SINGLE MODULE ACCESS TQ A PLURALITY QF TELECOMMUNICATION CIRCUITS

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S.

Provisional Application Serial No. 60/687,629 filed June 3, 2005, to Garrett et al.,

and titled "Cable Module and Backplanes", the disclosure of which is hereby

incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention generally relates to the field of telecommunications

and more particularly relates to a digital cross connect cable connection system for

use in the telecommunications industry, including modules, panels and frameworks

for use in telecommunications equipment. The digital cross connect or DSX cable

connection system applies to individual cables being connected to any type of

equipment, as well as to the plurality of connectors, modules or panels utilizing

such connections.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Digital signal cross-connect equipment plays a vital role in the installation,

monitoring, testing, restoring and repairing digital telecommunication networks.

Digital signal cross-connect modules are frequently used in digital networks to

provide a central cross-connect location that is convenient for testing, monitoring,

restoring and repairing infrastructure equipment associated with the communication

of digital signals. Digital signal cross-connect modules are frequently used in a

variety of locations, such as telephone central offices, remote sites and customer

premises.

[0004] Currently, digital signal cross-connect modules provide access to a single

circuit at a time to perform testing, monitoring, patching and repairing. This is

accomplished using a dedicated single access module or a removable module

capable of being interchanged to access multiple circuits. Single access modules

are limited to accessing a single circuit from a dedicated location and thus an

individual module is required for each circuit, thereby increasing cost and

sacrificing density. Density as used herein refers to the number of circuits that may

be connected to a piece of telecommunications equipment such as a panel per unit

of size. For example, a panel of a given size that may connect to more circuits will

have a greater circuit density than a panel of the same size that connects to fewer

circuits.

[0005] Removable modules may be utilized with multiple circuits by physically

removing them from one location and installing the module in another location to

access another circuit. However, while a removable module may provide access to

multiple circuits, multiple access points are still required, thereby limiting density.

[0006] Thus, current single access dedicated modules, removable modules, panel

systems and backplanes may inhibit efficiency in space management, limit

attainable density, and increase cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Modules and backplanes are described which are configured to permit access

to a plurality of telecommunications circuits from a single access point in a

telecommunication chassis. For example, a chassis may include a backplane having

two or more interfaces, wherein each interface is connectable to at least two

telecommunications circuits. A module may be inserted into the chassis in one or

more access point. In the one or more access point of the chassis the module may

connect to one or more of said interfaces such that the module provides access to at

least two telecommunications circuits from the one access point.

Further, backplanes are described which may be operable with or without

insertable modules. For example, a backplane providing connections to form a

plurality of telecommunications circuits may be formed having a single substrate,

e.g. a single printed circuit board (PCB). One or more insertable module may be

connected to the backplane to provide access to the telecommunications circuits

formed using the backplane. Thus, a module may be connected to the backplane to

access one or more telecommunications circuits, for instance, by inserting the

module into an access point of a chassis having the backplane. The backplane is

operable to permit signals flow through the plurality of said telecommunications

with the module connected or without receiving the insertable module. Continuity

of the signal flow is maintained while modules are being inserted or removed from

the chassis (e.g. connecting and disconnecting from the backplane).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a telecommunications environment in an

exemplary implementation in which a module of the present invention may operate.

[0008] FIG. 2A is an exemplary arrangement of telecommunications panel showing

connections to circuits and modules configured to access multiple circuits using a

single insertion point of the panel.

[0009] FIG. 2B is an illustration of a side on view of an interface of a

telecommunication panel depicted in FIG. 2A in greater detail.

[0010] FIG. 3 is illustration of an exemplary module configured to access multiple

circuits using a single insertion point of a panel.

[ooii] FIG. 4 is an illustration of module inserted in a chassis to access a plurality

of circuits.

[0012] FIG. 5A is a front and back view of a panel in an exemplary embodiment of

a telecommunication panel.

[0013] FIG. 5B is an illustration of an en exemplary embodiment of a backplane

printed circuit board.

[0014] FIG. 6 is an illustration of telecommunications circuits formed at an

exemplary panel.

[0015] FIG. 7 is a schematic wiring diagram of an exemplary embodiment of sets of

rear connectors on a backplane.

[0016] FIG. 8 is schematic wiring diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a

module having a plurality of jacks to access a plurality of circuits.

