Importance

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Abstract

A broad band digital exchange is provided which includes a Banyan network or Batcher Banyan network which is used in an ATM machine for selectively connecting digital information. In such networks, cells which retain information may conflict so that the cell is discarded. Thus, all input information is not always transmitted. In order to lower the cell discard rate, various techniques have been proposed. In the present invention, an identification bit is provided in a header of the cell. When cells conflict, the identification bit of the losing cell is set so that the losing cell does not impede the transmission of information contained in the other cell. In another aspect, when cells conflict, a conflict detection signal is sent back to a buffer controller which controls the send-out of the information cells. In another aspect, the conflict detection signal is sent back to the buffer controller through a path through which the losing cell has been supplied. When the buffer controller receives such conflict detection signal, it resends the information of the losing cell stored in the buffer memory. As a result, the discard rate of the cells is lowered and the required hardware of the network is reduced.

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First Claim