Importance

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Abstract

In order to handle asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) cells and synchronous transfer mode (STM) words in a single switch, STM words incoming on a channel are accumulated until a desired data block is available and a switch header is then added thereto in order to form an STM switch cell. The header includes routing information and a flag indicating the switch cell comprises STM words. In addition, a switch header is added to each ATM cell incoming on a channel in order to form an ATM switch cell. The header added to ATM cells includes routing information and a flag indicating the cell comprises an ATM cell. The ATM and STM switch cells feed input channels of a common memory switch. An ATM switch cell from a given incoming channel is stored at a memory address and the memory address input to a queue which is assigned to the outgoing channel indicated by the routing information of the switch header of the cell. At the same time, an ATM switch cell intended for an outgoing channel corresponding to the given incoming channel is read out of the switch, stripped of its switch header and passed to the outgoing channel. An STM cell from a given incoming channel is stored at an address indicative of the given incoming channel and, at the same time, a stored STM switch cell from another incoming channel indicated by the routing information of the incoming cell, is read out of the switch.

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First Claim