair are called the office equipment line direction and the subscriber direction. Both sides of the given pair under test are available on the test access pair. This given pair is combined within the funnel with two (2) other funnel middle stage test access pairs to create the odd or even test access pair of a funnel card.

As shown in Fig. 4, two test access ports (TAP) are connected into each switch array. One test access port is connected through the three (3) odd middle stages, and the second test access port across the three (3) even middle stages. This enables up to two simultaneous tests on a single switch array, provided that the two connections do not pass in the same parity middle stage, for example: a cross- talk measurement between two subscribers, one even and one odd, and two office equipment lines, one even and one odd, on the same funnel card. If the two desired connections share the same parity middle stage, the switch array connections will be rearranged automatically, without user intervention, to move one of the connections to a different parity middle stage.

Now referring to Fig. 5, there is shown a funnel shelf communication and control board 60. The funnel shelf communication and control board 60 comprises a sixteen (16) to four (4) any-to-any multiplexer 62 used to reduce the amount of cabling between the funnel shelf and the overflow switch and the test access equipment.

It will be appreciated that all the test access ports exiting the funnel shelf communication and control board 60 may originate from a same funnel card or a mix of any of four (4) funnel cards in one embodiment.

Any combination of the test access ports from the funnel cards can be made available on the funnel shelf test access. Now referring to Fig. 6, there is shown a path of the test access ports through the funnel and common equipment (CE) shelves.

It will be appreciated that a test access port provides the capability of connecting the circuit under test to an external test unit.

The test access port provides the capability of splitting a circuit under test. A split consists of breaking the transmission path of the circuit to be tested. The two sides, or directions, of the access points are referred to as the office equipment line direction and the subscriber direction.

It will be appreciated that all the test access ports (TAP) on the overflow switch can test pairs that originate from the same funnel shelf or from a mix of any of the three (3) funnel shelves.

In one embodiment, any combination of test access from the funnel shelf can be made on the test access port.

It will be appreciated that any subscriber line as well as any office equipment line may be accessed individually.

Moreover, and in one embodiment, all four (4) test access ports can be used simultaneously.

It will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that some test functionalities, such as cross-talk mapping of the automated distribution frame, could be automated by software using menus or by scripting.

Now referring to Fig. 7, there is shown an embodiment of an overflow device which is the overflow switch 20. As explained below, it will be appreciated that various alternative embodiments of the overflow device may be provided.

The overflow switch 20 used to route services from switch array to switch array is, in one embodiment, a three-stage 48 x 48 Clos network arrangement, which is an embodiment of a multi-stage Clos network.

Still in this embodiment, the overflow switch 20 is made up of forty four (44) 5 x 6 switch arrays. More precisely, the center-stage uses four (4) 5x6 switch arrays to create a 10 x 10 switch array. Here again, as with the funnel layout, a 20% overhead is present whenever reconfiguration is required. The skilled addressee will appreciate that various alternative embodiments may be possible for the overflow switch 20.

In one embodiment, the automated distribution frame is deployed initially with a port loading of 75%, one hundred and forty-four (144) customers, on the ingress side evenly distributed on all the funnel cards. Accordingly, each funnel has twelve (12) ingress ports taken. The remaining four (4) ports provide head room for new connections.

It will be appreciated that, as take rate increases and service changes occur over time, the possibility of congestion on the ingress side increases. The skilled addressee will appreciate that, whenever that occurs, the extra four (4) ports of the funnel are available for extra routing capability through the overflow switch as a temporary solution.

The skilled addressee will appreciate that, with this automated distribution frame implementation disclosed herein, the untangling can be advantageously handled with a minimal amount of manipulation and service interruption, simply by reconfiguring the automated distribution frame port mapping and swapping one of the five (5) subscriber connectors at the tangled funnel with one that is less used on another funnel.

Now referring to Fig. 15, there is shown an embodiment of a method for operating an automated distribution frame.

