System and Method for Multiplexing PDH and Packet Data

Abstract

A method of efficiently combining data from at least a plurality of a first type of data source and a second type of data source. The method comprises synchronizing the plural first type of data sources to thereby generate a synchronized data rate, providing a frame having plural bit positions, assigning the synchronized first type of data in ones of the bit positions of the frame, and arranging the second type of data in the frame as a function of the synchronized data rate.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A system adaptable to receive first data from first data sources, to receive second data second data source, and to transmit received data as a single data stream,
 the first data sources and the second data source being un-synchronized with respect to each other,   if the received data includes both the first data and the second data, the first data sources are synchronized to generate a synchronized data rate and synchronized first data, a frame is provided having plural bit positions, the synchronized first data is assigned in ones of the bit positions of the frame, and the second data is arranged in the frame as a function of the synchronized data rate for transmission thereof,   if the received data includes only the first data, the first data sources are synchronized to generate a synchronized data rate and synchronized first data, a frame is provided having plural bit positions, and the synchronized first data is assigned in ones of the bit positions of the frame for transmission thereof,   if the received data includes only the second data, a frame is provided having plural bit positions and the second data is arranged in the frame for transmission thereof.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the first data sources includes at least one of synchronous, asynchronous, and plesiochronous sources. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the second data source is a packet data source. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the frame comprises a plurality of frames each frame including a first number of plural sub-frames, the first number correlating to a second number of received plural sources that are not synchronized with each other, each of the plural sub-frames comprising a plurality of blocks, each of the blocks comprising:
 at least one overhead bit position,   (n) bit positions of synchronized data from the received plural sources;   (m) bit positions of data received from the second data source arranged as a function of the synchronized data rate, and   a plurality of sub-blocks each having a particular bit position for the synchronized first data from the first data source or a bit position for the second data received from the second data source.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein first bits of the synchronized first data and second bits of the second data are sequentially bit interleaved in the frame. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the second data from the second data source is arranged in unassigned bit positions in the frame. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein a frame alignment word is inserted in particular bit positions of a first block of a sub-frame of the frame, and first bits of the synchronized first data or second bits of the second data are distributed in unassigned overhead bit positions of other blocks of the sub-frame. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the first data from the first data sources are synchronized to generate the synchronized first data by bit stuffing. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein stuffing indication bits are distributed in unassigned overhead bit positions. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein parity bits are distributed in unassigned overhead bit positions. 
     
     
         25 . A method for to receiving first data from first data sources, receiving second data second data source, and transmitting received data as a single data stream, the first data sources and the second data source being un-synchronized with respect to each other, the method comprising:
 providing a frame having plural bit positions;   in response to the received data including the first data, synchronizing the first data source to generate a synchronized data rate and synchronized first data, assigning the synchronized first data in ones of the bit positions of the frame, and arranging the second data in the frame as a function of the synchronized data rate; and   in response to the received data only including the first data, synchronizing the first data source to generate a synchronized data rate and synchronized first data, and assigning the synchronized first data in ones of the bit positions of the frame; and   in response to the received data only including the second data, arranging the second data in the frame.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising determining whether the received data include the first data or the second data. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the first data sources includes at least one of synchronous, asynchronous, and plesiochronous sources. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the second data source is a packet data source. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the frame comprises a plurality of frames each frame including a first number of plural sub-frames, the first number correlating to a second number of received plural sources that are not synchronized with each other, each of the plural sub-frames comprising a plurality of blocks, each of the blocks comprising:
 at least one overhead bit position,   (n) bit positions of synchronized data from the received plural sources;   (m) bit positions of data received from the second data source arranged as a function of the synchronized data rate, and   a plurality of sub-blocks each having a particular bit position for the synchronized first data from the first data source or a bit position for the second data received from the second data source.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein first bits of the synchronized first data and second bits of the second data are sequentially bit interleaved in the frame. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the second data from the second data source is arranged in unassigned bit positions in the frame. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising:
 inserting a frame alignment word in particular bit positions of a first block of a sub-frame of the frame; and   distributing first bits of the synchronized first data or second bits of the second data in unassigned overhead bit positions of other blocks of the sub-frame.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the synchronizing the first data comprises by bit stuffing. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising distributing stuffing indication bits in unassigned overhead bit positions. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising distributing parity bits in unassigned overhead bit positions. 
     
     
         36 . A system for to receiving first data from first data sources, receiving second data second data source, and transmitting received data as a single data stream, the first data sources and the second data source being un-synchronized with respect to each other, the system comprising:
 means for providing a frame having plural bit positions;   means for synchronizing the first data source to generate a synchronized data rate and synchronized first data, assigning the synchronized first data in ones of the bit positions of the frame, and arranging the second data in the frame as a function of the synchronized data rate in response to the received data including the first data; and   means for synchronizing the first data source to generate a synchronized data rate and synchronized first data, and assigning the synchronized first data in ones of the bit positions of the frame in response to the received data only including the first data; and   means for arranging the second data in the frame in response to the received data only including the second data.