AU630773B2 - Method of transmitting 1544 or 6312 kbit/s signals via 2048 or 8448 kbit/s links in the synchronous digital multiplex hiearchy - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for transmitting 1544 or 6312-kbit/s signals via a 2048 or 8448-kbit/s link is not known in the synchronous digital multiplex hierarchy and is to be specified. A 1544-kbit/s signal is inserted in the direction of multiplexing, using a gapped 2048-kHz clock (LT11) into a container C-111 which is completed by means of a path overhead V511 to form a virtual container VC-1111. This is transmitted via a 2048-kbit/s link (L11) with a link container (S-1111) to which a header (OH11) and pointer bytes V111 to V411 are allocated for the transmission. After adding stuffing bytes (FS11), the 1544-kbit/s signal can be fed into a subsystem unit TU-121. In the direction of demultiplexing, stuffing bytes (FS12) must be removed from a subsystem unit TU-122 and pointer bytes V112 to V412 must be inserted with the aid of a gapped 2048-kHz clock (LT12) and a header (OH12) must be inserted with the aid of a 2048-kHz clock (T12) for the transmission via a 2048-kbit/s link (L12). After the transmission, the header (OH12), the pointer bytes V112 to V412 and a path overhead V512 are removed so that the 1544-kbit/s signal can be taken from a container C-112. A 6312-kbit/s signal is transmitted correspondingly. <IMAGE>

Description

IRN: 136650 INSTR CODE: 61890 STA/1614o F 630 773 FORM COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1952 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION S F Ref: 136650

(ORIGINAL)

FOR OFFICE USE: Class Int Class c o* a o o0 a€ o S0000 0 $4 Complete Specification Lodged: Pccepted: Published: Priority: Related Art: Name and Address of Applicant: Address for Service: 0 0 o 0 oo 4 00 0 0 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Wittelsbacherplatz 2 D-8000 Munich 2 FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY Spruson Ferguson, Patent Attorneys Level 33 St Martins Tower, 31 Market Street Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia Complete Specification for the invention entitled: Method of Transmitting 1544 or 6312 kbit/s signals via 2048 or 8448 kbit/s links in the Synchronous Digital Multiplex Hiearchy The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us 5845/3 1 89 P 1996 DE Abstract Method of transmitting 1544 or 6312 kbit/s signals via 2048 or 8448 kbit/s links in the synchronous digital multiplex hierarchy A method of transmitting 1544 or 6312 kbit/s signals via a 2048 or 8448 kbi'/s link is not known in the synchronous digital multiplex hierarchy and is to be disclosed.

A 1544 kbit/s signal is inserted in multiplexing direction with a 2048 kHz gap clock (LT 1 into a con- S, tainer C-11, which is expanded by a path overhead V5 n to form a virtual container VC-11 1 The latter is transmitted via a 2048 kbit/s link with a link container

(S-

11 which is assigned an overhead (OH 11 and pointer bytes Vl, to V4 1 1 for the transmission. After an addition of stuffing bytes (FS 11 the 1544 kbit/s signal can be fed into a tributary unit TU-12 1 In demultiplexing direction, stuffing bytes (FS, 1 must be removed from a tributary unit TU-12 2 and pointer bytes V1 12 to V4 12 must be a inserted with the assistance of a 2048 kHz gap clock

(LT

2 and an overhead (OH 12 must be inserted with the assistance of a 2048 kHz clock (T, 1 for the transmission a' via a 2048 kbit/s link (L 12 After the transmission the overhead (OH 12 the pointer bytes V1, 2 to V4, 2 and a path overhead V5, 2 are removed, so that the 1544 kbit/s signal can be removed from a container C-11 2 The transmission of a 6312 kbit/s signal is analogous.