According to processing step 1500, an automated distribution frame is provided. The automated distribution frame is for connecting a plurality of subscriber loops to a plurality of office equipment lines. The automated distribution frame comprises an overflow device having a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs; a plurality of switch arrays, each switch array comprising a corresponding plurality of inputs and a corresponding plurality of outputs. A first part of the corresponding plurality of inputs is connected to the overflow device and a second part of the corresponding plurality of inputs of the switch array is connected to at least one corresponding subscriber loop of the plurality of subscriber loops and wherein a first part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the switch array is connected to the overflow device while a second part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the switch array is connected to at least one selected office equipment line of the plurality of office equipment lines. The overflow device is used for rerouting traffic from a given switch array to at least one other switch array if a number of services required by customers exceeds a number of services available at the given switch array.

According to processing step 1502, a reconfiguration of the mapping of the automated distribution frame is performed before performing an untangling. It will be appreciated that the reconfiguration of the mapping of the automated distribution frame may be performed according to various embodiments.

According to processing step 1504, the untangling is performed at the automated distribution frame. It will be appreciated that, in one embodiment, the untangling is performed by the operator. Thanks to the architecture of the automated distribution frame, the untangling is performed in only a limited amount of time.

According to processing step 1506, a reconfiguration of the mapping of the automated distribution frame is performed following the untangling of the automated distribution frame.

An example of untangling handling within a funnel shelf is illustrated at Figs. 8A and 8B.

For instance, and as shown in Fig. 8A all ingress ports, including the four (4) overflow ports, of the funnel card #1 80 are used. The subscribers' distribution is as follows: six (6) subscribers on cable #1 , five (5) subscribers on cable #2, and three (3) subscribers on each of the remaining three (3) cables, for a total of twenty (20) subscribers. Still in this embodiment, the funnel card #3 82 has only five (5) subscribers: three (3) subscribers on the second cable and one (1 ) subscriber each on the last two (2) cables, for a total of five (5) subscribers.

The skilled addressee will appreciate that it is possible, after reconfiguration of the automated distribution frame network, to untangle the funnel #1 by swapping the first two (2) cables of the funnel cards #1 80 and #3 82.

The new subscribers' distribution will have twelve (12) subscribers on funnel card #1 80: three (3) subscribers on four (4) out of five (5) cables, and thirteen (13) subscribers on funnel card #3 82: six (6) subscribers on cable #1 , five (5) subscribers on cable #2, and one (1 ) subscriber each on the last two (2) cables.

It will be appreciated that a funnel shelf is composed of four (4) different types of cards, i.e., a funnel card 90, a relay card 92, a funnel shelf communication and control card 100 and a funnel shelf backplane 106.

Now referring to Fig. 9A, there is shown an embodiment of the funnel card 90. In one embodiment, the funnel card 90 holds nine (9) relay cards, for a total of eight hundred and ten (810) relays.

It will be appreciated that each relay card is individually configurable.

The interconnections between each relay card create a complete funnel structure as described earlier.

The fifty (50) subscriber connections are accessible through the front via five

(5) subscriber connectors for model 5-10 [five (5) cables of ten (10) pairs] or two (2) subscribers' connectors for model 2-25 [two (2) cables of twenty five (25) pairs].

The sixteen (16) office equipment connections are accessible through the front via at least one (1 ) office equipment connector.

The extra four (4) ports on each side of the switch array, subscriber and office equipment, are provisions for the overflow switch module. They are routed to the backplane connector.

The four (4) test access (TA) ports are for test access, two (2) Egress/Ingress pairs (odd and even). They are routed to the backplane connector. The funnel card 90 houses the secondary protection for the subscriber connections.

A backplane connector holds all the necessary signals for proper operation and connection management, i.e., current source, control signal, overflow switch signals and test access signals.

It will be appreciated that, in one embodiment, the funnel shelf can be equipped with up to four (4) funnel cards.

Now referring to Fig. 9B, there is shown an embodiment of a relay card 92.

In this embodiment, the relay card 92 holds ninety (90) relays [ten (10) relay modules] and twenty eight (28) metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (MosFET) for the relay activation control.

There are nine (9) relays per relay module.

Each relay is individually configurable.