[0017] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram depicting a procedure in an exemplary

implementation showing the forming of a telecommunications module.

[0018] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram depicting a procedure in an exemplary

implementation in which operation of a backplane in described.

[0019] The same reference numbers are utilized in instances in the discussion to

reference like structures and components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary implementation of an environment 100

operable to provide a telecommunications network in which cross-connect panels

and modules are employed. The environment 100 depicts a plurality of clients

102(1), ..., 102(N) which are communicatively coupled, one to another, via a

network 104. Clients may be implemented in a wide variety of ways, including

users such as consumers, business users, internal users in a private network, and

other types of users that use telecommunications signals or transmit and receive

telecommunications signals. Additionally, for purposes of the following discussion

clients 102(1)- 102(N) may also refer to client devices and software which are

operable to transmit and receive telecommunications signals. Thus, clients 102(1)-

102(N) may be implemented as users, software and devices.

[0021] The environment is illustrated as including a central office 106(m), where

"m" can be any integer from one to "M". Thus, the central office 106(m) is

representative of any number of such central offices which may exist within the

environment 100. Further, it will be appreciated that the equipment and functions

indicated in FIG. 1 occurring within central office 106(m) may be located and

performed at alternate locations within the environment 100 such as remote sites,

outside plant sites, client sites, customer sites or other locations. Therefore, the

Central office 106(m) as used herein is representative of a site in which the panels

and modules may be employed.

[0022] The central office 106(m) is illustrated in FIG. 1 as having a variety of

network elements (NE) 108(1)- 108(K) that are interconnected via the central office

106(m). Network elements 108(1)- 108(K) may be implemented in a variety of

ways. For example, the network elements 108(l)-108(K) may be configured as

switches, digital cross connect system (DCS), telecommunication panels, digital

radios, fiber optic equipment, network office terminating equipment, and any other

telecommunication equipment or devices employed in a telecommunications

infrastructure.

[0023] The network elements 108(l)-108(K), when connected one to another, form

a plurality of telecommunication circuits HO(I)-I lO(J). Thus, the

telecommunications circuits HO(I)-I lO(J) are representative of an interconnection

(e.g., cross-connection) of at least two NEs 108(1)- 108(K). As should be apparent,

while the NEs 108(l)-108(K) are illustrated within the central office 106(m) to

depict the interconnection of the NEs 108(1)- 108(K) provided by the central office

106(m), NE's 108(1)- 108(K) may also located apart from (e.g., "outside") the

central office 106(m). For example, the NE 108(1)- 108(K) may be located at an

outside plant location, a client location, or another remote site in the environment

100. Thus, telecommunications circuits accordingly may be formed entirely within

the central office 106(m) or between locations such that one or both of the NEs

108(l)-102(2) are located at different sites.

[0024] The environment 100 is also illustrated as having a cross-connect panel 112.

The cross-connect panel 112 may provide a variety of functionality. For instance,

the NEs 108(l)-108(K) in the environment 100 may be terminated at cross-connect

panel 110. Further, a plurality of network elements (e.g., NEs 108(k), 108(K)) may

be interconnected to form telecommunications circuits (e.g., telecommunications

circuit HO(J)) using the cross-connect panel 112. Like the NEs 1O8(1)-1O8(K), the

cross-connect panel may be located in a variety of places within the envirionment

100, such as within the central office 106(m) as illustrated in FIG. 1, at a customer

site, and so on. Further, although a single cross connect panel 112 is illustrated in

FIG. 1 for the sake of clarity of the figure, it should be appreciated that a plurality

of such panels may be provided throughout the environment 100. Cross-connect

panels such as panel 112 provide modular access to a plurality of circuits such as

circuits 108(1) to 108(n) in FIG. 1.

{0025) The cross-connect panel 112 includes a chassis 114 having a plurality of

interfaces 116. The interfaces 116 provide connection points or terminations for the

inputs and outputs of NE's 108(l)-108(K) in respective telecommunication circuits

HO(I)-I lO(J). Thus, the plurality of telecommunications circuits HO(I)-I lO(J),

each connecting two or more network elements, are formed through the interfaces

116.