Figure 8 i: 1A Method of transmitting 1544 or 6312 kbit/s signals via 2048 or 8448 kbit/s links in the synchronous digital multiplex hierarchy In Europe and other countries, a plesiochronous digital signal hierarchy with bit rates of 2048 kbit/s, 8448 kbit/s, 34368 kbit/s and 139264 kbit/s is used, and In North America one with bit rates of 1544 kbit/s, 6312 kbit/s and 44736 kbit/s is used. A synchronous digital multiplex hierarchy with a basic bit rate of 155520 kbit/s is defined in the CCITT Recommendations G.707, G.708 and G.709 and is envisaged for worldwide use. In this it is to be possible for the digital signals of plesiochronous digital signal hierarchies to be transmitted.

A multiplex structure shown in Figure 1 was presented at the TM3 meeting (Transmission and Multiplexing) in Brussels from 24. to 28.4.1989 of the European Transmission Standards Institute ETSI. For the transmission of 1544 and 6312 kbit/s signals of the US hierarchy in the European part of the synchronous digital multiplex hierarchy, modifications of this multiplex structure were proposed at the TM3 meeting in Aveiro from 23. to 28.10.1989 of the ETSI in Temporary Documents No. 106, 117, 127 and 136.

The object of the invention is to state a solution for a transmission of these 1544 and 6312 kbit/s signals via 2048 and 8448 kbit/s links respectively in the existing plesiochronous digital signal hierarchy.

In accordance with the present invention there is disclosed method of transmitting a 1544 or 6312 kbit/s signal in the synchronous digital multiplex hierarchy SDH, characterized in that in a multiplexing direction at 1544 or 6312 kbit/s signal to be transmitted is stuffed with a first 2048 or 8448 kHz gap clock (LT 11 or

LT

21 into a first container C-11 1 or C-21 1 respectively, in that a first virtual container VC-11 11 or VC-21 11 is formed from the first container C-11 1 or C-211 and from a first path overhead 11 or V5 2 1 respectively, in that a first tributary unit TU-11 11 or TU-21 11 is obtained from the first virtual container VC-11 11 or VC-21 11 and from first pointer bytes V1 11 -V4 11 or V1 21 -V4 21 respectively, in that a first link container (S- 11 11 or S-21 11 is formed from the first tributary unit TU-11 11 or TU-21 11 and from.a first overhead

(OH

11 or OH 21 respectively, (/16090

-I

1B in that the link container (S- 11 1 or S-2111) is transmitted via a 2048 or 8448 kbit/s link (L 11 or L 21 respectively, in that the tributary unit TU-11 12 or TU-21 12 is recovered by removing the first overhead (OH 11 or OH 21 from the link container S-1112 or S-2112, respectively, in that the first virtual container VC-11 12 or VC-21 12 is recovered by removing the first pointer bytes V1 11 -V4 11 or V1 21 -V4 21 respectively, in that either the first virtual container VC-11 12 or VC-21 12 is inserted into a first tributary unit TU-11 1 or TU-21 1 respectively, or in that a first virtual auxiliary container (VC-12 1 or VC-221") is formed from the recovered first virtual container VC-11 11 or VC-21 11 and from first stuffing bytes (FS 11 or FS 21 respectively, in that the first virtual auxiliary container (VC-12 1 or VC-22 1 is inserted into a first tributary unit TU-12 1 or TU-22 1 respectively, in that in a demultiplexing direction either a second link container (S-11 21 or S-21 21 is formed from a second tributary unit TU-11 2 or TU-212 with a second 2048 or 8448 kblt/s gap clock (LT 12 or LT 22 with the addition of second pointer bytes V1 12 -V4 12 or V1 22 -V4 22 respectively, or in that a second virtual auxiliary container (VC-12 2 or VC-22 2 is removed from a second tributary unit (TU-12 2 or TU-22 2 respectively, a second virtual container VC-11 21 or VC-2121 is formed from the second virtual auxiliary container (VC-12 2 or VC-22 2 by removing second stuffing bytes (FS 12 or FS 22 respectively, and a second link container (S-11 2 1 or S-21 2 1 is formed from the second virtual container VC-11 21 or VC-21 21 with the addition of second pointer bytes V1 12 -V4 12 or VI 22 -V4 22 with the assistance of the S 30 second 2048 or 8448 kHz gap clock (LT 12 or LT 22 respectively, and i in that a second overhead (OH 12 or OH 22 is added to the second link container (S-11 21 or S-21 21 with the assistance of a second 2048 or 8448 kHz clock (T 12 or T 22 respectively, in that the second link container (S-1121 or S-2121) is transmitted via a 2048 or 8448 kbit/s link (L 12 or L 22 respectively, in that a tributary unit TU-11 22 or TU-21 22 is formed from the second link container (S-11 22 or S-2122) by removing the second overhead