The components are placed on both sides of the printed circuit board (PCB). The relay card 92 connects with the funnel card 90 disclosed in Fig. 9A.

The relay card 92 is configurable via the control signals from the communication and control card 100 disclosed at Fig. 10A.

In one embodiment, the relay card 92 maintains its state even if it is unpowered.

Now referring to Fig. 10A, there is shown an embodiment of a funnel shelf communication and control card 100.

The funnel shelf communication and control card 100 holds the required DC-DC converter to feed the shelf circuits.

The funnel shelf communication and control card 100 holds the necessary logic to interface with the communication and control card and the funnel cards.

The test access multiplex disclosed above enables the routing of any combination of four (4) pairs of test access signals from the funnel card 90 to the overflow switch and test access port. The funnel shelf communication and control card 100 has front connectors to carry the power supply, control signals, overflow switch pairs and test access signals.

Still in this embodiment, the funnel shelf communication and control card 100 has a unique address within the system for shelf identification (1 to 4).

It will be appreciated that the funnel shelf communication and control card 100 is provided with five (5) multi-color LED in the front for various alarms and status feedback.

One (1 ) multi-color LED is used for instance for the funnel shelf communication and control card 100 status: green for normal operation, amber for serial access ongoing (FC or TA), and red for alarm (e.g., Funnel Shelf identification not set).

Four (4) multi-color LEDs are used, for instance, for the funnel card status (one per funnel card). Green is used, for instance, for normal operation, amber is used for relay configuration ongoing and red is used for alarm, for instance, when a defective relay is detected.

It will be appreciated that a common equipment shelf is composed of four (4) different cards in one embodiment: a communication and control card 102, an overflow switch and test access card 104, a power supply unit card 106 and the common equipment shelf backplane.

Now referring to Fig. 10B, there is shown an embodiment of a communication and control card 102.

The communication and control card 102 has one Ethernet port for SNMP, a terminal port for local access and diagnostic.

The communication and control card 102 has further two (2) current sources for the relay activation.

It will be appreciated that the communication and control card 102 has enough memory to hold the automated distribution frame configuration. Still in one embodiment, it will be appreciated that the communication and control card 102 has also a processor to handle the automated distribution frame feature set.

It will be appreciated that the communication and control card 102 has means for providing a visual feedback. More precisely, the communication and control card 102 has three (3) alarm LEDs in the front: critical (Red), major (Red) and minor (Amber). The communication and control card 102 has two (2) Ethernet LEDs in the front: link (Green), activity (Green). The communication and control card 102 has further two (2) status LEDs in the front: card functional (Green), card failure (Red).

Now referring to Fig. 1 1 A, there is shown an embodiment of an overflow switch and test access card 104.

It will be appreciated that the overflow switch and test access card 104 holds, in one embodiment, fifteen (15) relay cards, for a total of one thousand three hundred and fifty (1 ,350) relays.

It will be further appreciated that the interconnection between each relay card creates a complete Clos structure of 48 x 48.

The test access signals from the funnel shelves, up to 4 pairs are multiplexed prior to the test access port.

It will be further appreciated that the overflow switch and test access card 104 has the necessary circuit to handle the test access multiplexer.

It will be also appreciated that the overflow switch and test access card 104 holds the necessary logic to interface with the communication and control card 102, the overflow switch and the multiplexer of the test access port.

Also, it will be appreciated that the overflow switch and test access card 104 has a power supply section.

The overflow switch and test access card 104 has eight (8) PS/CTL/TA/OS connectors, two (2) for each funnel shelf. Each connector carries signals from the power supply card 106, the communication and control card 102 and the overflow switch and test access card 104. The overflow switch and test access card 104 has four (4) test access port connectors (RJ45). The middle pair (pins 4 and 5) is used for the test access.

Each test access port has two (2) LEDs: test access port on office equipment side (green left), test access port on subscriber side (green right).

It will be also appreciated that the overflow switch and test access card 104 is connected to the common equipment backplane.

Now referring to Fig. 1 1 B, there is shown an embodiment of a power supply unit card 106.