[0026] Chassis 114 further has a plurality of access points 118 Each of access

points 118 of chassis 114 is arranged at a location corresponding to one or more of

the interfaces 116. The access points 118 are configured to allow connections to be

made using the interfaces 116. For example, one or more of a plurality of modules

120(1)- 120 may be configured for insertion into the chassis 114 via one or more of

the access points 118 to provide access to circuits HO(I)-I lO(J) connected to a

corresponding interface 116. For example, an insertable telecommunications

module may be sequentially inserted into the chassis 114, such that at one time the

device is in one particular slot and at another time the device is in another distinct

slot. In this manner, access may be provided at a particular interface 116 to the

circuits HO(I)-I lO(J) corresponding to the respective interface. The access points

118 may be configured in a variety of ways to accept modules, such as a series of

slots in the chassis 114 that receive insertable modules. In an implementation, the

number of access points provided is a multiple of eight.

[0027] Telecommunications modules 120(1)- 120(G) (hereinafter "modules") are

configured such that each module 120(1)- 120(G) may access a respective on of the

plurality of circuits HO(I)-I lO(G) from a respective one of the access points 118.

For example, module 120(1) may be inserted into an access point 118 to access the

interface 118 corresponding to the access point 118 such that the module 120(1)

provides simultaneous access to the inputs and/or outputs of at least two

telecommunications circuits (e.g., telecommunications circuits 110(1), 110(2)) .

[0028] The cross-connect panel 112 may be configured to receive a plurality of the

modules 120(1)- 120(G), which may be configured the same or different, such that

each of the modules 120(l)-120(G) is connectable to access two or more of the

plurality of telecommunications circuits HO(I)-IlO(J) when inserted into a single

access point 118 in the panel. As illustrated in FIG. 1, for instance, module 120(2)

is insertable into chassis 114 to provide access to the inputs and/or outputs of at

least two of the telecommunications circuits HO(I)-I lO(J), in the same manner as

module 120(1).

[0029] FIG. 2A illustrates an exemplary implementation showing the cross-connect

panel 112 of FIG. 1 in greater detail. Cross connect panel 112 includes a chassis

202, which may be the same as or different from chassis 114, and therefore new

reference numbers will be utilized in discussion of this figure different than those

used for FIG 1. Chassis 202 has a backplane 204 and a plurality of interfaces 206

(e.g., interfaces 206(4), 206(19)) that are arranged on the backplane 204.

Backplane 204 may be formed from a substrate, such as a printed circuited board.

Each of interfaces 206 may connect to at least two telecommunications circuits 208.

For example, in FIG. 2A Interface 206(4) is connected to circuit 208(1) and circuit

208(2). Likewise, Interface 206(19) is connected to circuit 208(3) and circuit

208(4). Each of the interfaces 206 may be similarly configured to connect to two or

more telecommunications circuits. Further, as mentioned each circuit may include

a plurality of NE's.

[0030] Each interface 206 includes a set of rear connectors 210 coupled through the

backplane 204 to a corresponding one of a plurality of backplane connectors 212.

For example, in FIG. 2A, chassis 202 has a plurality of sets of rear connectors 210

and a plurality of backplane connectors 212. The backplane connectors 212 are

physically and communicatively coupled to the corresponding set of rear connectors

210 through the substrate of the backplane 204. Thus, each of the interfaces 206

may include a backplane connector 212 and a corresponding set of rear connectors

210, e.g., terminations.

[0031] Reference will now be made to FIG. 2B, in which, a side on view of the

interface 206(4) of FIG. 2A is illustrated. Interface 206(4) has backplane connector

212 mounted on a substrate 214 of the backplane 204 of FIG. 2A. A set of rear

connectors 210 are mounted on another side of the substrate 214. The set of rear

connectors 210 is configured to connect to at least two circuits, such as circuits

208(1) and 208(2) as illustrated in FIG. 2B.

10032] Reference will now be made again to FIG. 2A, the chassis 202 includes a

plurality of access points 216 (e.g., access points 216(4) and 216(19)). The number

of access points within the chassis 202 may be more or less as may be required for a

particular application. As previously described, the access points 216 provide a

location where a connection may be made to the interfaces 206 through the chassis

202. For example, access point 216(4) is illustrated in FIG. 2 A as having a

corresponding interface such as 206(4). Thus, access point 216(4) may provide a

connection to the interface 206(4) and to the corresponding circuits 208(1) and

208(2) connected to interface 206(4).

[0033] A module (e.g., module 218), when inserted at an access point 216

corresponding to an interface 206, engages the corresponding backplane connector

212. The module 218 then may provide access to one or more signals of

telecommunication circuits connected to the interface, for example a

telecommunication circuit connected using rear connectors 210.

