Patent attributes
The present invention consists of an information structure conceived for the transport of data in digital form from a transmitting element to a receiver. This structure calls for fields for transport of the data and heading information fields termed “overhead” which improve transmission reliability. This structure enables support of digital interconnections in an element of a transport network capable of switching various traffic types such as CBRx (for example STM-N e OC-N), VC-N, STS-N or ODUk. The structure also enables identification of the frame beginning, verification of the integrity and correctness of the switching, support of protection switching, and transport of quality and timing information associated with the switched entities.