In this embodiment, the power supply unit card 106 is used to convert a - 48 VDC input voltage to 12 VDC and 5 VDC to power the funnel shelves [up to four (4)], the overflow switch and test access module and the common equipment communication and control card.

The skilled addressee will appreciate that various alternative embodiments may be provided.

Now referring to Figs. 12A to 12C, there is shown another embodiment of an automated distribution frame.

It will be appreciated that in this embodiment, the automated distribution frame comprises a plurality of overflow switches. Each overflow switch is used for accommodating a given number of switch arrays. In the embodiment disclosed in Figs. 12A to 12C, each overflow switch is used for accommodating four (4) switch arrays. For example, the automated distribution frame comprises funnel shelf #1 (FS#1 ) 1200 shown in Fig. 12A, funnel shelf #2 (FS#2) 1202 shown in Fig. 12B and funnel shelf #4 (FS#4) 1204 shown in Fig. 12C.

The funnel shelf #1 1200 comprises a first switch array 1206, a second switch array 1208, a third switch array 1210, a fourth switch array 1212 and a funnel shelf overflow switch 1214, also referred to as overflow switch 1214. It will be appreciated that the funnel shelf overflow switch 1214 is used for accommodating the first switch array 1206, the second switch array 1208, the third switch array 1210 and the fourth switch array 1212. Similarly, the funnel shelf #2 1202 comprises a first switch array 1218, a second switch array 1220, a third switch array 1222, a fourth switch array 1224 and a funnel shelf overflow switch 1226. It will be appreciated that the funnel shelf overflow switch 1226 is used for accommodating the first switch array 1218, the second switch array 1220, the third switch array 1222 and the fourth switch array 1224.

Similarly, the funnel shelf #4 1204 comprises a first switch array 1228, a second switch array 1230, a third switch array 1232, a fourth switch array 1234 and a funnel shelf overflow switch 1236. It will be appreciated that the funnel shelf overflow switch 1236 is used for accommodating the first switch array 1228, the second switch array 1230, the third switch array 1232 and the fourth switch array 1234.

Now referring to Figs. 13A to 13D, there is shown another embodiment of an automated distribution frame. More precisely and in this embodiment, the automated distribution frame comprises a plurality of wire link connections.

More specifically and in this embodiment, the automated distribution frame comprises a first switch array 1300, shown in Fig. 13A, a second switch array 1302, shown in Fig. 13B, a third switch array 1304, shown in Fig. 13C, a fourth switch array 1306 shown in Fig. 13D and a funnel shelf overflow switch 1308 shown in Figs. 13A to 13D. The funnel shelf overflow switch 1308 comprises a plurality of wire link connections for connecting the first switch array 1300, the second switch array 1302, the third switch array 1304 and the fourth switch array 1306.

More precisely, the wire link connections comprise two wire link connections 1310 between two outputs of the first part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of a first switch array 1300 and two inputs of the first part of the corresponding plurality of inputs of a second switch array 1304. The wire link connections further comprise a wire link connection 1312 between an output of the first part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the first switch array 1300 and an input of the first part of the corresponding plurality of inputs of a third switch array 1304. The wire link connections further comprise a wire link connection 1314 between an output of the first part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the first switch array 1300 and an input of the first part of the corresponding plurality of inputs of a fourth switch array 1306. The wire link connections further comprise a wire link connection 1316 between two inputs of the first part of the corresponding plurality of inputs of the first switch array 1300 and two outputs of the first part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the fourth switch array 1306. The wire link connections further comprise a wire link connection 1318 between an input of the first part of the corresponding plurality of inputs of the second switch array 1302 and an output of the first part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the fourth switch array 1306. The wire link connections further comprise a wire link connection 1320 between an input of the first part of the corresponding plurality of inputs of the third switch array 1304 and an output of the first part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the fourth switch array 1306. The wire link connections further comprise two wire link connections 1322 between two outputs of the first part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the second switch array 1302 and two inputs of the first part of the corresponding plurality of inputs of the third switch array 1304. The wire link connections further comprise a wire link connection 1324 between an output of the first part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the second switch array 1302 and an input of the first part of the corresponding plurality of inputs of the fourth switch array 1306. The wire link connections further comprise two wire link connections 1326 between two outputs of the first part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the third switch array 1304 and two inputs of the first part of the corresponding plurality of inputs of the fourth switch array 1306. The wire link connections further comprise a wire link connection 1328 between an input of the first part of the corresponding plurality of inputs of the first switch array 1300 and an output of the first part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the second switch array 1302. The wire link connections further comprise a wire link connection 1330 between an input of the first part of the corresponding plurality of inputs of the first switch array 1300 and an output of the first part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the third switch array 1304 and a wire link connection 1332 between an input of the first part of the corresponding plurality of inputs of the second switch array 1302 and an output of the first part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the third switch array 1304.