[0034] The set of rear connectors 210 may be configured in a variety of ways. For

example, the rear connectors 210 may be configured as Bayonet Neill-Concelman

(BNC) type connectors, 1.5/5.6 type connectors, 1.0/2.3 type connectors and so on.

Naturally, other connectors suitable for making telecommunications connections

may also be employed. In an implementation, the sets of rear connectors 210 may

have one or more of an input, output, input cross, and output cross for each circuit

that will be connected to the panel at a respective interface. Thus, a set of rear

connectors 210 configured to connect at least to two circuits may have eight

individual rear connectors 210, such as BNC type connectors. It should also be

noted that a set of rear connectors may include subsets of rear connectors that

correspond to individual circuits. For example, a set of rear connectors may have

an input and an output corresponding to a first circuit, and an input and output

corresponding to a second circuit connected to the interface. In this example, the

set of four rear connectors would have two subsets of two connectors each

corresponding to a different circuit.

[0035] The backplane connectors (e.g., backplane connector 212) may also be

configured in a variety of ways, such as a pin type connector; a receptor for a card

edge type connector or other type of connector that is suitable for making

telecommunications connections. The backplane connector 212 may also be

integrated into the substrate 214 of the backplane 204 (e.g., a printed circuit board)

such that a physical and communicative connection between the module 218 and

the substrate 214 is achieved when the module 218 is inserted in a corresponding

access point. In this way, a connection is provided between the module 218 and the

corresponding rear connectors 210 and circuits (e.g., circuit 208(l)-208(4)) formed

using the rear connectors 210.

[0036] The rear connectors 210 may be arranged on an exterior surface of the

substrate 214 and the backplane connectors 212 arranged on the opposite side of the

substrate 214. For example, the backplane connectors may be arranged in the

interior of the chassis 202 to mate with the module 218 when inserted in the chassis

202. The rear connectors 210 may provide a connection (e.g., a termination,

interconnection, and cross-connection point) for the plurality of network elements

(e.g., NEs 108(l)-108(K) of FIG. 1) that make up at least a portion of the

telecommunications circuits.

[0037] In an implementation, the connections between the rear connectors 210 and

network elements may be made without a corresponding module (e.g., module 218)

being present in the chassis 202. Thus, the backplane 204 may allow for pre-wiring

of the circuits and operation before various modules are placed in the chassis 202 or

without modules.

[0038] The rear connectors 210 may be arranged in a variety of ways, such as in an

array of columns across an exterior surface of the backplane 204. The

corresponding backplane connectors 212 may also be arranged on an opposing side

of the backplane 204, with each corresponding to a single access point (e.g., slot) in

the chassis 202. Naturally, a variety of alternate arrangements are also

contemplated. Thus, cross-connect panel 112 may be connected to a plurality of

telecommunications circuits through the interfaces 206 and may provide access to

two or more telecommunications circuits from single access points within the

chassis.

[0039] As previously described, the module 218 may be configured in a variety of

ways, such as to access a plurality of telecommunications circuits using a single

access point 216 of the chassis 202. As illustrated in FIG. 2A, module 218 has a

module substrate 220 (e.g., a printed circuit board) and a module interface 222.

Module 218 also includes a plurality of jacks (e.g., jacks 224, 226) which are

mounted on an end of the substrate 220. The plurality of jacks 224-226 is

communicatively coupled to the module interface 222 through the module substrate

220.

[0040] Each of the jacks may be configured in a variety of ways, such as an input

jack, an output jack, and a monitor jack. Jacks may also be input-cross or output-

cross jacks. At least two sets of jacks each having one or more individual jacks

may be included on the module. A first set of jacks, (e.g., jack 224) is configured to

access a first telecommunications circuit. A second set of jacks (e.g., jack 226) is

configured to simultaneously access a second telecommunications circuit. Access

as used herein includes monitoring, testing, patching, redirecting, cross-connecting,

interconnecting, or otherwise utilizing the circuits or signals from the circuits.

Access may be intrusive or non-intrusive. The first and second sets of jacks 224,

226 may provide concurrent access to respective circuits while the module is

inserted in a single access point of the chassis. For example, jack 224 may be a

monitor jack configured to monitor a signal of one circuit and jack 226 may be

another monitor jack configured to monitor a signal of another circuit. The number

and function of jacks included on a module such as module 218 may vary. For

example, a module configured to access a plurality of circuits may have at least one

jack to access a first circuit and at least one other jack to access a second circuit.