(OH

12 or OH 22 respectively, 6090 -y;y LL -4~Cv i I c L ILLI~ I~ Ci' 1C in that the second virtual container VC-11 22 or VC-21 22 is recovered from the tributary unit TU-11 22 or TU-21 22 with the removal of the second pointer bytes V1 12 -V4 12 or V1 22 -V4 22 respectively, in that a second container C-11 2 or C-212 is formed from the recovered second virtual container VC-11 22 or VC-21 22 with the removal of the second path overhead V5 12 or V5 22 respectively, and in that a 1544 or 6312 kbit/s signal to be received is removed, with destuffing, from the second container C-112 or C-212, respectively.

This method confers the advantage that the path overhead (explained more fully later) provided for monitoring the wanted signal from the source to the sink can be transmitted to the terminal via the 2048 or 8448 kbit/s links.

A-

STA/1609o 2 89 P 1996 DE The invention will be explained in greater detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments.

Figure 1 shows a multiplex structure of the synchronous digital multiplex hierarchy SDH, Figure 2 shows an arrangement with a North American and a European SDH network, Figure 3 shows an arrangement according to Figure 2 with a conversion device between the North American and European SDH network, Figure 4 shows a first multiplex structure of the synchronous digital multiplex hierarchy with sections according to the invention, Figure 5 shows a second multiplex structure of the o°S synchronous digital multiplex hierarchy with the same sections according to the invention, Figure 6 shows a tributary unit multiframe, an insertion of a VC-11 signal into a signal and an insertion of a VC-21 signal into a VC-22* signal, Figure 7 shows an insertion of virtual containers VC-11 into a virtual container VC-4, Figure 8 shows a block circuit diagram for transmitting 1544 kbit/s signals via 2048 kbit/s links according to Figure 4, Figure 9 shows the insertion of a 1544 kbit/s signal into a 2048 kbit/s signal, Figure 10 shows a block circuit diagram for transmitting 6312 kbit/s signals via 8448 kbit/s links according to Figure 4, Figure 11 shows a block circuit diagram for transmitting 1544 kbit/s signals via 2048 kbit/s links according to Figure 5, and Figure 12 shows a block circuit diagram for transmitting 6312 kbit/s signals via 8448 kbit/s links according to Figure Figure 1 shows the multiplex structure according to the proposal of the ETSI. AU denotes administrative unit, C container, H digital signal, POH path overhead, PTR pointer, SOH section overhead, STM synchronous r

.I

3 89 P 1996 DE transport module, TU tributary unit, TUG tributary unit group and VC virtual container.

The digital signals to be transmitted are inserted into container C-n at the input node of the synchronous network by means of positive stuffing, n representing one of the numbers indicated in Figure 1. Each container is extended to form a virtual container VC-n, which is periodically transmitted, by the addition of a path overhead. The first byte of a virtual container is indicated by a pointer PTR, the temporal position of which is defined in the transmission frame. As a rule the virtual container of a higher hierarchical level serves this purpose. A virtual container VC-n forms with its associated pointer PTR a tributary unit TU-n. Several of 4000 15 these with the same structure can in turn be combined to form a tributary unit group TUG-n. In the abovementioned CCITT Recommendations, tributary unit groups TUG-21 are given for the 1.5 Mbit/s hierarchy and TUG-22 are given for the 2 Mbit/s hierarchy.