Now referring to Figures 14A-D, there is shown another embodiment of an automated distribution frame. More precisely, and in this embodiment, the automated distribution frame comprises an overflow switch comprising a plurality of relays 1408. The plurality of relays 1408 comprises input relays and output relays. Each input relay is connected to an input of a given switch array and to at least one output of the other switch arrays. Each output relay is connected to an output of a given switch array and to at least one input of the other switch arrays. It will be appreciated that in the embodiment disclosed in Figs. 14A-D, the overflow switch is capable of accommodating four (4) switch arrays, i.e. first switch array 1400, second switch array 1402, third switch array 1404 and fourth switch array 1406. The plurality of relays 1408 comprises ninety six (96) relays

Although the above description relates to a specific preferred embodiment as presently contemplated by the inventor, it will be understood that the invention in its broad aspect includes functional equivalents of the elements described herein.

Clause 1 . An automated distribution frame for connecting a plurality of subscriber loops to a plurality of office equipment lines, the automated distribution frame comprising:

an overflow device;

a plurality of switch arrays, each switch array comprising a corresponding plurality of inputs and a corresponding plurality of outputs, wherein a first part of the corresponding plurality of inputs is connected to the overflow device and a second part of the corresponding plurality of inputs of the switch array is connected to at least one corresponding subscriber loop of the plurality of subscriber loops and wherein a first part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the switch array is connected to the overflow device while a second part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the switch array is connected to at least one selected office equipment line of the plurality of office equipment lines; wherein the overflow device is used for rerouting traffic from a given switch array to at least one other switch array if a number of services required by customers of the plurality of subscriber loops exceeds a number of services of the plurality of office equipment lines available at the given switch array.

Clause 2. The automated distribution frame for connecting a plurality of subscriber loops to a plurality of office equipment lines as claimed in clause 1 , wherein the overflow device comprises at least one overflow switch. Clause 3. The automated distribution frame for connecting a plurality of subscriber loops to a plurality of office equipment lines as claimed in clause 1 , wherein the overflow device comprises a plurality of overflow switches, each overflow switch for accommodating a given number of switch arrays.

Clause 4. The automated distribution frame for connecting a plurality of subscriber loops to a plurality of office equipment lines as claimed in clause 3, wherein each overflow switch is capable of accommodating four (4) switch arrays.

Clause 5. The automated distribution frame for connecting a plurality of subscriber loops to a plurality of office equipment lines as claimed in clause 1 , wherein the overflow device is made of a plurality of wire link connections for connecting each switch array to adjacent switch arrays.

Clause 6. The automated distribution frame for connecting a plurality of subscriber loops to a plurality of office equipment lines as claimed in clause 5, wherein the overflow device comprises a plurality of wire link connections for connecting together each switch array of a group of four (4) switch arrays. Clause 7. The automated distribution frame for connecting a plurality of subscriber loops to a plurality of office equipment lines as claimed in clause 6, wherein the plurality of wire link connections comprise:

two wire link connections between two outputs of the first part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of a first switch array and two inputs of the first part of the corresponding plurality of inputs of a second switch array;

a wire link connection between an output of the first part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the first switch array and an input of the first part of the corresponding plurality of inputs of a third switch array;