[0041] In the illustrated implementation, module 218 may be inserted into the

chassis 202 using any one of the access points 216. When inserted at any access

point (e.g., access points 216) configured to receive the module 218, module

interface 222 engages or mates with the corresponding interface 206 to provide a

physical and communicative coupling to the interface 206 and accordingly to the

circuits 208 attached or formed at the interface 206. In this example, module

interface 222 may engage or mate with backplane connector 212 to create a

connection to the interface 206. Module 218, when inserted in chassis 202, causes

the module interface 222 to engage one of the backplane connectors 212. Each of

the backplane connectors 212 has a corresponding set of rear connectors 210 which

is configured for use with a plurality of telecommunications circuits. Thus, module

218 may be simultaneously connected to a plurality of telecommunications circuits

while engaged with a single backplane connector. The backplane connector 212

may further correspond to a particular access point 216 or slot within the chassis

202. Thus, the module may provide access to the plurality of telecommunications

circuits while inserted into a single access point or slot within the panel.

[0042] In another implementation, a backplane connector 212 may include two or

more individual connectors simultaneously connectable to a single module such as

module 218. Each individual connector in the backplane connector will correspond

to at least one subset of rear connectors in the entire set of rear connectors to which

the backplane connector corresponds. Each subset of the rear connectors may

connect to a telecommunications circuit. Accordingly, a module simultaneously

coupled to a plurality of individual connectors making up a backplane connector

212 may have access to multiple telecommunications circuits formed by cross-

connected or interconnected network elements using the corresponding set of rear

connectors.

[0043] In a further example, module 218 may be inserted in access point 216(4) of

the chassis 202. Access point 216(4) corresponds to interface 206(4). Interface

206(4) is connected to circuits 208(1) and 208(2). Further, interface 206(4)

includes a set of rear connectors 210 and a backplane connector 212 physically and

communicatively coupled through the backplane substrate 214, one to another.

Module connector 222, when sufficiently inserted in access point 216(4), engages

backplane connector 212 corresponding to access point 216(4). Module 218 has a

first set of jacks (e.g., jack 224) configured to access one of circuits 208(1) and

208(2). Module 218 has a second set of jacks (e.g., jack 226) configured to access

another of circuits 208(1) and 208(2). Thus, module 218 inserted at access point

216(4) provides concurrent access to both circuits 208(1) and 208(2). Likewise,

module 218 may be inserted into access point 216(19) corresponding to interface

206(19) to provide concurrent access to corresponding circuits 208(3) and 208(4).

[0044] In addition to Module 218, FIG. 2A depicts a variety of other embodiments

of modules 228, 230 and 232. Modules 228-232 are depicted having six, four, and

five individual jacks, respectively. It is contemplated that the number of individuals

jacks may be varied as desired for a particular application or customer and is not

limited to the specific numbers depicted. Additionally, a set of jacks as described

previously may include one or more individual jacks. For example, each set of

jacks may be configured to access a particular circuit. The number of jacks

included in each set may vary according to a particular application, customer and/or

functionality of the particular circuit. The number of jacks designated for each

individual circuit may or may not be equal. For example, Module 228, which is

depicted as having six total jacks, may have a first set of two jacks to access a first

circuit, and a second set of four jacks to access a second circuit. Alternatively, the

plurality of jacks depicted with Module 228 may be divided such that three jacks

form a set and each set of three accesses a different circuit. Naturally other

combinations of jacks and sets of jacks may be employed to produce a variety of

different embodiments of a module that is configured to access a plurality of

circuits from a single access point in a telecommunications panel.

[0045] The chassis 202 may also be configured in a variety of ways. For example,

the access points 216 of the chassis may be implemented as a plurality of adjacent

slots, each of which corresponds to a respective backplane connector. A module

may also be inserted into one such slot and is capable of accessing at least two

telecommunications circuits from the single slot as previously described.

[0046] In one configuration of cross connect panel 112, a plurality of identically

configured modules, such as a module 218, may simultaneously occupy distinct

access points 216 in the chassis 202 such that one module is capable of accessing at

least two telecommunications circuits using a respective access point 216, while

each other module is simultaneously capable of accessing at least two

telecommunications circuits using respective access points 216. Additionally, a

particular module (e.g., module 218) may be inserted sequentially into at least two

such slots and is capable of accessing at least two telecommunications circuits from

each slot.

