Susan L English

US Patent:

6614811, Sep 2, 2003

Filed:

Oct 5, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/412875

Inventors:

S. Christopher Alaimo - Boulder CO
Kenneth M. Stevens - Boulder CO
Mark Millican - Longmont CO
Phillip D. Clark - Boulder CO
Craig Steven Cambier - Louisville CO
Susan I. English - Boulder CO
Bharat S. Shah - Aurora CO

Assignee:

Carrier Access Corporation - Boulder CO

International Classification:

H04L 1228

US Classification:

370498, 370537

Abstract:

A modular multi-service telecommunication access device includes a controller card and card slots for six peripheral cards and a power supply. Any of several types of peripheral cards can be inserted into the six card slots. A card present/protocol scheme allows an inserted card to recognize its address and communicate same as well as its communication protocol to the controller card via a PCM highway. The controller card sends both signaling information and management information to the peripheral cards via another PCM highway. A unique communication protocol allows for both real time signaling information and non-real time management information to be sent on the same channel. A microprocessor on the controller card includes an algorithm for managing messages to the various peripheral cards in the various card slots. A unique tributary addressing scheme allows for a simplified address used by external users to be converted to a more detailed internal address. A battery sense circuit includes a variable resistive element used in conjunction with additional circuitry to sense conditions relevant to the battery.