Figure 2 shows a first possibility for transmitting 1544 kbit/s signals from the North American in- the European synchronous digital multiplex hierarchy. The arrangement contains a North American network US-SDH, a European network E-SDH, multiplex units MUX1 and MUX2, as well as demultiplex units DEMUX1 and DEMUX2.

In the multiplex unit MUX1, 1544 kbit/s signals are inserted in accordance with CCITT Recommendation ,G.709 into container C-11, virtual container VC-11, tributary units TU-11 and finally into a synchronous transport module STM-1. This is fed via the network US-SDH to the demultiplex unit DEMUX1 for separating out the 1544 kbit/s signals. These are then transmitted in a plesiochronous digital signal hierarchy to the multiplexer MUX2 in Europe, in which they are packed according to a method explained more fully below into tributary units TU-12 and finally again into a synchronous transport module STM-1. After crossing the European network E-SDH this is fed to the demultiplexer DEMUX2, in which the 1544 kbit/s signals are again separated out from it.

L L- 4 89 P 1996 DE ii o o 9000 01 4) I

I,

4 9 The container C-ll is accompanied by a path overhead VC-11-POH from the multiplex unit MUX1 to the demultiplex unit DEMUX1. In the multiplex unit MUX2, a new path overhead VC-12-POH is then introduced, which accompanies the 1544 kbit/s signals to the demultiplex unit DEMUX2.

Figure 3 shows a second possibility for transmitting 1544 kbit/s signals from the North American network US-SDH to the European network E-SDH. The demultiplex unit DEMUX1 and the multiplex unit MUX2 of the arrangement according to Figure 2 is replaced in this case by a conversion device UE, which is situated either in North America or in Europe.

In the conversion device UE synchronous transport modules STM-1 originating from the North American network US-SDH with the distribution level TU-11 are split according to their assembly and disassembly specifications into administrative units AU-32, into tributary unit gi-ups TUG-21, into tributary units TU-11 and into virtual containers VC-ii, and are subsequently combined via tributary units TU-12, tributary unit groups TUG-22, tributary unit groups TUG-31 and administrative units AU-4 to form new synchronous transport modules STM-1 which can be processed in the European network E-SDH in 25 a distribution level VE-TU-12.

Eighty-four 1544 kbit/s signals can be accommodated in an STM-1 signal assembled via TU-11 signals. In contrast, however, a maximum of only sixty-four TU-12 signals, which are in each case occupied with one 1544 kbit/s signal, can be accommodated in an STM-1 signal assembled via TU-12 signals. Thus, a total of 84/64 x n x STM-1 signals of the European network E-SDH must be provided for n STM-1 signals from the North Americar- network US-SDH.

In contrast to the arrangement according to Figure 2, an end-to-end monitoring from multiplex unit MUX1 to demultiplex unit DEMUX2 is possible here with only one path overhead VC-11-POH.

Figure 4 shows a multiplex structure according to 9 I I 4 9 0 1 tIi I 89 P 1996 DE 0 00 0 0 09.00.

09 0 0 the initially cited Temporary Document No. 136, which is here extended by sections All and A2 1 In comparison with the multiplex hierarchy according to Figure 1, the North American tributary units TU-11 and TU-21 as well as the tributary unit group TUG-21 are omitted. The asterisk at the tributary unit group TUG-32 indicates that these omitted units can in principle be connected there. In contrast to the multiplex hierarchy according to Figure 1, the virtual containers VC-11 and VC-21 merge into tributary 'anits TU-12 and TU-22.

According to the invention, a 2048 kbit/s link via which a link container S-l1 is transmitted can be inserted in section All between the generation point of the virtual container VC-11 and the yj neration point of 15 the tributary unit TU-12. Accordingly, an 8448 kHz link via which a link container S-21 is transmitted is inserted in section A2 1 between the point of origin of the virtual container VC-21 and the point of origin of the tributary unit TU-22. Both will be explained more fully with reference to Figures 8 and Figure 5 shows a further multiplex structure in which sections Al 2 and A2 2 are connected to tributary units TU-11 and TU-21. Both will be shown in more detail with reference to Figures 11 and 12.

