METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSLATING SIGNALING INFORMATION

摘要

An office interface unit (OIU) transfers data and signaling between a telephone local exchange and distribution lines. Information from the telephone local exchange is contained in repetitive frames containing signaling time slots which each contain two distinct nibbles of information. The OIU translates each local exchange signaling channel into first and second internal signaling channels, each internal signaling channel containing information representative of one signaling nibble therein. This simplifies DSO time slot interchange in the OIU. In addition, each internal signaling channel is provided with at least one additional significant signaling bit thereby providing additional signaling states so that the OIU equipment can account for multiple types of telephone local exchange equipment easily. Furthermore, each internal signaling channel is also provided with at least one data coding check bit thereby providing an easy and efficient method of determining whether or not bit errors are occurring in the OIU or equipment connected thereto.