Multi-ring SONET architecture having shared gateways daisy chained to complete the main and subsidiary ring controlled by a common master controller

摘要

A pair of SONET rings (12' and 14') can be interworked by providing at least two gateways (16.sub.m-1 and 16.sub.m) that are shared by each of the rings. Each shared gateway has the capability of transferring a block of optical information resident in a prescribed time slot in an interchange frame associated with one ring to a time slot in an interchange frame associated with the other ring so the block reaches its intended destination in that ring.