As Figure 6 shows according to the CCITT Recommendation G.709 in column a, the tributary units TU-12 or TU-22 are divided into multiframes of 500 jis each. Such a multiframe contains four frames with a period duration of 125 ps each. The first byte Vl, V2, V3 ar.1 V4 of the frames is defined in CCITT Recommendation G.709. Without these bytes, the multiframe according to column b contains frames with virtual auxiliary containers VC-12* or VC-22*, which begin in each case with a byte V5 as path overhead.

If it is assumed that a 1544 kbit/s signal was first converted in a known manner into a container C-1l and then into a virtual container VC-1l, the VC-l1 signal (white fields), as is shown in columin d, can be filled up to form a VC-12* signal according to column c by adding 0 0 c o o 0 a I_ I_ -IOI II~ XC.-_-IIlii 1 ~I It-- 6 89 P 1996 DE stuffing bytes FS (shaded fields), the first frame being shown. The original VC-11 signal has 104 bytes per multiframe, 26 bytes being provided per frame. In contrast, 140 bytes are provided per multiframe and 35 bytes per frame for the VC-12 signal.

The stuffing bytes FS are distributed as evenly as possible to save buffer memory capacity. The same scheme is used for the second, third and fourth frames.

If it is further assumed that a 6312 kbit/s signal was first converted in a known manner into a container C-21 and then into a virtual container VC-21, the VC-21 signal (white fields), as is shown in column d, can be filled up to form a VC-22* signal according to column c by adding stuffing bytes (shaded fields) FS, as is 15 shown for the first frame. The original VC-21 signal has 428 bytes per multiframe and 107 bytes per frame. 572 bytes are provided per multiframe and 143 bytes per frame for the VC-22 signal. Here, too, the stuffing bytes FS should be distributed as evenly as possible. The same scheme is used for the second, third and fourth frames.

Figure 7 shows how, after packing into a virtual auxiliary container VC-12* and insertion into a tributary t 0 unit TU-12 according to Figure 5, a VC-11 signal was fed into a VC-4 signal.

25 The pointer bytes V1 1 and V2, indicate the position of the path overhead V5, and hence the beginning of the VC-11 and VC-12* signals. V3 1 is a pointer byte 4t4e4 S" (action) PTR(A) which in the case of negative stuffing is an information byte of the VC-11 or VC-12* signal, and V4 1 represents a reserve RES. The column Sp is not used by a virtual container VC-11. The TU-12 signal occupies in each case four columns of the VC-4 signal, 9 bytes being transmitted per column. Space for sixty-three further TU-12 signals remains.

Figure 8 shows a block circuit diagram of the section Al, and the tributary unit TU-12 in Figure 4 for the transmission of 1544 kbit/s signals via 2048 kbit/s links L 11 and L 12 It contains function units containers C-11 and C-l12, virtual containers VC-11n 1 and VC-11a, i i i; 7 89 P 1996 DE link containers S- 11 S-112, S-l121 and S-11 22 tributary units TU- 11 TU-1 1 2 TU-11 21 and TU-11 22 virtual auxiliary containers VC-12* and VC-122*, tributary units TU-12 1 and TU-122 and gap clock generators LE, and LE 12 A 1544 kbit/s signal fed into the input El is stuffed with a 2048 kHz gap clock LT 1 into the container C-11.. The 2048 kHz gap clock LT, 1 is derived from a 2048 kHz clock T 1 derived from a unit of the opposite direction, gaps for the overhead OH 1 to be inserted later and for the pointer bytes V 1 to V4, to be likewise inserted being inserted. In the function block VC-11 1 the path overhead V5 1 1 is added to container C-ll,, and in the function unit TU-11 the pointer bytes Vl, to V4 1 are o added. However, these do not need to be activated in this o 15 transmission direction since the synchronization with the 2048 kHz clock T 1 has already taken place in the function Sblock for the container C-ll 1 The overhead OH,, continues 0 11 to be inserted in the function block of the link container S-ll 1 As Figure 9 shows, the frame SRI, SR2, SR3 or SR4 of the S-ll signal S-11 1 -SIG with a VC- 11n signal and an overhead OH 1 split into four (OH, to OH 4 and the pointer bytes V11, to V4 11 is thus 32 bytes long and hence corresponds to 1. length and the frequency of a PCM30 frame.

