System, device, and method for consolidating frame information into a minimum number of output links

摘要

A telecommunications network (12) includes a digital cross-connect system (10) that receives frame relay information carried in individual DS-0 signals over DS-0 links (14) and/or multiple DS-0 signals over FT-1 links (16). The digital cross-connect system (10) includes a cross-connect matrix (44) that consolidates DS-0 signals into DS-1 signals. The digital cross-connect system (10) further includes a frame groomer (40) that extracts frames from each DS-0 signal for consolidation into a frame groomed consolidated circuit. The frame groomed consolidated circuit is transferred to an edge switch (24) in DS-1 signals through the frame groomer (40) and the cross-connect matrix (44).