Synchronized protection switching arrangement

Abstract

A multichannel data link switching control arrangement for synchronizing the substitution of one data channel for another without causing the insertion or deletion of data bits from the data transmitted over the communication path that is coupled to the channels. The switching control arrangement monitors the relative timing between the data on a channel to be replaced and the data on the replacement channel. Precisely controlled delay circuitry delays the data on one channel relative to the other until the data signals on the two channels are within .+-. a quarter bit of each other, at which time the channel substitution is effected. The arrangement includes a pair of control switch units each of which may be selectively controlled to couple either the active channel or the replacement channel to an output communication link. Each switch control unit contains an input multiplexer and an output switch, the operations of which are controlled by a data timing monitoring apparatus or control unit. The outputs of the two switch control units are coupled to signal combining and splitting circuitry the output of which may be phase compared with the data being coupled through either switch unit. A controllable data delay unit is coupled to one channel at the input to the dual switch control unit configuration and serves to selectively delay one channel with respect to the other as the data signals on both are applied to respective switch control units until the data streams on the two channels are synchronized. At that time, a control signal is applied to the two switch control units to effect a simultaneous switching of the output switches in each unit, whereby channel substitution is effected. The delay action of the delay unit remains in the replacement channel, except that no further incrementing of the delay is carried out.