In order that this S-ll1 signal can also be transmitted via special equipment which expects a frame alignment signal RKW and a service word MW of the PCM30 signal 0 which alternate with each other, these are used as first bytes in the overhead OH 11 alternating for each frame. The overhead OH, also contains a multiframe alignment signal, since in each case four frames R1 to R4 form a multiframe, the VC-11 1 signal beginning in the first frame R1 with the path overhead After the transmission of the link container

S-

11 1 via the 2048 kbit/s link Lj, the overhead OH 1 is removed again in the function block of the link container S-l11 2 and the pointer bytes V 11 to V4 11 are removed again 4 in the function block of the tributary unit TU-11 12 The VC-11 12 signal thus recovered is filled up with stuffing I- I 8 89 P 1996 DE o o 0 0 oo o 0 0 0

SO

00 O 0 09 0 60 o a a0 000 0 0

I

4 *4 0' bytes FSn in accordance with the scheme of Figure 6 to form a virtual auxiliary container VC-12 1 This VC-12 1 signal is then treated in a known manner as a VC-12 signal and is inserted into the tributary unit TU-12 1 which is output via the output A,.

A virtual auxiliary container VC-12 2 is removed from a tributary unit TU-12 2 arriving at the input E 2 By branching off stuffing bytes FS 2 with the assistance of a 2048 kHz gap clock LT, 1 and feeding in of pointer bytes V1 12 to V4 12 a tributary unit TU-11 21 is produced. By adding an overhead OH 12 which may contain a frame alignment signal RKW and a service word MW, a link container S-l121 is frmed with the assistance of a 2048 kHz clock

T

12 The gap clock LT 12 is derived from the clock T 12 the gap clock generator LE 12 providing a gap for the overhead OH 12 and the pointer bytes V1 12 to V4 1 2 The link container S-ll11 is transmitted via the 2048 kbit/s link L 12 The overhead OH, is removed again and the clock T 1 is derived in the function unit link container S-l11 2 By removing the pointer bytes V1, 2 to V4 12 a tributary unit TU-11 22 is formed, and a virtual container VC-11, is formed by removing the path overhead 12 After branching off of the path overhead V5 1 a 25 container C-11 2 is produced which, after destuffing, can output a 1544 kblt signal at the output A 2 The pointer bytes V1 12 to V4, 2 are active in this transmission direction and characterize the beginning of the VC-11 2 signal by pointing to the path overhead V5 12 In this way the method allows the transmission of the path overhead V5 across the 2048 kbit/s links L 11 and

L

12 and hence the monitoring of the VC-11 1 signal and the VC-11 2 signal from the source to the sink.

Figure 10 shows a block circuit diagram of the section A2 1 and the tributary unit TU-22 in Figure 4 for the transmission of 6312 kbit/s signals via 8448 kbit/s links L 21 and L 22 Apart from the bit rates and clock frequencies, one difference between this and the block circuit diagram according to Figure 8 is that all numbers uIJ ,IIuvIy LIl Tirst pointer Dytes VI I-V411 or V121-V421 respectively, in that either the first virtual container VC-11 12 or VC-21 12 is inserted into a first tributary unit TU-11 1 or TU-21 1 respectively, 89 P 1996 DE and indices contain a 2 at the first position. The method of functioning is the same.

