The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 13, 2005
Filed:
Jun. 06, 2003
Philip P. Carvey, Bedford, MA (US);
William J. Dally, Stanford, CA (US);
Larry R. Dennison, Norwood, MA (US);
Philip P. Carvey, Bedford, MA (US);
William J. Dally, Stanford, CA (US);
Larry R. Dennison, Norwood, MA (US);
Avici Systems, Inc., N. Billerica, MA (US);
Abstract
A module connection assembly connects modules in a torus configuration that can be changed remotely. In particular, a single module can be added to or deleted from the configuration by remotely switching from conducting paths that provide end-around electrical paths to conducting paths that provide pass-through electrical paths. The assembly includes two backplanes, a first set of module connectors for electrically connecting modules to one of the backplanes, and a second set of module connectors for electrically connecting modules to the other backplane. The assembly further includes configuration controllers. Each configuration controller selects between end-around electrical paths that electrically connect multiple module connectors of the first set to each other, and pass-through electrical paths that electrically connect module connectors of the first set to module connectors of the second set. Each configuration controller operates as a remotely configurable switch that configures a topology formed by the backplanes and the module connectors. In particular, by adding a single module, the topology can be expanded incrementally.