[0047] Optionally, one or more module capable of accessing at least two

telecommunications circuits using a single slot may be insertable into the chassis

202 along with one or more other modules that are configured differently. Thus a

module configured to access at least two telecommunications circuits using a single

slot may be found in a panel or chassis with other types of modules.

[0048] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary implementation of a module 120(g) (which

may be representative of any one of the modules 120(1)- 120(G) of FIG. 1. Module

120(g) may be insertable into a panel or chassis as previously described. Module

120(g) includes a substrate 302, such as a printed circuit board, a module interface

304 (e.g., a module connector), and two sets of jacks 306, 308. The sets of jacks

306-308 each include a subset of the plurality of jacks 310-320 that are available on

the module 120(g). Each set 306, 308, for instance, may include a monitor, an input

and an output. Thus, FIG. 3 shows set 306 includes a monitor jack 310, output jack

312 and input jack 314 and set 308 is shown with output jack 316, input jack 318

and monitor jack 320. The monitor jacks 310, 320 of the first set 306 and second

set 308 are configured to provide concurrent monitoring of a first

telecommunications circuit and second telecommunications circuit respectively.

The first set of jacks 306 is further configured to provide access to test, patch, and

cross-connect a first circuit. Likewise, the second set of jacks 308 is further

configured to simultaneously provide access to test, patch, and cross-connect a

second circuit. Accordingly, the single module 120(g) through the respective jacks

310-320 may simultaneously access at least two telecommunications circuits. Jacks

may be configured as any jack that is suitable for providing module access to

telecommunications circuits, such as mini- WECO type jacks.

[0049] The module 120(g) includes a module interface (e.g., a module connector

304) mounted on one end of the substrate 302 and a rectangular face plate 322

having a plurality of jack apertures mounted to the other end of the substrate 302.

The module connector 304 is configured to mate or engage a backplane connector

such as backplane connectors 212 in Fig. 2 A. Module connectors 304 may be any

connectors suitable for such a connection, e.g., pin type connectors, card edge

connectors and so forth. Rectangular face plate 322 is mounted on the opposite end

of the substrate 302 such that the plurality of jacks 310-320 is arranged to be

accessible via the jack apertures in the face plate 322.

[00501 As previously described, module 120(g) includes two sets 306, 308 of jacks

each having an input, an output and a monitor. The jacks 310-320 are coupled to

one end of the substrate 302 across an axis of the substrate 302 such that the

monitor jack 310 of one set 306 is nearest one edge, the monitor jack 320 of the

other set 308 is nearest another edge and the remaining jacks 312 through 318 are

arranged in between the two monitor jacks. Naturally, other arrangements of the

jacks 310-320 are also contemplated.

[0051] The module 120(g) also includes an LED light 324 that is integrated with the

module 120(g), which may be utilized for a variety of purposes. For example, the

LED light 324 may be configured for use in tracing operations. Thus, one or more

of the sets 306, 308 of jacks 310-320 of module 120(g) may have an associated

LED light 324.

[00S21 FIG. 4 illustrates a side view illustration of a module that is irtsertable into a

chassis. A set of rear connectors is shown as having two subsets 402(1), 402(2).

The subsets 402(1), 402(2) are configured to connect to respective circuits 404(1),

404(2). For example, subset 402(1) corresponds to circuit 404(1) and subset 402(2)

corresponds to circuit 404(2).

[0053] Backplane connector 406 is communicatively coupled to the set of rear

connectors, which includes both subsets 402(1) and 402(2). Module 410 is

insertable such that module connector 412 engages backplane connector 406 to

physically and communicatively couple the module 410 to the interface. Module

410 is configured to provide access to a plurality of telecommunications circuits.

Therefore, when module 410 is coupled to backplane connector 406, it has

simultaneous access to circuits 404(1), 404(2).

[0054] As illustrated in FIG. 4, module 410 may be inserted and removed from a

cross-connect panel 414. Cross-connect panel 414 may be configured to provide

the hot-swapping capability such that modules (e.g., module 410) may be removed

and inserted while the panel is powered-up and in operation. Further, the cross-

connect panel 414 may be operated without modules. According to this

embodiment, the signal flow of circuits (e.g., circuits 404(1), 404(2)) is not

significantly disrupted by insertion or removal of the module 410. Further, signal

continuity is maintained whether or not the module 410 is present.