Figure 11 shows a block circuit diagram of the section A1 2 and the tributary units TU-11 1 and TU-11 2 and, finally, Figure 12 shows a block circuit diagram of the section A2 2 and the tributary units TU-21 1 and TU-21 2 in Figure 5. These block circuit diagrams differ from those according to Figures 8 and 10 in that no virtual auxiliary containers are required since no stuffing bytes FS are to be inserted.

04; 0 o 1 0 *0 I 4 i f r I t I f destuffing, from the second container C-ll 2 or C-21 2 respectively.

I- g 10 89 P 1996 DE List of reference symbols 0 0 00 0 0 0 0 o o o o 0 0 0 040 0 0 0 aO ~o 9000 *00 0*00 0* 0 1 4I

A

1

A

2 Al, A2

AU

C

DEMUX1, DEMUX2

E

l

E

2

E-SDH

FS

H

L

LE

LT

MW

MUX1, MUX2

OH

POH

PTR

PTR(A)

RES

RKW

S

SDH

SIG

Sp

SR

STM

T

TU

TUG

UE

US-SDH

V1-V4

VC

Section input Section of the multiplex structure Administrative unit Container Demultiplex unit Section output Synchronous digital multiplex hierarchy (Europe) Stuffing bytes Digital signal Link Gap clock generator Gap clock Service word Multiplex unit Link container overhead Path overhead Pointer Pointer (action) Reserve Frame alignment signal Link container Synchronous digital multiplex hierarchy Signal Column Frame of the link container Synchronous transport module Clock Tributary unit Tributary unit group Conversion device Synchronous digital multiplex hierarchy (USA) Pointer bytes Path overhead Virtual container 5845/3 11l 89 P 1996 DE VC-. -POH

VE-TU

Path overhead in virtual container Distribution level for tributary units 4 44 4 4 4 444 4 4 44 4 4 4 4444 4 4 4 4 4 4444 O 0 4 4.

0000 4 O 44 .444', I I 440440 *~44I 4 4 4

Claims (6)

