Ciena Corporation
Universal sub slot architecture for networking modules

Abstract:

A universal sub slot module includes a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) including circuitry for power, a data plane, and a control plane; a faceplate connected to one end of the PCB and connectors connected to another end of the PCB, wherein the connectors are configured to connect to corresponding connectors in a host module; and a form factor containing the PCB and configured to interface a sub slot in the host module configured to operate in a chassis-based or rack mounted unit network element. The host module can include a plurality of sub slots, each being a port having one of the universal sub slot module and a filler module. The data plane can be configured to implement one of Optical Transport Network (OTN), Beyond 100G, Flexible Optical (FlexO), Ethernet, and Flexible Ethernet (FlexE).