Importance

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Abstract

A load balancing circuit arrangement for use with a packet switching node. The packet switching node processes applied data packets containing routing tag signals indicative of the output port destinations to which the data packets are addressed, and routes these packets to the identified output ports. The present invention a load balancing circuit coupled to the packet switching node which monitors the output port addresses of the applied data packets and monitors the number of data packets addressed to each of the output ports. The load balancing circuit is adapted to generate new routing tag signals identifying output port addresses which redistribute the output port load. The load balancing circuit arrangement includes a tag selection circuit coupled to the load balancing circuit and the packet switching node which selectively replaces the routing tag signals of the applied data packets with the new routing tage signals in order to redistribute and balance the output port load. The load balancing circuit comprises a minimum index circuit for generating the new routing tag signals and an adder circuit coupled thereto. The minimum index circuit combines the new routing tag signals with offset signals that modify the new routing tag signals in order to implement a predetermined output port priority scheme. The load balancing circuit arrangement may be employed in both multiple queue and multiport memory packet switching nodes employed in computer or telephone communications applications.

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First Claim