[0055] A backplane 416 having the backplane connector 406 may be implemented

by a single printed circuit board that provides a plurality of interfaces that maintain

signal continuity for each circuit connected by the rear connectors in the panel 414

without requiring connected modules. The hot-swapping capability may be

provided by a single backplane printed circuit board used for each circuit in a panel

having a large number of circuit connections, for example 25 or more circuit

connections.

[0056] In an implementation, signal flow through the backplane 416 does not

require a module 410 because the rear connectors are looped in a "pass through"

configuration that maintains signal continuity when one or more of the modules are

removed. The rear connectors also permit insertion of the module 410 without

interrupting signals communicated via the circuits 404(1), 404(2). For example, the

backplane connectors 406 and the module connectors 412 may be configured to

maintain a closed circuit regardless of whether the module 410 is inserted in the

chassis. Module connector 412, for instance, may be mounted on an edge of the

substrate 408 and may include an edge contact connection. The backplane

connector 406 may be a card edge connector with shorting contacts. The shorting

contacts are closed when a module (e.g., module 410) is not present and thus the

corresponding circuits 404(1), 404(2) are closed. When the module 410 is inserted,

backplane connector 406 receives the module connector 412 including the edge

contacts. When the edge contacts engage (e.g., contact) the shorting contacts, a

closed circuit is maintained, and the module 410 may therefore provide access to

the corresponding circuits 404(1), 404(2). The shorting contacts close again when

the module is removed, thereby maintaining signal continuity. Thus, signals may

flow through the backplane in the absence of modules and access to the signals for

the purpose of patching (rerouting to other equipment) and/or monitoring of signal

performance may be provided by the hot insertion or removal of a module.

[0057] In another implementation, a plurality of backplane printed circuit boards

may be used, each of which provides hot-swapping capability to circuits associated

with at least two access points in the panel. Returning to FIG. 2A, for example, one

backplane printed circuit board may be configured to provide hot swapping

capability to circuits corresponding to access point 216(4) and at least one adjacent

access point. Another backplane printed circuit board may configured to provide

hot swapping capability to circuits corresponding to access point 216(19) and at

least one adjacent access point. The plurality of backplane printed circuit boards

may together provide for hot swapping capability for each of the access points in

the chassis 202.

[0058] In yet another implementation, one or more access points may be included

that do not have hot swapping capability. This may be accomplished by using

separate backplane printed circuit boards for non-swappable access points, using

different connectors on a single backplane, and so on. This may be useful for a

variety of reasons, such as to prevent certain modules from being removed on the

fly, while still allowing hot-swapping of additional modules.

[0059] FIG. 5A illustrates a front and back view of an exemplary embodiment of a

telecommunications panel according to the present invention. The panel depicted in

FIG. 5A has a plurality of access slots 502 on the front of the panel to receive

modules 504. Each access slot 502 has a corresponding set of rear connectors 506

on the back of the panel connected to a backplane printed circuit board 508. FIG.

5B provides a diagram showing another view of an exemplary backplane printed

circuit board such as backplane printed circuit board 508 of FIG. 5A in greater

detail.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 5A, the rear connectors are arranged in columns of 8

across the back of the panel. Each set of rear connectors 506 includes two subsets

of connectors to connect to a single telecommunications circuit. 32 sets of rear

connectors 506 are shown, corresponding to the 32 access points 502 on the front of

the panel. Each set of rear connectors 506 may provide access to two circuits.

Accordingly, the panel depicted in FIG. 5 may provide access to a total of 64

circuits. It is noted that the panel circuit density may vary and greater density may

be desirable. Accordingly, panels and backplanes may be configured to provide

sets of rear connectors for access to two or more circuits. In an implementation,

panels may be configured to provide access to between 2 and 128 circuits. In

another implementation, panels may be configured to provide access to greater than

24 circuits in standard size equipment racks, which cannot be obtained utilizing

current techniques. Use of the techniques described herein may also provide access

to more than 128 circuits.