a wire link connection between an output of the first part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the first switch array and an input of the first part of the corresponding plurality of inputs of a fourth switch array;

two wire link connections between two inputs of the first part of the corresponding plurality of inputs of the first switch array and two outputs of the first part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the fourth switch array;

a wire link connection between an input of the first part of the corresponding plurality of inputs of the second switch array and an output of the first part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the fourth switch array;

a wire link connection between an input of the first part of the corresponding plurality of inputs of the third switch array and an output of the first part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the fourth switch array;

two wire link connections between two outputs of the first part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the second switch array and two inputs of the first part of the corresponding plurality of inputs of the third switch array;

a wire link connection between an output of the first part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the second switch array and an input of the first part of the corresponding plurality of inputs of the fourth switch array; two wire link connections between two outputs of the first part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the third switch array and two inputs of the first part of the corresponding plurality of inputs of the fourth switch array;

a wire link connection between an input of the first part of the corresponding plurality of inputs of the first switch array and an output of the first part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the second switch array;

a wire link connection between an input of the first part of the corresponding plurality of inputs of the first switch array and an output of the first part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the third switch array; and

a wire link connection between an input of the first part of the corresponding plurality of inputs of the second switch array and an output of the first part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the third switch array.

Clause 8. The automated distribution frame for connecting a plurality of subscriber loops to a plurality of office equipment lines as claimed in clause 1 , wherein the overflow device is made of a plurality of relays comprising input relays and output relays, wherein each input relay is connected to an input of a given switch array and to at least one output of the other switch arrays and wherein each output relay is connected to an output of a given switch array and to at least one input of the other switch arrays. Clause 9. The automated distribution frame for connecting a plurality of subscriber loops to a plurality of office equipment lines as claimed in clause 8, wherein the overflow switch is capable of accommodating four (4) switch arrays and further wherein the overflow switch comprises ninety six (96) relays.

Clause 10. The automated distribution frame for connecting a plurality of subscriber loops to a plurality of office equipment lines as claimed in clause 1 , wherein the second part of the corresponding plurality of inputs of the switch array is connected to fifty (50) subscriber loops. Clause 1 1 . The automated distribution frame for connecting a plurality of subscriber loops to a plurality of office equipment lines as claimed in clause 10, wherein the second part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the switch array is connected to sixteen (16) office equipment lines. Clause 12. The automated distribution frame for connecting a plurality of subscriber loops to a plurality of office equipment lines as claimed in clause 1 , wherein each switch array is made of a multi-stage Clos network.

Clause 13. The automated distribution frame for connecting a plurality of subscriber loops to a plurality of office equipment lines as claimed in clause 12, wherein the multi-stage Clos network comprises a center stage having at least one port for testing a connection between a given one of the plurality of subscriber loops and a given one of the plurality of office equipment lines.

Clause 14. The automated distribution frame for connecting a plurality of subscriber loops to a plurality of office equipment lines as claimed in claim 2, wherein the overflow switch is made of a multi-stage Clos network.

Clause 15. A method for operating an automated distribution frame, the method comprising:

providing an automated distribution frame for connecting a plurality of subscriber loops to a plurality of office equipment lines, the automated distribution frame comprising an overflow device having a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs; a plurality of switch arrays, each switch array comprising a corresponding plurality of inputs and a corresponding plurality of outputs, wherein a first part of the corresponding plurality of inputs is connected to the overflow device and a second part of the corresponding plurality of inputs of the switch array is connected to at least one corresponding subscriber loop of the plurality of subscriber loops and wherein a first part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the switch array is connected to the overflow device while a second part of the corresponding plurality of outputs of the switch array is connected to at least one selected office equipment line of the plurality of office equipment lines; wherein the overflow device is used for rerouting traffic from a given switch array to at least one other switch array if a number of services required by customers of the plurality of subscriber loops exceeds a number of services of the plurality of office equipment lines available at the given switch array;

reconfiguring a mapping of the automated distribution frame before performing an untangling;

performing the untangling of the automated distribution frame; and

reconfiguring the mapping of the automated distribution frame following said untangling of the automated distribution frame.