1. Method of transmitting a 1544 or 6312 kbit/s signal in the synchronous digital multiplex hierarchy SDH, characterized in that in a multiplexing direction at 1544 or 6312 kbit/s signal to be transmitted is stuffed with a first 2048 or 8448 kHz gap clock (LT 11 or LT 21 into a first container C-11 or C-21 1 respectively, in that a first virtual container VC-11 11 or VC-21 11 is formed from the first container C-11 1 or C-21 1 and from a first path overhead 11 or V5 21 respectively, in that a first tributary unit TU-11 11 or TU-21 11 is obtained from the first virtual container VC-11 11 or VC-21 11 and from first pointer bytes V1Il-V4 11 or V1 2 1 -V4 21 respectively, in that a first link container (S- 11 or S-21 11 is formed from the first tributary unit Tl.l-1 1 ll or TU-21 11 and from a first overhead (OH 1 or OH 21 respectively, in that the link container (S- 11 l or S-2111) is transmitted via a 2048 or 8448 kbit/s link (L 11 or L 21 respectively, in that the tributary unit TU-11 12 or TU-21 12 is recovered by removing the first overhead (OH 11 or OH 21 from the link container .S-11 12 or S-21 12 respectively, in that the first virtual container VC-11 12 or VC-21 12 is recovered Sby removing the first pointer bytes V1ll-V411 or V121-V421, respectively, in that either the first virtual container VC-11 12 or VC-21 12 is inserted into a first tributary unit TU-11 1 or TU-21 1 respectively, S. or in that a first virtual auxiliary container (VC-12 1 or VC-22 1 is formed from the recovered first virtual container VC- 11 or VC-21 1 and from first stuffing bytes (FS 11 or FS 2 1 respectively, in that the first virtual auxiliary container (VC-12 1 or VC-22 1 is inserted into a first tributary unit TU-12 1 or TU-22 1 respectively, in that in a demultiplexing direction either a second link container (S-1121 or S-2121) is formed from a second tributary unit TU-112 or TU-21 2 with a second 2048 or 8448 kbit/s gap clock (LT 12 or LT 22 with the addition of second pointer bytes V1 12 -V4 12 or V1 22 -V4 22 respectively, or in that a second virtual auxiliary container (VC-12 2 or VC-22 2 is S removed from a second tributary unit (TU-12 2 or TU-22 2 *A/1609o i- 22 22 I' I"IIII=U II I u Lilt v .U IIU link container (S-1122 or S-2122) by removing the second overhead (OH 12 or OH 22 respectively, 16090 I -:a:x ,i 13 respectively, a second virtual container VC-1121 or VC-2121 is formed from the second virtual auxiliary container (VC-12 2 or VC-222*) by removing second stuffing bytes (FS 12 or FS 22 respectively, and a second link container (S-11 21 or S-21 21 is formed from the second virtual container VC-11 2 1 or VC-2121 with the addition of second pointer bytes V1 12 -V412 or V1 22 -V4 22 with the assistance of the second 2048 or 8448 kHz gap clock (LT 12 or LT 22 respectively, and in that a second overhead (OH 12 or OH 22 is added to the second link container (S-1121 or S-2121) with the assistance of a second 2048 or 8448 kHz clock (T 12 or T 22 respectively, in that the second link container (S-1121 or S-21 21 is transmitted via a 2048 or 8448 kbit/s link (L 12 or L 22 respectively, in that a tributary unit TU-1122 or TU-21 22 is formed from the second link container (S-11 22 or S-21 22 by removing the second overhead (OH 12 or OH 22 respectively, in that the second virtual container VC-11 22 or VC-21 22 is recovered from the tributary unit TU-1122 or TU-21 22 with the removal of the second pointer bytes V1 12 -V4 12 or V1 22 -V4 22 respectively, in that a second container C-11 2 or C-212 is formed from the recovered second virtual container VC-11 22 or VC-21 22 with the removal of the second path overhead V5 12 or V522, respectively, and in that a 1544 or 6312 kbit/s signal to be received is removed, with destuffing, from the second container C-11 2 or C-21 2 respectively.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the first 2048 or 8448 kHz gap clock (LT 11 or LT 21 is obtained from a first 2048 or 8448 kHz clock (T 11 or T 2 1 which was derived from the second recovered link container (S-1122 or S-2122), respectively.

3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the second 2048 or 8448 kHz gap clock (LT 12 or LT 22 is obtained from the second 2048 or 8448 kHz clock (T 12 or T 22 respectively. So o: a om e rrmm a oa o o a 0

4. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that a gap is inserted into the gap clock (LT 11 LT 12 LT 2 i LT 22 for the overhead (OH 11 OH 12 OH 21 OH 22 for the pointer bytes V1 11 -V4 11 VI 12 -V4 12 V1 21 -V4 2 1 V1 22 -V4 22 and for the path overhead V5 11 V5 12 V5 21 V5 22 Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the link containers (S-11 11 or S-21 11 each have four frames (SR1-SR4), and a frame alignment signal (RKW) or a service word (MW) are alternately A/16090 Fr I I- 14 inserted as the first byte in the overhead (OH 1 OH 4 of each of the frames (SR1-SR4).

6. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that in the virtual auxiliary container (VC-12 1 or VC-22 1 VC-12 2 or VC-22 2 respectively), each (3 4n)th (n 0, 1, 2, 3) byte is a stuffing byte.

7. A method of transmitting a 1544 or 6312 kbit/s signal in the synchronous digital multiplex hierarchy (SDH) substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 4-12 of the drawings. DATED this TWENTY SEVENTH day of AUGUST 1992 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Patent Attorneys for the Applicant SPRUSON FERGUSON s o 4 a a 00 a0 a o0 a o o o a o o oo o o a a *o o Soa 9 e a a o09o