[0061] Previous limits on the circuit density of backplanes and cross connect panels

due to corresponding module size, circuit board design, and connector

configurations relative to enclosure or rack sizes (e.g., standard size nineteen inch

and 23 inch racks) may be overcome using the modules, backplanes and techniques

described herein. For example, circuit density greater than 24 circuits in a chassis

designed for a nineteen inch rack size may be attained utilizing the described

techniques. The techniques may also be employed to provide higher circuit density

backplanes that allow for hot swapping of modules (in and out of a panel) and may

operate with the modules removed, in any standard, custom, or non-standard

enclosure or rack size.

[0062] FIG. 6 shows connection of circuits to the rear connectors in a exemplary

embodiment of a telecommunications panel 600 according to the present invention

A portion of the telecommunications panel 600 is depicted which has four sets of

rear connectors arranged in columns. Each set has eight individual connectors. In

this particular embodiment, there are two subsets of four connectors in each set of

rear connectors. The subsets each have an output cross (OX) input cross (IX),

output (O) and input (I). Each subset may connect a corresponding circuit. For

example, in FIG. 6 one subset in the first of the sets of rear connectors is depicted

connecting to circuit 604(1). The other subset of rear connectors is depicted as

connecting to circuit 604(2). Likewise, each set of rear connectors may connect to

at least two circuits. As described, a module that is configured to provide access to

a plurality of circuits simultaneously, such as module 120(g), may be inserted at an

access point (e.g., a slot) corresponding to a set of rear connectors. Thus, a module

inserted in an access point corresponding to the set of rear connectors connecting

circuits 604(1) and 604(2) may provide simultaneous access to both circuits. FIG. 7

and FIG. 8 are schematic wiring diagrams of the rear connectors and module jacks

respectively.

[0063] Exemplary Procedures

The following discussion describes methods of making the modules

described within. The procedures are shown as a set of blocks that specify

operations performed and are not necessarily limited to the orders shown for

performing the operations by the respective blocks. It should also be noted that the

following exemplary procedures may be implemented in a wide variety of

environments without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

[0064] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram depicting a procedure 900 in an exemplary

implementation in which a module is formed to access a plurality of circuits in a

telecommunications network. An interface connectable to a plurality of

telecommunications circuits is formed on a substrate (block 902). For example,

interface 304 may be formed upon substrate 302 of module 120(g) depicted in FIG.

3. Interface 304, for instance, is connectable to a plurality of circuits by insertion

into a cross-connect panel 112. A plurality of jacks are formed on the substrate that

are physically and communicatively coupled to the interface through the substrate,

including first and second sets of jacks to access respective first and second circuits

(block 904). Following the previous example, a plurality of jacks 310-320 may be

formed on substrate 302 of module 120(g) depicted in FIG. 3. The plurality of

jacks 310-320 includes a first and second set of jacks 306 and 308 to access first

and second circuits, respectively.

[0065] FIG. 10 depicts a procedure 1000 in an exemplary implementation in which

a backplane is operated to connect telecommunications circuits and enable one or

more modules to access a plurality of circuits in a telecommunications network. A

plurality of network elements is connected to a backplane to form a plurality of

telecommunications circuits (block 1002). For example, an operator may physically

connect wires from the network elements (e.g., switches, digital radios, and so on)

to the backplane such that telecommunications circuits are formed between the

network elements.

[0066] The backplane is then operated such that signals carried by the

telecommunications circuits flow through the backplane between the network

elements while an insertable module is not connected to the backplane (block

1004). For example, input and output signals from the network elements (e.g.,

switches, digital radios, and so on) connected to the backplane by the operator as

described previously flow through the backplane. Next, one or more insertable

modules are connected to the backplane such that continuity of signals flowing

through the backplane is maintained (block 1006). Continuing the previous

example, signals from the network elements may flow through the backplane when

an insertable module (e.g., module 120(g) depicted in FIG. 3) is connected to the

backplane. The continuity of signals flowing through the backplane is maintained

before, during and after connection of the insertable module. Next, a module

connected to the backplane is removed such that continuity of the signals flowing

through the backplane is maintained (block 1008). For example, the insertable

module (e.g., module 120(g) depicted in FIG. 3) connected in the previous example

may be removed while signals are flowing through the backplane. Thus, the

continuity of signals flowing through the backplane is maintained before, during,

and after removal of the insertable module.

[0067] Conclusion

Although the invention has been described in language specific to structural

features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the invention defined

in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts

described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as exemplary forms

of implementing the claimed invention.